Overall SDG Alignment Evaluation:
The Bachelor of Design program is holistically and fundamentally aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals by cultivating a new generation of designers who are creative problem-solvers, innovators, and socially-conscious entrepreneurs. The curriculum's philosophy, emphasizing design thinking, sustainable practices, and community engagement, provides a robust framework for addressing complex global challenges. The program is a powerful engine for SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) through its strong focus on community-based design, environmental design, and sustainable materials. It is a direct driver of SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) by fueling the creative industries and fostering entrepreneurship. Furthermore, the curriculum addresses key social goals by providing a high-quality creative education (SDG 4) and promoting social inclusion through design (SDG 10). The collaborative, project-based nature of the program embodies the spirit of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
Best Practices
The Bachelor of Design Program in Design was strategically revised in 2022 under Khon Kaen University's mission to be a mechanism driving the country toward the BCG Economy model and a sustainable high-value Creative Economy, amidst Digital Disruption and the changing patterns of production and employment toward the Gig Economy. The curriculum aims to solve the problem of the lack of flexible designers capable of creating made-to-order innovation and possessing a conscience regarding social and environmental responsibility. The operation therefore transitioned to a paradigm emphasizing creative thinking, problem solving, and lifelong learning by intensively integrating future knowledge and skills through relevant subjects, such as AR 043 201 Design with Primary Research, AR 043 501 Ceramic Design, and AR 043 502 Creative Ceramics (to support high-value craftsmanship and creative products), AR 043 101 Technical English for Designers to support the global market, and emphasizing the creation of entrepreneurial attributes with social responsibility through content in various subjects.
The main activity of the curriculum is training students to apply small-scale manufacturing technology, such as 3D Printing, Digital Print, and Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM), in creating goods and services in the creative economy sector and focusing on design that considers the environmental impact in ASEAN according to the sustainable principle and product life cycle.
The empirical result is the production of graduates who are 'Entrepreneurial Designers' and 'Local Innovators' capable of directly accessing online markets (Online Platform) and creating business opportunities in the start-up format that reduce production costs and use less energy.
This delivers a strategic impact on a large scale by strengthening the creative economy in the region and aligns with SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) in promoting research and innovation to elevate the technological capability of the business sector and small entrepreneurs; SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) in creating and developing products that consider the product life cycle and reduce environmental impact; and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) in creating decent work and sustainable economic growth through supporting the gig economy employment model and niche businesses.
SDG 4: Quality EducationAlignment Summary: This program provides a high-quality, specialized education in the creative field of design, equipping students with the technical, conceptual, and vocational skills needed for a successful career. It fosters creativity, critical thinking, and the ability to communicate ideas visually, which are essential skills for lifelong learning and sustainable development.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| AR044801 | Research for Design | Enhances education for sustainable development by teaching students how to conduct research to inform their design process, fostering a culture of evidence-based creativity (Target 4.7). |
| AR044802 | Cooperative Education | Provides inclusive and equitable quality education through extensive, supervised practical work experience, ensuring students acquire the vocational skills for employment in the creative industries (Target 4.4). |
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic GrowthAlignment Summary: The program is a direct driver of decent work and economic growth by preparing graduates for the creative economy, a major source of high-value employment. The curriculum's focus on design, branding, entrepreneurship, and digital media is designed to create jobs and enhance the competitiveness of businesses across all sectors.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| AR044701 | Design Management and Entrepreneurship | Directly encourages entrepreneurship and the creation of micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises in the creative sector, which are vital for job creation and economic growth (Target 8.3). |
| AR043301 | Graphic Design for Business and Community Economy | Contributes to inclusive and sustainable economic growth by developing branding and communication materials that promote local businesses and community enterprises (Target 8.9). |
SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and InfrastructureAlignment Summary: This program is fundamentally about fostering innovation in the creative industries. Graduates are trained to use cutting-edge digital tools and design processes to develop innovative products, services, and visual communication systems, thereby upgrading the technological and creative capabilities of industry.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| AR042102 | Materials and Manufacturing Processes | Supports sustainable industrialization by providing knowledge of both traditional and innovative materials and production methods (Target 9.2). |
| AR043204 | Industrial Product Design | Enhances scientific research and upgrades technological capabilities by teaching the process of designing and developing new products for industrial manufacturing (Target 9.5). |
