Overseas Programmes

SDM believes that a global perspective helps to enrich our students’ learning experiences. As such, we offer them a range of overseas internships, student exchange programmes and study trips. Our students also get opportunities to attend international conferences, festivals and, participate in international competitions. 

2023

Barcelona OFFF 2023: An Inspiring Experience in Spain

We have some exciting news to share with you all! 19 students from SDM's Motion Graphics Design, Visual Communication, and Animation & Visual Effects diploma programs had the incredible opportunity to attend the prestigious Barcelona OFFF conference 2023 held in Barcelona, Spain.

From 22 to 25 March 2023, our students immersed themselves in the world of design at this mind-blowing conference. The event was filled with memorable moments, including the global launch of Adobe's AI Image generation app, Firefly. One of the conference highlights was the chance to meet the renowned designer David Carlson, along with top-notch motion designers, creative directors, and agencies who shared their valuable work, life experiences, and insights on the future of AI-generated visuals. It was an incredibly insightful three days, and the key takeaway for our students was simple yet profound: "Trust the process!"

However, their journey didn't end there. In addition to the conference, our students had the opportunity to explore the vibrant history, arts, and culture of Barcelona. They delved into the innovative use of augmented reality technology, which breathed life into Casa Mila, one of the architectural works of Antonio Gaudi, creating captivating storytelling experiences.

We are immensely proud of our students for seizing this amazing opportunity. They returned rejuvenated and inspired, witnessing how these talented creatives skillfully present their stories to captivate an audience. Who knows, perhaps one day our students will be the ones sharing their expertise and insights at similar conferences!

In the meantime, let's continue to foster our creativity, never losing sight of our big dreams. Muchas gracias, SDM!

NYP x UTS – Bamboo Building Project in Sibu, Sarawak, Malaysia

Our team of 13 intrepid Architecture and XPID students headed to Sibu, Sarawak, where we met our counterparts from the University of Technology Sarawak (UTS). Together the NYP x UTS team designed and built 2 Pavilions for the Iban Community in the jungles of Julau.

Our city kids were exposed to a different lifestyle as they worked with their newfound UTS friends, navigating language barriers, physical labours and the Sarawak weather. Facilitated by both UTS & NYP lecturers, this trip brought to life the concepts of construction that they were previously taught in class and gave them a good experience of working together with people who were just recently strangers to them.

Apart from the hard work of building the 2 pavilions ground up, we were also immersed in the traditional Iban lifestyle of costumes, dances and community spirit. Our hosts even took the entire team into through jungle river systems where we had a chance to enjoy swimming in the natural clear waters of a local waterfall!

The last weekend was spent exploring the city of Sibu where our UTS hosts brought us to major heritage areas and buildings like the Sibu Market, the Tua Pek Kong temple and Al-Qadim Mosque. It was a truly amazing experience as the history of Sibu over the last century could be seen through all these architectural landmarks.

Our last evening in Sibu was spent taking a cruise along the river with our UTS friends and then having dinner as  a local seafood restaurant. Firm friendships were already formed, and we reluctantly parted after plenty of food, banter, and selfies, looking forward to the next collaborative program.

Berlin and Paris Trip March 2023

This trip was no ordinary study tour—it was a design pilgrimage. Our main objective was to immerse ourselves in the architectural wonders created by the great Masters of Design and Architecture. We visited the birthplace of Bauhaus and other iconic landmarks that have shaped the design world. From the Bauhaus movement to visionaries like Zaha Hadid and Frank Gehry, each step was a testament to the power of design.

As we walked the halls of Bauhaus, we felt the weight of history and innovation surrounding us. The school's approach to art, architecture, and design left an indelible mark on our understanding of creativity. We were inspired by the principles of simplicity, functionality, and the integration of art and technology.

But our pilgrimage didn't stop there. We explored the works of renowned designers like Norman Foster, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Peter Eisenman, and more. Each structure was a testament to their genius and a source of inspiration.

Beyond the architectural wonders, we embraced the cultural nuances of Germany and France, delving into their histories and traditions. The blend of cultures became a wellspring of inspiration, teaching us the value of cultural integration in design.

