Design Department - Introduction

The Bachelor of Design program at CAS offers a unique opportunity for Omani students to display ingenuity and innovation. It is a program that educates students in problem solving in the most inspired way, focusing on both the academic and applied aspects of design. Being closely linked with the local industry, the students are constantly being exposed to the latest trends and styles in design. In addition, the department enables them to keep abreast with the most current technical aspects in design in a variety of different mediums.      There are currently three design specializations being offered at the Colleges of Applied Sciences. They are Graphic Design, Multimedia Design and Internal environment Design. They are four-year full-time degree programs leading to a Bachelor’s Degree in Design.      The Department runs the Design Program and offers three majors (bachelor s degree), namely: 1 - Graphic Design 2 - Multimedia Design 3 – Internal environment Design

Graphic Design 

     The Bachelor of Design in Graphic Design program at CAS focuses on training students to generate new ideas, engage in creative problem solving, and provide innovative ideas that have real-world applications. The ability to visualize ideas and effectively communicate thoughts with potential clients is a crucial component of the program. Students are given extensive coaching in skill development and effective verbal training throughout the four-year program. Students are also trained to conduct research in the areas of design that will lead to creative solutions.

Multimedia Design

     The Bachelor of Design in Multimedia Design program at CAS is a program that emphasizes the technical and digital aspects of design production. A core team of locals as well as international full-time faculty develops the ideas students bring to the studio so that they can do the most creative and productive work possible. In addition to departmental faculty, students participate in various local and international design events and visits which broaden their awareness of the larger design world and offer varied models for critical practice.

Internal environment Design

     Internal environment Design is a multifaceted profession in which creative and technical solutions are applied within a structured framework to achieve a built interior environment. These solutions are functional, enhancing the quality of life and culture of the occupants, and are aesthetically attractive. Designs are created in response to and coordinated with the building shell, and acknowledge the physical location and social context of the project. Designs must adhere to code and regulatory requirements, and encourage the principles of environmental sustainability. Internal environment Design process follows a systematic and coordinated methodology, including research, analysis and integration of knowledge into the creative process, whereby the needs and resources of the client are satisfied to produce an interior space that fulfills the project goals. Internal environment Design includes a scope of services performed by a professional design practitioner, qualified by means of education, experience, and examination, to protect and enhance the life, health, safety and welfare of the public.

Jobs in the labor market

     Graphic Designer, photographer, manual/digital illustrator, photo/image editor, print designer, layout artist, art director, design manager, packaging designer, creative director, art production manager, pre-press manager, brand identity designer/developer, visual design journalist, information designer, Web-Page Interface Designer, Sign Designer.

     Interactive multimedia designer, web designer, interface designer, content developer, visual effects & motion graphics designer, design educator, 3D modeler, 2D/3D animator, flash designer, game art designer, desktop publisher, television or video designer, Cartoonist.

     Interior designer, interior architecture, simulation & virtual environment designer, furniture designer, exhibition designer, visual merchandiser, visual display designer, events design, or design for theatre, film, television, or digital environments.

* Note: the listed jobs do not necessarily mean restricting the certificate in these jobs and vice versa. The jobs listed are subject to change names and may differ from one institution to another in the labor market.

     The scope and market potential for a specialist designer is expanding rapidly as new areas of digital and traditional media converge and emerge. Having talent and a good “feel” for design is important for Omani students who are interested in pursuing the Bachelor of Design program at CAS.

     A designer’s job may involve managing more than one design brief at a time and allocating the relevant amount of time according to the value of the job. Typical work activities include:

• Meeting clients or account managers to discuss the business objectives and requirements of the job.
• Interpreting the client’s business needs and developing a concept to suit their purpose.
• Estimating the time required to complete the work and providing quotes for clients.
• Developing design briefs by gathering information and data through research.
• Thinking creatively to produce new ideas and concepts.
• Finding creative ways to redefine a design brief within the constraints of cost and time.
• Presenting finalized ideas and concepts to clients or account managers.
• Working with a wide range of media, including illustrations, photography and computer aided designs (CAD).
• Proof reading to produce accurate and high-quality work.
• Contributing ideas and design artwork to the overall brief.
• Demonstrating illustrative skills with rough sketches.
• Keeping abreast of emerging technologies in new media, particularly design programs such as Adobe inDesign, Quark Xpress, Illustrator, Photoshop, 3D Studio MAX, MAYA, Acrobat, Director, Dreamweaver and Flash, as most design work is now being executed on a computer.
• Working as part of a team with printers, copywriters, photographers, TV stations, other designers, account executives, web developers and marketing specialists.

Most important activities in the Department

• The Design Days: It is a forum where a series of events related to design are held such as workshops, exhibitions, and open meetings.
• Exhibitions: The Department organizes periodic exhibitions that display the work and projects of students in different courses.
• Workshops, seminars, and discussion panels: The Department organizes a number of workshops in various areas of design such as poster making, artistic configurations of photos, fine arts and others.
• Scientific trips: The Design Department organizes periodic trips to several local and international institutions that specialize in design, advertising and related fields so as for the students to acquire the skills and knowledge required in the labour market.

Program Specifications

The program specifications are as follows:

Duration: 4 years, excluding Foundation Year

Level of qualification: Bachelor’s Degree

Number of credit hours required: 128

Medium of instruction: English Language except for some cultural courses. Omani Economic History, Arabic Language, Islamic Culture, which will be taught in Arabic.

Study system: In the first and second years of the program, students will pursue common core courses within the program and will specialise in the third and fourth year.

Entry requirements

• The entry requirement from the Higher Education Admission Centre (HEAC) is General Education Diploma, Royal Guard Technical College Diploma with (Not less than C) in:
• English language - Arts or Engineering drawing
• And with (Not less than D) in:
  • Pure or Applied Mathematics or Mathematics
  • Arabic language
• The students are required to successfully complete a foundation programme (2 semesters).

     The first two years of study would see design students doing common design foundation courses regardless of which specialization they choose.

     Students will begin studies within their majors starting in year 3 during semester 5. The subject Design for Specialization offered in semester 4 helps students make their selection.

     Selection of students into each major is based on each student’s own interest. If space does not permit, academic results are used to determine which students are eligible to do the specialisation of their choice.

Degree Completion Requirements

   To complete the degree, students must accumulate 128 credit hours during the four years of the programme.

Graduate Attributes and Skills

     A graduate with a Bachelor of Design degree will demonstrate the following competencies:

• The ability to assess and effectively engage relevant technologies in the development of solutions.
• The ability to critically evaluate their own work and the work of other practitioners.
• The ability to think laterally and develop creative ideas.
• The ability to effectively utilise a variety of approaches, including self-directed, collaborative and self-reflective processes.
• The ability to undertake research in the areas of digital design, graphic design, spatial design or in areas in which these disciplines integrate or converge.

     In addition to the outcomes noted above, the intent of the Bachelor of Design is to develop academic and professional capabilities that are needed to participate effectively in a variety design professions.

Personal Attributes

• The intellectual and cognitive skills appropriate for a career in design.
• Information literacy and technology skills to gather, use and communicate data in various settings.
• Inquiry and research skills.
• Critical thinking and problem solving skills.
• A strong foundation for advanced study.

Interactive Attributes

• Effective oral and written communication skills, which are responsive to different audiences.
• The ability to interact with a range of people, from peers—both individually and in team situations—to designers, and to the wider community. A graduate of the program will be able to elucidate, analyse and discuss design and related issues in a manner that is clear and appropriate.