MBA in Design Management & Strategic Thinking
Where Design Meets Strategy to Drive Innovation
MBA in Design Management & Strategic Thinking
Where Design Meets Strategy to Drive Innovation
MBA in Design Management & Strategic Thinking
Where Design Meets Strategy to Drive Innovation
Duration
2-Year Degree
Eligibility Criteria
Any Bachlelor Degree of Minimum 3 year
(Min 120+ Credit)
Next Intake
July 2026
Session begins from 15th July 2026
The MBA in Design Management & Strategic Thinking (DMST) at ATLAS | ISDI is an interdisciplinary postgraduate program that bridges design, business, innovation, and strategy. It equips future leaders with the tools to apply design thinking to complex business challenges while fostering creativity, analytical thinking, and sustainability.
 Through hands-on projects, global collaborations, and live industry exposure, students learn to drive innovation across diverse sectors such as design consulting, entrepreneurship, and leadership. The program nurtures human-centered problem-solvers who combine empathy, research, and business acumen to create meaningful impact.
Critical
Thinking
Process Management
Design
Thinking
UX design
Market
research
Business Model understanding
Pitch making
Entrepreneurship
Circular Economy
Strategic management
Systems Thinking
Product Management
Project Management
Social Impact Entrepreneurship
Brand
Manager
Marketing
Manager
Brand Designer
Product
Manager
Service Design Manager
Strategic Planner
Research Analyst
UX Marketer
Business Analyst
Experience Design Manager (EX & CX)
Design Strategist
Design Management
Digital Product Manager
Design Manager
Design Strategy Director
Design Operations Manager
Entrepreneur
Sustainability Design Manager
Gourav
Keswani
Sania
Shaikh
Mohit
Bhardwaj
Vaibhav
Mohite
Fenil
Shah
Rita
Ashra
Malvika
Mahidhar
Solange
Suri
Ritika
Karnani
C Krishna Chaitanya
Prajakta
Upadhye
Divya Vijaychandran
Riddhesh
Ardarkar
Aditi Soni
UX Designer
Nisha Chandwani
Social Media Coordinator
Adesh Bhansali
Head of Product Design
Ishan Desai
Business Consultancy Intern
Tanushri Mulay
Designer
Krishi Mehta
Brand Associate

Our Globally Benchmarked Curriculum

Semester 1

Students build a strong foundation in design thinking, management principles, and research. The semester focuses on human-centered design, strategic thinking, and business fundamentals, while developing creative and analytical skills through drawing, imaging, and financial statement analysis.
Design Thinking for Sustainable Business Practices
Introduces design thinking as a tool for innovation and sustainability. Students learn to craft human-centered, strategic solutions to market challenges.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion + User Research
Focuses on inclusive design and research methods to create accessible solutions that serve diverse user groups.
Strategic Thinking & Management
Explores global business strategies through case studies, teaching decision-making and leadership in dynamic contexts.
Management Principles for Design
Provides a foundation in management, organizational structure, and team leadership within design-driven environments..
Skill – Basics of Drawing & Imaging
Develops visual communication through traditional and digital tools, enabling students to express ideas effectively.
Skill – Financial Statement Analysis
Teaches how to interpret financial documents, assess company performance, and make data-based business decisions.
MOOC – History & Design
Traces key movements in design history, connecting cultural evolution to modern design practices and thought.
ATLAS Elective

