Design Innovation/ Product Design

Successful innovators gain market differentiation and distinctive winning advantage from early-stage innovation research, i.e. uncovering a deep understanding of user needs, social trends and clear new insights. Design Innovation matches actionable insights with organisational strategies and capabilities to deliver differentiating new concepts.

Design Innovation at Maynooth offers a diverse and exploratory learning experience, guided by a lecturing team made up of specialists with extensive industry experience across product, graphic, engineering, electronic, furniture, medical and sports equipment design. ​

MH305 BSc Product Design and Innovation
>The program is a practical studio-based course, with an emphasis on project-based learning, workshops, CAD laboratory sessions and group work. The studio subjects include visualisation; freehand drawing and freehand rendering; computer modelling and rendering, model making and prototyping. 
>Students of Product Design and Innovation learn to harness their creative, artistic, and problem-solving skills. Students also gain a comprehensive understanding of technology and materials and develop a sensitive awareness of human needs and behaviour through user-centred design. You are taught to combine these abilities to create products that not only meet but also exceed user expectations.
>MH305 BSc Product Design: a Science subject is no longer a minimum entry requirement for this degree. The 2025 entry requirements are 2H5 & 4O6/H7, Irish, English and O3/H7 Mathematics plus 3 other subjects.

Graduate Caoimhe Galligan

“I chose Product Design because it provides exposure to a variety of study areas including engineering, business, marketing, and design. This interdisciplinary approach allows graduates to carve their own career paths after graduation. Additionally, the program includes a six-month internship or an Erasmus year during the third year, providing valuable industry experience.

Throughout my degree, I participated in several live projects with well-known external companies such as ESB and Combilift. These experiences allowed me to work alongside clients, solving real-world business challenges. Many of my classmates continued in graduate roles within their companies.

After completing my degree, I joined Trulife, an international niche medical device company, as a CAD technician. Within a year, I was promoted to design lead in the Custom Breastcare division. I also pursued a full-time Master’s in strategy at Maynooth University to reroute my skill focus to business and strategic marketing. Upon completion, I transitioned to the role of R&D engineer at Trulife, where I worked on new project development, management, and technical marketing of products.

In 2024, I returned to Maynooth University as a demonstrator, guiding second year students in a design brief project.”

MH305 BSc Product Design and Innovation Graduate (2021)
MSc Strategy and Innovation Graduate (2024)
R&D Medical Device Engineer, Trulife

Award Winners
Congratulations to BSc Product Design graduate Andrew Meehan who has won an international award for his design to reduce people suffering muscle loss while wearing a cast.
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Congratulations to Laney Hyland, BSc Product Design and Innovation for winning Best Medical Device Design category at the Institute of Designers in Ireland graduate awards.
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