At the Master Design designers learn to do design research to seek answers to fulfill a self-defined design goal. They combine methods of making, gaining in-depth knowledge and positioning.

This part-time master of the Willem de Kooning Academy/Piet Zwart Institute has their own vision on design research, which forms the base of its three learning lines of the curriculum, which includes workshops, lectures, field trips and coaching sessions. During the study they constantly reflect on what you discover and share their findings through storytelling. With their design research they contribute to new practices in which relevant issues and ways of working are explored.

Student get to know different methods in the three learning lines design research, storytelling, and new practices. By deploying it directly to fulfill their own design goal, they gradually develop their personal methodology. Their also work on a suitable network of participants and look for their position in their context. They graduate with design (methodology and work), a publication and a clear vision with which they stand as a professional in their new network.

Relevance in social and design context, as well as accountable design research and storytelling, are central in obtaining the master level.

Students come from different design disciplines, but most have a Bachelor of Arts or Design. What binds them during the master is iterative researching and working with participants.

The 2-year programme starts each September. It is taught in English, but students individually can work in Dutch.

For more information you can check the website of the Piet Zwart Institute https://www.pzwart.nl/master-design/

If you have any questions? Contact us at wdka.masterdesign@hr.nl