B.Des. (Humanising Technology)

Design Product experiences for the future

Course Duration: 4 years

The role of a designer today is varied and comprehensive - it combines design with technology to serve business and social needs; entails designing communications to designing businesses.

NMIMS School of Design offers a AICTE approved, four-year undergraduate Design program (B.Des.) in Humanising Technology. This unique program caters to the minutest nuances and gives the multidisciplinary edge to the ever-evolving field of design. Our well-trained, visionary faculty ensure that our students are trained for a bright career in Design.

This program has a generalist two-year foundation, progressing to a focus on designing seamless product experiences with emergent technologies such as Internet of things (IOT), Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented reality (AR) in the third year and professionalising the learnings in the fourth year.

Humanising Technology is the act of design to make technology accessible, usable and delightful to the users.

Program Objectives

The graduated students of B.Des. (Humanising Technology) will be proficient in:

The program teaches students to face and solve the design challenges in the modern world
To create designs that will make technology accessible and consumable to the users
To expose students to multidisciplinary fundamentals like sociology, psychology and business
To open up numerous career avenues with our future-scoped, transdisciplinary, multi-skilled and industry focused program

Unique features

A trans-disciplinary design program considering People, Technology, Science & Business
Equips student with multi-stream skillsets & sensibility to visualize 2D, 3D & 5D experiences
Vibrant student life & campus ecosystem
State of the art studios and labs to tinker.

Curriculum design

Our curriculum is a progressive tenet of using Design as a focal point to address problems considering the interpretations from cognitive, behavioural sciences and business. More importantly, considering technology as an opportunity and an enabler.

The module (course) structure facilitates multi-skilling in graphic, product, motion and digital design as well multi-disciplinary capabilities such as coding, Scientic research writing, business, psychology and sociology of the user and technology to equip the design student to take a trans-disciplinary, holistic and user-centered approach when designing solutions.

The curriculum is pillared on four multidisciplinary fundamentals- design, technology, sciences and business. Modules in these fundamentals fall under two basic categories ‘Design centric’ and ‘Design allied’. Below is an indicative representation of the module structure of the Program. The detailed version is available on the link – ‘Module structure

Design	Technology	Science	Business
Sketching	Interface Design	Social Narratives	Business Communication
Visualization	User Experience	Cultural Narratives	Marketing
Typography	Creative Programming	Sensorial Studies	Project Management
Videography	Web/Mobile Experience	Behavioural Studies	Creative Entrepreneurship
Information Design	Connected Environment	Usability Studies	Managing Finances
User Research	Immersive Experience	Ethnography
Story Telling	Experience Design

Program outcome

Module structure

Module-wise outcomes

Learning goals

The curriculum distribution over four years of B. Des. in Humanising Technology gives our students the much-needed robust foundation, moving on gradually to focus on designing seamless, user centric experiences enabled and opportune by emergent technology.

Years 1 & 2
(Foundation program)

Develops skill sets for multiple streams such graphic, product, animation, interaction design. Advances sensibilities to visualise using 2D, 3D to 5D sensorial narrative methods whilst congregating to a transdisciplinary mind-set by engaging in modules in technology, business, behavioural, cognitive & social studies, scientific approach to research and communication when problem solving.

Year 3
(Project centric application)

Focuses on problem solving in a project model. Students undergo an internship in the social sector to learn the ropes in the real world. The year also includes modules for designing real scenario experiences opportune and enabled by emergent technology such as web and mobile, Internet of things, virtual reality and such others.

Year 4
(Professionalising)

This is dedicated to maturing the learning with a professional perspective. A six-month internship in an industry of their choice is followed by a capstone degree project and dissertation.

Pedagogy

Interactive sessions interspersed with mentored practice studios and labs to engage and challenge the students.
Workshops on niche aspects of design.
Knowledge sharing by ace professionals on design and other allied areas.
Valuable learning engagements through exhibitions and conferences.

