In the modern world we live in, we are touched by design in everything we do - our phones, laptops, furniture, cars, even pens and household appliances. One example of how design has impacted us is all of Apple’s products - recognised worldwide as edgy and iconic. Going forward, the emphasis on design will be even more considering that Gen Z is exposed to aesthetic looking products, appliances and interfaces. And form as much as functionality would be ruling their buying decisions.
Several institutions in India offer degrees in design, commonly industrial/ product design, graphics, visual design, furniture design and UI/ UX design. Dayananda Sagar University, part of the Dayananda Sagar Group of Institutions offers a Bachelor’s in Design (B.Des.), a four-year, full time degree program that equips students with industry relevant knowledge and skills that are required to become a competent designer. The course combines the knowledge of science, technology, human behaviour, and cultural trends to help designers come up with innovative solutions that enhance the human experience.
Specialities offered
Students are offered 4 specialities to choose in the B.Des program. They are:
Product Design: Students are imparted the basics of product design - materials, stability, ergonomics etc. Students will be exposed to the various aspects of design and manufacture of furniture design, toy design, product design, and design of intelligent products taking into consideration aspects such as efficiency, cost effectiveness and eco-friendliness. They are exposed to the latest 3D design tools, CAD/ CAM tools and techniques such as additive manufacturing.
User Experience Design: User experience is one of the most deliberated and analysed aspects considering that this has a huge impact on the success of a product. Whether it’s a mobile app, a software application, a game interface, a remote control device, a dashboard panel or any section that’s got to do with user interaction, user experience is a highly focused aspect. Students specializing in this stream as imparted knowledge on customer behaviour, user patterns, colours schemes, branding, extendibility and flexibility of interfaces etc.
Animation and VFX: This space has captured the imagination of movie-going audiences for decades with iconic films like Jurassic Park that have used cutting edge computer graphics. This course imparts extensive knowledge on the art of special effects including 2D and 3D modelling, rendering and animation, mattes, blue screen compositing, colour correction, digital editing and various other aspects of digital production for feature, broadcast and digital platforms. The course focuses on the commercial aspects and the Indian visual effects and post-production landscape.
Gaming Design: Computer/ mobile games are part of every youth and young individual’s life. In fact, a whole generation is addicted to these applications, many of which are iconic and cult classics. Students can specialise in various aspects of gaming design and understand in detail the technology and concepts of game engines, usability and testing studies, application design for various platforms, renderers, mesh and element optimisation, and game programming. With the game segment growing, this is a great career option for those passionate about the space.
Curriculum and internship
B Design incorporates a comprehensive curriculum designed with guidance from specialists from IISc, IITs and the industry, and imparted by expert faculty with rich industry experience. The curriculum takes a holistic view of design and following modern market and research trends. Students are encouraged to apply their knowledge and think proactively about creating solutions that push the envelope of innovation and are guided and encouraged to patent these projects. The program has a choice based credit system that enables students to pursue their interests. The curriculum includes research-based courses and equips students to gain comprehensive understanding of their domain of specialisation. Students are encouraged to deploy emerging technologies such as AI, IoT, AR & VR, and Additive Manufacturing to develop systems that address real-world challenges.
B.Des at DSU - design expertise for the next generation
The Bachelor’s in Design (B.Des.) program is a comprehensive four-year full-time degree that prepares students for professional careers in design. Emphasizing creativity, the program focuses on usability, aesthetics, functionality, and sustainability. It integrates knowledge from science, technology, human behavior, and society to address human needs across various levels of Maslow’s hierarchy. Students are encouraged to apply emerging technologies such as AI, IoT, AR, VR, and Additive Manufacturing to develop innovative solutions for real-world challenges.
The curriculum is project-oriented, featuring one major project, five mini-projects, one research project, and one micro project. Research-based courses and projects are also included. Student performance is evaluated through a 'Continuous Assessment' approach. In addition to classroom teaching, the program offers guest lectures, workshops scheduled monthly, and industry visits scheduled every semester to provide practical exposure and industry insights.
