“As we become the Department of Design, people remain at the centre of all that we do. This is how we move forward — onwards and upwards, together,” said Prof Cees de Bont, Head of Department of Design.
CDE celebrated the redesignation of Division of Industrial Design as Department of Design, recognising the Department’s growth and the broader vision that now shapes its work.
First introduced in 1999 as Singapore’s first university-level industrial design programme, the Department has grown into an internationally recognised community known for academic rigour, forward-looking teaching and strong industry relevance. Over the years, its development has mirrored the changing nature of design itself, from a discipline often associated with products and objects to one that increasingly engages systems, services, experiences and complex societal challenges.
In a congratulatory note from NUS President Professor Tan Eng Chye delivered on his behalf by CDE Dean Professor Teo Kie Leong, Prof Tan said that “the new Department of Design reflects the expanded scope of your work, and the many amazing ways design influences and shapes education, research, industry and society.”
That expanded scope was reflected not only in the Department’s journey over the years, but also in the perspectives of its community. At the alumni panel led by Assoc Prof Hans Tan, alums revisited shared memories of the programme and reflected on how design has become increasingly interdisciplinary. Reflecting on the value of design education, Nicky Goh (Class of 2003), Director of Catalyst Studio, shared: “As a student, design was about creating something meaningful and distinct, a mindset that continues to shape how we think about not only physical and digital products, but also the systems and experiences that surround them throughout our lives.”
This widening scope was reflected in the students’ Studio Showcase. Assoc Prof Yen Ching-Chiuan, former Head of the Division from 2010 to 2016, said: “The projects offer a glimpse into the breadth of design at NUS today, across undergraduate studies, master’s programmes and research projects. The presence of research is especially significant, as it points to a new frontier for the department and to the capabilities that will shape its future.”
Zhang Shiqing, a Year 3 Industrial Design student, said: “I think design will continue to become broader and more interdisciplinary. My internship at the Singapore Art Museum gave me a glimpse of how design and the arts can come together, and it is exciting to imagine how this intersection will develop in the future.
The evening also honoured four individuals with the Foundational Excellence and Impact Award, in recognition of the faculty members and colleagues whose early contributions and long-term service helped shape the division in its formative years. Through their efforts in developing its core pedagogical framework, advancing academic rigour, overseeing programme logistics, and building its reputation, they laid the groundwork for the division’s evolution into a full department:
- Assoc Prof Yen Ching-Chiuan (Founding Head, Division of Industrial Design, 2010-2016)
- Assoc Prof Christian Gilles Boucharenc (Head, Division of Industrial Design, 2016-2023)
- Assoc Prof Patrick Chia (Founding Director, Design Incubation Centre, 2006-2018)
- Ms Chin Jin Li Winnie (Assistant Senior Manager, First Administrator since 2010)
As the Department of Design moves into this new phase, it does so with the same people-centred spirit that has shaped its journey from the beginning, while continuing to grow in scope and deepen its impact. As Prof Teo said, “Design does more than solve problems. It defines our relationship with the world and each other. This influence is often subtle, but essential. By bringing design, engineering, and architecture together, we are in a powerful position to create solutions that are not only functional and viable, but also meaningful and human-centred.”