Career Opportunities

With design dominating, most of the sectors today, it spells good news for budding designers. Thanks to our intensive, immersive and all-encompassing curriculum, aided with the necessary practical training, our graduates can easily land a lucrative job in the consulting, hospitality, IT, banking, healthcare, education, tourism and other sectors. The opportunities are endless. For those wanting to fly solo, the scope is limitless. While the world of start-ups beckon, they can even opt for a master’s degree in design in India or abroad given the awarded degree is internationally recognised as well

Possible Job Profiles

Interaction Designer
Experience Designer for emerging technology
Design Researcher
Data Visualizer
UX & UI Designer

Seeking admission to B.Des. ( Humanising Technology)

Eligibility

The candidate must have passed 10+2 or equivalent examination including International Baccalaureate Diploma in any stream from a recognized Board in the first attempt and should have obtained a minimum of 60% aggregate marks. The IB certificate / & D.P. awarded candidates are eligible provided they have cleared their IB exam with total of 24 credits having passed 3 HL (minimum 12 credits) & 3 SL (minimum 09 credits) mandatorily.

Admission Process

Admission to B.Des. (Humanising Technology) is a 3 steps selection process. It begins with applying on the NPAT portal (https://www.npat.in/design.php) in the month of December to April. The dates for the Step II and III are update in the information brochure here.

Step no.	Test name	Test details	Location
1.	NPAT + Design Aptitude Section (DAS) Test	Multiple choice questions	19 states and 49 centers all over India
2.	Studio Test	Creative Problem Solving and Sketching	Mumbai
3.	Personal Interview & Portfolio review	Individual Dialogue	Mumbai

Labs & Studios

Learning in a design school is experiential, mostly by ‘learn by doing’. Hence relevant and state of art equipment in engaging Labs and studios is necessary to tinker, fail and learn

State of the art WiFi enabled, Smart-boards equipped studios plus projection facility.
The Builder’s sanctum to prototype with different materials with hand and powered machines and tools.
One of the few design schools in India to house a Rapid Prototyping Lab (including a 3D printer, laser cutter and CNC milling machine.
A Tinkering lab with a wide range of electronics for prototyping, including proto-boards like the Arduino, the Raspberry-Pi, various kinds of sensors, LEDs, drivers to explore and build with
The School of Design also houses the XR reality lab with high-end computing machines and state of the art head mounted devices.
It is the only school in India to include a Usability lab (Test Drive) in its facilities to evaluate the solutions designed therein. This facilitates user- centricity and value build in design
A well-stocked library with up-to-date knowledge resources in design as well all other faculties of the university.

Entrance area

Learners area

Facilitators area

Studio

Builder’s sanctum (workshop) 01

Builder’s sanctum (workshop) 02

Tinkering lab 01

Tinkering lab 02

Rapid Prototyping Lab 01

Rapid Prototyping Lab 02

Test Drive (Usability Lab) )01

Test Drive (Usability Lab)02

XR Lab (Virtual Reality Lab) 01

Interactive Space 01

Interactive Space 02

Library

Hostel

The NMIMS Deemed to be University (as per UGC Norms) hostel facility includes two full-fledged hostels and three rented residential accommodations (taken care of by the University itself) in Mumbai, separately for boys and girls. Students are provided with all necessary facilities in the hostel along with some value-added services as well.
Hostel application forms are available on our website. Students are required to submit the hostel application form and hostel fee along with all necessary documents. Hostel allotment list is provided on our website 3 days before the start of classes.

Hostel Application Form - Click here

Internships/NGO Reviews

Internship is an integral and compulsory part of the curriculum for the B. Des. (Humanising Technology) Program. A student of this program is required to complete two internships with duly evaluated outcomes. The first one is a month-long NGO internship after the completion of year II and the second is a 6-month industry internship after the completion of year III. The objective is to provide the student an opportunity to apply their academic learning in a professional context, assess their capabilities and skill sets and return to academics with a renewed intent.

NGO Internship
Industry Internship

NGO Internship

On completion of the two-year foundation program, the student is expected to complete a month-long internship in social design and research at a verified NGO. It facilitates the application of the learnings in the foundation years in the real-life context, often in the marginalised communities. It also instils the awareness amongst the students about the power ‘Design’ has to create a measurable social value and impact.NGO Internship is one such opportunity at the beginning of the third year of this program. It is month long and the student is expected to work in location on a NGO suggested or a self-initiated projected to experience design impacting society and explore socially relevant innovations.

