Semester-wise Syllabus for an MBA in Design Management

Semester 1: Foundations of Design & Business Integration

1. Principles of Management

   • Core management theories with a focus on creative industries.

2. Design Thinking & Innovation

   • Human-centered design, ideation frameworks (Double Diamond, IDEO methods).

3. Marketing Management for Creative Industries

   • Branding, consumer psychology, and positioning design-led products/services.

4. Financial Accounting for Design Firms

   • Budgeting, pricing strategies, and ROI analysis for design projects.

5. Design Research Methods

   • Ethnography, trend forecasting, and data-driven design decisions.

6. Visual Communication & Storytelling

   • Using design tools (Adobe Suite, Figma) to communicate business value.

Semester 2: Strategic Design & Operations

1. Strategic Design Management

   • Aligning design with business goals (e.g., Apple’s design-driven strategy).

2. Product & Service Design

   • UX/UI principles, service blueprints, and prototyping.

3. Intellectual Property & Design Law

   • Copyrights, patents, and legal protection for creative work.

4. Operations & Supply Chain for Design

   • Sustainable materials, lean manufacturing, and design logistics.

5. Design Leadership & Team Dynamics

   • Managing creative teams, conflict resolution, and agile workflows.

6. Elective 1 (e.g., Sustainable Design or Fashion Business Management).

Semester 3: Advanced Design Strategy & Specializations

1. Design Entrepreneurship

   • Business models for design startups (e.g., direct-to-consumer brands).

2. Digital Transformation & Design Tech

   • AI/ML in design, AR/VR applications, and Metaverse strategies.

3. Global Design Trends & Cultural Contexts

   • Cross-cultural design adaptation (e.g., IKEA’s localization).

4. Design Metrics & ROI

   • Measuring design impact through KPIs like customer engagement and conversion.

5. Elective 2 (e.g., Luxury Brand Management or Urban Design Policy).

6. Industry Internship

   • Hands-on experience with design studios, tech firms, or consultancies (e.g., IDEO, Frog).

Semester 4: Capstone & Execution

1. Design-Led Innovation Lab

   • Collaborative projects solving real-world problems (e.g., healthcare accessibility).

2. Corporate Strategy for Design Firms

   • Mergers/acquisitions in creative industries (e.g., Adobe’s acquisition of Figma).

3. Elective 3 (e.g., Design for Social Impact or Retail Space Design).

4. Thesis/Consultancy Project

   • Original research or client-based project (e.g., rebranding a legacy company).

Elective Options

• Experience Design (XD)

• Design for Sustainability

• Fashion Tech & Wearables

• Automotive & Mobility Design

• Design Policy & Public Sector Innovation