As we conclude this chapter of our design pilgrimage, we are filled with gratitude for the unforgettable moments we shared. Our hearts are brimming with inspiration, and we are eager to translate our experiences into creative endeavours. The memories and friendships we've forged will forever remind us of the power of design and architecture.

TFSCALE Programme in BSRU, Thailand

15 SDM visited the Bansomdejchaopraya Rajabhat University (BSRU) as part of the outbound programme for the TFSCALE Programme from 4 to 17 March 2023.

TFSCALE Programme is funded by the Temasek Foundation (TF). In AY22/23, our counterpart is BSRU. We have hosted 15 students from BSRU in Sep 2023.

The outbound trip is designed for students to widen their global perspective on a developing economy and understand how various cultures influence and impact people globally. The study visits complement students’ design projects as students learn and gain on-site experience with Thailand's latest economic development and creative trends. 15 SDM students have successfully completed their outbound TFSCALE (Temasek Foundation Specialists' Community Action and Leadership Exchange) programme at Bansomdejchaopraya Rajabhat University (BSRU), Thailand. They presented their ideas and promotional campaigns focused on sustainability (SDGs) and our SDM team was also recognised with the Best Team award among 11 universities/institutions from 10 countries participating in the ASEAN+3 youth camp.

Yodex 2023 in Taipei, Taiwan

Hold onto your seats because we have some electrifying news to share with all of you. 33 students of SDM diploma program recently embarked on a breathtaking adventure to the Young Designers’ Exhibition (Yodex) 2023 in the mesmerizing city of Taipei, Taiwan.

From 17 to 23 May 2023, our students had the privilege of immersing themselves in the eye-opening Yodex 2023. It was a whirlwind of excitement! They had the chance to mingle with Design graduates from every corner of Taiwan, soaking in priceless insights and inspiration.

But that's not where the story ends - our students also delved deep into the tapestry of Taiwan's culture. They explored iconic places such as the Taiwan Design Research Institute, Huashan 1914 Creative Park, and Taipei 101. They even savoured the vibrant street art scene of Ximending and the quaint Tamsui. Not to forget the tasty street foods at night markets!

It was great to see our students living, learning and creating priceless memories with their peers and lecturers. Check out this amazing video of their trip!

Summer Game Development Programme at Kajaani University of Applied Sciences (KAMK)

A group of 6 students (3 from Diploma in Digital Game Art & Design and 3 from Diploma in Game Development & Technology) were attached to Kajaani University of Applied Sciences (KAMK), Finland for their Summer Game Development Programme from 29 May to 13 August 2023.

Before landing in Kajaani, the group transited in Finland's capital city Helsinki. During the short layover, they visited mobile game development studio Supercell (known for their hit titles like Clash of Clans and Brawl Stars) and Aalto University to learn more about the Finnish game industry.

For the Summer Game Development Programme, the students were split up into groups to work together with their Finnish counterparts. One of the groups also consisted of another exchange student from the UK. The students bonded well within their teams and managed to produce playable game prototypes after 10 weeks of hard work.

Besides working on their skillsets, the students also gained a ton of life experiences throughout this trip. After all, this is the first time for most of them to travel and live overseas away from their family and friends. They learned about expenses planning, cooking, doing the laundry and time management. They also experienced Finnish culture and the (almost) full day of sunshine during the Finnish summer.

They returned from this trip as more mature individuals with many interesting stories to tell.

LevelUp Trip in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Twenty-seven of our diploma students specializing in Animation & Visual Effects, Game Development & Technology, Digital Game Arts & Design, and Interaction Design recently had the incredible opportunity to attend the largest digital content industry gathering in Southeast Asia, hosted in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia!

From 27 September to 1 October 2023, our students delved into a wealth of knowledge through engaging talks and workshops, immersing themselves in the latest developments in the Gaming and Animation Industry. This exclusive event facilitated meaningful interactions with game developers, designers, artists, and animators from leading companies in the gaming, animation, and VFX sectors. The attendees gleaned valuable insights and inspiration for their burgeoning careers, participated in testing newly launched and soon-to-be-released games at demo booths, and stayed abreast of the latest products and trends in the industries. The festival even featured competitions like BeyBlade and Bushiroad, adding a thrilling competitive element to the experience. Some students couldn't resist indulging in character products such as soft toys, cards, figurines, and collectibles available at the event.

