Overview

Integral Design Department was founded in 1999,originated from "Research Group on Theory of Design" of Design College of Guangzhou Academy of Fine Art.   

This specialty was originally designed to trained
professionals to undertake purely theoretical research.
However, that was not the case in the real world. Basing on the social context and the actual needs, we modified our training target and course arrangement to adapt the trend "coexistence of practical project and theoretical research." as our education concepts.

As the approach of Information Age and worldwide
economy integration, the view of "design" needs to broaden from pure physical products to conceptual, cross-disciplinary products (such as human-oriented implement , sustainable non-physical solutions etc.) .

This changing concept requires rearrangement of Higher Educational System in aspect of specialty setup, course contents, teaching method, etc. Design education is not static, since boundaries of specialties are no longer clearly defined and new directions are there to be explored, "Integral Design" stands right on this forefront position with strong foundation,
and acts like a radiator in the system.

We attach much importance to the combination of theory and practice, innovation and marketoriented outcome, reality and prospect. Benefit from the cooperation with institutes in all levels, we provide practical opportunities for students by which broaden their view and creative thinking. Also, we create an
inspiring and instructive researching environment for postgraduate, as well as offer valuable professional
consultations and research achievements of design to society.

We arrange our course in the way of "fishbonelike"
system, course are interlude with each other throughout the teaching procedure, centering on the topic that brought up by tutor group in the beginning of every semester. In addition, most homework will be group projects by which strengthen student's communication skill, cooperation ability, and leadership. At the stage of graduation design, students can
choose a tutor professor base on their interests and future perspectives.

By present, we have 2 batches of graduate students,the success rate of our graduates gaining employment in creative industries is high, reflecting both the department's reputation for excellence in design education and the fact that this is recognized by the industry. Whereas some others are doing their further studies abroad or undertaking educational jobs.

Education Target
Our aim is to educate advanced graduates with compound-type structure of knowledge, who are qualified in both design practice and research, as well as competent in design planning and management.

Specialty & Teaching Staff
 By present, Department of Integral Design offers BA(hons) and MA(hons) courses in Integral Design specialty. We have 11 academic staffs including 2 professors, 1 associated professors (all are master supervisors), as well as 3 lecturers and 5 teaching assistants. Among the teaching staff( all honnoured MA degrees), one has doctor degree, 2 are PHD
students, which make for the most high qualifications of educated level within Design College.

Besides courses within our department, our staff also undertake theoretical courses of design and collaborating projects with other departments within the Design College.

Resources & Facilities
 In pace with the construction of Guangzhou College Town, the facility of our department has been qualitatively improved.

 Depends on your course schedule, you can utilize our sharing labs like modeling studio, advanced computer lab, photographic studio, ceramic studio, etc., as well as three libraries between two school sites to assist your learning.

Besides that, our local industry-cooperated base provides you resources with part time opportunities and research projects. And we keep collaborating with many institutes in Germany, UK, Italy, etc, by undertaking various joint researches and exchange programs.

Degrees and Certificates
 We offer both BA(hons) and MA(hons) degree courses to nationwide. Currently, there are 150 BA (hons) students and 14 MA(hons) students. Additionally, in the 2-year "postgraduate courses" that held by GAFA , as well as the 3-year MA(hons) courses, we undertake the responsibilities in providing specialist education in Industrial Product Design.