School of Design & Innovation: Admissions open for B.Des. and M.Des. Studio Programs 2026–2027.
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Imagine · Design · Solve · Belong

School of Design & Innovation

“Design for what truly matters.” Empowering curious minds to reimagine products, communications, spaces, and digital interactions through human-centred empathy.

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100+
Live Projects (Last 3 Years)
25+
Industry & Studio Partners
4
International Collaborations
90%
Real-World Project Experience
Our Vision

Design for People. Innovate for a Kinder Tomorrow.

At the School of Design and Innovation, we empower curious minds to reimagine the world. Through design, technology, and human-centred thinking, we create solutions that are thoughtful, inclusive, and impactful.

“Design is not just what it looks like, but what it makes possible.”

The Four Design Pillars:

  • •
    Interdisciplinary Learning: Cross-pollination with computer science labs, cognitive psychology, and ecological sciences.
  • •
    Industry Collaborations: Live briefs from leading technology companies, creative agencies, and NGOs.
  • •
    Innovation Labs: 24/7 access to physical computing, bio-materials, and digital fabrication machinery.
  • •
    Real-World Impact: Creating regenerative, accessible artifacts that enrich community wellbeing.
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School of Design and Innovation Brochure
Beyond the Classroom

A Vibrant Ecosystem for Creators & Makers

Spaces · Tools · People · Ideas · Into Impact

State-of-the-Art Studios

Rapid prototyping labs, CNC milling, 3D laser cutters, AR/VR spatial rigs, and sustainable material exploration workshops.

Live Projects

Direct field engagements with regional craft communities, municipal transit departments, healthcare clinics, and social ventures.

Exhibitions & Showcases

Annual Aaranya Design Triennale, peer critiques, open gallery nights, and international design award competitions.

A Thriving Club Culture

Active design collectives: Makers Guild, Typography Society, Interaction/UX Lab, Film & Photography Guild, and Sustainable Living Collective.

Academic Architecture

Comprehensive Curricula by Degree Program

Rigorous studio foundations, material explorations, digital software fluency, and community capstones across 5 accredited degree tracks.

B.Des. in Product Design

4 Years · 8 Semesters · 160 Credits · “Design tangible solutions for everyday life.”

Undergraduate Studio

Year 1: Design Foundations & Visual Language Semesters 1 & 2

DSN101Design Fundamentals & Form Studies4 Credits
DSN102Visual Representation & Perspective Drawing4 Credits
DSN103History of Art, Craft & Industrial Design4 Credits
DSN104Material Science & Workshop Methods (Wood/Metal/Clay)4 Credits

Year 2: Ergonomics, Form & Digital Prototyping Semesters 3 & 4

PRD201Anthropometry, Human Factors & Ergonomics4 Credits
PRD2023D CAD Solid Modeling & Parametric Surfacing4 Credits
PRD203Consumer Product Studio I: Everyday Objects4 Credits
PRD204Applied Manufacturing Processes & Tooling4 Credits

Year 3: Smart Hardware, IoT & Advanced Systems Semesters 5 & 6

PRD301Smart Products, Physical Computing & Sensor Rigs4 Credits
PRD302Universal Design & Assistive Technologies4 Credits
PRD303Packaging & Sustainable Product Architecture4 Credits
PRD304Live Industry Studio Practicum & DFM4 Credits

Year 4: Industry Residency & Graduation Showcase Semesters 7 & 8

PRD401Design Management, Entrepreneurship & IP Law4 Credits
PRD402Compulsory 16-Week Professional Industry Internship8 Credits
PRD491Graduation Capstone Degree Project & Public Exhibition12 Credits

Available Minor Concentrations (20 Credits)

Minor in Robotics & Physical Computing: Joint with CS: Actuators, embedded sensor networks, and robotic fabrication.
Minor in Biomimetic Materials: Joint with Natural Sciences: Bio-plastics, cellular foam structures, and thermal mimicry.
Minor in Hardware Entrepreneurship: Joint with Business School: Supply chain tooling, Kickstarter pitch, and DFM economics.

Product Studio Electives

Studio Elective 1: Medical Technology & Surgical Device Ergonomics.
Studio Elective 2: Furniture, Spatial Joinery & Contemporary Woodcraft.
Studio Elective 3: Clean Mobility, EV Micro-Vehicles & Helmet Systems.

