ID412BKK
Design in Play: From Chaos to Concept
Faculty
Tien Nguyen
Design Director at Base Design
Course length
Duration
Total hours
Credits
Language
Course type
Fee for single course
Fee for degree students
Skills you’ll learn
Overview
Good design is useful, purposeful, simple, and easy to understand. However, achieving this level of clarity requires a lengthy and often chaotic process shaped by experimentation, iteration, and trial and error. This highly hands-on course balances the pragmatic and playful dimensions of design, teaching students how to transform initial sparks of ideas into coherent, fully developed design concepts — efficiently yet creatively.
Learning highlights
- Translate abstract ideas into structured design concepts.
- Analyse and interpret briefs with clarity and strategic thinking.
- Navigate between intuition and rationale in the design process.
- Develop and articulate strong conceptual foundations for their work.
- Embrace experimentation while maintaining direction and purpose.
- Iterate, refine, and critically evaluate their own design decisions.
- Communicate their concepts clearly—visually, verbally, and in writing.
- Work both collaboratively and independently within structured constraints.
Course outline
15 classes
Session 1
Introduction & Lecture: “Personality”
Session 2
Lecture: “Relevance”
Session 3
Lecture: “Vision shapes Form”
Session 4
Lecture: “Beyond Today”
Session 5
Lecture: “Aim for the Stars, hit the Ceiling”
Session 6
Group Work Session
Session 7
Group Work Session
Session 8
Group Work Session
Session 9
Group Work Session
Session 10
Group Work Session
Session 11
Final Project Work Session
Session 12
Final Project Work Session
Session 13
Final Project Work Session
Session 14
Final Project Work Session
Session 15
Final Project Presentations
Prerequisites
Knowledge of Design Fundamentals.
Open and critical Mind.
Methodology
The course places strong emphasis on the interplay between real-world design requirements and fictional learning scenarios. Students will sharpen their analytical skills through the examination of real-life projects presented in lecture format, critically unpacking how initial ideas evolve into resolved concepts. Alongside these discussions, they will engage in focused exercises addressing common design challenges and conceptual strategies.
In the later stages of the course, students will work on a concrete design brief that simulates professional conditions. They will develop solutions both collaboratively in teams and individually, allowing them to experience different modes of creative production. This structure encourages students to move fluidly between analysis and intuition, structure and experimentation; ultimately guiding them from chaos to concept with confidence and clarity.
Grading
Tien Nguyen is a German-Vietnamese Brand Designer based in Ho Chi Minh City. Before relocating to Vietnam he worked as a Designer and Art Director for Double Standards and freelance designer in Berlin, contributing to the creation of visual identities and campaigns for internationally renowned cultural institutions and clients. Prior to pursuing a career in design, Tien graduated in (East Asian) Art History and worked as an artist liaison and communications manager for several prominent art galleries across Germany.
He currently works as a Design Director at Base Design.
See full profileApply for this course
Design in Play: From Chaos to Concept
by Tien Nguyen
Total hours
45 Hours
Dates
May 18 - Jun 05, 2026
Fee for single course
€1500
Fee for degree students
€750
How to secure your spot
Complete the form below to kickstart your application
Schedule your Harbour.Space interview
If successful, get ready to join us on campus
FAQ
Will I receive a certificate after completion?
Yes. Upon completion of the course, you will receive a certificate signed by the director of the program your course belonged to.
Do I need a visa?
This depends on your case. Please check with the Spanish or Thai consulate in your country of residence about visa requirements. We will do our part to provide you with the necessary documents, such as the Certificate of Enrollment.
Can I get a discount?
Yes. The easiest way to enroll in a course at a discounted price is to register for multiple courses. Registering for multiple courses will reduce the cost per individual course. Please ask the Admissions Office for more information about the other kinds of discounts we offer and what you can do to receive one.