Diploma in Design (N12)

Get trained as a next-gen designer with a curriculum infused with the latest technologies and new economy skills such as sustainability, data visualisation and user experience/interface (UX/UI) design. Gain exposure to emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence for digital design while honing your skills in digital fabrication, 3D printing, digital prototyping and visualisation, data analytics, machine learning, and more. Additionally, you will acquire professional certifications in these sought-after skills.

Learn from the best in class with our strong industry connections that provide real-world learning opportunities. You can look forward to overseas exposure, internships, masterclasses, hackathons, industry-sponsored projects, graduation showcase and more. You can also start earning relevant industry certifications as a DES student. For instance, our Architecture specialisation students can obtain a Tier 4 (Provisional) Digital Delivery Management Certification by buildingSMART Singapore.

Choose a specialisation that best matches your aspiration:

Architecture
You will learn about cutting-edge building technologies, sustainable construction practices, placemaking, the history and theory of architecture, and the integration of Building Information Modeling (BIM) into the design process. Gain relevant insights into how sustainable design intersects with architectural design. You will also explore community-focused participatory design learning, along with hands-on design-build experiences. Additionally, you will benefit from exposure to professional practices in architecture and have opportunities to contribute to real design projects.

Product Innovation
Beyond physical products, design innovation also covers digital solutions and service designs. In this specialisation, you will learn about product design and development, understanding user needs, optimising user experiences, and refining user interface designs. Flexible learning pathways, including 3- or 6-month internships with companies such as leading architecture firms, top design consultancies, NGOs, established banks, and innovative start-ups, offer you opportunities to explore strategies for product commercialisation.

Our unique human-centered design methodology and participatory design modules enable you to impact lives through meaningful community projects.

Whether it’s redesigning public spaces, innovating upcycling, or proposing concepts for sustainable living, you will showcase the benefits of good design to the world!

With the NP-SUTD Pathway Programme*, you can choose to fast-track your degree at the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) and graduate a year ahead of your peers. Enhance your learning with humanities and science modules taught by SUTD faculty, and top off your university experience by working on cutting-edge research projects!

History & Principles of Design
This module provides students a deeper understanding of how design theory and history have been formulated worldwide in relation to the development of modern society. The module provides students with a historical perspective of design against the backdrop of developments in culture, art and technology.

Design Foundation Studio
In a design studio-based learning environment, this module facilitates the development of critical thinking and fundamental design principles relating to industrial/product and architectural designs. Understanding of Design provides a platform for issues to be addressed including design fundamentals, design process, scale, proportion through design exploration using drawing platform like sketching & rendering.

This module equips students with important skills in visual thinking, design visualisation, freehand design sketching and rendering for design. The emphasis on hands-on practice enhances students’ creative thinking abilities from basic lines and curves to two-dimensional (2D) sketches and thumbnails, and then to digital three-dimensional (3D) perspective sketches.

Computer Aided Design 1
This module provides students with the knowledge and skills needed to understand and prepare two-dimensional Computer Aided Design (CAD) using AutoCAD student educational version of the software for Architectural, Engineering and Construction (AEC) drawings. Students will be exposed to the various drawings tools using the software and understand the various drawing conventions and standard to prepare technical and construction drawings for Architectural and Product Design projects.

Model Making
This module provides students with the knowledge and skills of model making as a mean of design exploration as well as design presentation for architecture or product design prototyping. Students will be exposed to various processes, techniques and materials used in model making. Students will learn to make 3D models using hands-on skills and techniques in the workshop and also learn to about advanced model making techniques such as 3D printing and laser cutting. Students are required to apply and incorporate their model making knowledge and skills to their design projects.

Health & Wellness (1 Credit Unit)
This is a Level 1 Core module for all Year 1 students. The module will introduce students to the importance of maintaining both physical and mental health through the knowledge and monitoring of health indicators, and application through appropriate exercises. The aim of the module is to empower students with basic knowledge and skills to be independent and responsible in maintaining overall personal health.

Innovation Made Possible (3 Credit Units)
This module aims to help students discover and hone their innate ability to think creatively and come up with innovations to tackle problems close to their hearts. Underpinned by the Design Thinking framework, students will be sensitised to the process of user-centric problem solving. They will be introduced to concepts such as empathy, problem-definition, ideation, prototyping and testing through a practical approach featuring engaging out-of-classroom activities, just-in- time master-classes and a hands-on, “learning by doing” delivery format. Ultimately, the module will help students recognise that innovation is attainable and fun and develop creative confidence to explore new ideas in their studies and beyond.

