Bachelor of Arts Design Program Offered at University of Nairobi

The Bachelor of Arts Design degree programme at the University of Nairobi is a 4 year programme, 2 years foundation, then specialising in one of the five following areas, Industrial, Illustration, Interior Design, Graphic Design in the final two years.
Design, in the Bachelor of Arts in Design degree programme at the University of Nairobi, is an accelerating factor which plays an important role side by side with productivity and management.
The aims and objectives of the four year Bachelor of Arts in Design degree programme at the University of Nairobi are based on professional education for national development.
Design education entails making the students aware of the economic, commercial, industrial and technological factors on design activities.

Design, in the Bachelor of Arts in Design degree programme at the University of Nairobi, is an accelerating factor which plays an important role side by side with productivity and management.
The aims and objectives of the four year Bachelor of Arts in Design degree programme at the University of Nairobi are based on professional education for national development.
Design education entails making the students aware of the economic, commercial, industrial and technological factors on design activities.
Among others, professional design education includes:
Promotion of interdisciplinary integration of artistic, scientific, socio-political, environmental and technological knowledge.
Creativity in problem-solving processes in areas pertaining to human communication and needs.
Encouraging and promoting research.
The awareness of the role and need for team work with production, management, and other decision makers.
Attainment of professional standards, skills and draughtsmanship.
Taking into account national objectives of education and economic development such as visual communication and literacy, culture, self-technological needs and trends.

1. To qualify for consideration into the Bachelor of Arts degree programme at the University of Nairobi, a Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education, KCSE, holder must have an overall mean grade of C+ and a minimum of C+ in each of the 4 cluster subjects below.
Mathematics
Any Group II subject, KCSE group II subjects include; Biology, Physics, Chemistry
Any Group III subject, KCSE group III subjects include; History and Government, Geography, Christian Religious Education, Islamic Religious Education and Hindu Religious Education
2nd subject in Group II or any Group III or any Group IV or any Group V. KCSE group II subjects include; Biology, Physics and Chemistry, KCSE group III subjects include; History and Government, Geography, Christian Religious Education, Islamic Religious Education and Hindu Religious Education, KCSE group IV subjects include; Home Science, Art and Design, Agriculture, Aviation Technology, Computer Studies.
1. Kenya Advanced Certificate of Education (KACE) or equivalent, holders of 2 principal passes, one in Art, if art is not one of the 2 principal passes, candidates must have obtained CREDIT pass in KCSE or equivalent examination in Art.
2. Diploma holders of Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) in Art or equivalent, with a credit pass at KCS or equivalent examination in Art.
3. Bachelor of Degree holders from a University, recognised by the University of Nairobi Senate, in relevant fields.

During the first semester of the first year of study at the University of Nairobi the units studied are:
Introduction to History of Arts and Design,, Elementary Social and Cultural Studies, Materials, Fundamentals of Freehand, Principles of Instrumental Drawing, Basic print techniques, Communication skills.
During the second semester of the first year of study at the University of Nairobi the units studied are:
African Art and Design, Introduction to Economics, Problems of freehand drawing, Basic study of Photography, Basic Three dimensional Studies, Introduction to typography, fundamentals of development and its application, Chemistry and its applications.

During the first semester of the second year of study at the University of Nairobi the units studied are:
Foundations of Design Theory, Basic Elements of Statistics, Basic Concepts in Communications, Introduction to Computing, Techniques of Freehand Drawing, Techniques in Typography

During the second semester of the second year of study at the University of Nairobi the units studied are:
Ergonomics, Structures, Advanced elements of Statistics, Advanced techniques of Freehand Drawing, Application of Instrumental Drawing, Introduction to Packaging Design, Printed and Woven Textiles, Advanced Three Dimensional Studies.

During the first semester of the third year of study at the University of Nairobi the units studied are:
Development of History of Art and Design, Advanced Studies in Design, Aspects of form Content Appreciation, Methods of Communication, Studio projects in design practice
A student is required to elect one major area of study:
Graphic design - units are Applied Photography, Applied Typography
Illustration – units to be studied are Applied Photography, Application of Freehand Drawing
Industrial Design – Production and Function of Jewellery, Production methods in Leather work
Textile Design – Weaving, Developments in Fabric Crafts
Interior Design - Trends and styles of Furniture Design, Exhibition and Display Techniques

During the second semester of the second year of study at the University of Nairobi the units studied are:
Analysis of History of Art and Design, Themes in Social and Cultural Studies, Cost Planning and Cost Control, Marketing, Management, Research Methodology Studio projects in Design Practice
Electives
Graphic Design – Advertising Design and Media, Developments in Packaging Design
Illustration – Advanced Print Techniques, Principles and Elements of Painting
Industrial Design – Industrial Production in Ceramics Glass and Plastics, Skill in Sculpture
Textile Design – Printed Textiles and Industry, Sources and Influence of Fashion Design
Interior Design – Interior Architecture and Human Development, Landscaping and Human Environment.

During the first semester of the fourth year of study at the University of Nairobi the units studied are:
Application of Design Theory, Advanced Study in Form Content Appreciation, Advanced Concepts in Communication, Project Paper in a major area of study.
Electives
Graphic Design – Advertising, Packaging, Photography, Corporate Identity.
Illustration – Book Illustration, Print techniques, Scientific Illustration, Painting.
Industrial Design – Ceramics Glass Plastics, Leather work, Jewellery, Sculpture.
Textile Design – Printed Textiles, Fashion Design, Spinning and Weaving, Fabric Crafts
Interior Design – Exhibition and Display, Landscaping, Interior Architecture, Furniture

During the second semester of the fourth year of study at the University of Nairobi the units studied are:
Graphic Design – Advertising, Photography, Packaging, Corporate Identity.
Illustration – Book Illustration, Scientific Illustration, Print techniques, Painting.
Industrial – Ceramics Glass Plastics, Jewellery, Leather work, Sculpture.
Textile Design – Printed Textiles, Spinning and Weaving, Fashion Design, Fabric Crafts.
Interior Design – Exhibition and Display, Interior Architecture, Landscaping, Furniture.