Overview
Product Design(PD) is distinctly interdisciplinary, integrating art and technology. It is particularly suited for students possessing creativity, aesthetic perception, a passion for art and humanities, logical thinking abilities, and engineering fundamentals. This major emphasizes creative design concepts and explores cutting-edge integrations between technology and aesthetics, inspiring continuous innovation for a better future.
Product Design at Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT) originated in 1995 as the Industrial Design (recognized as a National First-Class Undergraduate Major). Leveraging HIT's distinctive academic strengths, the major capitalizes on advanced technologies and resources in aerospace, robotics and intelligent equipment, and computer science, focusing on training design talents in aerospace, industrial equipment, digital products, and transportation vehicles.
Adhering to HIT's interdisciplinary tradition of science-technology-art integration, the major conducts specialized research in several fields: high-end specialized equipment design, spacecraft human-machine interface, human factors system design for extreme environments, and survival tool design under extreme conditions in the field of aeronautics and astronautics; human-computer interaction design, intelligent algorithm-driven design, computer interface design, and AI-based generative design in the field of computer science; industrial product design, large-scale machinery design, and an intelligent manufacturing design in the field of mechanical engineering; innovative designs integrating new materials, eco-friendly materials, and sustainable design solutions in the field of material science; innovative designs integrating new materials, eco-friendly materials, and sustainable design solutions in the field of instrumentation science and technology.
This four-year program awards the Bachelor of Arts degree upon completion. Additionally, it offers a master's degree in Design as a first-level discipline, providing students opportunities for further advanced education.
Educational Approach
Product Design leverages HIT's leading technologies and resources in fields such as aerospace, robotics and intelligent equipment, and computer science. Its goal is to cultivate application-oriented product design talents equipped with professional artistic design qualities, advanced design concepts, innovative thinking, broad international perspectives, and a strong sense of social responsibility. Graduates will possess competencies in product styling, interactive design, and related management, research, and teaching roles, enabling them to excel in professional design institutions, enterprises, research institutes, and related organizations.
Courses
Through nearly two decades of development, the major has established a distinctive, comprehensive educational and research system in product design. Built upon artistic and human factors theories, the curriculum covers user and market research, product conceptual planning, product styling design, structural design, interaction design, service design, and brand identity design. Core courses include Fundamentals of Plastic Arts, Design History, Ergonomics, User Experience Methods and Measurement, Product Design Technology Fundamentals, Product Design Representation Techniques, Computer-Aided Product Design, Complex Surface Engineering Modeling, Product Form and Creativity, Product Interaction Design, Product Opportunity and Design Processes, Structural Design and Material Processes, Service Design, Product Brand Identity Design, Information Art Design, Virtual Reality Systems, Game Engine Basics, and Interactive Video Production.
Career
Graduates of the Product Design major primarily target employment opportunities in aerospace, industrial equipment, smart home appliances, digital products, and transportation industries. Suitable positions include product planning, user research, styling design, interaction design, visual design, brand design, service design, structural design, packaging design, and related teaching or research roles.