| AR044803 | Design Project | Enhances creative research and innovation by training students to develop a comprehensive, innovative design project from concept to completion (Target 9.5). |
SDG 10: Reduced InequalitiesAlignment Summary: The program helps to reduce inequalities by promoting inclusive and community-based design. By working directly with communities, students learn to design solutions that are accessible and empowering for all people, including marginalized groups, promoting social and economic inclusion.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| AR042104 | Community-Based Design | Directly contributes to reducing inequality by empowering local and often marginalized communities to participate in the design of products and services that affect their lives (Target 10.2). |
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and CommunitiesAlignment Summary: This program is essential for making communities more vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable by focusing on the preservation of cultural heritage and the design of the built environment. Graduates can design products, services, and communication systems that strengthen community identity, support local economies, and safeguard cultural assets.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| AR042104 | Community-Based Design | Directly contributes to safeguarding and strengthening efforts to protect cultural heritage by engaging designers with communities to create culturally relevant solutions (Target 11.4). |
| AR042201 | History of Design in Thailand and Southeast Asia | Protects and promotes local and regional cultural heritage by studying its history, which is essential for informed and sensitive design practices (Target 11.4). |
| AR043202 | Design for Environment | Supports inclusive and sustainable urbanization by teaching the design of products and systems that improve the quality of the urban environment (Target 11.3). |
SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and ProductionAlignment Summary: The curriculum is fundamentally aligned with promoting responsible consumption and production by teaching the principles of sustainable design. The focus on materials, manufacturing, and environmental design provides a direct opportunity to create solutions that use fewer resources, are recyclable, and minimize waste throughout the product lifecycle.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| AR042102 | Materials and Manufacturing Processes | Promotes the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources by encouraging the selection and use of sustainable materials and efficient production methods (Target 12.2). |
| AR043202 | Design for Environment | Directly focuses on achieving the environmentally sound management of products throughout their life cycle to minimize their adverse impacts (Target 12.4), and substantially reducing waste generation through sustainable design (Target 12.5). |
| AR043205 | Packaging Design | Contributes to reducing waste generation through the design of minimal, reusable, or recyclable packaging solutions (Target 12.5). |
SDG 13: Climate ActionAlignment Summary: The program addresses climate action through its focus on design for the environment. This includes promoting the use of low-carbon materials and designing products and systems that encourage energy efficiency and a lower carbon footprint throughout their lifecycle.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| AR043202 | Design for Environment | Improves education and awareness-raising on climate change mitigation by teaching how to design products and services with a reduced environmental and carbon footprint (Target 13.3). |
SDG 14: Life Below WaterAlignment Summary: The program can contribute to the conservation of aquatic ecosystems through responsible packaging design. By designing packaging that is biodegradable, recyclable, or eliminated altogether, designers can help reduce the plastic waste that pollutes marine environments.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| AR043205 | Packaging Design | Helps to prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution by designing packaging solutions that avoid persistent materials like single-use plastics (Target 14.1). |
SDG 15: Life On LandAlignment Summary: The curriculum supports the protection of terrestrial ecosystems by promoting the use of sustainable materials. The study of materials and manufacturing processes encourages the selection of renewable, responsibly sourced, and biodegradable materials, reducing pressure on forests and ecosystems.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| AR042102 | Materials and Manufacturing Processes | Promotes the sustainable management of all types of forests and halts deforestation by encouraging the use of sustainably sourced wood and alternative bio-based materials (Target 15.2). |
SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong InstitutionsAlignment Summary: The program contributes to peaceful and just societies by providing the tools for effective and ethical public communication. Graduates can use their design skills to create campaigns that promote peace, advocate for human rights, and ensure public access to clear and reliable information from institutions.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| AR043302 | Multimedia Design for Communication | Can ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms by creating clear and accessible informational materials for public institutions (Target 16.10). |
SDG 17: Partnerships for the GoalsAlignment Summary: The program fosters partnerships through its cooperative education model and its emphasis on community-based design. These components create a vital bridge between the university, creative industries, and community organizations, facilitating the multi-stakeholder collaboration needed to achieve the SDGs.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| AR044802 | Cooperative Education | Directly encourages and promotes effective public-private and civil society partnerships by immersing students in real-world professional environments, building collaborative experience (Target 17.17). |
| AR042104 | Community-Based Design | Enhances multi-stakeholder partnerships by teaching designers how to work collaboratively with community members and local organizations to achieve shared goals (Target 17.17). |