But that's not all – the students took a cultural detour to Batu Caves, where they ascended 272 steps to explore one of the most popular Hindu shrines outside India, dedicated to Murugan. Additionally, the famous Jalan Alor Food Street provided a savory taste of Malaysian cuisines, and retail therapy was indulged in shopping malls like Pavilion Kuala Lumpur and Suria KLCC.

As a special addition to the trip, our students had the privilege of visiting game and animation companies (Lemonsky Studio, Inspedia Studio and Polygon Picture Malaysia), gaining invaluable insights into industry practices and trends.

The Tokyo Game Show 2023 Study Trip to Tokyo, Japan

The Tokyo Game Show 2023 Study Trip marks the revival of one of the most anticipated annual study excursions for SDM learners since the onset of COVID-19 in 2020. Designed as an enrichment programme, this initiative caters to learners engaged in the Diploma in Games Development & Technology and in the Diploma in Digital Games Art Design at SDM.

The focal point of this trip is undeniably the Tokyo Game Show, where Japan's leading game companies unveil their upcoming computer game line-up annually. This provides an exceptional opportunity for our learners to gain first-hand insights into the intricate business dynamics of the industry.

On 23 September 2023, a group of 24 learners embarked on this enriching journey to attend the Tokyo Game Show 2023. Throughout the trip, they had the privilege of visiting three prominent companies in the digital media and gaming space: Bandai Namco Studio, Creek & River Co. Ltd, and Arc System Works Co. Ltd.

Beyond the confines of the gaming industry, the trip to Tokyo offered a holistic experience, including navigating the intricate and bustling train rides, as well as visits to iconic locations such as Studio Ghibli, Akihabara, and Sensoji Temple. This comprehensive exploration added cultural depth and diversity to the educational aspect of the study trip.

Bali Bound: Our Epic Adventure with International General Studies Crew

Hey, fellow explorers! Hold onto your seats because we're about to spill the beans on an epic journey. 15 of us, plus two awesome SDM lecturers, recently jet-setted to the tropical wonderland known as Bali for our International General Studies Module!

For a solid week, from 4 to 10 October 2023, we left behind the ordinary and dived headfirst into Bali's enchanting world. Prepare to be amazed as we take you through our incredible journey of culture, nature, and a whole lot of fun.

 

Diving into Culture:

First off, temples galore! We checked out some mind-blowing ancient temples like Taman Ayun, Batubulan, and Pura Taman Kemuda Saraswati. But that's not all; we got up close and personal with the fantastic folks at Denpasar State Hindu Dharma Institute. There, we discovered the Balinese Tri Hita Karna philosophy, a mix of spirituality, social harmony, and eco-friendliness that's seriously cool. Oh, and we can't forget the dazzling Badong Balinese dance and Gamelan show at Barong Sila Budaya – it was a riot of colours and sounds!

 

Adventures in Nature:

Bali's natural beauty is out of this world. We cycled on a zip-line across the emerald rice terraces in Tegallalang and even did a ritual hand-cleansing at Pura Gunung Kawi Batu Sacred Springs – talk about adventure and zen combined! And hold onto your hats, we conquered the thrilling bamboo jungle bridge at the Green School. These folks teach in buildings made of bamboo trunks and leaves, and we got to learn about their radical experiential learning approach.

 

Beach Bumming and Retail Therapy:

Bali is all about stunning beaches, and we made sure to hit Kuta Beach and Jimbaran Beach for sun, sea, sand, and plenty of seashells. Plus, we indulged in a bit of retail therapy at Krisna Oleh-Oleh, Agung Bali Oleh-Oleh, and Harum Bali Lapis Legit Cake Shop – they've got all the Balinese goodies you could wish for.

This Bali adventure wasn't just any old trip; it was a life-changing rollercoaster that left us buzzing with excitement. We made new friends, learned tons, and caught the travel bug big time. We're stoked about what the future holds!

So, keep your eyes peeled for more adventures and big dreams. Bali has left a mark on us, and we can't wait to share more stories with you from the International General Studies Module. Stay tuned because who knows where we'll head next!

2022

SiggraphAsia 2022 in Daegu, South Korea

We've got some exciting news to share with you all - 24 of our Animation & Visual Effects diploma students recently got the chance to embark on an epic adventure to SiggraphAsia 2022 in Daegu, South Korea!

