Minor in Design Management

The Minor in Design Management at American University of Sharjah is a supportive, interdisciplinary programme that equips students from other majors with strategic creative leadership skills by combining design thinking with fundamentals of management. It suits students who want to work effectively within creative teams, lead design projects, and apply innovation and strategic decision-making in business or cultural contexts, complementing their primary field of study with managerial insight rooted in design.

Curriculum structure

Year 1–2 (Introductory Integration)

Because this is a minor taken alongside a student’s main degree, formal “year levels” aren’t prescribed the same way as a major, but the learning progression can be described in developmental stages:

In the early stage, students build foundational understanding of how design intersects with strategy and teamwork through units that introduce design thinking and creative process leadership. Modules emphasise how visual problem-solving and conceptual development integrate with organisational goals, helping learners appreciate the value of creative insight in business and cultural contexts. This introductory work develops adaptability, communication skills, and collaborative awareness that will support deeper exploration later.

Middle Stage (Integration and Application)

As students progress, the minor encourages application of strategic and management concepts to creative projects and team settings. Content exploring how to lead the creative process, work with multidisciplinary groups, and make decisions informed by design methodology becomes central, enabling students to manage aspects of creative projects alongside peers. This stage blends theoretical frameworks with practical scenarios, where learners begin to see design as both an artistic and managerial discipline.

Final Stage (Strategic Practice and Professional Context)

In the latter part of study, students deepen their capacity to work within organisational structures by connecting design decision-making to broader business and cultural environments. Work at this stage focuses on strategic insight, team leadership skills, and the ability to articulate creative contributions in professional or entrepreneurial projects. While specific unit names may vary by semester or catalogue year, the overarching goal is to synthesize design insight with strategic management perspectives to prepare students for cross-disciplinary roles.

Focus areas (in a string):

Design thinking, creative leadership, strategic project coordination, multidisciplinary collaboration, innovation strategy, communication within creative contexts.

Learning outcomes (in a string):

Apply design thinking and strategic insight in team settings; communicate and lead creative processes effectively; merge creative and managerial perspectives; engage in multidisciplinary problem-solving; and support innovation within organisational and cultural contexts.

Professional alignment (accreditation):

The minor is offered through AUS’s College of Architecture, Art and Design (CAAD) and aligns with the university’s overall accreditation by the UAE Ministry of Education’s Commission for Academic Accreditation, ensuring that it meets recognised educational quality standards. AUS’s academic structure is also supported by U.S. accreditation principles, reflecting an American liberal arts model integrated with professional education.

Reputation (employability rankings):

The American University of Sharjah is ranked in global listings like QS World University Rankings and Times Higher Education, enhancing the profile of its graduates; pairing a minor in Design Management with a major can increase employability in fields that value both creative and strategic competencies, such as branding, creative project management, marketing, and innovation leadership.