Confident Communication: Find Your Voice (VOICE)^ (3 credit units)
The VOICE module aims to empower students to become thoughtful and confident communicators able to tailor a message to suit audience, purpose and context. Students will learn how to use storytelling structures and techniques, persuasive strategies and effective visuals to connect meaningfully with their audience. Through a personalised growth plan, the module encourages students to reflect, set goals and take ownership of their growth and development as communicators. The module employs engaging teaching strategies such as games, thinking routines, masterclasses and workshops, and a celebratory showcase festival at the end to make learning fun and exciting.

English Language Express^* (Credit Units - NA)
English Language Express aims to give you a better grounding in the English Language and to strengthen the written and oral communications skills that you will need in your academic and professional careers. You will be engaged in writing, reading, listening and speaking activities that will develop your ability to speak and write grammatically, coherently and clearly. You will also hone your reading and listening comprehension skills.

^ Critical Core modules account for 10 credit units of the diploma curriculum. They include modules in innovation and world issues, as well as an interdisciplinary project. By bringing students from diverse diplomas together, the interdisciplinary project fosters collaboration to explore and propose solutions for real-world problems. NP aims to develop students to be agile and self-directed learners, ready for the future workplace.

^* For selected students only

Design Studio 2 (UX & Spatial Design)
This module equips students with an experiential and spatial understanding of spatial context with respect to basic anthropometry, ergonomics and contextual response to specific programs. An understanding will be built of form, space and order that defines design. This module facilitates the development of critical thinking to formulate design ideas that cover the basic tenets of User Experience (UX) which includes spatial planning, ergonomics, customer journey map, user personas etc. Students will learn how to apply and integrate their creativity, knowledge and skills on a project from design process to design development in the context of enhancing user experience. A series of studio design studies and exercise will prepare students to address design approaches from industrial to small architectural design.

Computer Aided Design 2
This module builds upon the Computer Aided Design 1 module which focuses on 2D drawings. Students will be introduced to 3D modelling in this module. Students will learn to model objects in 3D using RHINO software. Topics include toolbar layout, view ports setting, 2D & 3D curve creation and continuity, 3D solid modelling, 3D surface creation and continuity, construction plane, dimensioning, colour & layer etc. Students’ learning is enhanced through hands-on exercises.

Design Communication 1
This module equips students with a fundamental set of skills for technical presentation, visual representation and conceptual communication in the field of spatial/product design. Students will begin to cultivate a heightened sensitivity to the surrounding through design communication. It explores how design is presented through the use of various modes of design and presentation techniques using digital media, which are essential tools for designers to effectively present their ideas.

Basic Graphic Design Principles and Elements, Grid Systems and Typography will be taught to give students the foundation of a good visual presentation of their product. Software such as Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator will be introduced to help students acquire the essential skills in executing their visual presentation and communicating their design in an appealing and effective manner. The module culminates in projects which requires the students to hone their design presentation skills, which is also valuable in areas of spatial/product design.

Career & Professional Preparation 1
This module helps to give students a foundational introduction to their three-year diploma course curriculum and how it prepares them for industry. It will help them to embark on their three-year course with the end in mind, through guided reflection of their personal characteristics, and producing an overall game plan for their future education and career goals. The module aims to deepen students’ commitment to the sector that the course prepares them for.

Health & Wellness (1 Credit Unit)
This is a Level 1 Core module for all Year 1 students. The module will introduce students to the importance of maintaining both physical and mental health through the knowledge and monitoring of health indicators, and application through appropriate exercises. The aim of the module is to empower students with basic knowledge and skills to be independent and responsible in maintaining overall personal health.

Innovation Made Possible^ (3 Credit Units)This module aims to help students discover and hone their innate ability to think creatively and come up with innovations to tackle problems close to their hearts. Underpinned by the Design Thinking framework, students will be sensitised to the process of user-centric problem solving. They will be introduced to concepts such as empathy, problem-definition, ideation, prototyping and testing through a practical approach featuring engaging out-of-classroom activities, just-in- time master-classes and a hands-on, “learning by doing” delivery format. Ultimately, the module will help students recognise that innovation is attainable and fun and develop creative confidence to explore new ideas in their studies and beyond.

Confident Communication: Find Your Voice (VOICE)^ (3 credit units)The VOICE module aims to empower students to become thoughtful and confident communicators able to tailor a message to suit audience, purpose and context. Students will learn how to use storytelling structures and techniques, persuasive strategies and effective visuals to connect meaningfully with their audience. Through a personalised growth plan, the module encourages students to reflect, set goals and take ownership of their growth and development as communicators. The module employs engaging teaching strategies such as games, thinking routines, masterclasses and workshops, and a celebratory showcase festival at the end to make learning fun and exciting.