From December 3rd to 11th, our students got to experience the annual Computer Graphics Conference held in Asia - and let us tell you, it was a blast! They got to mingle with CG Supervisors and Producers from some of the top animation and VFX companies in the industry, and gain valuable insights and inspiration for their own future careers.

But that's not all - the students also got to explore and immerse themselves in the culture of South Korea, visiting places like the National Museum of Korea, Geongbok Palace, and the Scanline VFX Studio. They even got to check out the Gamcheon Culture Village, which is known for its colorful and vibrant street art. Talk about a dream trip for any animation and VFX enthusiast!

We're so proud of our students for taking advantage of this amazing opportunity, and we can't wait to see what they'll create in the future. Who knows, maybe one day they'll be the ones speaking at SiggraphAsia! Check out this amazing video they had created throughout their trip!

Until then, let’s keep creating and never stop dreaming big! 

2019

Overseas Study Trip to Barcelona, Spain


A group of 16 students went for Barcelona for a study trip from 10 Mar to 22 Mar 2019. During the trip, they attended a four-day design workshop at the LaSalle University and visited several designer icons such as Casa Milla,
Walden 7, La Fabrica, La Sagrada Familia as well as a number of design museums.

Inbound Exchange from Guangdong Industry Technical College (GITC)

NYP School of Design (SDN) hosted a joint workshop – Unique Singapore Gift together with GITC (Guangdong Industry Technical College) in September 2019.
A total of 30 students from GITC and NYP worked in teams to propose new gift designs for a local company, Shevron Pte Ltd. The designs were launched in May 2019 and are sold in Changi Airport and many tourist attractions.

Co-creating Design for Healthy Ageing

NYP School of Design (SDN) and School of Health and Social Sciences (SHSS) jointly organised the Design for Healthy Aging 2019, an International Design Workshop in collaboration with the University of Canberra, Monash University and Federation University, Australia. This is the third edition of the Design for Healthy Ageing Workshop series. Over a two-week period (10 - 21 Jun 2019), 70 students from the various disciplines (health sciences, media arts and design) represented Australia, Singapore and Hong Kong to work with seniors in community and care settings across Singapore. These students identified key challenges of seniors and co-design solutions to support and promote healthy ageing. Solutions representing unique multicultural, multi-generational and multi-disciplinary approaches to ageing were exhibited at NYP Library from 21 Jun to 5 Jul 2019.

Go Bamboo Workshop

Bamboo is a sustainable material for future building industry. It is essential for the new generation of designers and architects to be well equipped with the knowledge on this sustainable material for design and construction so as to develop new design concept for a more ecological world. More than 70 Diploma in Architecture students attended the workshop held on 1 - 4 Jul 2019 where they were introduced to the properties and possibilities of bamboo in design and construction. The workshop was led by Low Ewe Jin, an architect from the Bamboo U, The Green School, Bali who specialises in bamboo architecture. In addition to the workshop, theoretical lectures and hands-on workshop sessions were also held.

2018

10-day exchange programme at SDN’s partner institution - Kun Shan University, Taiwan

11 students were on 10-day exchange programme at SDN’s partner institution - Kun Shan University, Taiwan from 19-28 Mar 2018. The programmed included visits to places of historical interest and cultural heritage, as well as experience sharing and interaction sessions with staff and students. The students also joined a papermaking workshop.

SDN hosted students from Guangzhou Panyu Polytechnic

SDN hosted a group of 29 students and two staff from Guangzhou Panyu Polytechnic for their study trip at NYP from 7-16 May. The 10-day programme covered educational/cultural lessons, visits to places of historical interest and cultural heritage, as well as experience sharing and interaction sessions with staff and students of NYP. We also conducted one-day Design Thinking Workshop for them.