Semester 2

Semester 2 focuses on creating impactful and forward-looking design solutions. It emphasizes system thinking, lifecycle approaches, and immersive experiences while encouraging innovation, entrepreneurship, and disruptive projects that challenge conventional design boundaries.
Critical Thinking for a Better World
Encourages speculative and future-oriented design thinking to reimagine global challenges and create sustainable solutions.
Business Model Design
Teaches students to develop and pitch innovative business models that align user needs with market opportunities.
Organizational Behavior
Explores motivation, teamwork, and leadership dynamics within creative organizations to enhance collaboration and innovation.
Digital Ethnography
Examines human behavior in digital spaces through research on online communities, data collection, and user interaction.
Business & Leadership
Develops ethical and effective leadership skills through case studies, decision-making frameworks, and strategic analysis.
Skill – AI & Design
Learn how AI enhances creativity, speeds up workflows, and helps build smarter, more intuitive design solutions.
Skill – Financial Modeling
Equips students with tools to forecast, analyze, and plan financial outcomes for design-led organizations.
MOOC – Portfolio Management
Guides students in creating a professional portfolio that effectively showcases their strategic design and business skills.
ATLAS Elective
Why our Year 1 outpaces every
other design school?
ISDI School of Design
Broad Exploration
Students engage in multiple design domains (Critical Design, Xperiential Design, System Design, XR, AI) across Sem 1 & 2.
Hands-On, Experiential Learning
Innovator’s Studio and Disruptive Project emphasize experimentation, prototyping, and real-world problem solving.
Future-Ready Skills
Designing with AI, Designing for XR, and Lifecycle/Systems Design equip students for emerging technologies and societal challenges.
Other Design Schools
Narrow Focus
Students usually stick to a single track or specialization throughout the program.
Theory-Heavy
Focus is often on concepts and aesthetics, with minimal practical experimentation.
Limited Emerging Tech Exposure
Little attention to new tools, technologies, or systemic thinking.

Semester 3

Students tackle complex business realities using systems thinking and entrepreneurship. Through the Innovation Studio and Sales & Marketing Strategy courses, they learn to transform insights into viable solutions.
Systems Thinking for Complex Realities
Equips students to map and address complex, interconnected business challenges through holistic systems analysis.
Sales Innovation & Marketing Strategies
Focuses on aligning brand identity and digital marketing with consumer insights to drive growth and engagement.
Innovation Studio
A hands-on studio course where students prototype inclusive, sustainable solutions for real-world challenges.
Entrepreneurship and Sustainability
Encourages building responsible ventures by blending market strategy with environmental and social awareness.
Financial and Taxation Planning
Introduces taxation systems and financial planning for informed decision-making and business compliance.
Skill – Data Analytics & Visualizations for Businesses
Teaches students to interpret complex data through visual tools that support design and strategic business decisions.
DMST Internship (Post Year 1)
Students gain hands-on industry experience, applying classroom learning to real projects while building professional skills and networks.

Semester 4

The final semester emphasizes implementation and leadership, bringing together design, business, and innovation. Through Incubation Studio and Project Management, students turn ideas into viable ventures, explore experiential design.
Incubation Studio
Transforms creative concepts into viable ventures through iterative design, business modeling, and mentorship.
Project Management
Builds essential skills in planning, resource allocation, and agile execution for managing complex design projects.
Xperiential Design for Businesses
Explores designing immersive user experiences that enhance brand engagement and business value.
IPR & Design Innovation
Introduces intellectual property rights and innovation management to protect and leverage creative ideas.
Business Ethics
Examines ethical leadership, responsibility, and decision-making within design-led organizations.
Financial Marketing
Bridges finance and marketing strategies to optimize brand performance and budget efficiency.
Skill – Interface Design
Focuses on creating intuitive, accessible user interfaces using HCI principles and usability testing..
Why our Year 2 outpaces every
other design
school?
ISDI School of Design
Narrative-Driven Learning
This year’s curriculum nurtures creative storytelling and visual communication that connects culture, emotion, and message.
Thinking through Making
Subjects strengthen ideation, visualization, and identity design from concept to execution.
Design with Insight
Subjects help students link user understanding with hands-on interface creation and testing.
Other Design Schools
Limited Creative Integration
Often focuses on static design principles, with minimal emphasis on storytelling or cultural narrative development.
Technique over Thought
Prioritizes software proficiency over conceptual thinking and creative strategy.
Sequential, Not Synergistic
Research and digital skills are usually taught in isolation, delaying practical application
01
Submit the Application Form
Apply for July 2026 Intake
02
ATLAS Aptitude Test (AAT)
03
Portfolio/Work/
Resume Review
04
Group Discussion (GD) & Personal Interview (PI)
Eligibility
Bachelor’s Degree with a minimum of 120 credits
  • Minimum 3 years of post–K12 study
A-Levels (UK)
  • Minimum grades A, B, or C in any 2 subjects
  • Total of 3 subjects required
International Baccalaureate (IB)
A minimum of 24 points, including:
  • 3 Higher Level (HL) subjects
  • 3 Standard Level (SL) subjects
Why MBA in Design Management &
Strategic Thinking at ISDI x Parsons
Design for Real Life,
Not Just Portfolios
Our classrooms are live labs. You’ll ideate, iterate, fail, restart, and refine in spaces designed for doing, not just thinking.
Design With A
Global Perspective
Curriculum shaped by Parsons,
New York — reimagined for today’s
Indian context.
Your Mentors Are
Also Makers
Learn from practicing designers, strategists, and studio founders —
the people who design the world
you interact with.
Everything is a
Studio Experience
Our classrooms are live labs. You’ll ideate, iterate, fail, restart, and refine in spaces designed for doing, not just thinking.
The Future is Cross-
Disciplinary
Work alongside fashion designers, product innovators, entrepreneurs, coders, and media artists — because good ideas don’t exist in silos.

