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Overview

The School of Design is Singapore’s most comprehensive design school. It offers a wide range of design courses, ranging from fashion to film, communication design to product design to interior architecture. As Singapore’s first design school in a polytechnic, it has been a pioneer and a leader in design education since 1990.

Over the years it has built a reputation among industry and educators, locally and globally, as an award-winning school well-known for its high standards and creative excellence. Many of its graduates go on to further their education at some of the world’s best design schools or to make a name for themselves in the creative industry.

In an industry saturated with award-winners, the School of Design proudly counts among its alumni, five President’s Design Award winners, Designers of the Year, the largest number to come from any design school in Singapore.

Today, it continues to engage government organisations and industries through ‘live’ projects, consultations, internships and mentorship opportunities for its students. Its unique project-based curriculum simulates the intense and exciting deadline-oriented project cycle that the industry demands. Studio culture in the School encourages a vibrant environment for idea incubation and inter-disciplinary sharing. In doing so, the School of Design offers its students a rich and diverse educational experience that will sharpen their skill sets and prepare them well for rewarding and dynamic careers in the creative industry.

School Advisory Committee

Mr Patrick Low


Founder & Creative Partner
Goodfellas Consultancy Pte Ltd

 

 

 

 

 

Ms Elaine Ho


Director
Temasek Polytechnic
School of Design

Mr Bojan Blecic

 

Senior Vice President and Group Head Customer Experience

OCBC Bank

Mr Donn Koh


Co-Founder & Design Principal
STUCK Design Pte Ltd

Senior Lecturer
Division of Industrial Design
National University of Singapore

Mr Eugene Chin


Director
Talent Development
DesignSingapore Council

Ms Gin Lee


Founder and Designer
GINLEE Studio

Mr Jay Komuda


Head of Design (Director)
GXS Bank

Mr Jeff Cheong


Chief Executive Officer
DDB Group Singapore

Mr Lim Eyung


Director
Government Digital Services
GovTech Singapore

Mr Pann Lim

 

Co-Founder & Creative Director

Kinetic

Ar. Seah Chee Huang

 

CEO 

DP Architects Pte Ltd

Mr Sebastian Tan

 

Group Managing Director

Shooting Gallery Asia

Mr Terence Heng


Vice President
Innovation.Content.Engagement
Shaw Organisation

Our History

old image of temasek polytechnic's school of design

Once known as Baharuddin Vocational Institute and also Temasek Design School - The School of Design has come a long way.

Baharuddin Vocational Institute started operations under the Vocational and Industrial Training Board in 1969 at Kim Keat Vocational School, offering several courses from Graphic Design to Dressmaking, primarily to service the design and tourism industry.

Operating from their premises in Stirling Road, Queenstown, five design courses were offered at Industrial Technician Certificate level. They were Graphic Design, Product Design, Interior Design, Dressmaking, Doll-making and 3-D Design.

In 1990, with the inception of Temasek Polytechnic, 192 students from Baharuddin were absorbed into the Polytechnic's School of Design. Recognised as professional courses that were quite different from technician level courses, the School of Design started with three diploma programmes: Product Design, Graphic Design and Interior Architecture & Design.

Facilities

Temasek Polytechnic (TP) School of Design recognises that continual learning is a critical component in the development of a designer. In forging ahead in design education, TP's School of Design has equipped itself with the newest technologies and facilities to immerse our students into an environment that is conducive for learning and one that is on par with industry standards.

Students work in facilities such as natural light-filled loft studios, HD post-production rooms, audio post-production labs, TV studio, 3D printing labs, sewing labs, lighting lab and exhibition galleries. They are also given access to the comprehensive workshop equipped with machines that facilitate the production of prototypes, from architectural models to furniture.

In the context of digital mobility and connectivity, students are encouraged to work outside the classroom in the many gathering spaces available in the School of Design, such as the iconic ‘Padi fields’.

Staff Profile

They are the living assets of a great design institution: the professionals who have built their reputations on achievements, and whose uncompromising standards continue to raise the bar.

Together, they form a powerful resource of diverse talents at Temasek Design School.

It is their unwavering commitment to the highest ideals that place Temasek Design School in the leader class, year after year.

Meet the accomplished professionals who are cultivating the next generation of world-class designers in Singapore.

Online Staff/Directory/Contact Info

Industry Partners

Temasek Polytechnic School of Design collaborates with a wide range of external industry and academic partners, corporations and government agencies. Listed below are some of the partners that we work with.

  • Ministry of Finance
  • Ministry of Foreign Affairs
  • NEXUS, Ministry of Defence
  • National Environment Agency
  • Singapore Civil Defence Force
  • National Heritage Board

  • Singapore Institute of Architects
  • Society of Interior Designers (Singapore)
  • Design Singapore Council
  • Singapore Fashion Council
  • Building & Construction Authority
  • Interior Design Confederation Singapore
  • Design Business Chamber Singapore
  • Singapore Association of the Visually Handicapped
  • National Youth Council
  • SG Enable

  • University of New South Wales
  • RMIT
  • University of Sydney
  • University of Technology Sydney
  • Monash University
  • University of Melbourne
  • Curtin University
  • London College of Communication
  • London College of Fashion
  • University of West England
  • University of the Arts Singapore
  • Singapore University of Technology & Design
  • National University of Singapore
  • Nanyang Technological University

  • Google
  • Mediacorp
  • Singapore Airlines
  • Changi Airport Group
  • General Assembly
  • BERNINA Singapore
  • Singapore Fashion Runway
  • Why by Lonsdale
  • SCAPE
  • GreenSpace+
  • ChopValue
  • Pepperwall  
  • National Gallery

 

 

Testimonials

" The work demonstrated a range of abilities and conceptual interests and at the higher levels of achievement was innovative, inventive and ‘market ready’. The programme is clearly robust in supporting the development of students who are well-equipped to progress to further study, the creative industries and / or other professional contexts." 

Deborah Southerland
External Examiner
Programme Leader BA Hons Fashion Textiles
University of West of England, UK

 

 "The cohort performance is outstanding. The students are well prepared by their tutors and are ready for the interior design industry. They have high visual presentation skills and are able to articulate a clear design process and integrate interior design with the existing context, building structure, and materials."

Thomas Kong
External Examiner
Assistant Professor/ Assistant Dean
College of Design & Engineering
Department of Architecture

 

"The opportunity to collaborate with students from Temasek Polytechnic has been mutually beneficial, aiding both the students and us at BERNINA (Singapore) in comprehending current and future trends and needs. Being able to impart the skills necessary for students entering the industry, while also guiding the focus on essential skills and values, has truly been an enriching experience. Our collaboration with these students enables us to proactively anticipate change and foster forward-thinking."

Katharina Ueltsch
Director
BERNINA (Singapore) 

"We're impressed by the School of Design students' high-quality work. Their innovative storytelling in 10 short films captivates audiences, offering a fresh perspective on kidney health. They've demonstrated a strong understanding of kidney health's significance, transforming it into impactful, relatable stories that educate and entertain. The School of Design lecturers have been exceptional partners, guiding the students seamlessly from concept to production, combining our input with their expertise. We commend every team member and appreciate the close collaboration between Temasek Polytechnic and The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) in advancing our mission of Giving Life & Hope."

The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) Singapore
Corporate Communications & Outreach Department 

“I'm blown away by how unique, and well-thought-out each student's vision is. They've put their heart and soul into this project! The maturity and creativity displayed by each student's work are truly inspiring!”

Gina Sim
Founder
GreenSpace+ 

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