Inspired by Singapore: Design for Healthy Aging 2018

School of Design and School of Health Science jointly organised an International Design Workshop - Inspired by Singapore: Design for Healthy Aging 2018, in collaboration with the University of Canberra, Monash University (Australia), Kun Shan University (Taiwan) and the Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong. Over a two-week period, from 10 to 21 Jun 2018, 100 students from the areas of health sciences, media arts and design representing Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong and Taiwan have been working together with residents in elder care centres and community hospitals across Singapore to co-design new solutions that will support healthy ageing in Singapore. The elder care centres and community hospitals that were involved in this project were: AWWA, Vanguard Health Care, Thong Teck Home for Senior Citizens, Sree Narayana Mission, Kembangan Chai Chee Senior Activity Center, Ang Mo Kio - Thye Hua Kwan Hospital. The solutions were showcased in an exhibition at the National Design Centre and the Australia High Commission. Through this workshop students from the four countries were brought together, and they provided solutions that had a multicultural, multi-generational and multi-disciplinary outlook on ageing and design.

Algorithmic Origami Workshop by Ankon Mitra

ARCH invited Ankon Mitra to deliver a workshop as part of ARCH to share a lecture series. The workshop introduced students to various digital tools that enabled the design and creation of origami, and further talked about the application in architecture and sustainable structural design. Students participated in the digital tool sessions and created virtual 3D models that they would go on to physically assemble - just like real world architectural objects. This enabled them to have a better understanding of the relationship and constraints between digital and physical realms – constraints of material, structure and fabrication. The workshop provided a rigorous dialogue between design models, fabrication, and digital experimentation in architecture. A one-day workshop for the Spatial Design Year 3 students was also offered on 25 Oct 2018. The students picked up some new design methodology, aided by origami and technologies, converting their complex folding into virtual 3D models. At the end of the workshop, we curated an exhibition in SDN, which showcased the processes of origami in structural design and application.

International Summer Design Workshop 2018 in Japan

13 students participated in the International Summer Design Workshop 2018 from 18 to 27 Aug 2018. The workshop is organised in rotation by participating institutions on an annual basis. Hosted by Future University Hakodate and Shibaura Institute of Technology in Japan this year and jointly organised by SDN - NYP, Seoul National University, Sangmyung University, Korea and Taiwan Ocean University, the workshop aimed to bring together students from the 6 institutions to work on a cross cultural project; the theme is “Smart Transportation". The design process was the integration and coming together of cultures and ideas as well as breaking the language barriers to forge friendships. 79 students comprising of 24 from Korea, 32 from Japan, 10 from Taiwan and 13 from Singapore, participated in this workshop. Through the process of the workshop, the students gained a deep understanding of all aspects of the design process, from observation, market research, user studies, and ideation to concept development.

AA Cambodia Workshop

The workshop was conducted by world renowned The AA School of Architecture. There were five students who attended AA workshop at Cambodia from 7 to 21 Aug 2018. It was a Summer Workshop where undergraduates from Hong Kong University, AA School, Vienna, Australia, Cambodia and Canada worked on various architectural design processes and built various additions to an existing village school. Students learn about vernacular architecture, social design, understand materials and detailing and contribute to the local community. They built a play structure for the local children and made architectural additions to an existing village school. They also equipped the campus with communal dining facilities. They learnt about the rural social framework through their interactions with the local community. Our students gained confidence and satisfaction when they saw their work being used by the local community and brought joy and delight to the local children.

Overseas Internship Programme in Tokyo, Japan

Teo Li Min Celine from the Diploma in Visual Communication was attached to a Japanese company, Sakamoto and Plane Co. from 23 Jun to 15 Sep. Sakamoto Radio markets phone accessories and Plane Co. is an industrial design consultancy.

Immersion and Overseas Exchange Programme at Guangzhou/Hong Kong

38 students were attached to our Overseas Project Centre in Panyu Polytechnic between 3 and 16 September 2018 for the immersion programme. The students participated in various cultural programmes, workshops and visits. There were cross-institution interaction activities with students from Guangzhou Panyu Polytechnic. They also visited Hong Kong PolyU.

Inbound Exchange from Guangdong Industry Technical College (GITC)

SDN hosted a joint workshop – Unique Singapore Gift together with Guangdong Industry Technical College (GITC). 16 GITC students and 13 SDN students were divided into six groups to propose new gift designs for a local company, Shevron Pte Ltd. The company was very happy with the final design presentation and produced the winning design to the market during the Chinese New Year.

