*Only offered as minor.
Design is a broad word covering diverse domains from product, graphic, fashion, interior, game to even the most sought after design thinking. Design is the way to present a message in the most impactful manner and integrates analytical, aesthetic and functional aspects. It has an intrinsic path-finding approach (unlike conventional navigation) which makes the design process interesting as well as challenging. The proposed design minor would progressively build on the learnings and skills of the students creating a focus on one of the domains of design practice. The minor is aimed to be application oriented and leveraging the interdisciplinary potential of liberal education. It would complement many majors offered under Liberal education at FLAME University.
Knowing the design vocabulary, grammar and language is important and so are the basic skills in design. They are essential in order to be able to understand and appreciate various elements, principles and methods of visual communication.
Visual design sensitivity and knowledge is essential for all designers; hence the primary orientation of the revised design minor would be concerning Visual Design. Graphic (Visual) Design is thought to be one of the pathways under the “Design” minor. Second pathway would be in the area of digital technology and could be titled either as User Experience (UX) Design or Design for Digital Experience. This pathway would be catering to the present as well as future needs of technology enabled product and service industry.
SPECIALISATION AIMS
The Design Minor intends to:
- Imparting basic skills in design and imparting knowledge to support students quickly taking a deep drive into one of the design domains
- Preparing students for higher studies in Design and Design Management in India and Abroad
- Building Design Skills Portfolio – Hand & Visual Skills, Digital Skills and Problem-Solving Skills
- Creating design sensitive and design aware graduates by instilling design thinking and problem-solving methods among FLAME graduates
MINOR OUTCOMES: After successful completion of the Minor, the student will be able to:
- Communicate ideas visually with conviction, creating a greater impact
- Demonstrate understanding of design language and its elements and principles
- Demonstrate knowledge of various materials and methods of construction to quickly present ideas in 3-dimentional form
- Identify, define, ideate, and solve user’s problems with the knowledge of design thinking methods and interdisciplinary knowledge
- Demonstrate enhanced visual, verbal and conceptual presentation skills
- Demonstrate systematic methods of conducting user studies and research to identify user needs and problems
- Demonstrate design skills and knowledge acquired and applied through a design portfolio
19 MINOR COURSES
| Elements and Principles of Design | Typography and Calligraphy | Business Design |
| Design Explorations with Lines and Shades | Service Design | Capstone Project 1 |
| Design Thinking and Design Process | Information and Data Visualization | Special Topics in Design |
| Basics of Graphic Design | Special Topics in Design | Behavior Design |
| Introduction of UX Design | Immersive Media | Capstone Project 2 |
| Digital Design Fundamental | UX Design Project | Speculative Design |
| Design Trends |
Elements And Principles of Design
This course lays the foundation for the Design minor. The Elements and Principles are the parts and techniques that constitute a Design. Students are encouraged to observe the elements and principles of Design and try and understand their interpretations. Subsequently, based on the interpretations, understand their significance in various forms of design, in various countries, cultures whether in product, architecture or graphic. Develop a fundamental understanding of the impact of design principles and elements, both - visually and psychologically.
Design Explorations with Lines and Shades
This course lays the foundation for the Design minor. Knowledge and skill of sketching and drawing is the foundation to any design discipline. This course offers intensive training in sketching and drawing as one of the means of visual representation. It helps one develop a keen sense of observation, interpretation and representation using various tools, techniques and mediums. The course also helps in experiencing space in terms of perspective; sharpens the ability to analyze and appreciate the visible or hidden structure of things.
Design Thinking and Design Process
The course equips students with the necessary methodologies and processes to the identification and analysis of different issues and concerns related to design and to the initiation, expression, and communication of concepts.
Basics of Graphic Design
Graphic Design is a minimalistic yet highly impactful design expression. Impact addresses the clarity in design and the non-ambiguity and ease in understanding a message. The course introduces students with basic orientation of the field of graphic design. Students will be introduced to the fundamentals of visual language. They will learn the skills of designing identity - logos, signs, symbols, collaterals and illustrations through graphical media.
Introduction of UX Design
To introduce students to UX design (Process & Projects) UX Design, is an important part of a product and/or service. User Experience Design encompasses all of the elements that allow human users to interact with computer systems. The students will be able to learn to create intuitive user experience (UX). The course will teach students hands-on skills that will allow them to use their knowledge in professional settings.
Digital Design Fundamental
This course is a comprehensive introduction to the art and science of digital design, crafted for students to immerse themselves in the essential concepts of creating visually captivating content using both 2D and 3D design techniques. This course extends beyond just mastering software tools, delving deep into the foundational principles and theories that are crucial for effective and impactful digital design. A significant focus of the course is on the integration and application of AI, particularly generative AI, in the digital space. Students will explore how these advanced technologies are revolutionizing the field of digital design, offering new tools and perspectives for creative work.
