Why BA (Hons) @ AKTO

Study Program

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INNOVATION & SPECIALIZATION

AKTO’s BA (Hons) Product Design programme is the only undergraduate programme in Greece that gives students the option to choose a specialization at the end of the first year, shaping their studies according to their research and professional interests. This choice is reflected on the degree, defining the academic and professional orientation. The available specializations are:

• Product Design: Industrial Innovation

• Product Design: User Experience

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

AKTO constantly supports its graduates through the Career Office and its extensive network of partners. Graduates of BA (Hons) Product Design have established themselves in the job market, with a strong presence in creative agencies, industries, technology companies, and start-ups, where they contribute to the design of innovative products and experiences. The high level of training they receive is recognized by the industry, with many standing out in international competitions, winning awards, and growing into professionals who shape the future of industrial and experience design.

EDUCATIONAL VISITS

Visits to museums, exhibitions, and leading companies offer familiarity with current trends and practical knowledge of design. In addition, themed educational trips are organized in Greece and abroad, broadening experience in the field of Product Design.

HIGH ACADEMIC STANDARD

BA (Hons) Product Design combines professional training with academic research, preparing students for the job market as well as for postgraduate studies in Greece and abroad. The programme cultivates critical thinking, experimentation, and innovation, strengthening independent learning and the development of new knowledge.

PROFESSIONAL PARTNERSHIPS & COMPETITIONS

During their studies, students have the opportunity for direct contact with the job market by taking part in projects in collaboration with major organizations, such as Samsung, Michelin, Greenpeace, The Smile of the Child, Doctors of the World, METAdrasi, the British Embassy, radio stations, and other bodies. At the same time, participation in and recognition at international competitions strengthens students’ professional profile and broadens their professional prospects.

ACADEMIC TEAM

The programme is staffed by a multifaceted academic team with a strong theoretical background and professional experience in Product Design. The coexistence of experienced designers and young creators offers a dynamic, contemporary educational environment.

By joining the programme you learn to combine the conceptual, theoretical, and practical, with experimental research and the acquisition of knowledge through inquiry. You will strengthen your oral and written communication skills, as well as your ability to present original solutions grounded in international practices. You will gain knowledge covering a broad range of subjects, such as engineering, industrial production and materials technology, packaging design, branding, interaction design, 3D digital design, design thinking, and ergonomics.

You will engage with relevant theories within an international, historical, contemporary, and cultural framework, and you will develop your critical abilities in relation to Product Design. The programme enables you to observe, identify, and solve problems, exercise sound judgment, develop analytical abilities, and propose alternative solutions. This is made possible through your introduction to contemporary approaches in the field, through creative familiarization with a wide range of subjects, in a systematic and professional manner. In addition, by understanding how you can find your own place in the job market, you strengthen the building of your own professional future.

A range of transferable skills is embedded in the programme to support you in building a successful career, as well as in your continuous development as an artist and professional. Free thinking, originality of ideas, and professionalism are the key parameters of this programme, strengthened through the curriculum and the organized additional activities that shape your educational experience.

Contact us at admissions@aktocollege.gr so we can send you the Detailed Study Guide.

Here you can view the Programme Specification And Curriculum Map For Product & Design Innovation.

This programme was developed and is delivered and assessed by AKTO, awarded by and quality assured by Middlesex University London.

YEAR 01

The first year includes 6 modules that introduce you to the basic theoretical and design principles of Product Design, covering the creation of products, objects, and services.

Class schedules are mainly in the morning and early afternoon, in order to smoothly support the transition into the new academic reality, giving members of the student community the necessary “space” for systematic practice, guidance, and intensive presence in the studios. At the same time, this schedule also makes it easier for those who have recently completed secondary education to be smoothly integrated into the daily study programme.

At the end of the year, you can choose one of the two available second-year specializations: Industrial Innovation or User Experience.
Throughout your studies, we provide advisory guidance so that you are fully informed about the content of each specialization and the professional prospects they offer, helping you make the best choice based on your interests and professional ambitions.

SEMESTER 01 | MODULES

• Fundamental Principles of Composition & Design Theory

• Concepts of Product Design

• Principles & Processes of Product Design

SEMESTER 02 | MODULES

• Documented Design Practice

• Product Design Thinking

• Methods & Exploration in Product Design

YEAR 02

The second-year modules are designed to deepen the knowledge you gained in the first year, providing specialization based on the direction you choose. During the third and fourth semesters, you will take one compulsory core module, complemented by the specialized modules of your chosen direction.

