What You'll Learn

Visual Design & Photography

This module exposes students to the theory and practice of digital photography within the framework of an integrative digital workflow in content creation, including the finer points of digital image enhancement, manipulation & compositing. Students will be taught product and portrait photography and learn the essentials of controlling and balancing artificial lights with natural lights to achieve impactful aesthetics for photography. Students will focus on studio and outdoor digital photography, and be equipped with the fundamentals of preparing digital images and intermediate techniques of image manipulation & compositing. By the end of the module, students would have created a portfolio of photographic fine prints and digital content for commercial applications.

Prototyping Fundamentals

In this module, students will learn how to use Rhino for creating 3D models and KeyShot for realistic renderings. The course covers 2D drafting skills and progresses to building 3D models for prototyping their design ideas. Students will also understand basic machine operations and adopt a hands-on, experimental approach to design.

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.

Artificial Intelligence and Its Impact

You will get a broad overview of Artificial Intelligence (AI), and its societal and ethical impacts in modern society. Learn to build a simple AI model with online tools, discuss how to promote good ethics in AI, and consider how the use of AI can address your chosen UN SDG in this module.

Problem Solving With Creative & Computational Thinking

Focused and diffuse thinking, problem identification and analysis, lateral and creative thinking, and the four pillars of computational thinking will be covered in this module. These give you the baseline creative and computational thinking skills for problem solving. You will brainstorm and apply creative and computational thinking techniques to tackle problems related to the UN SDGs.

Polywide Elective 1

Students have the exciting opportunity to shape their own educational journey this semester by choosing from a diverse range of available electives. Each elective is designed to broaden knowledge, foster new skills, and ignite passions in various fields

Sports For Life

Sports for Life (SFL) is a physical education programme that has become part of the Graduation Criteria for ALL Year 1 students matriculated since AY2018/19. During this e-learning Semester, Year 1 students can choose their preferred module from a selection of 9 sports. SFL aims to encourage students to lead an active lifestyle by following a holistic e-learning package with videos and supplementary materials that focuses on acquiring knowledge, rules of the game, basic sports techniques and maintaining fitness. Besides physical activity, the e-learning curriculum also comprises of syllabus on Mental Wellness and Personal Leadership using 7 Habits of Highly Effective College Students.

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.

UX Research & Design Evaluation

In this module, students will learn about the highly interconnected nature of research and design using a hands-on approach with an outcome to ground their design decisions in solid user research and user centric evaluation. By gaining a deeper understanding of users' experiences throughout their interactions with products and services, students will gain practice with different qualitative and quantitative methods to gather and interpret user insights. Rooted in foundational UX design principles and laws, this module also offers students a comprehensive exploration of the iterative process of design evaluation. At the end of the module, students will produce designs that meet and exceed user expectations, while equipped with the tools and techniques to critically assess and refine their work through usability testing.

User Interface Design

In this module, students will develop a deep understanding of User Interface (UI) design beyond visual aesthetics to design mobile websites and applications with excellent usability. Students will explore visual principles and techniques specific to the UI design process to create visually appealing and cohesive UI designs. Through hands-on exercises and practical assignments, students will explore best practices specific to industry tools such as Figma, creating design components, animating prototypes. By the end of the module, students will learn how to turn wireframes and interaction architecture into interactive prototypes that can be tested with prospective users and iteratively refined into a high quality design that is ready for a hand-off to the development team for implementation.

Visual Design for Digital Products

In this module, students will explore visual design & branding, focusing on digital products and its impact on UX. They will learn to integrate a brand's personality into designs using Adobe Creative Suite, creating graphics, product mockups, and digital marketing assets aligning to brand guidelines. Practical applications extend to designing digital merchandise, publications, and social media content. Through hands-on experience, students will learn to craft cohesive branding experiences across different platforms, ensuring that every element, from app interfaces to digital ads, aligns with and enhances the brand's personality and message.

3D Modeling & Animation

In this module, students will explore the transition from 3D prototyping to 3D animation using Blender, focusing on creating video content that highlights the features and functionality of their products. This module will delve into essential aspects such as environment modeling, lighting, texturing, and key animation principles like speed control. Students will also learn techniques for mastering camera movements to enhance their visual storytelling, thereby effectively communicating their design concepts through animation.