B.Des. in Communication Design

4 Years · 8 Semesters · 160 Credits · “Tell stories that inspire and create change.”

Undergraduate Studio

Year 1: Visual Grammar & Semiotics Semesters 1 & 2

DSN101Typography I: Anatomy, Hierarchy & Font Mechanics4 Credits
DSN102Visual Semiotics, Sign Systems & Culture4 Credits
DSN103Color Theory, Spatial Composition & Layout4 Credits
DSN104Illustration, Photography & Image-Making4 Credits

Year 2: Identity Systems & Motion Graphics Semesters 3 & 4

COM201Brand Identity Design & Systematic Visual Branding4 Credits
COM202Typography II: Experimental & Multilingual Type4 Credits
COM203Motion Graphics & Cinematic Storyboarding4 Credits
COM204Editorial Publishing & Print Production Systems4 Credits

Year 3: Information Architecture & Public Advocacy Semesters 5 & 6

COM301Information Design, Data Visualization & Infographics4 Credits
COM302Spatial Graphics, Wayfinding & Exhibition Identity4 Credits
COM303Transmedia Storytelling & Digital Campaign Strategy4 Credits
COM304Social Advocacy Studio: Design for Civic Change4 Credits

Year 4: Brand Incubation & Senior Showcase Semesters 7 & 8

COM401Design Ethics, Cultural Policy & Media Law4 Credits
COM402Corporate Brand Studio Residency (16 Weeks)8 Credits
COM491Senior Communication Degree Capstone & Public Defense12 Credits

Recommended Minor Concentrations

Minor in Creative Writing & Narrative Strategy: Screenwriting, creative nonfiction, and brand manifesto storytelling.
Minor in Strategic Advertising & Brand Culture: Consumer psychology, global campaign architecture, and cultural resonance.
Minor in Audio Branding & Sound Design: Sonic identities, podcast production, and spatial acoustic media.

Communication Elective Studios

Typeface Design Lab: Glyph geometry, Indic font drawing, and OpenType font engineering.
Editorial Art & Independent Book Publishing: Risograph printing, binding crafts, and zine distribution.
3D Motion & Computational Graphics: Cinema4D, Blender, and real-time visual performances.

B.Des. in Interaction Design (IxD & UX)

4 Years · 8 Semesters · 160 Credits · “Design experiences for a more connected world.”

Undergraduate Studio

Year 1: Digital Media & Creative Code Semesters 1 & 2

IXD101Introduction to Interaction Design & HCI Foundations4 Credits
IXD102Creative Coding for Designers (Processing & Web Standards)4 Credits
IXD103Cognitive Psychology & Human Perception in Interfaces4 Credits
IXD104Wireframing, Information Architecture & User Flows4 Credits

Year 2: User Research & Interface Systems Semesters 3 & 4

IXD201Ethnographic User Research, Usability Testing & Analytics4 Credits
IXD202Design Systems, Component Architecture & Micro-Interactions4 Credits
IXD203Mobile & Web Experience Design Studio4 Credits
IXD204Service Design & Customer Journey Mapping4 Credits

Year 3: Spatial Computing & Conversational UI Semesters 5 & 6

IXD301AR/VR Spatial Computing & Immersive Environments4 Credits
IXD302Voice User Interfaces (VUI) & Multimodal Interaction4 Credits
IXD303Designing for Artificial Intelligence & Algorithmic UX4 Credits
IXD304Speculative & Critical Design for Future Technologies4 Credits

Year 4: Industry Residency & HCI Capstone Semesters 7 & 8

IXD401Product Strategy, Agile Frameworks & Metric Tracking4 Credits
IXD40216-Week Product Design Studio Internship8 Credits
IXD491Senior Interaction Capstone & Public Prototype Launch12 Credits

Available Minor Concentrations

Minor in Artificial Intelligence & Machine Cognition: Joint with CS: Transformer architectures, prompt engineering, generative systems.
Minor in Game Design & Virtual Worlds: Unreal Engine, game narrative, ludology, and multiplayer mechanics.
Minor in Behavioral Psychology & Nudge Systems: Cognitive biases, habit formation, and digital wellbeing ethics.

Specialized HCI Studios

Haptics & Tactile Interfaces: Force feedback motors, micro-vibrations, and non-visual feedback rigs.
Voice UX & Sonic Conversational AI: Conversational turn-taking, prosody, and ambient audio agents.
Speculative Design & Black Mirror Labs: Critical provocation, technological dystopia analysis, and future worldbuilding.