English Language Express^* (Credit Units - NA)
English Language Express aims to give you a better grounding in the English Language and to strengthen the written and oral communications skills that you will need in your academic and professional careers. You will be engaged in writing, reading, listening and speaking activities that will develop your ability to speak and write grammatically, coherently and clearly. You will also hone your reading and listening comprehension skills.

^ Critical Core modules account for 10 credit units of the diploma curriculum. They include modules in innovation and world issues, as well as an interdisciplinary project. By bringing students from diverse diplomas together, the interdisciplinary project fosters collaboration to explore and propose solutions for real-world problems. NP aims to develop students to be agile and self-directed learners, ready for the future workplace.

^* For selected students only

Design Studio 3 (Research)
This module allows students to apply various Data Analytics methodologies and techniques through design sprints in studio-based projects. Students will Blend Design thinking and Data analytic tools to understand, analyse and uncover market trends and patterns that will lead them to drawing hypothesis and synthesizing well-informed problem statements that will influence the creation of design solutions that are consumer centric.

Knowledge and Skills learnt in Data Analytics for Design, Design Communication 2 and Computer Aided Design 3 will be applied into Design Studio 3 projects.

Data Analytics for Design
This module aims to equip students with critical thinking, problem solving, analytical and decision-making skills. Students will be introduced to fundamental knowledge and tools in data analytics in the context of design research. Students will learn various tools (such as Tableu/PowerBI) to effectively aid them in data collection, analysis and synthesis of data, uncovering data patterns and drawing hypothesis or conclusion.

Students will also learn how to effectively visualise and present data to the targeted stakeholders through data collection and visualisation tools.

Students will apply what they have learnt in this module to Design Studio 3 (Research) into a collaborative project.

Design Communication 2
This module introduces students to image-based communication – image as language, and visual personality. Students will explore visual literacy and design principles through graphic, illustration and photographic-based image-making. Emphasis will be placed on building a foundation for strategic thinking, exploration, experimentation and self-discovery when creating or working with images and designs for different contexts. Building the capacity to communicate information effectively through words, image and graphic compositions.

Students will learn to branding and packaging design. They will discover the structure and strategies of developing a successful brand statement and explore forms, structures, materials, colour, imagery, typography and regulatory information to make a product ready for marketing. Adobe InDesign will also be introduced to help students acquire the skills in executing their visual presentation and communicating their design in an appealing and effective manner.

Computer Aided Design 3
This module aims at equipping students with the fundamental skills in using a computer-aided design (CAD) tool to produce three-dimensional (3D) solid models, as well as two-dimensional (2D) engineering or detailed drawings using various 3D softwares such as CREO/Fusion 360. Topics include 3D modelling, 2D drawing, orthographic projection, sectioning, dimensioning, limits and fits, linear tolerancing, Geometrical Dimensioning & Tolerancing (GD&T) and parts assembly. Students will also learn the fundamentals, conventions and practices of engineering drawing based on the International Standards Organization (ISO) guidelines. If time permits, sheet metal modelling, mechanism application, simple surface modelling and CAD files transfer from CREO/Fusion 360 to other CAD software will be introduced.

Students will apply what they have learnt in this module to Design Studio 3 (Research) into a collaborative project.

Career and Professional Preparation II
The module prepares students to write effective cover letters and resumes. Preparation and enhancement of portfolio to meet professional standard as well as development of presentation skills, and improvement of job-seeking techniques will also be covered in the module.

World Issues: A Singapore Perspective^ (2 Credit Units)
This module takes a global approach to significant current and historical events. The aim is to enhance students’ understanding of such events and issues in the context of Singapore, as well as challenge students to think critically about choices and decision-making vis-à-vis the nation state.


^ Critical Core modules account for 10 credit units of the diploma curriculum. They include modules in innovation and world issues, as well as an interdisciplinary project. By bringing students from diverse diplomas together, the interdisciplinary project fosters collaboration to explore and propose solutions for real-world problems. NP aims to develop students to be agile and self-directed learners, ready for the future workplace.

Design Studio 4 (Design Entrepreneurship)
This module prepares students to undertake individual projects with the aim to design, make and market a range of design solutions that must be commercially viable.

With commercialization as the main focus, students are required to identify a business opportunity and craft their own design brief to develop human-centered innovations through service, product or experience.
At the end of this module, students will be able to pitch a brand strategy that includes cost analysis and cost plan. Along with their design proposals, students are required to implement their strategies via different media such as the use of materials, part drawings, production methods, marketing/e-commerce platforms and packaging. Design Entrepreneurs will be invited to share and give advice during pitching sessions.

Knowledge and Skills learnt in Design Development, Entrepreneurship and Marketing and Aesthetics & Ergonomics will be applied into Design Studio 3 projects.