Maintaining morning and early-afternoon schedules ensures a steady study pace and intensive depth in both studio and theoretical subjects, thereby supporting skills development and personal progress at this critical stage of study.

The teaching modules per direction are listed below:

PRODUCT DESIGN: INDUSTRIAL INNOVATION

SEMESTER 03

• Visualization & Digital 3D Design • Industrial Innovation: Concept Design & Production

SEMESTER 04

• Advanced Visualization & Digital 3D Design

• Industrial Innovation: Advanced Conceptual Design & Prototyping Techniques

PRODUCT DESIGN: USER EXPERIENCE

SEMESTER 03

• Visualization & Digital 3D Design

• UX: Interactive Product Design & Market Analysis

SEMESTER 04

• Advanced Visualization & Digital 3D Design

• UX: Interaction & Trends in Product Design

YEAR 03

In the third year, you will take one specialization module in the fifth semester, while also carrying out your Research Project on a topic of your choice. In the sixth semester, you will move on to your Final Major Project, where you will develop your own design work based on the same topic.

During the development of your research project you will receive consistent guidance and supervision both from your instructors and from your fellow students, aiming to achieve a high level of results and develop a steady work rhythm throughout the semester.

Classes take place both in the morning/early afternoon and in the late afternoon/evening, allowing for substantial research and practical work, while also making it easier for members of the student community to be professionally active. During the third year, having already developed important skills and built a strong portfolio, many students stand out and become active in the job market, through freelance or part-time collaborations, both in Greece and abroad.

In addition, you will have many opportunities for professional practice through Real Work Projects, in collaboration with major agencies, brands, and art and cultural organizations in Greece and abroad. Through this process, you will enrich your professional profile and gain substantial experience in the field of industrial product design and UX design. The teaching modules per direction are listed below:

PRODUCT DESIGN: INDUSTRIAL INNOVATION

SEMESTER 05

• Research Project

• Industrial Innovation: Professional Development

SEMESTER 06

• Final Major Project

PRODUCT DESIGN: USER EXPERIENCE

SEMESTER 05

• Research Project

• UX: Professional Development

SEMESTER 06

• Final Major Project

Welcome to the exciting world of Product Design, a field that combines creativity, technology, and functionality to create innovative products that improve our everyday lives.

As Product Designers, you will have the opportunity to engage with a variety of contemporary technological tools, research the latest design trends, and create products that meet not only functional but also aesthetic needs. In your professional path you will face different challenges, such as designing a new product or improving the function and aesthetics of an existing one, finding solutions to user experience issues, gathering information, acting as a link between different teams such as designers, engineers, and researchers, and taking part in building prototypes.

AKTO’s Product & Design Innovation department consists of a team of people capable of creating the future. Through a wide range of fields such as industrial production and materials technology, packaging design, branding, interaction design, 3D digital design, design thinking, and ergonomics, you will gain all the necessary tools for a creative and innovative path. At the same time, through a holistic approach, you will explore the world of Art and Science and gain knowledge that will give you, on the one hand, solid foundations, and on the other, the vision to broaden your professional horizons.

Come create with us and explore the wonderful world of Product Design.

Panagiotis Martakis
Programme Leader BA (Hons) in Product & Design Innovation

At AKTO, distinguished Greek product & industrial designers, product marketing specialists, and art theorists teach, recognized for both their academic and artistic work. Specialized professors and PhD holders, together with research staff, pass on innovative and in-depth knowledge to students, responsive to the changing needs of society, technology, and the market. AKTO’s academic team helps students express themselves through a free and bold spirit of inquiry and research, aiming for social benefit both domestically and internationally.

Meet the members of AKTO’s Product Design Academic Team

Tuition Fees & Registrations

For the Full-Time undergraduate study programmes, the academic year has one (1) intake period, starting in October. For the Open College undergraduate study programmes, the academic year has two (2) intake periods. The first period is in October, followed by the second period the following February.

Contact us at admissions@aktocollege.gr for more information about intake periods.

Read below for information about tuition for AKTO’s undergraduate programmes:

Contact us at admissions@aktocollege.gr for further clarification about tuition and payment methods.

