Department
of Design

Designs for the future. For more than 100 years.

The Department of Design at the Munich University of Applied Sciences is the largest public institution for academic research and education in design in Munich. The department’s history extends back 100 years, a period of time that also includes the work done by its predecessor institutions. Since relocating to the landmarked Zeughaus in October 2018, all degree programmes and core fields have been united under one roof for the first time. In the process, they have also become a more prominent member of the city.

Research. Instruction. Transfer.

The department is constantly evolving and, in a reflection of its legally mandated mission, is expanding its activities in the areas of research, instruction and transfer. To carry out the role of design as an interface discipline at the very heart of innovative processes, the department plans to expand its network with other university departments, new educational departments and other institutions of higher learning.

4 degree programmes. 6 focal areas. 19 fields of teaching.

The Department of Design offers 4 degree programmes: bachelor’s degree in design, master’s degree in applied design research, bachelor’s degree in computer science and design offered in cooperation with the Department of Computer Science and Mathematics and a master’s degree programme in entrepreneurship and digital transformation at the Strascheg Center for Entrepreneurship (SCE), an institute in which the Department of Design and other university departments are members.

Courses offered by the Department

The image shows the fields of work in the area of design: research, teaching, transfer, communication, brands and identities, design and culture theory, digital and interactive living environments, visual worlds and media, innovation in three-dimensional design, social change and transformative processes.

The course offerings of the bachelor’s degree programme in design and the master’s degree programme in applied design research are broken down into 6 focal areas:

The image shows the specialist areas at the Department of Design: Design Fundamentals and Project Work, Typography, Corporate Identity, User Experience and Digital Service Design, Digital Media, Industrial Design, Technical Industrial Design, Transportation Design and Presentation Technology, Interaction Design in Industrial Design, Technical Innovations and Ergonomics, Photography, Photo Design, Product and Advertising Photography, Photography Fundamentals, Photographic Design Fashion and Portraiture, Design and Media Theory, Philosophy in Image and Design Theory.

The 19 subject areas currently offered by the department or currently being advertised cover a broad and diverse spectrum of topics and specialisations.

Design research. At the centre of innovative processes.

The area of design research at the Department of Design is being expanded, and subject areas that will play a critical role in social, environmental and technological transformation are being added to its areas of expertise. The focal point of research is the design cultures institute for applied design research (dci) established in 2024. The Department of Design conducts an intense dialogue with the other departments of design located in Bavaria.

Research and Innovation

Partnerships and transfer. Internal and external networks.

As part of its research and teaching, the Department of Design works successfully with an array of international partners in culture, science and business. It can draw on a far-reaching network in the process. Using formats like Design in the Zeughaus, the department serves as a platform for discussions about design-specific issues and is a powerful voice in the public debate about design in Munich.

Partnerships and Transfer