In addition to traditional graphic design and digital illustration techniques, the curriculum encompasses comprehensive training in 3D modeling, texturing, and rendering. These elements are crucial for students aiming to excel in various aspects of digital art and design. Throughout the course, students will be engaged in a series of hands-on projects that are not merely exercises in skill application but are designed to stimulate creative thinking and practical problem-solving. These projects, mirroring real-world challenges, will encourage students to apply critical thinking and innovative approaches to design tasks, thereby enhancing their technical skills and fostering a deeper understanding of digital design as a creative and dynamic process.
By the end of this course, students will have developed a robust foundation in digital design, equipped with both the technical skills and the creative insight necessary to thrive in the diverse and rapidly evolving field of digital design. This course is ideally suited for those aspiring to make their mark in digital art, graphic design, 3D modeling, and other related fields, providing them with the tools and knowledge to transform creative concepts into compelling digital realities, enhanced by the cutting-edge potential of AI and generative AI technologies.
Typography and Calligraphy
This is a foundation course in Typography and Calligraphy and focusses on thinking with Typefaces. The practical aspect of the course introduces students to three calligraphic tools; chisel marker, sponge tool and cro-quil. The theoretical framework broadly describes the characteristics of extinct Egyptian hieroglyphs, the Indian script Devanagari and the origin of Roman letters. The course will equip the students with practical skills that helps a designer to put the learnings to practice immediately in the real-world.
Service Design
The course is designed to introduce the fundamentals of services such as service economy, service sectors, etc. & to explain the importance of service design. Students will learn various tools, frameworks and processes required for service design. Through design research, they will discover service design challenges and identify new service design opportunities. In many instances, service design is also a precursor to UI/UX design, and this course will contribute to the foundation required for UI/UX design.
Information and Data Visualization
This course will give students exposure to the history of visualization practices across disciplines and in relation to technology developments. This course will explore the theories and practices of information design through studio projects. Students will be required to research visual systems and information structures such as maps, timelines, charts, and diagrams. Students will understand the creative process of organizing, visualizing, and communicating data by seeking to make complex information easier to understand and use methodologies and processes to the identification and analysis of different issues and concerns related to design and to the initiation, expression, and communication of concepts. The course will teach students hands-on skills that will allow them to use their knowledge in professional settings.
Immersive Media
This course offers an in-depth exploration of Immersive Media within the realm of Extended Reality, encompassing Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MR). Designed for students with an interest in emerging digital technologies, the course aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the principles, tools, and applications of XR. Students will engage with the technical aspects of XR technologies, learn design principles for immersive experiences, and explore the broad spectrum of XR applications in various sectors.
UX Design Project
UX design project aims to give students exposure to a project from ideation to execution. We will discuss various methods in UX that a student can adopt at various stages of the progression of the project. The students will have the option to choose from an area of interest by validation. They will also have to prove viability of the project and learn how to execute user research methods. Students will learn various tools to apply information into interaction. The course will culminate with every student being able to present a proof of concept of his/her project idea.
Business Design
This course introduces students to the fundamentals of the “Business” – its components, structure, operations, processes, etc. The students get familiar with different challenges in business whether strategic or operational in nature and learn to apply design methods to solve these business challenges which could range from new products, process improvements, business development, got to market plans, and customer experiences. This course also includes case studies on how design thinking approach creates a business impact in the organizations.
Behavior Design
The Behavior Design course provides a comprehensive journey into the intricate world where psychology, design, and technology converge. This course is meticulously crafted to impart students with essential knowledge and skills vital for creating impactful products and environments that effectively influence human behavior. At its core, the course delves into the foundational aspects of behavioral psychology, unraveling how human behaviors can be understood and influenced. It intertwines these principles with design thinking, offering a creative and systematic approach to solving complex problems and encouraging positive behavior changes. Moreover, the course places a significant emphasis on the role of technology as a powerful tool in shaping behaviors. This integration of technology is pivotal in the current digital era, where digital interfaces and tools continuously mold our daily habits and decisions.
Throughout the course, students engage in learning how to craft and implement interventions aimed at fostering lasting behavioral changes. These interventions span a wide array of contexts, from enhancing personal health to influencing decisions in public policy. By the end of the course, students are expected to have a nuanced understanding of how to apply behavioral insights in designing solutions that not only solve real-world problems but also contribute positively to societal well-being. This course is ideal for those interested in the crossroads of human behavior, creative design, and technological innovation, and it equips them to be pioneers in the evolving field of behavior design.
Speculative Design
This course explores the idea of inevitability and how designing for the future can affect your thinking of the present. This is to prepare students for the upcoming uncertainty and cross-disciplinary paradigms that the design world is shifting towards.
The subject matter here deals with looking into recent past, understanding and mapping trends, exploring the lateral present, envisioning the near future with respect to one or multiples of 8 speculative lenses, generating a plausible scenario, developing disruptive/innovative solutions or outcomes in response to a future problem/opportunity. The course will equip the students with practical skills that helps a designer to put the learnings to practice immediately in the real-world.
Design Trends
This course explores current and emerging trends in the design field. Students will analyze various trends across multiple design disciplines, understand their origins and impacts, and learn how to incorporate these trends into their own design practices.