Studying design
IGB International School (IGBIS) focuses on cultivating internationally minded designers who will design solutions to problems we cannot yet envisage, making a positive difference to the global community.
IGBIS offers the full range of International Baccalaureate (IB) programmes – the Primary Years Programme (PYP) for ages three to 12, Middle Years Programme (MYP) for ages 11 to 16 and Diploma Programme (DP) for ages 16 to 19.
The Career-related Programme (CP), for which IGBIS is a candidate school, is for 16- to 19-year-old students who wish to engage in career-related learning while gaining transferable and lifelong skills.
The school’s mission is to provide an inclusive learning community embracing diversity by offering a challenging IB education that empowers its members to be caring global citizens.
The PYP introduces students to designrelated concepts via Arts, Technology and Sciences, which are woven into the various transdisciplinary Units of Inquiry that form the heart of the PYP curriculum.
MYP Design uses design knowledge, skills and principles in problem-solving contexts with the design cycle at its core.
Students follow the design cycle – a series of 16 steps grouped into four main objectives: inquiring and analysing, developing ideas, creating solutions, and evaluation.
At the completion of this process, students will have independently developed a model, prototype, product or system.
Expanding on MYP Design is DP Design Technology, which is part of the DP’s Group 4 Sciences (chemistry, biology, physics and design technology).
Focusing on analysis, design development, synthesis and evaluation, DP Design Technology develops the skills required to use new and existing technologies to create new products, services and systems.
The design courses offered at IGBIS follow two strands – product design (fashion, food, engineering and robotics) and digital design (web and media).
Design students at IGBIS are encouraged to consider the needs of people and create designs that meet those needs.
Success in the IB design course can provide a stepping stone to further studies at universities and other educational institutions.
Several design students from IGBIS have been offered places in prestigious design universities, including Parsons School of Design, Columbia College and Goldsmiths, University of London.
However, success in design is not necessarily defined by acceptance into a top-ranked university. The ability to think analytically and develop solutions to problems makes for productive and caring global citizens.
These are what IGBIS prepares its students to become, and classes in design are one way to achieve that goal.
For more information, e-mail the admissions department at enquiries@igbis. edu.my or call 03-6145 4688.