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KDU Entrepreneurial Design students proudly hold
their works exhibition at Marketplace, Utropolis
Glenmarie.
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When we talk designs or brands, we think of some
prominent brands in the fashion line such as Dolce & Gabbana, Prada, Louis
Vuitton, Gucci and many more. Here at KDU University College, we developed a Diploma in Entrepreneurial Design the first programme of its kind in Malaysia, by KDU’s School of
Communication and Creative Arts (SCCA) to meet the demand of rapidly changing
businesses and trends nowadays. With aims to develop and nurture young creative
talents who are business-savvy and entrepreneurial, this programme with multi-disciplinary approaches seeks to navigate every student to
be a thinking designer, a resourceful problem solver and an innovative
entrepreneur. Upon graduation, students are expected to have their own start-up
business, highly skilled and are ready to join the creative industry.
According to Mr. Loo Chong Hang, Deputy Head of SCCA, “This programme cultivates a strong background of
business with essential components of design concept, design skills, and techniques.” I personally think
that this is the best if not, the greatest opportunity for those who want to
delve into the business industry while mastering the fundamental concepts to
actually run the business themselves.
There are three main areas in moulding an entrepreneurial designer – Design Skills and
Techniques; Creative and Innovative Concept; Business Knowledge and Practice.
Under these three main areas, students will go through modules such as Web
Design, Mobile Apps Design, Photography, Exhibition Design, Fashion
Merchandise, Packaging and Strategic Branding, Sustainable Design, Consumer
Behaviour, Design and Business Management, Social Entrepreneurship, Enterprise
Communication and Skills, Technology with Business, just to name a few.
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Tricia Pang Huey Yeeng, a student
of Diploma in Entrepreneurial Design with her sustainable design concept
applied to the table lamp.
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What is rather unique for this programme is beyond the
classroom experience such as workshops, seminars, meetings and out-of-classroom
learning with tutors, meeting up with industry practitioners,
and real-world entrepreneurs. In
addition, a teaching body of academics, industry practitioners, and professional artists will also guide the
students’ learning, where students are constantly encouraged to stay up-to-date
in both creativity and start-up models.
Entrepreneurial Design students at KDU are required to
integrate what they have learnt with
real-life applications through challenges and tasks given along the way. In
this process, they are able to discover themselves more, as Tricia Pang Huey Yeeng, a second-year
student depicted, “I have been afraid of being wrong that I end up not taking
chances and remain average and stagnant. This programme
made me realise this and has helped me to start anew with perspective.
This has been a great turning point in my life.”
Khadija Binti Sheikh Fuad, a second-year
student, also shared her experiences in this programme.
“As I wanted to get into the fashion industry, I thought I should broaden my
horizon in every design aspect, hence why I enrolled myself into this programme.” “I came in with zero knowledge of designing,
but I am now able to create visually pleasing
outcomes that are practical. This programme has
helped me tremendously, as I dream of opening a boutique with my own brand. It
gives me concrete designing skills and entrepreneurial knowledge,” continued
Khadija, who plans to sell her products online prior to opening a physical
store.
Another final year student, Saidah Nafisah Binti Yunos, enthused, “I was a pastry chef, two
years ago, I have decided to pursue my dream to learn up design. By taking this
big challenge, it makes me feel good about myself grew in ways that surprise me!”
Enjoying the inspiring learning
process, students of Diploma in Entrepreneurial Design generally grateful for
their dedicated lecturers who made their dreams even more possible. “I would
like to thank my lecturer, Ms. Regina
Chin, who helped and guided me throughout the journey in the Designpreneur
Faire. If it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t have had the knowledge I have today to
become a better designer,” said Felicia
She Suek Fern, a final year student
who successfully put up her works exhibition recently.
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Final year students unleashed their designing talents as well
as making some profits from their original work at the Designpreneur Faire