Where concepts meet execution,
in and beyond the classroom.

At ISDI, every project becomes part of a career-ready portfolio. From hands-on labs and design sprints to brand collaborations, internships, hackathons, and industry showcases, you graduate with real-world experience and work that speaks for itself.
Entrepreneurial Marketing Bootcamp by Dr. Zubin Sethna
The Entrepreneurial Marketing Bootcamp, led by Professor Sethna, was an intensive five-day program exploring brand building through storytelling, entrepreneurial journeys, and the relevance of traditional marketing models in today’s dynamic landscape.
Workshop on Neurodiversity: Different Minds; Same WorldHosted by Yash Charitable Trust and Atlas Skilltech University
The workshop promoted empathy, inclusion, and awareness around neurodiversity through interactive activities and real-life examples.
Welcoming of Dutch University Delegates - Erwin Sledgers and Bieneke Bennekers
ATLAS welcomed delegates Mr. Erwin Sledgers (HKU Utrecht) and Ms. Bieneke Bennekers (Amsterdam University), who spent a month engaging with students across design and management programs, inspiring meaningful exchanges and collaboration.
Masterclass on User Research in Industry Practices in Amazon for ISDI by Biju D. - Creative Catalyst Series
ISDI hosted Biju Damodharan, Director of UX at Amazon, for a masterclass on ‘Designing Consumer-Backwards,’ where he shared Amazon’s user-first approach and offered valuable portfolio feedback to students.
Global Design Collective with Carla Fernandez, Thomas Rau and Richard Van Der Laken
On March 5, 2025, ISDI and What Design Can Do (WDCD) hosted the Global Design Collective at the ATLAS ISDI campus, featuring global design leaders discussing sustainable innovation and highlighting the upcoming WDCD Delhi conference.
ISDI Career Connect 2025
Atlas ISDI Career Connect 2025, held from March 5–12, offered students interviews, networking, and career-building opportunities with top industry partners through placements, internships, and projects.
AI in Marketing 3 Day Bootcamp
Students completed a 3-day AI in Marketing bootcamp at ATLAS SkillTech University led by Prof. Rajesh Bhargave from Imperial College Business School, exploring AI’s role in marketing and developing StyleMate AI, a personalized fashion assistant.
Studio Day at ISDI
For the first time, ATLAS showcased postgraduate student work from the MBA in Design Management and Strategic Thinking and the Masters in Design of the Future, fostering interaction among students, faculty, parents, and industry partners like Shaaze Design.
The Ethics of Digital Manipulation & Data Collection
Under the course Organizational Behaviour, this project focuses on different aspects of how Digital Manipulation of various data sets is collected. The most important aspect of the data is how ethically it's sourced and utilized to derive insights and generate decisions that are data-driven.
Paper Recycling (Design Thinking for Sustainable business practises)
This project studies India’s raddiwala system and proposes a solution to improve paper collection and recycling, recognizing paper’s diverse applications and the need for a more efficient, sustainable system.
Diversity Strategy for Boston Consulting Group
A strategic initiative developed for Boston Consulting Group to foster diversity, equity, and inclusion through inclusive hiring, equitable policies, and a culture that celebrates diverse perspectives.
Branding Strategy and Visuals for skin care products
A comprehensive branding and visual strategy designed to position skincare products with a distinct identity, emphasizing purity, trust, and modern aesthetics.
Branding strategy and Visuals for Flower decors
Mystical Meadow crafts enchanting floral decor with artistic finesse and sustainability, transforming spaces into whimsical havens for weddings, events, and interiors with timeless, natural beauty.

