Observing the importance that ‘design’ could bring to pedagogy and the integration of mainstream disciplines in engineering and the arts, PES University has decided to set-up a Design School. PESU Design School aims to be the best and the first-batch commenced from August 2016 within the undergraduate program. The UG program offers a four-year Bachelor of Design (B.Des) degree in four streams, Fashion Design, Product Design, Interaction Design and Communication Design. The first-year is common to all the four streams. This degree is equivalent to the B.Tech/BE degrees offered in the mainstream. The Design School has a growing team of distinguished faculty members who bring in a wealth of professional experience in addition to having graduated from premier institutes (IISc/IITs).

Despite being a preferred service destination, India also has a strong manufacturing base that is being promoted very well through the ‘Make in India’ campaign. Experts believe that it is a matter of time before ‘Make in India’, foremost means ‘Designed in India’. The design degrees on offer prepare students with the skills to design tangible and intangible products and making these within India would mean contributing to the national cause.

If you appreciate the arts and crafts, tried your hand at them, did well and are mulling about why these skills may not be integral to mainstream career options, then pursuing a design degree could be that first-step forward for you. More specifically, if you have nurtured a constructive discontent, starting with thinking why not the products you see around could be better in terms of their usability, appeal, affordability etc and try come up with alternatives, product design could be your calling. Similarly, if you see ways in which interactions between humans and their environment can be better, interaction design could be your calling. The recent smart initiatives that the government is promoting also increase the need for Interaction Design and Communication design.

The Bachelor of Design program at PES University offers a dynamic and well-rounded curriculum that integrates foundational skills, advanced design techniques, and industry-focused applications. Spanning over four years, the program is structured to nurture creativity, build technical expertise, and foster critical thinking. Year 1: Foundation Year

• Focus: Fundamentals of Design
• Build a strong base in design principles, drawing, color theory, and creative problem-solving.
• Explore courses in design history, cultural studies, and visual storytelling to gain context and inspiration.
• Introduction to digital tools and software essential for modern design practices.

Year 2: Building Core Competencies Across Design Disciplines

• Focus: Exploration and Skill Development
• Gain exposure to foundational subjects from Fashion Design, Industrial Design, Communication Design, and Interaction Design, ensuring a holistic understanding of diverse design domains.
• Build a strong foundation for decision-making in specialization by experiencing the fundamentals of each stream, helping align the students’ interests with their career goals.
• Equip students with industry-relevant skills that enhance their value in the job market, regardless of their chosen specialization.

Year 3: Specialization

• Focus: Advanced Learning in chosen field
• Hone the students’ expertise with advanced courses and projects specific to their specialization.
• Industrial Design: Product development, digital surface sculpting, sustainable material explorations, to name a few
• Communication Design: Graphic design, branding, advertising, animation, visual effects, to name a few
• Interaction Design: Usability testing, interaction prototyping, UI/UX, AI, to name a few
• Fashion Design: Fashion Design Tools, Sustainable Fashion, Apparel Innovation, to name a few
• Participate in live projects, and collaborations with industry partners to gain real-world experience.

Year 4: Capstone Project and Industry Integration

• Focus: Professional Portfolio and Capstone Project
• Work on a comprehensive capstone project that demonstrates the students design thinking and problem-solving skills in their specialization.
• Develop a professional portfolio showcasing their academic and industry projects.
• Courses on entrepreneurship, intellectual property, and business of design to prepare for a career in design or launching their own venture.
• Internship with an industry partner, providing valuable hands-on experience. This opportunity allows students to apply their skills in real-world settings, gain insights into the design process in professional environments, and build a network within the industry.

Industrial Design
Industrial Design students willl learn to conceptualize and create products that blend functionality, aesthetics, and innovation. This specialization focuses on designing tangible objects, from everyday appliances to complex machinery, with user-centric solutions. With hands-on exposure to prototyping, materials, and manufacturing processes, students will gain the skills to transform ideas into market-ready products that enhance lives.

Communication Design
Communication Design equips students with the tools to craft compelling visual messages through graphics, branding, and multimedia. From typography and illustration to motion graphics and digital content, this specialization teaches how to tell stories that resonate. Students will explore the psychology of visual communication and the latest tools, ensuring that their designs effectively connect with diverse audiences.

Interaction Design
Dive into the world of digital interfaces and user experiences with Interaction Design. This specialization focuses on designing intuitive, user-friendly digital solutions such as mobile apps, websites, and wearable technology. Through courses in user research, wireframing, and prototyping, students will learn to create interactive designs that are both functional and delightful, addressing the needs of an increasingly digital world.

Fashion Design
Step into the dynamic world of style, creativity, and innovation with Fashion Design. This specialization blends artistic expression with technical expertise to help students craft apparel and accessories that resonate with contemporary trends and cultural narratives. From sketching and textile selection to garment construction and fashion marketing, students will gain a holistic understanding of the fashion industry. With hands-on experience in design studios and exposure to sustainable practices, this program prepares aspiring designers to create impactful collections and excel in the global fashion arena.

WHILE WORKING INDIVIDUALLY IS ENCOURAGED, THE STUDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO WORK COLLABORATIVELY IN TEAMS WITH STUDENTS FROM OTHER DESIGN STREAMS AND ENGINEERING DISCIPLINES AT PESU, THEREBY LEVERAGING THE STRENGTHS OF A DIVERSE AND ENTREPRENEURIAL PESU CULTURE. IT IS EXPECTED THAT STUDENTS IN DESIGN ALSO LEAD SUCH COLLABORATIVE INITIATIVES CULMINATING IN STARTING UP THEIR OWN PRACTICE AND BECOMING ENTREPRENEURS. HOWEVER, STUDENTS COULD ALSO CHOOSE TO BE EMPLOYED IN THE ORGANIZATIONS THAT PES U CONSISTENTLY ATTRACTS FROM PLACEMENTS.