2019-20

Raah Foundation

"We had interns from this institute and we are extremely happy to see such a well designed course which emphasis more on practical solutions and gives opportunities to students to explore freely and understand the working conditions of any office setups and prepare themselves to any situations adapting to best possible existing resources. Extremely focused and well managed program."

- Mitali Upadhye

The Society For Door Step School

"It was a first year of collaboration with NMIMS School of Design and it was a good experience. Close follow up and timely communication from your end was appreciable. Students were very committed, hard working and sincere. They were very comfortable with our working environment. Their interaction and communication with the staff was very positive. The projects they have done are very unique, helpful and innovative. We will surely use their project solutions in our programs. We had a good time discussing about our concern areas/programs and achieving the helpful solution. Our field staff was also very impressed by their efforts and work. The course of School of Design is also well designed. It gives student freedom to explore and to come up with possible practical solutions. "Learn by doing" is so true and the school is following their belief so well."

Best Wishes to the School to continue the great work for many more years!

- Shrutika Bhosale

Cuddles Foundation

"We really appreciate Anshika’s understanding of the project and her ability to deliver the ‘Khau Gully’ game within the stipulated time. We are a small team that works remotely and her ability to work on her own, and connect with us when she needed direction is amazing for someone that young.
Feedback for the course supervisors and instructors:
Anshika’s focus was more on research than design. Perhaps the school can also focus on building thinking in terms of mood boards, design visuals, etc. so there’s a balance between both thought (research / design thinking) and design (execution)."

- Anisha Gupta

Community Aid and Sponsorship Programme

"Mrunal worked with me at CASP for four weeks. She had spoken to me earlier about the objective of her visit and also visited our office which proved to be really useful as this helped us work out a plan for her internship.
Mrunal was tasked to -
1. Revamp the existing brochure of the organisation which was outdated.
2. Help work out the look for our annual report.
As you can see she was given a clean slate to work on with very little guidance and had to develop her own ideas and concept. She did an excellent job of the brochure by producing a design and layout that is clean, very visual and has just enough information to keep an individual reader engaged and interested. Similarly for the annual report she has produced infographics and graphs that present the data regarding our work in an interesting and informative manner. Finally she went beyond her brief in preparing a colour palette for CASP - though to be honest I don’t know if and when we would use it, unused as we are to the concept. Going forward I would suggest that the institute provide NGOs with a brief regarding the capacity of their students and possible tasks that could be assigned to them. This is because I think very few organisations would have any idea of the capacity of the students and conceptualise projects for them. I look forward to working with students from your institute again next year."

Lt Col (Dr) Anil Paranjape Retd.

Etasha Society

"NMIMS's School of Design students are 'surprise package' when it comes to a design application or creating an innovative design based product. We've had a great time discussing and delving into our concern areas and together achieving the best possible solution. Best wishes to the School."

- Swati Kapur

Industry Internship

The fourth year of the program is focussed on professionalising the student. The year begins with a six-month industry internship with pre-defined outcomes. The intent here is to familiarise the student to a work environment and apply their learnings in professional scenario. Since the program is designed to allow the students to make a mindful choice regarding the one’s specialisation, this industry internship tenure enables experiencing the work scenario in the chosen specialisation. The program has the flexibility to change this choice in the last semester which is well before the student finally joins the profession after the completion of the program.

Students Review

Atharv Shringare
3rd Year, B.Des.(Humanising Technology)

Isha Raghuvanshi
3rd Year, B.Des.(Humanising Technology)

Kashish Ramrakhiani
3rd Year, B.Des.(Humanising Technology)

Anuya Desai
2nd Year, B.Des. (Humanising Technology)

Preshita Deshmukh
2nd Year, B.Des. (Humanising Technology)

Zeel Shah
1st Year, B.Des. (Humanising Technology)

Manna James Rao

"In last 3 years I've got to know that there's more to designing apart from sketching and aesthetic. What intrigued me is how this course is not solely focused on design but in areas which are impacted by design or impact design itself. The faculty ensures we are able to see the bigger picture when introducing a new module and it's concepts. Humanising Technology is something many people haven't heard of but when they release what the course is about, they understand how different this is from a traditional design course”.