Student Projects in Motion

Where creativity meets momentum

Student Voices: Real Voices from the Program

Hear from our students
We have learned so much about the industry. I am so happy to be practicing it now.
Chitwani Wadera
Class of 2025
I love our college, I am so proud of my college and excited for what’s next. I feel prepared thanks to everything my college has done for me.
Dimple Motwani
Class of 2025
I’ve learned a lot at ISDI. I have had a great support system and thanks to that I have joined a company as a Lead Designer
Unnati Thakker
Class of 2025
I’ve learned a lot at ISDI. I have had a great support system and thanks to that I have joined a company as a Lead Designer
Kajal Bhawsar
Class of 2025
I’ve learned a lot at ISDI. I have had a great support system and thanks to that I have joined a company as a Lead Designer
Ria Nair
Class of 2025
I’ve learned a lot at ISDI. I have had a great support system and thanks to that I have joined a company as a Lead Designer
Daiwee Sawant
Class of 2025

Ready to Build a Design Degree
that’s Built for the Real World?

More questions?
Let our AI Assistant answer your queries

Questions? We can read your mind

ISDI provides B. Des to its students in various subjects. The undergraduate B. Des programme is a four-year course that enables students to enhance their focus on strategic thinking, design, and innovation. 

The undergraduate B. Des program offers 7 programs in various design subjects, such as:

  • Communication Design

  • Fashion Design

  • Fashion Communication & Styling

  • Interior Design

  • Product Design

  • Strategic Design Management

  • Animation & VFX

The postgraduate programme focuses on entrepreneurial and design thinking skills.

ISDI is a well-known institution for many reasons. Its exclusive collaboration with Parsons School of Design stems from its position as a renowned institution. The key factors setting ISDI apart are:

  • Location: It is in the heart of Mumbai and surrounded by the best design organisations.

  • Industry-focused approach: With industry stalwarts and meteors guiding students, individuals not only learn from practical knowledge but also learn from experience.

  • Networking: Students can work and interact with professionals in other fields, strengthening their networking skills. 

  • Global curriculum: The curriculum has been meticulously designed to prepare students for national and international work opportunities.

Experiential learning: ISDI believes in going beyond traditional learning, and utilises advanced technology to nurture creativity among students.

Yes, ISDI offers guest lectures and masterclasses as a part of the curriculum. International voices and mentors lead classes with its exclusive partnership with Parsons School of Design (Parsons faculty often visits ISDI and students learn from them here in India). Integrating a masterclass allows students to expand their cultural understanding, too. We introduce students to a variety of workshops and masterclasses that help expand their interests and solidify their vision.

ISDI hosted  Parsons Week 2025, in partnership with ISDI,  from March 23-28, 2025, featuring a week of design-focused events and sessions led by faculty from the renowned Parsons School of Design. During their visit to ISDI, they offered masterclasses and portfolio review sessions as well.

Yes. ISDI offers global opportunities, too. Students get opportunity to study overseas, during immersive excursion one such example is Paris where students visited colleges such as

  • Students can study in Paris and participate in industry visits and workshops. 

  • Partnership with Parsons School of Design ensures that thinking strategies, global tools, and methodologies are a part of the curriculum.

ISDI stands out from other design schools through its partnership with Parsons School of Design. Its urban-rich culture setting ensures students learn thoroughly. ISDI stands out from other design schools due to its unique features:

  • A rich curriculum benefits from its collaboration with Parsons School of Design.

  • Real-world internships and masterclasses

  • Diverse networking

  • Strategic thinking nurtured by industry experts

Yes, the curriculum is developed in collaboration with Parsons School of Design. The B Des curriculum is meticulously designed to allow students to benefit from it. The global curriculum expands their horizon of understanding and ensures they are able to face challenges and secure lucrative opportunities.

