Our Industry-Based, Expert-Guided Learning Model
Design University distinguishes itself through an industry-integrated learning model that ensures every student is prepared not only for today’s design landscape but also for the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow. Our programs are developed in close collaboration with globally recognized academic advisors and industry leaders, who vet and validate each curriculum against the highest international standards. This process guarantees that students receive an education that is both academically rigorous and directly relevant to the world of work.Our faculty are more than instructors; they are practicing professionals and thought leaders who bring first-hand insights from the fields of interior design, product innovation, digital fabrication, fashion, gaming, and beyond. By learning from experts who are actively shaping the industry, students benefit from mentorship that bridges theory with practical application.
Dr. Henry Mukhwana Wanakuta (USA)
An Assistant Professor at Stephen F. Austin State University in Texas, Dr. Mukhwana brings deep experience in curricular innovation, sustainability, and socially impactful design. His insights into futurefocused interior design education guide our programs to balance creativity with societal relevance.
Dr. Michael Munene (Kenya)
Lecturer at the University of Nairobi, Dr. Munene holds a PhD in Interior Design specializing in Disability Mainstreaming and Universal Design. He has led major inclusive-environment projects in African cities, translating research into accessible design policy.
Dr. Melisa Achoko Allela (USA/Kenya)
A PhD-holding educator now at Rhode Island School of Design, Dr. Allela specializes in experimental animation, interactive media, and preserving cultural storytelling through innovative technologies.
Dr. Lucy Cierra, Ph.D. Advisor
Dr. Lucy Cierra brings over fifteen years of dedicated experience in fashion design, clothing technology, and textile science, bridging
academic research and industry practice in both Africa and Europe. She holds a Ph.D. in Materials Engineering from Ghent University, where her doctoral research focused on advanced materials for sustainable and high-performance textiles.
Dr. Jacqueline Okeyo (Kenya)
With a PhD from Wuhan University of Technology and over 15 years of teaching and design leadership, Dr. Okeyo excels in corporate identity, visual storytelling, and branding. Her work in elevating African graphic design voices enhances our program’s cultural depth.
Prof. Samuel Mwituria Maina (Kenya)
Senior Lecturer at University of Nairobi’s School of Arts & Design, Prof. Maina’s research spans ergonomics, eco-design, exhibition systems, and sustainable product development; informing our Product Design curriculum with scientific depth and regional context.
Prof. Mugendi K. M’Rithaa (Kenya)
A PhD in Industrial Design holder and transdisciplinary designer, Prof. M’Rithaa champions socially conscious industrial design focusing on inclusive systems, sustainability, indigenous knowledge, and climate-responsive strategies.
Dr. Amani K. Khan (Saudi Arabia/USA)
Dr. Khan’s research on environmental behavior in healthcare design (from Texas Tech University) brings evidence-based, culturally sensitive perspectives to our spatial design courses.
Dr. Mary Clare Kidenda (Kenya)
Dr. Kidenda holds a PhD in Design and Visual Arts from Coventry University (UK), as well as an MA in Design and a B.Ed in Fine Art.
She has over 20 years of experience in art and design education.
Prof. Joseph Muliaro Wafula (Kenya)
Prof. Wafula is Founder and Director of the ICT Centre of Excellence and Open Data (iCEOD). His work spans open science, blockchain systems, mobile applications, and ICT policy, with global recognition from IBM and the Gates Foundation. He enriches our programs with expertise in digital transformation, open infrastructure, and data-driven innovation
Student Life & Support
Virtual Campus Experience: As an online university, Design University offers a rich virtual campus that brings students together across time zones. Through our LMS, you will enter a virtual studio environment, complete with discussion forums, collaborative virtual labs, and live webinar classrooms. Students can form teams to work on design projects, share their work in gallery-style showcases, and receive peer and instructor feedback in real time. Regular live sessions, such as design critiques or guest lectures, simulate the interactivity of a physical studio. Our platform also integrates cloud-based design software directly; for example, you can access applications like SketchUp, Photoshop, Figma, or AutoCAD in the cloud without needing expensive hardware, ensuring every student has the tools needed for their coursework. The virtual campus is accessible 24/7, so whether you are an early bird in London or a night owl in Nairobi, you can log in learn and create at your convenience.
Facilities and Resources: All students receive a Design University account which includes cloud storage for your projects, an e-library of design resources (ebooks, trend reports, materials catalogs), and use of our online design labs. These labs are specialized spaces in the LMS for different disciplines e.g., an Interior Design lab with a virtual materials board and floor plan software, or a Graphic Design lab with an image editing suite and font library. We also host virtual gallery exhibitions where student projects are displayed to the university community and industry partners, celebrating your work and providing exposure. In addition, our partnerships ensure you get educational licenses or free trials for key software and can earn official certifications (for instance, students can prepare for and take the Adobe Certified Professional exams via our platform). Design University’s technological ecosystem is geared to give you professional studio experience from your home.
Student Services and Support: At Design University, you are never alone in your learning journey. We offer comprehensive support services to help you succeed academically and personally.
Academic Advising & Tutoring: Upon enrollment, you’re assigned an academic advisor who helps chart your study plan and monitor your progress. Our faculty and teaching assistants hold virtual office hours weekly. If you need extra help, one-on-one tutoring sessions can be scheduled for challenging subjects (for example, software tutorials or project guidance).
Career Services: We provide career counseling and portfolio development support to all students. Experienced career advisors will help polish your design portfolio, conduct mock interviews, and connect you with internship and job opportunities through our industry network. We regularly post exclusive job leads on our student portal and host virtual career fairs with companies from the USA, Africa, Saudi Arabia, the UK, and beyond.
Mentorship & Community: You’ll have opportunities to join mentorship programs where advanced students or alumni mentor new students. There are also active student-led clubs and interest groups (e.g., a UX Design club, Sustainable Design enthusiasts group) that meet virtually to collaborate and share ideas. Our global student community is one of our greatest assets – you will be interacting with peers from diverse cultures and backgrounds, enriching discussions with international perspectives. This inclusive environment ensures everyone has a voice and learns from one another.
Counseling & Wellness: We care about our students’ well-being. Our student services include access to professional counseling for academic stress or personal issues, available via confidential video sessions. We also organize virtual wellness workshops (like time management, combating creative block, and work-life balance) to help you thrive in an online learning environment.
Our online help center and FAQ knowledgebase are also at your disposal for instant answers to common questions. The student testimonials and a consistently high satisfaction rating (as seen in independent reviews) underscore our dedication to providing an engaging, supportive student life despite being online.