Product design BA
At the Iceland Academy of the Arts, students in product design face social and environmental challenges with creative solutions while promoting the participation of designers in society, creative industries and production
Information is provided in Icelandic for study programs that have Icelandic as the primary language of construction.
About the program
Emphasis is placed on introducing students to diverse methods of design processes, promoting critical creative thinking, and preparing students to face contemporary challenges with design methods.
In the program, students train the methods of design thinking Subjects are studied and further developed through a design process, put into context and presented as a proposal in the form of prototyping, exhibition parts, video etc. Students adopt a wide range of techniques and work with tools and equipment (eg ceramic, wood, metalwork etc.) to give form to ideas and formulate solutions Emphasis is placed on the dissemination of projects in text, photography and video production At the end of the program, each student has their own website to communicate their projects and creative vision.
Among the projects that the students work on is the course Local Opportunities and Production, where students get to know, among other things, underutilized raw materials or opportunities for increased value creation from Icelandic raw materials. Students experiment, develop ideas, learn to design and produce themselves and finally come up with suggestions for improvements and innovations in collaboration with a supervisor and an Icelandic production company.
Study structure
The three-year course is 180 credits and is divided into theory, technology and workshops Teaching takes place in lectures, in workshops and in the student's work area where each has its own facilities The program is local, taught in Icelandic but in exceptional cases in English, and the student is responsible for his own academic progress The student-centered program gives each one the scope to approach the projects according to his own interests and strengths, but the role of the teacher is to guide the design process and tools that support the student in his own search for knowledge. The focus is on the student's conversation with teachers and fellow students, where his own work and that of others are interpreted and contextualized. Assessment is a written review and is aimed at the stand/fall.
After completing his studies
After completing their studies, students should be able to work independently and creatively on different projects in the field of product design, at design companies or independently The program also prepares students well for postgraduate studies at the master's level.
From the professional director
Product design at the Iceland Academy of the Arts is an exciting track that has undergone a lot of changes in recent years. Society and conditions are changing rapidly and the focus of the program reflects those changes Students are engaged in researching and analyzing the contemporary world - from environmental problems, artificial intelligence, societal challenges - and learning to apply design methods to seek answers and design appropriate solutions Students work with materials, technology, crafts, videos and a variety of media and acquire the skills to design solutions to anything, anywhere Our goal is to train conscious and bring designers who can be a driving force for change - have a positive impact on society, the environment and the future Above all, however, the track is about helping students find their own interests and purpose.
- Björn Steinar Blumenstein, professional manager in product design
Application and admission process
To apply for a reverse-calar program in product design, an electronic application is filled out, the requested data is included, and the application fee must be subsequently paid. Once these steps are completed and once it has been ascertained that the applicant has submitted all necessary information and supporting documents, he receives confirmation by email that the electronic application is valid and received.
If the number of applicants who meet the admission requirements for study programs is below the minimum criteria will not be included in the course for the coming school year. Are applicants informed of this as soon as possible and the registration fee refunded, if it has been paid.
Open for applications
January 14, 2026
Application deadline
13 April 2026
Applications answered
May /June 2026
Price list
Special instructions for the design department
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1st Folder/portfolio
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Note that you have to choose between a physical or electronic folder/portfolio.If you are applying for more study programs or departments, you must submit an application and a folder for each study path/department.Folder submission deadline:Substantive submission deadline or electronic folder is 13 April 2026. In the case of a physical folder, it must be returned or sent by mail to the LHÍ office:
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Iceland Academy of the Arts, Design Department
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Stakkahlíð 1
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105 Reykjavík
If a folder is sent by mail, a postmark must be dated April 13, 2026 at the latest. The folder should be sent by traceable mail and the envelope marked with Application design.We ask you to read carefully the instructions below regarding folder labeling:Folder tagging:-
If your folder is physical, you need to include a sheet with it that clearly states your full name and social security number.
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If your folder is electronic, you need to save the file with your full name and social security number.
Folder contents:Applicants must collect samples of their work in a folder in physical or electronic form.The works should reflect the student's personal vision, shed light on his main topics of interest, and from them it should be possible to read what skills he has for original creation and presentation of his ideas.It is not necessary that all the works be completed or implemented to the fullest extent, on the contrary, it is important that there is also any design process, sketches, drawings, photographs or text. All the exhibited works are to be the author's work of the applicant If a work has been done in group work or collaboration, it is necessary to state that.The applicant himself has to assess what fits within the folder, but it is important that it reflects his ability, skills and vision of the profession through creative work.Content outside the folder, such as links or references to other documents electronically, is defined as additional content and it is not guaranteed that it will be viewed. -
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Cover letter
DutyApplicants explain the reason for the application in the relevant study path. The cover letter should be a maximum of one page.
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3. Admission process
DutyAn admissions committee is appointed for each study path that evaluates applications and selects from among the applicants. The committee is made up of the professional director of the relevant study path together with one to two experts in the relevant field.The admission process is as follows:-
Applications are evaluated by the admissions committee Applicants who pass the admissions committee's assessment make it to the sample group and are invited for an interview.
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Applicants meet with the admissions committee in an interview where their interest in prospective studies, their attitude and attitude towards the profession is explored Applicants can request an electronic interview if they are unable to attend in person.
Special Projects:The admissions committee is authorized to request a special project from the applicant if deemed necessary.Application results:All applicants will be sent an electronic response to applications in May/June. The results of the admissions committees are final and it is not obligatory to give a more detailed explanation of the refusal to stay at school.Applicants offered school accommodation must pay a registration fee to confirm the school accommodation. See information about registration fee.Starting in autumn 2026, tuition fees will be imposed on applicants from countries outside the EEA, the Faroe Islands, Greenland and Switzerland. More information about school fees. -
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4. Admission requirements
General admission requirements are matriculation, final exam from secondary school at the third qualification level,equivalent exam from a foreign secondary school or a minimum of 60 ECTS credits fromaccredited college Applications must be accompanied by certified copies of diplomas and certified copiesfrom the study history summary.Admission to the school may be granted to applicants with knowledge and experiencewhich is considered adequate preparation for bachelor's degree studies at the school See more „exemptions for admission“Admission committees evaluate applications based on submitted data as well as interviews and/or entrance examsthe fields that apply. The dean appoints an admissions committee for each study path in consultation withprofessional managers and admissions committees work according to the procedures presented to applicants. -
5. Exemptions due to admission
Admission to the school may be granted to applicants with knowledge and experiencewhich is considered adequate preparation for bachelor's studies at the school.Applicants who do not meet the general admission requirements can apply for an exemption if they havecompleted, for example, numerous credits at secondary school level, completed other final exams such as on 4.qualification level or have other preparation that can prepare the person for studies onuniversity level in the relevant study path. Applications for exemption from generaladmission requirements are assessed by professionals within the relevant department The result of the assessment ofexemption applications are final. When evaluating applications, synergistic factors are consideredregarding grades in studies at secondary school level, education in arts, further education,work experience and participation in social work Each case is examined separately and can interactthese factors affected the outcome Applicants are encouraged to account for all of itwhich they believe may be subject to their application for exemption from general admission requirementsprogress.Admission committees evaluate applications based on submitted data as well as interviews and/or entrance examsthe fields that apply. The dean appoints an admissions committee for each study path in consultation withprofessional managers and admissions committees work according to the procedures presented to applicants.