The ISDI - School of Design & Innovation has received curriculum development support from Parsons School of Design since its establishment in 2013.

This unique partnership for curricular excellence ensures ISDI students have access to a global contemporaneity curriculum and proven teaching and learning methods enabling our students to be the design leaders of the future.

ISDI has designed its curriculum in collaboration with Parsons School of Design. The curriculum ensures academic excellence and alignment with industry by:

  • Design professionals design curriculum.

  • Professionals hold masterclasses for students to learn from experience.

  • Students are encouraged to take up projects which challenge them to face real-life design challenges.

  • Working on projects with industry-leading companies

  • Regular workshops held by industry professionals

ISDI integrates industry into its curriculum in several ways. We aim to blend classroom learning with real-world experience. The industry learnings are integrated through:

  • Masterclasses with experts

  • Industry-led collaborations and projects

  • Hackathon for understanding real-life disciplines

  • Visits to different design studios for better learning

Yes, ATLAS ISDI organises live projects with brands as part of its curriculum. The thoughtfully curated curriculum is in collaboration with Parsons School of Design. The curriculum includes internships with top brands. This internship nurtures

  • Applying theoretical knowledge to real-life problems

  • Strengthen problem-solving skills

  • Build a strong portfolio

  • Learn from the experience of senior citizens.

  • Guided by industry experts

ISDI has always aimed to create a safe and immersive campus as well as a learning experience for its students. With a thoughtful curriculum in collaboration with the renowned Parsons School of Design, every design module for specialisation is distinct and focuses on strengthening the design principles. The student experience at ATLAS ISDI includes:

  • Students get to participate in various competitions, which channel their design creativity.

  • Students are made to participate in various workshops.

  • Students have to work on several projects and increase their networking and communication skills.

  • Students participate in various college festivals and experience personal growth through faculty-led discussions and talks

ISDI has an exclusive campus. Renowned for its infrastructure and thoroughly curated curriculum, the institution allows students to widen their area of learning. With our recent NAAC A Grade certification, our campus provides its students with:

  • The campus features large laboratories, designer studios, fashion technology zones, and various other spaces where students can explore and showcase their creativity.

  • Immersive workshops for strengthening design principles, along with frequent visits to design studios, inspire the students.

  • Students can learn from experts through frequent immersive workshops held in design studios.

  • Design Studios

  • Fashion Lab

  • Product Lab (Workshop)

  • Fashion Studio

  • Digital + UX Labs

  • Maker Spaces

ISDI offers its students a variety of events for them to participate in and cherish their campus life. From flagship events to cultural events, ATLAS ISDI is always thriving throughout the year. Extracurricular activities offered by ATLAS ISDI are:

  • Design Events

  • Startup-Streets

  • Industry Masterclasses, Workshops, RTCs

  • Master’s Admissions Events

  • Placement & Career Events

  • Fests & Cultural Showcase

  • Hackathons & Challenges

  • Podcasts & Fireside Chats etc.

These interactions boost engagement by allowing students to display projects, share ideas, and connect with visitors.

Yes, ISDI requires an entrance exam for design programmes. The admission process has been designed to gauge the design skills and communication skills of the students. The ISDI admission entrance exam consists of:

  • Portfolio upload or design project holding a 40% weightage

  • The online aptitude test holds a substantial weightage of 40%.

  • Along with tests, there is a round of private interviews as well, which test the students' reasoning and analytical skills.

The process to apply for ISDI’s B.Des program is extremely simple. ISDI focuses on inclusivity, and our admissions process has been designed for individuals to seek their desired design specialisation. The admission process follows these steps:

  • Submitting the portfolio

  • Those students who do not have a portfolio can also complete a design project listed by ATLAS ISDI.

  • Along with submitting a portfolio and/or design project, there is an aptitude test which gauges the student’s communication skills.

  • The last test is the private interview test. This test allows our panel to understand the ambitions and goals of the students.

