The master’s degree programme in applied design research
The master’s degree programme in applied design research focuses on the work areas of social change and transformative processes, design theory and design culture. Applying a research- and experiment-driven approach, students’ projects grapple with issues related to social design and transformation design within the context of major social, technological and cultural upheaval.
The focus of this work covers not only the development of artifacts, but also in particular the formulation of mentifacts and socio-facts regarding such areas as social and digital change, conservation of resources and sustainability, as well as of ethical, social, design-scientific and design-theoretical issues.
Why should you attend our courses?
Given its concentration on applied design research, its interdisciplinary and intercultural focus as well its wide range of course offerings in design studies, the master’s degree programme takes an independent direction.
The programme is aimed at both graduates of national and international design institutions of higher learning and at students of other design-relevant disciplines who see their future in a research-driven examination of design-relevant issues, generalist design work, transformation design, social design, design research, strategy, environmental planning, future planning and research about the future and are considering the possibility of working in these areas or in teaching.
Such areas as practice-based design research, application-driven design theory and design criticism that reflects the discipline and its phenomena have steadily gained importance in the scientific, economic and cultural circles in recent decades and are increasingly seen as an indispensable part of a scientifically sound design education.
For this reason, the main subjects covered in the master’s degree programme are the theoretical, methodological and content-related foundations for an overarching, conceptual and creative-research-based examination of central phenomena of everyday and consumer culture, transformation tasks, social and environmental responsibility of design and the development of a new design culture. Existing positions are called into question, research fields and research issues are explored further, and the development of a critical attitude towards design in a social context is promoted.
Information about the MA in applied design research.