The Product Design facilities at SETU Carlow provide students with integrated access to studios, workshops, and digital fabrication spaces that support hands-on learning from concept to prototype.
Dedicated Design Facilities & Equipment
As a Product Design student at SETU Carlow, you’ll study in a fully dedicated, purpose-built environment designed around how product designers actually work – making, testing, iterating, and refining ideas through hands-on studio practice.
All facilities and equipment are exclusive to the Product Design programme and are located together within the design building. This includes four dedicated design studios (one for each year group), a fully equipped workshop, and digital fabrication spaces, all positioned beside each other and adjacent to the design staff offices.
This integrated layout supports a strong studio culture, easy access to equipment, and close interaction with staff. Students have access to a wide range of professional-grade tools, technologies, and prototyping resources that support applied learning across all stages of the product design process.
What this means in practice is simple: you won’t be waiting for access or learning design only in theory. You’ll work in a space where making is part of everyday studio life, building practical skills, confidence, and a strong design portfolio through continuous hands-on experience.
The Product Design facilities at SETU support a wide range of digital fabrication, workshop-based making, electronics, and human-centred design activities, giving students hands-on access to the tools used in contemporary product design practice.
3D Printing & Digital Fabrication
- Student-led 3D printing lad
- 3D printer material recycling systems
- Desktop CNC machines
- Laser cutter
- Vacuum former
- Desktop injection moulding equipment
Workshop & Making Facilities
- Band saws, lathes, and extensive hand tools
- Professional spray booth
- Foam wire cutter and foam-working tools
- Acrylic heating and forming equipment
- Wood steam chamber
- Sewing machines for soft goods and textiles
Design Research, UX & Emerging Tech
- 3D scanners and material scanners
- Eye-tracking glasses
- VR headsets
- Interactive screens and iPads for UX/UI design
- Wacom sketch tablets
- IPads & Interactive Screens
Electronics & Prototyping
- Arduino and Raspberry Pi kits
Human-Centred Design
- Extensive empathy and simulation toolkit
- Support inclusive and user-centred design
3D Printing & Digital Fabrication
As a Product Design student at SETU Carlow, you have access to a dedicated 3D printing and digital fabrication lab located beside the design studios, supporting a fast workflow from concept to prototype as part of everyday studio practice.
The lab includes 15 Bambu Lab 3D printers (A1, X1 Carbon, H2D) alongside an integrated material recycling system. Students receive training in key areas of 3D printing, including file preparation, material selection, printer setup, troubleshooting, and finishing, before using the lab to support ongoing studio and project work.
With a student-led culture and staff support close by, the lab helps students build technical confidence, iterate more efficiently, and produce higher-quality prototypes and portfolio outcomes through regular hands-on use.
Workshop & Making Facilities
The Product Design workshop at SETU Carlow supports studio-based learning through hands-on making, helping students translate ideas into physical prototypes and models. Students receive four hours of dedicated workshop access each week, supported by design lecturers and technical staff, enabling safe skill development and regular practice across core making processes.
In first year, students are trained on workshop equipment and key methods, building confidence in working with a range of materials including foams, card, sheet materials, plastics, metals, and wood. Students also develop essential finishing skills, including surface preparation, painting, and spray application in a professional spray booth, supporting higher-quality prototypes and presentation models.
A dedicated soft modelling area is available when required, supporting rapid form exploration and early-stage prototyping as part of the everyday studio workflow.