Prajna Raghuveer

You have to be ready to take on a lot of work. There maybe sleepless nights but at the end of the day it’s all worth it. You get to learn a lot and develop your skills. We learn through peer learning. I for example did not believe that I could come up with a good concept but my 3 years at School of Design has helped me grow and has given me the confidence that I can take up any problem and come up with an apt and lateral solution. Each assignment you get is unique and fun to work on and you get the chance to go out onto the field and get to know your target group and test your solutions that helps a great deal.
It has helped me become more confident in myself. Secondly the exposure we get and our Ngo Interact module and internships are helping us get a good exposure of the industry. Even the guest lectures and workshops we have given us students opportunities to connect with potential employers and gain access to what is expected in the industry. NMIMS helps you stay relevant while giving you the creative freedom to make a difference through your designs.

Damiya Jaswani

Nothing in life that is worth, comes easy. Life in School of Design teaches you to embrace challenges, fight hard and push the limits of your mind every single day, until it becomes a part of who you are. In the time that I have been here so far, I have felt inspired, I have felt motivated, I have felt defeated, I have struggled but have always emerged with a sense of victory because of the plethora of things I have gotten to learn and experience.
This course is a complete experience, which requires dedication of one’s mind and body for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It could be challenging, but the plethora of things you can explore and learn and the opportunity to find out who you are makes it all worth it.
The way we are taught to create designs here , is to research and define problems and create solutions of the form, that is best suited to the problem. These solutions could range from anything under the sky, whether it is product design, graphic design, packaging, UI/UX, AR/VR etc. We are equipped with adequate skills to solute in all these forms and also are given an opportunity to explore these design pathways. This has helped me discover what kind of design would I like to pursue in the future and pick a masters course that would be the most suitable for me.

Sulekha Bajpai

NMIMS, School of Design offers a creative yet structured approach for addressing challenges. How can we solve a problem beyond the basic understanding is what the educational body provided us with, by teaching us Design Thinking. The core of our course is to understand the people and their needs. The Institute encourages us to brainstorm and prototype and test our concepts to validate whether or not we have been able to solve the problem and if we don’t get the desired result, there is a vast scope of improvement that can be identified through the methods that we have learned and practiced in the last three years to transform them into real world solutions.

Kashish Ramrakhiani

"What new will I learn today?", is the question I ask myself every morning before coming to college. This is a place where each day is a new experience and invites compelling challenges. The enthusiastic faculty members make the subjects fun and interesting. They are approachable and never fail to guide us through the right path. Knowing about new and interesting technologies, along with problem solving methods makes the course really interesting and drives curiosity to learn more. As I stepped into my internship, I felt a sense of compatibility with the industry due to the course structure that includes practical aspects of the design. I am extremely thankful for the endless opportunities that I have got from this school that have transformed me to the person I am today.

Atharv Shringare

"Life at School of Design is challenging. It might sound difficult, but that’s the change that it has made in me. Everything that we do here is with a certain intent. It’s the exciting state between fear and opportunity. Sometimes it’s success or failure but all the time we learn something or other. Design education is one thing, but School of Design has been a life changing experience for me.
This course offers variety in a new way for a Design course. The journey so far has been a good one and has boosted my confidence. Every lecture is like a stepping stone to that particular module, this can be realised at the term-end. Doing work together has never been so much fun and this course has given the opportunity to communicate effectively in a group as much as it has taught me skills. The facilities provided are the best in class and never are compromised for any reason."

Shreyas Gangaram

"I am very glad that I have pursued the Bachelor of Design (B. Des) course at the School of Design, NMIMS. The teaching orientation is by mentoring towards skill enhancement and closest professional experience unlike the exam oriented teaching in other institutions. The faculty and the visiting faculty who are industry professionals collaborate to encourage practical learning and nourish the talents nearest to the industry requirements. ”

Shreya Saraf

NMIMS School of Design is the perfect path which grooms one for the professional design world. The entire course is based on learn by doing which also encourages collaborative learning. The mix of a great faculty, excellent course, comfortable environment and students from diverse backgrounds makes this experience all the more exciting. The course allows you to be creative but also makes you think of the relevance of the solution. With the teachers' guidance and support we create things that we otherwise could never imagine creating. Constant encouragement and positive criticism allows us to open up our mind and look at things differently. Somehow, even with the rigorous curriculum and professional atmosphere, School of Design feels like home.

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B.Des. (Humanising Technology)