The Minor in Design will provide you with design thinking skills that can be applied across a wide range of disciplines. As the world becomes more complex, there is an increasing demand for graduates that are able to apply design as a way to solve problems, develop alternative points of view and disrupt existing models.

The Design Minor will introduce you to the principles of design, as well as design theory, visual communication, design innovation, web and interface design and visual storytelling. You will learn how to use design as an innovation method and how to apply design thinking to a range of contexts, in both physical and digital environments.

The methods taught will enable you to develop different perspectives, explore multiple design solutions, understand how to tackle complex problems, clearly communicate ideas and strategies, critically assess current situations and environments, and develop strategies for innovation.

Whatever path you choose, your critical thinking, problem solving, communication, and research skills will be developed through interactive classes and “real-world” assessments.   

The units of study taken as part of the Minor in Design will lead to the following learning outcomes: 

• Making effective use of written and visual means to critique, negotiate, create and communicate understanding.
• Understanding the value of design methods for identifying and evaluating human-centred solutions to discipline-specific problems. 
  
• Experience in working on design problems that require interdisciplinary expertise and skill sets. 
  
• Capability to work in cross-disciplinary teams, contributing discipline-specific knowledge and communicating this knowledge to other team members. 
  
• Knowledge of design as capability-enhancing set of methods for solving non-linear, complex problems and expertise in applying such methods across a range of design contexts. 
  
• Ability to balance convergent and divergent approaches, focussing on the details of a design solution while also applying higher-level thinking and critical reflection. 
  
• Proficiency in design methods, techniques and tools and how they relate within design movements and schools of thought.