About Product Development
Design and develop the next big thing with our Product Development emphasis! Our program offers hands-on experience experiences from design through production and distribution of products. Students will develop skills with various materials and techniques including metals, plastics, composites, woods, and textiles. The emphasis area focuses on the processes of designing, developing, and manufacturing successful products.
Product development students can work in a variety of industries. A successful product developer can work and communicate with a variety of professionals including engineers and designers, production managers, and business and marketing experts. The product developer often sees the big picture of taking a product from an idea to a finished product.
Job Options for Graduates
Mechanical Designer: As a mechanical designer, you use engineering and math principles to create the mechanical parts specifications for a project. Mechanical designers frequently use digital drawing software to design parts, make production notes, and test concepts before attempting to manufacture them.
Product Designer: A product designer uses their technical knowledge and creative design skills to design, create, and test products. Product designers can work in most major industries to create all kinds of products, from technology to furniture and office supplies. While some designers may improve existing products to produce better-looking, better-working, or more affordable results, others might work individually or with a team to design entirely new products.
Product Developer: Product developers help create new products or improve existing ones, which helps the company effectively meet consumers’ needs. They use their skills in engineering, design, and business to create products that meet production and market requirements.
Product Manager: A product manager in a company leads the development team to turn a concept into a product ready for the market. Product managers provide the expertise needed when a company is making strategic decisions on products to develop. They also research their target consumer market and competitors' products in order to develop a unique product vision that gives value to customers.
Project Manager: A project manager is responsible for the planning, procurement, execution, and completion of a project. The project manager oversees the entire project and handles everything involved, such as the project scope, managing the project team, as well as the resources assigned to the project.
What Our Students are Saying
Quinn Monsen
Technology Systems: Product Development Student
"Technology Systems opened the door to my career path in manufacturing and product development. Through this major, I have been able to develop an understanding of manufacturing with injection molding, 3D prototyping, and how to aid in establishing supply chains for new and mature businesses. The program itself was structured very well. I was able to gain knowledge in building the prototype myself and learn the hardships of product development through trial and error. A fantastic springboard to a foundational understanding of the prototype process."Request Technology Systems Degree Information
Meet Your Advisor
