What You'll Learn

User Experience Design & Research

This module will also equip students with fundamental knowledge of User Experience (UX) Design. Students will immerse in understanding of culture, industry, and people in relation to Digital Products such as mobile applications and websites. They will learn methods to uncover the motivations and expectations of users, and design useful and delightful interfaces to create the best user experiences. Students will learn a variety of prototyping methods such as wireframing, sketching, though hands-on learning, and also industry standard tools to create high fidelity wireframes. This module also introduces students to the research tools needed to understand their stakeholders, analyse data and communicate their findings. In this module, students will develop fluency in deriving insights to tackle the problems and issues at hand through research. They will practise teamwork and develop problem solving skills when analysing data.

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.

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.

Data Fluency (DF)

In this module, students will be equipped with the baseline skills in using data to gain insights into the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These skills are related to the data-handling processes such as formulating data-based questions, pre-processing data and analyzing 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 an SDG and/or generate some insights to support one theoretical solution to an 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 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 on the 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

This module will provide students with a project-based, collaborative learning experience focused on applying service design principles to create innovative services that address real-world needs. Utilizing the service design blueprint, students will work in a dynamic studio environment to conceptualize, develop, and refine service experiences, ensuring seamless integration across all user touchpoints from initial concept to implementation.

Creative Web Design & Development

In this module, students will embark on a comprehensive journey through the art and science of web design and development, equipping them with the skills needed to create compelling, user-friendly websites. Covering everything from information architecture and responsive design to the use of CMS like WordPress and Shopify, as well as Google Analytics for enhancing UX, students will also learn the essentials of HTML, CSS, and Figma's development mode. Through practical experience and an agile development approach, students will be prepared to tackle a wide range of web projects, ensuring their creations not only look great but function seamlessly across all platforms.

Behavioural Design & Human Factors

In this module, students will be introduced to an advanced understanding of the intersection between behavioral psychology and UX design, going beyond basic UX laws to delve into how user interfaces can be crafted to deeply resonate with users on a psychological level. By exploring emotional design, cognitive biases, persuasive design, and user motivation, students will learn to create more intuitive, engaging, and effective digital products that cater to the nuanced behaviors and preferences of users.

Tinker Lab

​Tinker Lab is part of the Project Core modules that will be offered to all second year MAD students in semester 2. It is designed to strengthen students' skills and mindset as they work in a transdisciplinary team, tapping onto the transdisciplinary framework, process and tools to innovate solutions. Tinker Lab builds on the practices taught in X-Lab to further develop students’ ability to inspire innovation with purpose, encouraging participants to make a meaningful impact through their creations. This module aims to foster a mindset where tinkering is not just about play but about leveraging technology to bring about positive change (e.g. Sustainability Goals). Participants are invited to explore the endless possibilities of using their skills and ideas as catalysts for meaningful impact, whether on a personal, communal, or global scale. Through hands-on exploration, and collaborative projects, participants will uncover their potential as change-makers and learn to embrace creativity, experimentation, and iteration as tools.

Motion Graphics for Product Design

This module will provide students with the skills to masterfully communicate through motion, teaching them to apply animation principles within motion graphics. Through hands-on training with industry-standard tools such as Adobe After Effects, Media Encoder, and Premiere Pro, students will become adept at incorporating motion design into their product projects, enhancing the user experience with dynamic and engaging visual elements.

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.

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.