SDN Hosted Students from Guangzhou Panyu Polytechnic (PYP)

SDN hosted a group of 36 students and two staffs from Guangzhou Panyu Polytechnic for their study trip at NYP. The 10-day programme included educational and cultural lessons, visits to places of historical interest and cultural heritage in Singapore. Furthermore, the participants had the experience of sharing and interacting sessions with staff and students of NYP. We also conducted one-day Design Thinking Workshop for them.

Educational Immersion Trip to Berlin and Plague

20 students from all diplomas and two staffs embarked on an eight-day educational immersion trip to Berlin and Plague from 30 Sep to 8 Oct. Students visited various arts and design museums, as well as various social spaces designed with strong design intentions or cultural influences. Students also visited various iconic buildings or structures to appreciate and understand the design intentions and executions. Students immersed in the culture by visiting various attractions with strong cultural background and history.

Helsinki, Finland Entrepreneurship Experience Trip

20 SDN students from all four diplomas went to Helsinki for study trip from 9 to 17 Sep, as part of a Design and Entrepreneurship Experience Trip to attend the Helsinki Design Week and visit entrepreneurship start-ups within Helsinki. Special themed visits to various venues were organised to expose students to Nordic design culture and the local entrepreneurship environment. Through this experience, students showed more awareness of the culture and designs from Nordic region. They were also inspired by Finland Government’s support to encourage young entrepreneurship from the region.

Temasek Foundation Specialists’ Community Action and Leadership Exchange Programme 2018

(10 Sep - 12 Oct 2018)

The TFISCALE* Programme between Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP) and Hanoi Academy of Theatre and Cinema (HATC) has the unique purpose of building network and connections between young leaders in tertiary education institutions in ASEAN.

Through this immersion programme, 10 students from each institution will participate in workshops and events that acquire ethical, cultural as well as social and emotional experience and skills needed to connect and build bridges among students and future innovators in digital media and cinema.

During the programme the students captured their experiences and also integrated them into a video that showcases their skills in cinematography and visual effects!

The SIDM students that took part in this program are:

Yeon Hui Shan & Naveen Raj from Diploma in Animation

Levin Yeo, Yeo Jee Cheng, Renger Tan, Lee Jia En and Lim Shao Xuan from Diploma in Digital Visual Effects!

Check out this video they produced!

SIDM Graduates at NewYork.SG Programme

During the month of March, the inaugural run of the NewYork.SG initiative saw four of our SIDM Alumni, Ariel Yap, Ng Liting, Kristine Chua and Valery Seng heading to the Big Apple for a unique programme which provides a month-long lineup of company visits, training workshops and networking opportunities for the young talents of Singapore. The experience was an invigorating one that brought dreams closer to reality for the participants!

Check out this amazing music video they had created in the middle of Times Square!

Our Animation alumna Rainy Fu was also one of the Program mentors in this initiative and Nicky Soh, also an alumnus from the Diploma in  Animation, was one of the invited speakers during the programme. Valery Seng, our recent graduate even celebrated her 21st birthday there!
Watch this interview to find out how their fantastic experience went.

LEEDS Arts University UK Student Exchange Study Trip

(3 Feb - 19 Mar 2018)

Three Motion Graphics Final year students, Hadinah, Wong Guan Jie and Sakina Khumuis along with two Animation Final Year students went on the inaugural Student Exchange Study Trip to LEEDS Arts University in the UK during 3 Feb – 19 Mar this year.

With the objective to exchange, collaborate and work with the LAU 3rd Year Graphic design degree students, our students ventured on this study trip outside of their curriculum.

The LAU and SIDM students were briefed on the project and collaborated on project concept pitches to be presented to senior faculty members at LAU, Prof. Amber Smith (Dept. Head of Graphics Design ), and Fred Bates ( Dept. Head of Animation and Illustration).

Apart from working on collaborative projects, our students had the opportunity to visit renowned companies like The Mill, a Visual Effects and Creative Content studio, as well as Territory Studio (another renowned creative agency specializing in motion design, visual effects and digital experiences). They even swung by Woodwork Studio in Amsterdam for a visit, during which the company was impressed with the student works we produce and were keen to work out an internship with SIDM!

The students had an eye opening experience, and were introduced to a different culture and perspectives!

Following this exchange with LEEDS, on 11 and 29 Jun, 10 graphic design students from LAU will come to NYP for another project collaboration.