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ARCHITECTURE, Art AND DESIGN   DEPARTMENT OF DESIGN

The program of study in the Department of Design builds on strong traditions of visual experimentation and professional preparation with a strong focus on design process, and strategic thinking. The four year course of study is built around a series of studios that build understanding through the elements of design: text, color, image, motion, material, media, and message.The result of this approach is a graduate who is informed and prepared for contemporary professional practice. This fundamental philosophy enables graduates to directly enter design professions and contribute to the future direction of regional design and visual culture.

Our emerging designers learn to create alternative responses to changing contexts. As producers of objects, communications and environments, they define, enhance and transform the world around them. Courses in CAAD provide a depth of expertise in one discipline, as well as a breadth of understanding of others. The curriculum emphasizes experiential learning in the studio, and allows students to work closely with faculty to become proficient conceptual thinkers and creative problem solvers.

STUDIO
All undergraduate students begin their first-year studies in the college ’s highly effective Foundations Program. In the upper years, design studios form the core of the undergraduate programs. The Department of Design curriculum hinges on a studio environment that encourages the interaction of students, professors, and technology. A studio is an active and dynamic classroom environment where projects are investigated and discussed amongst students and faculty. Course projects in the areas of print works, web sites, typography, furniture, 3d rapid prototyping, display, web sites and design installations are created.

Traditional media as well as digital technologies are integrated into the creative process to serve as strategies and tools for enhanced communication, application, representation and dissemination.

CAREERS
The Department of Design curriculum follows the standards of professional
North American organizations and meets or exceeds the requirements for design professionals in the United Arab Emirates. Graduates of the Department of Design go on to careers in: branding, design management, graphic design, motion graphics (film + television), web design, advertising, editorial design and related studio arts. We currently offer majors in Visual Communication, Multimedia and Design management.

HOW DO DESIGNERS WORK?
The three basic aspects of design are looking, making and thinking.

• Designers look at visual problems from many perspectives.

• Designers make visual material in a variety of media.

• Designers think critically about communication and content.

While technology can be a part of this process, it is the designer’s ability to think that is equally valued and challenged in the profession. Computer literacy and software expertise cannot replace the ability to evaluate complex options and choose appropriate direction in a design process.

PROSPECTS
Our recent institutional membership to The International Council of Graphic Design Associations (Icograda), a world body for professional communication design, and our candidacy status to the The National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB), the first program outside of the United States, act as a catalysts to propel our institution and college forward to meet our long-term goals. Joining the distinguish list of institutions, artists, designers, educators, professionals and professional organizations is especially beneficial to our students and faculty exposing them to a wealth of ideas, resources and venues for contributions. As a college, we can contribute to the various exchange forums in sharing research and to stimulate new avenues of innovation, research and collaborations.

The institution’s multi-million research and technology park under development will harbor new partnerships and open the door to greater innovation,collaboration and research in the UAE and beyond. Our college, faculty and students will be in a unique strategic position to propel the design profession, our communities and cultural developmental forward.

The college of Architecture, Art and Design has additionally just completed a million and half dirham renovation, further providing a distinct integrated studio environment, unique in the region, that encourages and fosters interdisciplanary collaboration, research and creative dialogue.

WHY CAAD?
The college of Architecture, Art and Design offers a unique opportunity for students to focus of their design education. The Design Department encourages students to expand their understanding of their future profession through the academic offerings of the leading University in the Gulf Region: history, literature,languages, philosophy, business and many others. Our students benefit by diversity of talent and wide experience of our growing international faculty.