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M-DES in Transdisciplinary Design at Alliance University
Bengaluru, Karnataka
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About the Specialization
What is Transdisciplinary Design at Alliance University Bengaluru?
This Transdisciplinary Design program at Alliance University focuses on integrating diverse disciplines to solve complex problems, fostering holistic design thinking. It addresses the growing need in Indian industries for designers who can bridge gaps between technology, business, and human needs, offering a unique blend of strategic and practical design skills crucial for innovation and competitive advantage in the rapidly evolving Indian market.
Who Should Apply?
This program is ideal for creative graduates from design, engineering, architecture, arts, or even humanities and management backgrounds, seeking to expand their problem-solving toolkit. It''''s also well-suited for early-to-mid career professionals aspiring to lead innovation, transition into strategic design roles, or launch design-driven ventures within India''''s dynamic startup and corporate ecosystem.
Why Choose This Course?
Graduates of this program can expect to pursue India-specific career paths as UX Designers, Service Designers, Design Strategists, Product Managers, or Social Innovators. Entry-level salaries typically range from INR 6-10 LPA, growing significantly with experience. The program aligns with industry demands for professionals capable of driving innovation in sectors like IT, healthcare, manufacturing, and social development across India.
Student Success Practices
Foundation Stage
Immerse in Design Thinking Principles- (Semester 1-2)
Actively engage with core design thinking methodologies. Participate in workshops, solve hypothetical problems, and practice empathy mapping, ideation, and rapid prototyping from day one to build foundational problem-solving skills.
Tools & Resources
IDEO Design Kit, NID resources, local design meetups in Bengaluru, online courses on Coursera/edX
Career Connection
Builds fundamental problem-solving skills, highly valued in UX, product, and service design roles in Indian tech and startup companies.
Develop Strong Visual and Communication Skills- (Semester 1-2)
Focus on mastering visual communication tools (like Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, Sketch) and effective presentation techniques. Critically analyze and articulate design choices in class presentations and peer reviews to refine visual storytelling.
Tools & Resources
Adobe Creative Cloud, Figma, Miro, Behance for inspiration, Toastmasters clubs
Career Connection
Essential for creating compelling portfolios and communicating design solutions effectively to clients and teams, securing roles in graphic design, UI/UX, and marketing.
Explore Diverse Design Histories and Theories- (Semester 1-2)
Beyond textbooks, actively seek out and analyze examples of Indian design history, traditional crafts, and contemporary movements. Understand the socio-cultural context that shaped these designs for a deeper appreciation.
Tools & Resources
Indian National Design Policy, Crafts Council of India, local design museums (e.g., National Gallery of Modern Art Bengaluru), design journals focusing on Indian context
Career Connection
Fosters a deeper appreciation for cultural nuances in design, crucial for designing culturally relevant products and services for the Indian market, valuable for roles in cultural institutions or heritage design.
Intermediate Stage
Engage in Interdisciplinary Project Work- (Semester 3-4)
Actively seek out and contribute to group projects that require collaboration across different design specializations or even outside the design faculty. Leverage individual strengths to create integrated solutions for real-world impact.
Tools & Resources
University collaboration platforms, student clubs (e.g., hackathons, designathons), industry mentorship programs
Career Connection
Mimics real-world project environments, enhancing teamwork and communication skills vital for roles in large organizations and consultancies in India.
Cultivate Industry Networks and Seek Internships- (Semester 3-4)
Attend industry events, design conferences (e.g., India Design), and workshops. Proactively reach out to professionals on LinkedIn for informational interviews and actively seek out summer internships or live projects with design studios or corporate design teams.
Tools & Resources
LinkedIn, Industry associations (ADI, NASSCOM Design Council), university career services, Bengaluru''''s startup ecosystem
Career Connection
Builds professional connections, provides practical experience, and often leads to pre-placement offers in companies like Wipro Digital, Tata Elxsi, or various design consultancies.
Specialization-Focused Skill Development- (Semester 3-4)
Deep dive into your chosen elective area (e.g., Experience Design, Design for Sustainability). Beyond coursework, pursue certifications, online advanced tutorials, and personal projects related to your specialization to build expertise.
Tools & Resources
Specific software for chosen domain (e.g., Sketch, Figma for UX; Fusion 360 for Product Design), advanced Udemy/Coursera courses, industry workshops
Career Connection
Positions you as a specialist, making you a more attractive candidate for focused roles in specific design domains within Indian companies and startups.
Advanced Stage
Master Thesis/Project for Portfolio Excellence- (Semester 4)
Treat your Master''''s Thesis/Project as the cornerstone of your professional portfolio. Ensure it showcases comprehensive research, innovative problem-solving, and high-fidelity execution, clearly articulating your design process and outcomes.
Tools & Resources
Academic supervisors, industry mentors, professional portfolio platforms (Behance, Dribbble, personal website), thesis defense guidelines
Career Connection
A strong thesis project is a key differentiator in job applications, demonstrating your capability to lead complex design initiatives and often serving as a direct entry point to research or specialized design roles.
