It’s been three years of jam-packed lecture theatres, reams of readings and a multitude of assignments. Certificate in hand, you graduate with aplomb. What’s next? While some polytechnic graduates are prepared to make their big break into the working world, others prefer to pursue their beckoning dreams.

By Cheryl Lim

Meet Chester Huang, a second-year student at Raffles Design Institute, currently pursuing a Bachelor of Design in Graphic Design and enjoying every moment. While this former graduate of Singapore Polytechnic’s architecture course didn’t know what to do upon graduation, one thing was for sure—he didn’t want to practice architecture. For him, design was the real deal...

“I wanted to study graphic design from the start, but Singapore Polytechnic didn’t offer that then, and Temasek Polytechnic was too far,” he said. “I decided to try architecture since it’s also part of design.”

Ironically, he discovered just how passionate he was about design during his polytechnic term. Upon grasping the use of Photoshop in his architecture course, Chester began dabbling in graphic design, and even took on freelance work and started an online t-shirt shop with some friends. “From there, it just grew on me,” he recalled.

However, why Raffles Design Institute, one wonders.

Despite the ubiquity of its first name, Raffles Design Institute is a private institution of good repute in the design industry. Enrolling students since 1990, the school offers Master of Design, Master of Commerce (Design Management) and Bachelor of Design courses comprising a spectrum of modules such as Fashion Design, Interior Design, Graphic Design, Multimedia Design, Animation, Games Design, Product Design, Jewellery Design, Furniture Design and Glass Design.

The private design institution has three big draws—a fast yet uncompromised track towards attaining a design degree, smaller cohorts for tighter connections, and strong synergy with industry partners.

Life in the fast lane
After weighing his options after graduation, Chester decided to pursue his degree at Raffles Design Institute as he believed it would be faster than doing so at a local university.

Unlike other design schools, Raffles Design Institute’s curriculum does not include a foundation year, which means students are able to graduate with a degree in three years. Although this means having a comparatively more intensive curriculum (with only a week’s break between each term), the trade-off—an accelerated track towards a degree in design—is well worth the effort. Plus, upon graduation, in addition to their Bachelor of Design degrees, graduates are also awarded advanced diplomas for their first two years of studies.

Moreover, the school acknowledges any prior learning that students might have had in their previous courses of study. An applicant with a background in a related course simply needs to present his portfolio, transcripts and relevant documents, and undergo an interview.

“This assessment shows us which design aspect interests them,” said Yong Reei Pyn, Assistant Manager for Marketing and Admissions. “Once we can identify which modules to exempt them from, they don’t have to re-learn any modules. That’s why our students are very driven, very passionate.”

A new class of camaraderie
Raffles Design Institute has four intakes a year (in January, April, July and October) and takes in a small cohort of 200 per term, at a maximum of 20 students per class. This way, each student is guaranteed more interaction and personal attention. “Over here, the lecturers are like friends. We call them if we have any problems and we can approach them outside of curriculum time,” said Chester, on the difference between Raffles Design Institute and other tertiary institutions.

Although each class takes on a “lecture” format, the structure still gives room for a consultative approach to learning. “The small group mirrors a tutorial, so lecturers can give students one-to-one critiques,” said Melissa Susanto, Programme Marketing & Operations Manager.

The Raffles Design Institute framework has proved successful for Chester who, though quiet on the exterior, has expressed himself strongly through his work. “Creativity is something I use to escape from the reality of life,” he said. “To invoke thoughts in people, to make them stop and wonder.” This lanky, bespectacled designer has certainly achieved that with the exhibition of his work at the school’s gallery, which is updated every term with the projects of a select few.

Symbiotic synergy
Another impressive quality which makes Raffles Design Institute a cut above the rest is its frequent collaborations with industry partners. An actual workplace environment is simulated in the classroom, where students are tasked with independent research to conceive ideas for real companies and real projects.

These competitive assignments see students pit their creative wits against each other in a bid to win the pitch and have their ideas come to fruition. “We provide a lot of actual client projects through which students gain first-hand experience,” said Ong Kai How, Director for Marketing and Operations. “This prepares them skill-wise, and also mentally, so they know what to expect in the future.” So far, Raffles Design Institute has collaborated with big names such as General Electric, Triumph and MUJI.

Not so far off the beaten track
Pursuing a post-diploma education is not a far-fetched ideal, a fact which many polytechnic graduates will attest to. A host of options for further studies await you, as all you need is a driving passion, as well as a vision of who you want to be, and what you want to accomplish.

However, Raffles Design hopefuls should know that along with the school’s winning qualities come the need for hard work and diligence. “You must be very motivated to cope in this fast-paced environment that requires a lot of independent research,” advises Chester to diploma graduates contemplating this route.

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