Candidates for the undergraduate study programmes must hold a Greek Lyceum Leaving Certificate or an equivalent secondary education qualification from abroad, such as an IB Diploma, A levels, or GCSE. Citizens of countries that are not members of the European Union or the Schengen Agreement must obtain a student visa or residence permit before enrolling. For candidates whose native language is not Greek, the language proficiency requirement is level B2.​

Contact us at admissions@aktocollege.gr for more information about the enrollment requirements.

At AKTO, we accept applications for transfers and admission via qualifying exams in every enrollment period. The process includes an interview and a presentation of a portfolio from the candidate’s previous academic path. Interested applicants can be admitted to an advanced semester or year of study and complete their studies through AKTO’s programmes.

Read detailed information about the transfer process to AKTO

AKTO subsidizes students with scholarships, tuition discounts, or even full subsidies, depending on the enrollment period, available places, and social criteria.

Read detailed information about:

Contact us at admissions@aktocollege.gr for more information.

Facilities & Services

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AKTO, recognizing the pedagogical challenges and contemporary demands of education, offers its students a range of benefits to help them, both with their studies and with their social life. These benefits include:

Read in detail about all the benefits AKTO offers

AKTO uses the most popular and up-to-date platform for synchronous and asynchronous learning, in partnership with Microsoft: MS Teams. Students can install the application either from the Play Store / App Store on mobile phones, or from the website on computers. Teams can also be used from all modern browsers (Edge, Chrome, Firefox), with Chrome and Edge recommended.

Learn more about the Technical Specifications and the Technical Support Office

Career Prospects & Academic Progression

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Since its inception, Product Design has functioned as a mediator between technology, industrial production, and the user. The constant evolution of technology shapes our daily lives, our habits, and the products we use. Always centred on the user and their needs, Product Design determines how technology interacts with them. By observing and analyzing behaviours, needs, and perceptions, it aims to create new, innovative products that improve and advance the user experience. As the world around us evolves both technologically and socially, the role of Product Design becomes increasingly necessary and acts as a catalyst for improving our way of life.

Product design trends today focus on human-centred innovation, sustainable design, experimental typography, minimalism, and immersive animated designs. Consumers are increasingly hungry for new technology, but also for products that are friendlier to society and the planet. It’s clear that the discussion around climate change inevitably has an impact on product design. At the same time, contemporary and complex technology seeks interoperability, as well as connectivity between different smart devices. Behaviour patterns, preferences, and needs present new characteristics and challenges for today’s Industrial Designers, creating exciting new design possibilities.

Graduates of the Product Design programme are in high demand at start-ups and large product-based companies, as well as software companies. Areas of professional activity include, among others, the following:

  • Product design
  • Industrial design
  • Colour technology
  • Production design for theatre/television/film
  • Product Design and Development
  • Furniture Design
  • Vehicle Design and Development (Cars – Boats)
  • Packaging Design
  • Design of Special Structures (Exhibition stands, etc.)
  • App Design, Digital Design, UX Design, UI Design
  • Brand Creation and Development
  • 3D Object Design and Prototyping

A Product Designer can work as a freelancer with their own collections, and by discovering material suppliers and partners in specialized fields such as AI, software design, the circular economy, and others, they can really stand out very quickly in the market. AKTO’s Careers Office helps graduates connect with the job market and a wide range of professional activity across various fields. AKTO Alumni is the largest 360˚ Art & Design community in Greece.

AKTO’s university Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees, awarded in collaboration with Middlesex University London, are recognized as professionally equivalent, in accordance with Presidential Decree 38/2010, as amended by Law 4093/2012, 4111/2013, 4205/2013, and 4635/2019. Middlesex University London is recognized by DOATAP as an institution equivalent to Greek Higher Education Institutions, while our graduates’ degrees have been recognized by A.T.E.E.N. Holders of these degrees are able to take part in ASEP competitions, in accordance with Article 13 of Law 4148/2013.

Read more about the Recognition and Accreditation of AKTO’s University Degrees

Graduates of the undergraduate programmes can continue their studies in AKTO’s Postgraduate Programmes, validated by Middlesex University London. As graduates of AKTO College, and members of our alumni community, they receive the AKTO Alumni tuition subsidy if they choose to continue their studies in AKTO’s study programmes.

Read more about the Academic Progression of AKTO’s Undergraduate Studies graduates

AKTO experience

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