Intensive Placement Preparation and Mock Interviews- (Semester 4)
Engage in rigorous preparation for placements, including tailoring your resume, crafting compelling cover letters, and participating in mock interviews (technical, behavioral, and portfolio reviews). Seek continuous feedback from career services and industry professionals.
Tools & Resources
University placement cell, online interview platforms, interview prep guides, alumni network
Career Connection
Directly impacts success in securing desired design positions with competitive salaries in India''''s leading design-driven companies and consultancies, ensuring a smooth transition into the industry.
Cultivate a Professional Online Presence- (Semester 3-4 (ongoing))
Develop and maintain a professional online portfolio, LinkedIn profile, and potentially a design blog or medium posts to showcase your expertise, projects, and design philosophy. Engage actively with the design community online to expand your reach.
Tools & Resources
Personal website builders (Webflow, Squarespace), LinkedIn, Medium, Twitter, Dribbble, Behance
Career Connection
Enhances visibility to recruiters, acts as a living resume, and helps establish thought leadership, crucial for long-term career growth and networking within the Indian design ecosystem.
Program Structure and Curriculum
Eligibility:
- Bachelor’s degree (10+2+3 or 10+2+4) or equivalent qualification in Design/Technology/Engineering/Architecture/Art/Humanities/Science/Management from a recognized University with a minimum of 50% marks (45% for SC/ST).
Duration: 2 years / 4 semesters
Credits: 82 Credits
Assessment: Internal: 50% (for theory courses) / 100% (for studio/lab/project courses), External: 50% (for theory courses) / 0% (for studio/lab/project courses)
Semester-wise Curriculum Table
Semester 1
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DESM1001 | Design Principles and Elements | Core | 4 | Principles of Design, Elements of Design, Visual Communication, Color Theory, Form and Space, Composition |
| DESM1002 | Design Research Methodologies | Core | 4 | Research Paradigms, Qualitative Research, Quantitative Research, Data Analysis Techniques, Research Ethics, Field Research |
| DESM1003 | Design History and Theory | Core | 4 | Modern Design Movements, Contemporary Design Trends, Indian Design Context, Design Philosophy, Cultural Impact of Design, Social Dimensions |
| DESM1004 | Visual Communication and Prototyping | Core (Studio) | 6 | Visual Storytelling, Graphic Design Principles, Digital Tools for Design, Prototyping Techniques, Presentation Skills, Mock-up Creation |
| DESM1005 | Design Thinking and Innovation | Core (Workshop) | 4 | Design Thinking Process, Empathy Mapping, Ideation Techniques, User-Centered Design, Innovation Strategies, Problem Framing |
Semester 2
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DESM2001 | Interaction Design | Core | 4 | User Interface Design, User Experience Principles, Information Architecture, Usability Testing, Prototyping for Interaction, Heuristic Evaluation |
| DESM2002 | Service Design | Core | 4 | Service Blueprinting, Customer Journey Mapping, Touchpoint Design, Service Ecosystems, Stakeholder Engagement, Value Proposition |
| DESM2003 | Strategic Design Management | Core | 4 | Design Strategy, Brand Management, Business Models for Design, Design Leadership, Intellectual Property Rights, Market Analysis |
| DESM2004 | Material and Manufacturing Processes | Core | 4 | Material Properties, Manufacturing Techniques, Sustainable Materials, Production Processes, Design for Manufacturing, Finishing Processes |
| DESM2005 | Transdisciplinary Design Studio I | Core (Studio) | 8 | Problem Definition, Collaborative Design, Concept Development, Cross-disciplinary Projects, Design Solution Prototyping, Project Management |
Semester 3
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DESM3001 | Design for Social Innovation | Core | 4 | Social Impact Assessment, Community Engagement, Participatory Design, Sustainable Development Goals, Design for Equity, Grassroots Innovation |
| DESM3002 | Entrepreneurship and Venture Creation | Core | 4 | Business Plan Development, Startup Ecosystem, Funding Strategies, Marketing for Startups, Legal Aspects of Business, Pitch Deck Development |
| DESM3003 | Design Elective I (Options: Advanced Product Design, Experience Design, Retail Design) | Elective | 4 | User Research Methods, Usability Engineering, Cognitive Psychology in Design, Emotional Design, Information Architecture, User Flows |
| DESM3004 | Transdisciplinary Design Studio II | Core (Studio) | 8 | Complex Problem Solving, Integrated Design Solutions, Stakeholder Management, Advanced Prototyping, Design Implementation Strategies, System Thinking |
Semester 4
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DESM4001 | Design Elective II (Options: Design for Sustainability, Design for AI, Design Entrepreneurship) | Elective | 4 | Circular Economy Principles, Life Cycle Assessment, Eco-friendly Materials, Sustainable Systems Design, Green Design Principles, Ethical AI Design |
| DESM4002 | Master’s Thesis/Project | Project | 12 | Research Proposal Development, Literature Review, Methodology Selection, Data Collection & Analysis, Thesis Writing & Documentation, Presentation & Defense |
