Designers are forever at a crossroads — are we saving the world, or part of the problem? At the Master Design, we see design as a potential engine for changes and transitions, but always approached with humility, curiosity, and acceptance of uncertainty.

Led by their own design goal, students of the Master Design apply an in-depth, sensitive approach to design research. They constantly reflect on what they discover and share their work and expertise through storytelling. Combining and integrating this part-time master with their design practice, they deepen their self-awareness and contextual positioning. They contribute to social, environmental and technological change on a human scale.

When they graduate, our students have established an original approach which combines their research skills with their creative vision. They take their place as experts in a new, meaningful practice and contribute practice-based and transdisciplinary approaches to design. Relevance in social and design context, as well as accountable design research and storytelling, are central in obtaining the Master level.

The pedagogical vision of the Master Design is connected in three learning lines. Its curriculum includes workshops, lectures, and coaching sessions. We find inspiration in the Circle of Doing Research:

In the first year, you become acquainted with different methods in the three learning lines: design research, storytelling, and new practices. You develop your own methodology, refine and review your research goal, and look for your positioning in your context. In the second year, you refine your own methodology and make iterations on your design goal. You graduate with a publication, a project, and a clear vision on your practice.

Students come from different design disciplines, but most have a Bachelor of Arts or Design. What binds them during the master is approaching design research in a personal way which deepens their own practice. 

The Master Design is part of the WdKA/Piet Zwart Institute. Our classroom is international, and we come from different design disciplines and creative backgrounds. The programme starts each September. It is taught in English, but students individually can work in Dutch and coaching is available in Dutch. We can only offer places to Dutch and EU students.

This Master is a 60 EC part-time course which lasts two years and has a study load of 20 hours per week. Classes are on Wednesdays every week. We are low-residency, meaning that a large part of the study load is outside contact time, done by students themselves.

Want to join us? Come to one of our Open Days, or send us an email: wdka.informationdesk[at]hr.nl