Design can be defined as a work process which has a user perspective and drives product development based on specific customers’ needs. Design involves planning, design as well as construction of an object, a product or system in a creative way. Professionals in this field may be referred to as designers among other titles. The work of designers entails managing the communication process, from understanding the problem to finding the solution. In other words, designers develop and implement overall design & communication strategies for their clients. In today’s world, leading manufacturers of various products as well as service providers both public and private sectors are increasingly recognising design as an integral part of their offering and a means of differentiation in a competitive business environment. Well designed products and services are shaping a worldwide material and non-material culture and influencing consumer purchasing behaviours. This is because design has come to encompass an extraordinary range of applications, artefacts, philosophies, techniques and values all of which have the ability to influence our experience and perception of the world around us.
Bachelor of Technology in Design is a four-year course that has been designed to develop students with design skills that can be applied in a technological setting as well as using technology to enhance the design process and design artefact. The curriculum of the programme covers various fields such as; history of design, design rendering techniques, materials tools & process, design computing, two-three & four dimensional design studies, photography & videography, project planning & management, digital media technologies, product design, environmental design, interactive media design, communication design among other areas. Students can choose their majors including; product design option, environmental design option, interactive media design option and communication design option. Upon successful completion of the programme, graduates will have the knowledge and skilles required to plan, design and implement various designs that can improve our lives and environments.
Entry Qualifications.
For self-sponsored students, at least a mean grade of C+ in KCSE. For Government sponsored students, the minimum cut point which is announced annually applies. The students should in addition have good performance in the following cluster subjects; Subject 1 MAT A, Subject 2 any GROUP II, Subject 3 any GROUP III, Subject 4 2nd GROUP II or 2nd GROUP III or a GROUP IV or any GROUP V.
Becoming a designer
If you are creative and have passion for design process and want to develop a career that can enable you develop design portfolios that can improve product development, our lives and the environment, then pursuing this course might be a good choice for you. In addition you should be prepared to develop skills that can enable you succeed in this field.
Designers are imaginative people who are able to bring ideas and opportunities together in ways that were not initially obvious non-designers. Designers are also objective and self-aware skills that enable them assess their work and view themselves through the eyes of others with a realistic understanding of their capabilities. Designers are effective communicators as the ability to effectively communicate across the disciplines is critical for a designer to influence an organisation. These professionals also have got excellent people skills as a designer has to work with cross-functional teams to advance designs and shepherd them through to production every step of the way.
Those in self-entrepreneurship must need to understand how their businesses (or their clients) what role design can play to bring an advantage to their customers; this requires creativity and business acumen. The world is now a global village courtesy of the internet, designers therefore need to have global awareness on design processes and have an understanding on how changes around the world are affecting the customers and markets. Having talent in this field is an added advantage as having a real talent for design can put you ahead of the competition. Good excellent listening and questioning skills are crucial to enable these professionals discuss design briefs and understand feedback from colleagues and clients. Good writing skills are an asset to have in this field to be able to produce clear and concise written reports. Working in this field requires being able to work within deadlines and budgets.
Work environment.
Designers may work in studios, offices or workshops among other environments.
Career opportunities
Graduates of this course may work in various industries such as; design firms, manufacturing industries, product design firms, media houses, research institutions etc. Others may decide to start their own design companies.
You may explore these courses
Bachelor of Arts in Design
Bachelor of Science in Graphic, Communication and Advertising
Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design, With IT
Bachelor of Science in Clothing Textile & Interior Design