Design Development
This module focuses on the understanding and applications of materials and manufacturing processes that would influence the development of products and experiences. As part of design development, students will be exposed to digital fabrication and rapid prototyping tools and technology such as 3D printing and laser cutting. Students will also be required to consider different methods of designing parts/components in a product and understand how it would influence the form, function and cost of the design solution.

Students will apply what they have learnt in this module to Design Studio 4 (Design Entrepreneurship) into a collaborative project.

Entrepreneurship & Marketing
This module introduces the business of design and entrepreneurship within the realm of product design and development. Students will learn to combine traditional business strategies with design thinking methodologies to develop new initiatives and design financially viable businesses. Learning from case studies, students can adapt from best practices, learn to develop quick prototypes to test and iterate business concepts, create value proposition into commercially viable enterprise. Students will learn the important connection between product design & development with other functions in a business organization, marketing strategies, e-commerce, and social media marketing. Topics include types of business environment, general management functions and characteristics, design management, project/product manager role, marketing process, business plan and project management etc.

Students will apply what they have learnt in this module to Design Studio 4 (Design Entrepreneurship) into a collaborative project.

Aesthetics & Ergonomics
This module aims for students to be exposed to visual trends, basic principles of ergonomics, and the aesthetic and semantic aspects of products. In addition to basic principles and analysis, topics are learned in context to applications in product design, the influence of these design factors in consumers' preference for a particular product or system.

Students will apply what they have learnt in this module to Design Studio 4 (Design Entrepreneurship) into a collaborative project.

Design Studio 5 (Innovation)
This module prepares students to undertake a major individual project with the aim of designing a trend-setting, innovative, human-centered product with revolutionary tech driven features. Students are required to apply relevant design methodologies and skills they have learnt thus far, and complete the entire design process. At the end of this module, students will be able to identify and predict emerging trends and design opportunities that will transform a business eco-system and propose design emerging tech-driven solutions along with a proof-of-concept high fidelity prototype along with a project portfolio.

There will be guests lectures on emerging design trends.
Knowledge and Skills learnt in Technology in Design, User Interface and Digital Prototyping will be applied into Design Studio 3 projects.

Technology for Design
This module introduces students to leading edge smart technology such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), automation, Internet of Things (IOT) etc. and its applications in product design. Students will be exposed to programming boards such as Arduino, Raspberry Pi etc., AR/VR tools and platforms, along with essentials and principles of engineering design with focus on applications in designing smart products and smart experiences.

Students will apply what they have learnt in this module to Design Studio 5 (Innovation) into a collaborative project.

User Interface & Digital Prototyping
User Interface Design introduces students to the discipline of designing user interfaces. The module teaches students how to use structuring frameworks such as structure maps and wireframes to the components users interact with that allow them to achieve their goals with the system. This module introduces principles that allow for good interface design, critical design patterns for various contexts, how to appropriately select patterns to promote more enjoyable interactions, and how to aesthetically design an interface to maximize delight and deliver on the product's communication objectives. Students will learn effective prototyping methods in order to present their designs and user test their hypotheses. Students will take a prototyping workshop concurrently to help them build prototypes of their designs.

Students will apply what they have learnt in this module to Design Studio 5 (Innovation) into a collaborative project.

Project ID: Connecting the Dots^

^ Critical Core modules account for 10 credit units of the diploma curriculum. They include modules in innovation and world issues, as well as an interdisciplinary project. By bringing students from diverse diplomas together, the interdisciplinary project fosters collaboration to explore and propose solutions for real-world problems. NP aims to develop students to be agile and self-directed learners, ready for the future workplace.

3-Month Internship
This module provides students with the opportunity to gain experiences and apply the knowledge and skills learnt in a working environment. Students will enhance their abilities in problem solving, communication and interpersonal skills in the module. This 12-week industry attachment may be held in local or overseas. In order that the students can complete this module in the academic year for graduation purposes, this module begins earlier than the normal semester commencement date.

Capstone Project
This module provides students with the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills learnt during the first 2 years and part of the third year to complete a major project. Students will enhance their abilities in problem solving, communication and interpersonal skills in the module. In this 12-weeks full-time project module, students will undertake a major individual task, completing the life-cycle product design and development process that involves the phases from the conceptualization of product idea to the product design phase, prototype making, and testing, and finally preparation of drawings and documentation for production purposes. In order that the students can complete this module in the academic year for graduation purposes, this module begins earlier than the normal semester commencement date.

6-month Internship
This module provides students with the opportunity to gain experience and apply the knowledge and skills learnt in a working environment. Students will enhance their abilities in problem solving, communication and interpersonal skills in the module. This 22-week industry attachment may be held locally or overseas. In order that the students can complete this module in the academic year for graduation purposes, this module begins earlier than the normal semester commencement date.