Materials for product design

The realisation of any product depends on the manipulation of appropriate materials. Materials and manufacturing processes must be selected in relation to the required service performance, the available manufacturing resources and the acceptable cost. Designers need to understand the implications of these choices and be sensitive to the forms their products must take if they are to avoid unnecessary compromises between aesthetic requirements and efficient production. Traditionally it may have been acceptable for designers to hand over 'concept designs' to production engineers to modify as necessary, but a more holistic approach to design development is now expected. The educational experiences of undergraduates on the Design and Technology three year degree programme should enable them to participate fully in a modern integrated approach to product design.