What You'll Study

Design Fundamentals and Techniques

The module introduces the students to the fundamental elements, principles and processes of design in general and for the built environment. This module intends to develop the students’ cognitive and affective capacities and introduces students to fundamentals, basic techniques and skills in design and the creative process. Ideation will be taught through a series of short projects that will help the students to understand and explore various design processes and methods. This module aims to help students un-learn the pre-conceptions that they may have accumulated, encouraging questioning of conventions and standard practices through creative and critical thinking. The module culminates in an integrated design studio project where the student would be able to apply knowledge acquired from the other modules in the course.

Technology and Sustainability Fundamentals

This module is aimed at equipping students to take on an investigative approach to study the fundamental elements of building science as well as sustainability considerations and its application in built environment projects. Students are encouraged to integrate the various building science and sustainability elements into their integrated design studio project to bring about new design possibilities as well as gaining a broader understanding of their applications in the realm of the built environment.

Design Representation

This module introduces students to the foundational level of computer aided software as well as graphic-based software to produce construction drawings and presentation drawings. Students will also be taught basic manual drawing techniques as well as fundamental model-making skills to enable students to create visual narratives for their studio project presentations.

Interior Design Foundation

This module aims to equip students to take on an experimental and investigative approach to study materials, understand its accompanying qualities as well as its application in interior design. Students are encouraged to manipulate the assigned materials to bring about new design possibilities and realise the potential of the material. Students will gain broad understanding of the foundational principles and application of materials in the realm of interior design. In addition to the material and technical competencies, students will also be equipped with relevant interior design software applications to aid their technical competencies.

Thinking Critically about the UN SDGs (TCU)

This module aims to equip students with skills in critical and analytical thinking through the exploration of contemporary local and global issues, through the lens of United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Using information literacy skills, students will select a local issue connected to the SDGs, and look for relevant information on the issue. They will use a critical thinking framework to evaluate a diverse range of sources for their validity and reliability, and consider different perspectives in an issue before presenting their assigned stand, substantiated by reasons and evidence. This module also aims to enhance students’ knowledge and appreciation of local and global issues related to the 2030 global agenda, represented by the SDGs. Students will learn about the core principles of the SDGs and find out how the goals apply to their own lives, as well as to Singapore.

Collaboration in the Digital Age (CDA)

This module aims to equip students with the skills to collaborate effectively in a team, particularly in a digital environment. This is crucial in light of the global shift to working online precipitated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Students will learn about team dynamics at various stages of team development. They will use Microsoft Teams to collaborate online. They will also evaluate their own teamwork skills and that of their teammates using the CATME framework.

Effective Writing for the Workplace (EWW)

This module aims to equip students with effective written communication skills necessary for the workplace. At the end of the module, students should be able to demonstrate effective writing skills. They should be able to apply the principles of PAC (Purpose, Audience & Context) and 5 Cs of Communication (Complete, Clear, Concise, Courteous and Correct) to plan and craft effective business messages. In addition, students should be able to use effective visuals, employ appropriate language and follow standard format and conventions in their writing.

Data Fluency (DF)

This module aims to equip students with baseline skills in using data to gain insights into the UN SDGs. These skills are related to the data-handling processes such as formulating data-based questions, pre-processing data and analysing data using numerical and graphical summaries. Upon the completion of this module, students should demonstrate the competency in using data to examine one aspect of a UN SDG and/or generate some insights to support one theoretical solution to a UN SDG.

AI and Its Impact (AII)

This module aims to equip students with a very broad overview of Artificial Intelligence, and its societal and ethical impacts in modern society. Students will build a simple AI model with online tools and discuss how to promote good ethics in AI. Upon the completion of this module, students should demonstrate the competency of using AI to address their chosen UN SDG.

Problem Solving with Creative & Computational Thinking (PSCCT)

This module aims to equip students with baseline creative and computational thinking skills for problem solving. Students will learn about the value of focused & diffuse thinking, problem identification and analysis, creative thinking, and the four pillars of computational thinking in the problem-solving process. Students will apply these techniques to tackle wicked problems related to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).

Education and Career Guidance

This module aims to help students discover their strengths, values and interests. It also supports students in making informed educational and career choices to achieve their career aspirations.

Design Studio I (Interior Design)

This module investigates the issues of spatial experiences and sequences, in response to a specific context, for example in a retail and mixed-use environment. Students are required to understand the ‘Client’ brief and do a contextual mapping and analysis to understand the existing physical constraints (including the building structures as well as socio- cultural and economic patterns). In addition, students also study concepts of branding and marketing, their strategies and understand their translation into design to develop the User Journey and spatial experiences.

Technical Studies I (Interior Design)

This module introduces the fundamentals of construction and detailing. This includes the study of natural materials and its properties and considerations towards the designing of details and its application in an interior space. The basic understanding of the building codes and standards and its applications to interior design will also be introduced. In conjunction with their design project, students will explore and apply the craft of designing and detailing spatial elements, finishes and fixtures as part of a spatial experience.

