Comprehensive Course Structure
The Design program at Sai University Chennai follows a structured curriculum that spans four academic years and eight semesters. The program is designed to provide students with a solid foundation in design principles while allowing them to specialize in their areas of interest.
| Semester | Course Code | Course Title | Credit Structure (L-T-P-C) | Pre-requisites |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | DES101 | Introduction to Design | 3-0-0-3 | None |
| 1 | DES102 | Design Thinking | 3-0-0-3 | None |
| 1 | MAT101 | Mathematics I | 3-1-0-4 | None |
| 1 | PHY101 | Physics I | 3-1-0-4 | None |
| 1 | CHE101 | Chemistry I | 3-1-0-4 | None |
| 1 | DES103 | Visual Communication | 3-0-0-3 | None |
| 1 | DES104 | Basic Drawing Techniques | 2-0-2-4 | None |
| 2 | DES201 | Product Design | 3-0-0-3 | DES101, DES102 |
| 2 | DES202 | Interaction Design | 3-0-0-3 | DES101, DES102 |
| 2 | DES203 | Service Design | 3-0-0-3 | DES101, DES102 |
| 2 | MAT201 | Mathematics II | 3-1-0-4 | MAT101 |
| 2 | PHY201 | Physics II | 3-1-0-4 | PHY101 |
| 2 | CHE201 | Chemistry II | 3-1-0-4 | CHE101 |
| 2 | DES204 | Computer Aided Design (CAD) | 2-0-2-4 | DES101 |
| 2 | DES205 | Digital Media | 3-0-0-3 | DES101, DES103 |
| 2 | DES206 | Materials and Manufacturing | 3-0-0-3 | None |
| 3 | DES301 | User Experience (UX) Design | 3-0-0-3 | DES201, DES202 |
| 3 | DES302 | Product Development | 3-0-0-3 | DES201, DES206 |
| 3 | DES303 | Sustainable Design | 3-0-0-3 | DES201, DES202 |
| 3 | DES304 | Human-Computer Interaction | 3-0-0-3 | DES202 |
| 3 | DES305 | Behavioral Design | 3-0-0-3 | DES201, DES202 |
| 3 | MAT301 | Mathematics III | 3-1-0-4 | MAT201 |
| 3 | PHY301 | Physics III | 3-1-0-4 | PHY201 |
| 3 | CHE301 | Chemistry III | 3-1-0-4 | CHE201 |
| 3 | DES306 | Digital Prototyping | 2-0-2-4 | DES205 |
| 3 | DES307 | Service Innovation | 3-0-0-3 | DES203 |
| 3 | DES308 | Design for Sustainability | 3-0-0-3 | DES303 |
| 4 | DES401 | Advanced UX Design | 3-0-0-3 | DES301 |
| 4 | DES402 | Capstone Project | 6-0-0-6 | DES301, DES302, DES303, DES304, DES305 |
| 4 | DES403 | Research Methods in Design | 3-0-0-3 | DES301 |
| 4 | DES404 | Design for Manufacturing | 3-0-0-3 | DES206 |
| 4 | DES405 | Advanced Service Design | 3-0-0-3 | DES307 |
| 4 | DES406 | Environmental Impact Assessment | 3-0-0-3 | DES303 |
| 4 | DES407 | Design Innovation and Entrepreneurship | 3-0-0-3 | None |
| 4 | DES408 | Industry Internship | 6-0-0-6 | DES301, DES302, DES303, DES304, DES305 |
| 4 | DES409 | Design Portfolio Development | 2-0-2-4 | DES201, DES202, DES203 |
Advanced Departmental Elective Courses
The department offers several advanced elective courses that allow students to explore specialized areas of interest within the field of design. These courses are designed to provide in-depth knowledge and practical skills relevant to specific domains of design practice.
User Experience (UX) Research Methods: This course focuses on advanced research techniques used in UX design, including qualitative and quantitative methods, user testing protocols, and data analysis strategies. Students learn to conduct comprehensive user research studies that inform design decisions and improve product usability. The course emphasizes the importance of ethical considerations in user research and provides hands-on experience with industry-standard tools such as eye-tracking software, heat mapping, and analytics platforms.
Service Design Innovation: This course explores innovative approaches to service design, focusing on co-creation techniques, service blueprinting, and customer journey mapping. Students learn to design services that are user-centric, sustainable, and economically viable. The course emphasizes the integration of digital technologies in service delivery and provides opportunities for students to work on real-world projects with industry partners.
Digital Prototyping and Testing: This advanced course delves into the techniques and tools used for creating interactive prototypes and conducting usability testing. Students learn to use prototyping software such as Figma, Adobe XD, and InVision to create high-fidelity prototypes that simulate user experiences. The course covers both physical and digital prototyping methods and emphasizes the iterative design process.