B.Des. in Sustainable Design

4 Years · 8 Semesters · 160 Credits · “Create for a regenerative and equitable future.”

Undergraduate Studio

Year 1: Ecological Foundations & Systems Thinking Semesters 1 & 2

SUS101Ecological Systems, Climate Science & Planetary Boundaries4 Credits
SUS102Systems Thinking for Complex Socio-Technical Problems4 Credits
SUS103Indigenous Knowledge Systems & Regenerative Crafts4 Credits
SUS104Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) & Carbon Accounting4 Credits

Year 2: Circular Economy & Bio-Materials Semesters 3 & 4

SUS201Circular Product Design: Cradle-to-Cradle Paradigms4 Credits
SUS202Bio-Inspired Design, Biomimicry & Mycelium Materials4 Credits
SUS203Sustainable Packaging Solutions & Closed Loops4 Credits
SUS204Clean Energy Interfaces & Low-Power Hardware4 Credits

Year 3: Resilient Habitats & Community Systems Semesters 5 & 6

SUS301Urban Agriculture, Decentralized Water & Food Networks4 Credits
SUS302Design for Disaster Resilience & Climate Migration4 Credits
SUS303Community Co-Design & Participatory Action Research4 Credits
SUS304Policy, Environmental Law & ESG Governance4 Credits

Year 4: Field Practicum & Regenerative Capstone Semesters 7 & 8

SUS401Social Enterprise Strategy & Circular Venture Capital4 Credits
SUS40216-Week Sustainability Field Practicum & Rural Residency8 Credits
SUS491Regenerative Design Degree Capstone & Public Defense12 Credits

Recommended Minor Concentrations

Minor in Ecology & Conservation Biology: Wetlands hydrology, native pollinators, and forest restoration.
Minor in Environmental Jurisprudence: Climate litigation, tribal land tenure, and international environmental law.
Minor in Social Entrepreneurship & Circular Finance: Green venture capital, carbon trading, and community mutuals.

Regenerative Design Studios

Mycelium & Bio-Fabrication Studio: Culturing fungal mycelium into packaging, acoustic tiles, and insulation.
Decentralized Water & Renewable Power: Rainwater harvesting networks, solar cookers, and low-cost filtration.
Circular Fashion & Natural Dye Chemistry: Zero-waste pattern cutting, organic indigo vatting, and compostable textiles.

M.Des. in Design Innovation & Emerging Technologies

2 Years · 4 Semesters · 80 Credits · “Research. Experiment. Build what's next.”

Postgraduate Studio

Year 1: Strategic Research, Speculation & Rapid Fabrication Semesters 1 & 2

MDS501Strategic Design Management & Innovation Frameworks4 Credits
MDS502Speculative Design & Strategic Foresight Methodologies4 Credits
MDS503Advanced Physical Computing & Embedded Micro-Systems4 Credits
MDS504Human-Computer Confluence & Generative Machine Co-Creation4 Credits

Year 2: Venture Incubation & Master's Thesis Semesters 3 & 4

MDS601Transdisciplinary Venture Studio & Venture Capital Pitching6 Credits
MDS602Global Studio Immersion & Cross-Border Residency6 Credits
MDS691Master's Innovation Research Thesis & Public Prototype Exhibition16 Credits

Graduate Venture Concentrations

Track 1: Strategic Foresight & Planetary Futures: 20-year horizon scanning, Delphi panels, and geopolitical scenario modeling.
Track 2: Deep-Tech Venture Incubation: Seed accelerator pitch, prototype demo days, and angel investor syndicates.

Cross-Border Studio Immersion

Global Design Residency: 4-week exchange with partner design laboratories in Tokyo, Milan, or London.

Ph.D. in Design & Social Innovation

3–5 Years · Doctoral Degree · Frontier Research in Human-Centred Inquiry

Doctoral Scholarship

Core Doctoral Phase Coursework & Candidacy

DPH901Design Epistemologies & Research Methodologies4 Credits
DPH902Ethnographic Field Studies & Participatory Research4 Credits
DPH903Doctoral Research Seminar & Comprehensive Oral Qualifying Exam6 Credits

Dissertation Phase Research & Defense

DPH990Continuous Doctoral Dissertation Research30 Credits
DPH991Peer-Reviewed Journal Papers & International Exhibition10 Credits
DPH999Final Doctoral Dissertation Defense & Viva Voce10 Credits

Doctoral Specialization Clusters

Participatory Action Research & Grassroots Innovation Decolonial co-design methodologies, community-led innovation labs, and indigenous knowledge sovereignty.
Biomimetic Systems & Circular Material Futures Bio-fabricated interfaces, metabolic cycles, life-cycle material analysis, and regenerative materiality.
Critical Speculative Futures & Ontological Design Discursive artifact generation, futures literacy, transitional design, and ethical techno-social governance.

Doctoral Theory Seminars & Electives

Phenomenology of Perception & Spatial Empathy Embodied cognitive theory, sensory ethnography, spatial choreography, and ecological psychology.
Historiography & Philosophy of Design Praxis Post-industrial critiques, Bauhaus to cybernetics genealogies, and political economies of design.
Advanced Curation & Discursive Exhibition Craft Museum ethics, interactive installation discourse, and public scholarship dissemination.
Design Portfolio Admissions 2026

Ready to shape what truly matters?

Submit your creative portfolio, sketchbook, or problem-solving prototypes for evaluation by our faculty jury.

Apply for Design 2026 Book Studio Tour