1. Apply knowledge of professional contexts to produce a practical outcome relevant to Automotive & Transport Design. Knowledge & Understanding

2. Solve simulated creative or industry-informed problems using appropriate methods and processes for Automotive and Transport Design, working independently while engaging with relevant professional, technical, or academic feedback. Application & Problem Solving Critical Reasoning & Collaboration

3. Communicate your work to academic, professional, or non-specialist audiences. Communication

4. Reflect on your technical, creative, and professional development to enable your future development. Personal Development & Entrepreneurship

Assessment 1: Portfolio
Creative portfolio of project work and professional development. Typically including:
Sketch design and development work
Prototypes and material samples
Final facsimile model/s
Evidence of CAD modelling
Evidence of engagement with feedback
Presentation material.

Assessment 2: Reflection
Option 1: Written reflection with supporting visuals – word count 1200
Option 2: Audio recording with image folder – 5-6 mins
Option 3: Video reflection with supporting visuals – 5-6 mins

You will produce a reflective commentary, submitted either as a written reflection or a verbal audio reflection, typically presented as a technical and creative sketchbook. The reflection should document your creative process, technical skills development, and decision-making, and evaluate your learning and progress across the module.

Formative Assessment:
Midway formative feedback will be embedded within practical sessions, providing structured opportunities for feedback on work-in-progress to support student development and progression.

You will be introduced to the principles of concept development and prototyping through hands-on engagement with a wide range of workshop practices used across the creative industries.

You will develop practical skills and confidence through making activities that may include:
- Working with wood, automotive clay, metal, resins and ceramics
- Using 3D printing and laser cutting for rapid prototyping
- Applying hand tools, machinery, and digital fabrication techniques
- Exploring material properties, form, and construction methods

You will design and evolve creative concepts through iterative prototyping, selecting processes and materials best suited to realise your design intent.

You will reflect on making processes and outcomes, developing problem-solving skills and an understanding of how prototypes inform and improve final design solutions.

Bring your ideas to life through hands-on making and experimentation. In this module, you’ll move from concept to prototype as you explore a wide range of workshop practices used across the creative industries. You’ll work with materials such as wood, ceramics, metal, automotive clay, and resins, alongside digital processes including 3D printing and laser cutting. By testing, refining, and evolving your ideas through prototyping, you’ll gain the confidence and practical skills needed to turn creative concepts into realised designs.

Learning strategies for this module are practice-based and focused on hands-on engagement, enabling you to develop confidence and competence in workshop environments. These strategies include:

Technical instruction and demonstrations supported by supervised workshop practice, allowing you to safely and effectively use equipment, processes, and materials to a high standard across a range of making disciplines.

Practice-based learning delivered through a variety of materials and fabrication methods, encouraging experimentation, material investigation, and iterative prototyping in response to your design ideas.

Individual and group tutorials where you will present work in progress, reflect on your making process, and receive constructive feedback to support the development and refinement of your concepts.

Independent study where you will apply learned techniques through self-directed making, skill development, and the production of practical outcomes that contribute to your assessed body of work.

Fuller, I. M. (2023) 3D printing for total beginners: The ultimate guide to getting started with 3D printing: Unleash your creativity today.

Heinel, J. (2024) Clay secrets: From concept to perfect form: The art of clay modelling.

Lefteri, C. (2017) Making it: Manufacturing techniques for product design. London: Laurence King Publishing.
Thompson, R. (2017) Materials sourcebook for design professionals. London: Thames & Hudson.

Where older texts are included, they are retained as foundational texts within the discipline, remaining relevant where no more recent equivalent texts are available.

- Student Life: https://www.youtube.com/@uniofstaffsstudentlife/videos
- University Careers: https://staffs.careercentre.me/Members
- University Library: https://libguides.staffs.ac.uk/library
- Blackboard Virtual Learning Environment will support this module where relevant
- Specialist Spaces and Workshops
- Smart Zone
- CAD Labs
- Print Bureau
- Betty Smithers Design collection
- Access to relevant software