Behavioral Design Principles: This course examines how psychological principles can be applied to influence user behavior positively. Students study decision-making processes, choice architecture, and intervention design to create products and services that encourage desired behaviors. The course includes practical applications in areas such as health promotion, financial literacy, and environmental sustainability.
Sustainable Product Design: This course focuses on creating products that are environmentally responsible throughout their lifecycle. Students learn about life cycle assessment, material selection, and design for disassembly to minimize environmental impact. The course emphasizes the integration of sustainable practices into product development processes and provides opportunities for students to work on real-world sustainability challenges.
Human-Computer Interaction Research: This advanced research-focused course explores the latest developments in human-computer interaction, including emerging technologies such as voice interfaces, gesture recognition, and brain-computer interfaces. Students learn to conduct independent research projects and contribute to the growing body of knowledge in this field.
Digital Media Storytelling: This course focuses on creating compelling narratives using digital media platforms. Students learn about multimedia storytelling techniques, interactive media design, and cross-platform content creation. The course emphasizes the importance of understanding audience behavior and creating engaging experiences that resonate with users.
Design for Manufacturing Excellence: This course explores the intersection of design and manufacturing processes, focusing on design for manufacturability (DFM), design for assembly (DFA), and quality control principles. Students learn to optimize product designs for efficient manufacturing while maintaining high-quality standards.
Service Innovation Management: This course covers the management aspects of service innovation, including innovation strategy, implementation frameworks, and performance measurement. Students learn to lead service innovation projects and develop strategies that drive organizational success through improved service delivery.
Environmental Impact Assessment: This course provides students with tools and methodologies for assessing the environmental impact of design decisions. Students learn about regulatory frameworks, sustainability metrics, and best practices for minimizing environmental harm while maximizing social benefit.
Design Thinking for Social Impact: This course explores how design thinking can be applied to address social challenges and create positive change in communities. Students work on real-world projects that focus on social impact and learn to develop solutions that are both innovative and socially responsible.
Advanced Visual Communication Design: This course builds upon foundational visual communication skills, focusing on advanced typography, color theory, and layout design principles. Students learn to create visually compelling messages that effectively communicate complex information and engage target audiences.
Mobile Application User Experience: This specialized course focuses on creating intuitive user experiences for mobile applications. Students learn about mobile design patterns, responsive design principles, and platform-specific guidelines. The course emphasizes the importance of accessibility and inclusive design in mobile application development.
Design for Accessibility: This course explores the principles and practices of designing for users with disabilities. Students learn about universal design principles, accessibility standards, and assistive technologies that can be integrated into design processes. The course emphasizes creating inclusive experiences that meet the needs of all users.
Advanced Product Development: This course focuses on advanced product development methodologies, including agile development, lean manufacturing, and innovation frameworks. Students learn to manage complex product development projects and navigate challenges in bringing innovative products to market.
Project-Based Learning Philosophy
The Design program at Sai University Chennai places a strong emphasis on project-based learning as a core pedagogical approach. This methodology is designed to provide students with hands-on experience that mirrors real-world design challenges while developing their technical and creative skills.
The project-based learning framework encompasses both individual and collaborative projects throughout the curriculum. Students begin with small-scale projects in their early semesters, gradually progressing to more complex, multidisciplinary initiatives as they advance through the program.
Mini-projects are assigned in each semester and typically last 4-6 weeks. These projects are designed to reinforce concepts learned in lectures and provide students with practical experience in applying design principles. Each mini-project is evaluated based on multiple criteria including creativity, technical execution, adherence to design process, and presentation skills.
The final-year capstone project represents the culmination of students' learning journey. Students work on comprehensive design challenges that require them to integrate knowledge from multiple disciplines and apply advanced design methodologies. The capstone project typically lasts 12-16 weeks and involves extensive research, prototyping, testing, and iteration.
Project selection is a collaborative process involving students and faculty mentors. Students are encouraged to propose their own project ideas or work on projects suggested by industry partners. Faculty mentors provide guidance throughout the project lifecycle, ensuring that students receive appropriate support while maintaining academic rigor.
Evaluation criteria for projects include conceptual development, research methodology, design process documentation, prototyping skills, user testing outcomes, and final presentation quality. Students are also evaluated on their ability to work effectively in teams, manage project timelines, and communicate design decisions clearly to stakeholders.
The program encourages interdisciplinary collaboration by allowing students to work with peers from other departments such as Computer Science, Engineering, Business, and Social Sciences. This approach prepares students for the collaborative nature of modern design practice and exposes them to diverse perspectives and methodologies.