Objectives
The focus of the M.Des. program is to advance the knowledge of design by building on the School’s experience and strengths in the field of design education. The primary objectives of the program are to promote design research, strategic design planning, knowledge creation and dissemination, and interdisciplinary design development. Students examine and incorporate multifaceted design principles and practices that contribute to the strategic value of design with particular focus on the following key areas: advanced materials and manufacturing processes, advanced visualization, design and culture, design management, extreme environments, human-oriented design, product interaction design, sustainable design, and strategic design research.
Course description
Master of Design
The Master of Design program requires the successful completion of 5.0 credits with at least 4.0 credits taken at the 5000 level or higher. The Graduate Program Coordinator must approve course selections. The program may be completed in four terms of study.
Specific requirements:
Year 1
Fall Term
IDES 5101 Interdisciplinary Design Development Seminar
IDES 5102 Research Methods
Winter Term
IDES 5103 Interdisciplinary Design Development Studio
1.0 credit of elective courses
Year 2
Fall Term
IDES 5201 Thesis Proposal
0.5 credit elective course
Winter Term
IDES 5202 Thesis
IDES 5000 [0.5 credit]
Directed Studies in Industrial Design
Reading and research tutorials.
IDES 5101 [0.5 credit]
Interdisciplinary Design Development Seminar
Investigation of disciplines involved in design development, with experts in business, engineering, sociology/anthropology, architecture, psychology, human factors, industrial design, and others. Critical examination of methods used to integrate different approaches, and roles that personality, leadership, negotiation, conflict management, and teambuilding play in collaboration.
IDES 5102 [0.5 credit]
Research Methods
Critical analysis of research methods in design and disciplines contributing to design including anthropology, psychology, sociology, and business. Application areas include advanced materials and manufacturing processes, advanced visualization, product interaction design, extreme environments, sustainable design, design and culture, design management, and human-oriented design.
IDES 5103 [0.5 credit]
Interdisciplinary Design Development Studio
Team-based studio projects draw on interdisciplinary design development methods in achieving a common design objective. Projects will be supervised by academic and industry advisors from a wide range of disciplines, and conducted in collaboration with professionals from external organizations. Open to students from other programs.
Prerequisite: IDES 5101 and IDES 5102 or permission of the School of Industrial Design.
IDES 5201 [0.5 credit]
Thesis Proposal
Investigation into a theoretically and practically relevant research problem. Students will analyze and synthesize findings involving interdisciplinary design development processes and develop these into a thesis proposal. This is a directed study with specific content, objectives, and scheduling arranged between student and academic advisors.
Prerequisites: IDES 5101, IDES 5102, and IDES 5103.
IDES 5202 [1.5 credits]
Thesis
A comprehensive project that demonstrates the student’s ability to conduct critical research in a specific area in which design can contribute to competitive advantage through design planning and interdisciplinary design development processes.
Prerequisites: IDES 5101, IDES 5102, IDES 5103, and IDES 5201.