ISDI is among the renowned institutions for the B. Des Program. The eligibility criteria for ISDI are:

Students currently studying in Grade 12 and appearing for their 10+2 board exams are eligible to apply. This includes boards like:

  1. CBSE

  2. ICSE

  3. HSC (Maharashtra)

  4. IGCSE A-Levels

  5. The IB Diploma Program (IBDP) 

  6. Any recognised national or international equivalent.

At ISDI, there is no stream restriction; students from Arts, Commerce, or Science backgrounds are welcome. What matters most is your interest in design, creativity, and innovation. So if you are a science student with a profound interest in design and art, you can give wings to your dreams here at ISDI.

Yes, students are required to submit their design portfolio. Students can:

  • Upload their portfolio while working on their IDSI Challenge

  • The portfolio should contain eight to ten pieces of your best work that proficiently display your design skills. 

  • These pieces can be animated, painted, or sketched according to the student's preference.

Those students who do not have a portfolio can simply:

  • Complete the ISDI Design Project

  • Create a visual work inspired by any ONE of the given themes: One World | Tracing Nature | Translating Tomorrow

  • All forms of design are acceptable, including drawing, video, photography, sculpture, 3D work, collage, and digital images. 

  • Support your project by writing a 500-word essay describing how you developed your ideas.

A. Yes, students who are not in a design program can also apply to study ISDI. We have always believed in inclusivity, and our dynamic selection process ensures that students from diverse backgrounds, including those without a design background, can apply.

Career opportunities after graduating from ISDI are innumerable. Graduates can work as:

  • Art Director

  • Brand Manager

  • Digital Transformation Analyst

  • E?commerce Brand Strategist

  • Design Consultant

  • UX Research Analyst

  • Strategy Consultant

  • Fashion Designer

ISDI has always believed in supporting students beyond their campus as well. Our committee works diligently to help students secure their desired jobs. ISDI assists students in building a strong portfolio by providing:

  • Hands-on experience working in a state-of-the-art lab with cutting-edge design tools.

  • A curriculum that emphasises experiential learning and interdisciplinary approaches will introduce projects that enable students to learn and overcome the challenges they regularly face in their field of study.

  • Our guidance and placement committee provides comprehensive support to help students secure the right internship and lucrative opportunities.

A. ISDI helps the students in building a portfolio and guiding them through job placements as well. We help students by:

  • Having projects which enhance their portfolio

  • Guest lectures and masterclasses

  • SOPs

  • Projects which are a compulsory part of modules

  • Documentation of the project as a part of the portfolio

ISDI always ensures a promising future for its students. Our committee oversees every student's secure internships with top organisations that match their specialisations and career goals. 

  • Interns can work with renowned companies.

  • Work for esteemed designers

  • Gain hands-on experience with live projects and internships

  • Committees are made to make job hunting easy.

ISDI has an astounding record for placements. ATLAS ISDI has a placement committee which works dedicatedly for every student to ensure their placements. The committee guides the students to reach out to a job where their expertise can shine. The curriculum allows students to gain skills, which are:

  • Work for alumni organisations.

  • Work on certifications, which strengthen their credibility.

  • They should maintain an attractive portfolio that aids in securing better placements.

Yes, ATLAS ISDI supports entrepreneurship. The thoughtfully curated module, in collaboration with Parsons School of Design, is designed for students to learn about the principles as well as the dynamics of business. The curriculum is mostly aimed at:

  • The curriculum aims to integrate management with technology and emerging design principles in order to enhance students' skills.

  • Students are encouraged to join the evolving design ecosystem and become innovative designers or entrepreneurs.

  • The global immersion curriculum helps students understand the complexities of the business field, which arise in the design landscape.

Yes, ISDI graduates who have completed their design programme can effortlessly open their own ventures. This can be easily achieved because:

  • ISDI curates a curriculum that includes modules on entrepreneurial leadership. The modules encourage a business mindset with innovation and design in the lead. 

  • The learning environment at ISDI is nurtured by a mentorship ecosystem where industry stalwarts lead masterclasses for students.

  • Students gain comprehensive knowledge about innovation, entrepreneurship, and practical challenges.

  • Graduates graduate with a mindset that combines design and entrepreneurship skills, which are crucial for their venture.