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.

Polywide Elective 2

Students have the exciting opportunity to shape their own educational journey this semester by choosing from a diverse range of available electives. Each elective is designed to broaden knowledge, foster new skills, and ignite passions in various fields

Service Design Studio

In this module, students will learn and apply a range of technologies to create interactive experiences. Students will understand and create outcomes combining product design, digital product design, digital media and data analysis with a strong focus on experimentation.

Creative Web Design & Development

In this module, students will embark on a comprehensive journey through the realms of web development, with a specific focus on website design. They will learn to plan information architecture and sitemaps, crucial for effective website navigation and user experience. The course will cover the diverse software landscape, including content management systems like WordPress and Shopify, essential for modern web development. Practical skills in coding are also a key component, enabling students to build aesthetically pleasing and functional websites. Finally, students will also delve into the principles of responsive design, ensuring websites adapt seamlessly across various devices. At the end of the module, students will be equipped with the knowledge and skills to design, develop, and deploy professional-quality websites.

Behavioural Design & Human Factors

In this module, students will be introduced to behavioural design, focusing on how behavioural insights and case studies can inform user-centred design. They will gain theoretical knowledge of human factors, learning to apply principles of behavioural psychology in designing products, services, and spaces. The curriculum will explore what captures and maintains attention, decision-making processes, the influence of context on behaviour, and motivational factors driving action. At the end of the module, students will design digital products to engage, encourage, and persuade users, leveraging behavioural science to enhance the effectiveness and appeal of their designs.

Tinker Lab

Persuasive Communication with Data Storytelling

While data offer the hard facts, they rely on us to give them a clear and convincing voice to call stakeholders into action in tackling the UN SDGs. Attain the skills to craft compelling narratives supported by hard facts that persuade intellectually and effectively, in this module. You will learn to generate data visualisations, and apply narrative elements and persuasive delivery techniques to influence others or shape their perspectives.

Problem Solving With Creative & Computational Thinking

Focused and diffuse thinking, problem identification and analysis, lateral and creative thinking, and the four pillars of computational thinking will be covered in this module. These give you the baseline creative and computational thinking skills for problem solving. You will brainstorm and apply creative and computational thinking techniques to tackle problems related to the UN SDGs.

Motion Analysis & Techniques

In this module, students will focus on integrating motion graphics into UX design, focusing on how to effectively communicate ideas and create immersive interactions. Through Adobe After Effects and Premiere Pro, they will learn to create product walkthrough videos that effectively demonstrate how their applications work. Students will develop skills in transforming text, still images, and 3D objects into engaging video content. Practical applications include the design of microinteractions and transitions, key to creating fluid and engaging user experiences. At the end of the module, their primary outcome will be the ability to produce captivating videos, showcasing their ability to elevate user interface design through motion graphics.

Innovation Lab

Innovation Lab is an opportunity for students to integrate, apply and deepen the knowledge, skillsets and competencies (both technical and general) they have gained over the course of their study. Building on the skills taught in Experience Lab and the Tinker Lab, students will work in mixed groups to tackle complex real-world issues through industry projects. They will learn how to research and generate new, innovative solutions that go beyond a single domain, while considering other factors such as meeting a business-end, dealing with resource constraints, as well as taking advantage of social, cultural and economic trends. They will also learn how to communicate with their stakeholders and manage a project. By the end of this module, students will deepen their skills in acquiring and synthesising knowledge from across disciplines and develop resilience in tackling complex problems

Polywide Elective 3

Students have the exciting opportunity to shape their own educational journey this semester by choosing from a diverse range of available electives. Each elective is designed to broaden knowledge, foster new skills, and ignite passions in various fields

Final Year Project

In this project, students will need to integrate and consolidate the principles and applicable skills learnt throughout the course. Students will undertake diverse projects, ranging from experience design to service design, and collaboration with industry partners or joining competition may be involved. Students are expected to present their work at various points throughout the development cycle.

Internship Programme (22 weeks)

This module aims to immerse students with real-world industry experience. This programme comprises a 22-week enhanced internship programme integrating a structured learning outcome which facilitates authentic learning.