Twelfth Global Studies Conference

Abstract

Academic quality in the education of engineering, technology, marketing, multimedia and communication, etc, has been increasingly improved in terms of professional knowledge. History of design, on the other hand, has proved that aestheticism plays a vital role in the path to success. In Vietnam there are only a few academic programs that provide students with basic knowledge of aestheticism or arts. In FPT University, a course in empathy design, named “Applied Graphic Design”, has been developed and implemented for ten semesters for the marketing program. Another course in design basics was implemented for the program in multimedia and communication. A greatly improved course, “Empathy Design for Non-design Students”, was then implemented for a broad range of majors. This course is conducted using the method of Project Based Learning (PBL). The main objects of the course are related to design basic learning, such as color theory, contrast, proximity, alignment, balance, rhythm, and so on. Students then use knowledge and skills they have learned to work in real projects of their specialties, based on the principles of design process and design thinking, and of CDIO - standards. As a result of learning by doing, students were able to understand and to appreciate aestheticism, and they were able to share their feelings to others. There is still room for improvement, but the results are very promising. In this paper, we discuss the design and implementation of this empathy design course for non-design students.