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

2. Solve creative or industry-informed problems using appropriate methods and processes for Automotive and Transport Design Application & Problem Solving

3. Use digital tools to support professional-standard creative workflows in Automotive and Transport Design Digital Literacy

4. Reflect on how employability and enterprise concepts inform your developing practice in Automotive and Transport Design Reflection, Personal Development & Entrepreneurship

Assessment 1: Digital Project

Digital Project file of project work and professional development. Typically including:
- CAD models
- Renderings
- Animation
- 3D printed model

Assessment 2: Reflective Report or Presentation
Option 1: Reflective Report (1,200 words)
Option 2: Recorded or live presentation (5–6 minutes)

You will produce a reflective report, submitted either in written or verbal form, documenting your modelling and visualisation process. The reflection should evaluate how tools, techniques, and software were used to develop and refine high-quality visual outcomes, and critically consider your creative and technical decision-making throughout the project.

In addition, you should reflect on how your work demonstrates developing professional practice within Automotive and Transport Design, including consideration of employability and enterprise skills such as workflow management, communication, industry awareness, and the potential application of your work within professional contexts.

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.

This module introduces you to CAD and digital visualisation, developing your understanding of computer modelling as a tool for design. It explores contemporary digital workflows used in industry to support the creation, development, and communication of design ideas.

You will be learning and developing a skillset in:
- Investigating the evolution and role of CAD/CAS within automotive and transport design practice
- Learning and understanding the principles of NURBS based modelling
- Applying polygonal and sub-divisional modelling techniques to create quick, free-flowing digital models
- Developing surface quality, proportion, and form suitable for concept vehicle design
- Producing high-definition renders and animations to effectively visualise and communicate design intent
- Presenting digital models within contextual and environmental settings to support design storytelling and evaluation
- Preparing CAD models ready for 3D printing

This module introduces you to CAD (computer-aided design) and digital visualisation, showing how digital tools are used to create and develop design ideas. You’ll learn different 3D modelling techniques, including NURBS, polygon and subdivision modelling, to create high-quality vehicle concepts. The module helps you develop smooth surfaces, good proportions, and clear design ideas through rendering, animation, and presentation, while also preparing models for 3D printing. You’ll also learn how car brands use design to show their identity and how their style changes over time.

- Taught software demonstrations and tutorials.
- Working one-to-one with staff to support your skills development.
- Working independently, on-campus or remotely on your digital model.
- Making use of video tutorials in the Automotive and Transport Design video library to support your learning. - Printing and evaluating your 3D designs.
- Reflecting on your practice as part of the written report.

Jeacuksan, E. (2025) Mastering Blender 2026 guide for beginners: A step-by-step learning path to create, model, animate and render stunning three-dimensional scenes using modern professional workflows.
Lansdown, H. (2019) Digital modelmaking: Laser cutting, 3D printing and reverse engineering. Marlborough: The Crowood Press.

Moss, A. (2025) 3D printing: Essential techniques and tips for beginners.

Ventner, R. and Ogterop, M. (2022) Unreal Engine 5 character creation, animation, and cinematics: Create custom 3D assets and bring them to life in Unreal Engine 5 using MetaHuman, Lumen, and Nanite. Birmingham: Packt Publishing.

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

We recommend online tutorials over books:
Resources for Students | Autodesk Education Community
Alias Teacher TV –Youtube
Tutorials - blender.org
Blender – YouTube www.berkkaplan.com

- 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
- Automotive &Transport Design video library
- CAD Labs
- Print Bureau
- Betty Smithers Design collection
- Access to relevant software (to include: Alias, Blender, Unreal Engine, VRED, Adobe CC, Microsoft Office)