Design Representation I (Interior Design)

This module emphasises on students acquiring foundational level of using computer aided software to produce orthographic drawings. Introduction to techniques in graphic based software will also be taught to students to enable them to refine visual content in their presentation. Verbal presentation techniques are also introduced and closely integrated to their Studio reviews and critiques. They are also taught the techniques of sketching, rendering, and drafting to communicate ideas. In order to develop sensitivities in creating experiential interior spaces, students are taught conventional and alternative methods in representing spaces in response to the given design studio assignments.

Digital Communication for Impact (DCI)

This module aims to equip students with key skills to leverage digital communication to engage, inspire and impact stakeholders digitally. They will build an understanding of various digital communication platforms/tools and their benefits and limitations. They will also learn what it means to be a responsible Digital Citizen. Upon the completion of this module, students should demonstrate the competency to design and apply key principles when crafting impactful digital communication about United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) or a relevant context.

Personal Branding and Career Agility (PBCA)

This module aims to equip students with the requisite skill sets, knowledge and tools that will give them an early start on the process of kick-starting their career. Through the Self-Directed Learning Approach, student-centric engagement, curated resources (eg. Learning Advisement Portal, LinkedIn Learning, and more) and curriculum co-developed by industry partners, students will begin their journey into the world of work. Upon completion of the module, students should be able to develop professional skills and build interpersonal relationships, acquire the skills to seek and secure work, develop the ability to adapt and respond effectively to changes at work, and appreciate and respect the diversity of individuals, culture and work environment.

Sustainable Innovation Project

Work in multi-disciplinary groups to apply the design thinking method and tools backed by research and qualitative data, to tackle local issues mapped to the UN SDGs. You will also tap on what you have learnt in the CCC modules that come before this module to create sustainable and innovative prototype solutions for real-life issues faced by a local community in need. In the process, you will develop empathy for the community you have identified for your project and a better understanding of yourselves.

Elective 1

Please refer to Elective Module link below.

Internship Programme

This module aims to prepare students with various competencies, skill sets and professional attitudes for the design industry. It establishes a platform for students to acquire the knowledge and experience of the design process under a realistic, complex and competitive working environment. By working on live projects and performing their assigned roles, our students are guided to become more vigilant and adaptable in the design practice. This programme comprises a 22-week programme and a structured learning outcome, which permit authentic learning opportunities, hence our students benefit by attaining the most relevant industry standard of practices.

Technical Studies II (Interior Design)

This module focuses on processed/synthetic materials as finishes for interior surfaces (floor, wall, ceiling and fixtures) as well as furniture and furnishings. Students explore and discover the effect of design poetics of materials in the conditioning of spaces. They also learn construction and detailing techniques towards enhancing consumer experiences in specific contexts, eg. residential, retail or commercial spaces.

Design Representation II (Interior Design)

This module develops the students’ working understanding of Building Information Modelling (BIM) software which is used by the building industry as well as advanced modelling and animation software. Students are also equipped with a fundamental working knowledge of advanced 3D software used for generating complex spatial manifestations in experimental design and presentation.

Technical Studies Research (Interior Design)

This module further develops the knowledge and skills of using materials and detailing techniques in interior design to respond to the complexities of new architectural designs and technologies. At the same time, students are also exposed to the importance of environment management and sustainability and they learn to refine their design and detailing skills. The advancement in lighting technology is studied and students learn their important effects on interior design. The relevant building codes and standards are also introduced when students are applying their knowledge in their design project.

Domain Specific Module I (Interior Design)

This module introduces and develops in-depth knowledge and skillsets pertaining to specific fields of Interior Design. For example, lighting, styling, ethnographic research, history/theory or computational design. This will allow students to develop specialisations, to apply, as well as support the design development of their Final Year Project.

Domain Specific Module II (Interior Design)

This module introduces and develops in-depth knowledge and skillsets pertaining to specific fields of Interior Design. For example, lighting, styling, ethnographic research, history/theory or computational design. This will allow students to develop specialisations, to apply, as well as support the design development of their Final Year Project.

Design Studio II (Interior Design)

This module examines the issues and challenges of interior design within the context of civic and cultural environment such as work-spheres, restaurants, library, galleries etc. This includes urban spaces especially as a response to the demands of an increasingly global and technologically advanced world. Students demonstrate their accumulated knowledge and skills in their final-year projects from conceptualization to documentation for construction.

Persuasive Communication with Data Storytelling (PCDS)

This module aims to equip students with the baseline skills to craft compelling narratives using effective data storytelling techniques. Students will generate data visualisations, and apply narrative elements and persuasive delivery techniques to influence others or shape their perspectives. Upon completion of this module, students should demonstrate the competency in using persuasive communication to convince stakeholders intellectually and affectively to call them into action in tackling the UN SDGs.

Elective 2

Please refer to Elective Module link below.

Elective 3

Please refer to Elective Module link below.