One Semester Design Program for Graduating BTechs

In the last couple of years, the interest in Design programs has sky rocketed. People have noticed that most successful companies have designers on board, including the unicorns. Universities are rushing to introduce minors in Design, or at least offer a course on Design Thinking in engineering and other programs. The companies are preferring students who have some exposure to design during placements.

We at JK Lakshmipat University offer final year students a very exciting option to study Design for a semester. As part of our NEP2020 implementation, we have an M.Des. program which is modular in nature.

The first semester of the program consists of a bunch of foundation courses. This is what one needs as an exposure to design and design thinking. If you want to build a career in the area of your undergraduate studies and are looking at design as a way to boost your career, then this one semester exposure is all you need and you can leave the program with a certificate.

Specifically, the courses that you will do in this semester include Design process and methods, Visual representation and techniques, Craft, culture and habitat studies, Color and 2D forms, and finally a Design Project. The learning outcomes of this semester include building an understanding of the elements and principles of Design. The students are exposed to the world of critical and empathetic thinking with respect to identity, branding, packaging and story-telling, etc., culminating in a design project.

If you get attracted to Design and want to shift career goals towards Design, you are welcome to continue and complete the M.Des. program in another three semesters. Even in this, we have options for you. If you change your mind again after 2 semesters, you can leave with a PG Diploma. If you prefer to complete the degree with a good Design school abroad (we have a tie up with Edinburg Napier University, but you can go to any other university as well), you can go there after one year and complete the degree there. We will still give you a PG Diploma for the work done at JKLU.

The second semester has courses which have significant project component. This semester prepares them to embark on initiatives that create a wide range of products and services. Product UI, Usability testing and Wireframing courses assist them in developing solutions that address social needs in a user-centric and integrated manner. This semester will lead to a PG Diploma.

And those who continue for the second year, one can specialize in either Interaction Design or in Product Design.

Coming back to the first semester program, it will be really useful to students who are not taking up a job immediately, whether you are still looking for a job, or want to take a break and want to do something different before going for a job, or you simply have a delayed joining from the company where you got the campus placement. Our semester is expected to start around 1st August, and finish mid-December. To be on the safe side, you should plan to delay your job joining to 1st January. If that is possible, this one semester design exposure could be the best thing to happen to your career.

Here are some important links for more details:

M.Des. Program at JKLU

Admissions to Institute of Design, JKLU

Admissions site of JKLU

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