Call for application 2020–21: Master Design

Two years, part-time, 60 ECTS

Willem de Kooning Academy / Piet Zwart Institute
The Piet Zwart Institute houses the international Master programmes of the Willem de Kooning Academy, Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences. The different programs offer a rich combination of in-depth specialization and transdisciplinary exchange with a view to imagining the future. Students and tutors come from around the globe, bringing a variety of languages, perspectives, cultural influences and international connections to an intimate learning environment.

We educate—we support—we challenge—we reflect critically—we re-invent

Master Design
At the Master Design you learn to do design research to seek answers to a self-defined design question. You combine methods of making, gaining in-depth knowledge and positioning.

This master has its own design research methodology, as represented in the circle above, which is the base of workshops, lectures and coaching sessions. During the students constantly reflect on what they 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.

In  the first year students get to know different methods in the three learning lines design research, storytelling and new practices. By deploying it directly to answer their own design question, they gradually develop their own methodology. They work on a suitable network of participants and look for their positioning in a new context.

In the second year students work on their own methodology and are thereby relevant to the social and design context in which they work. They graduate on design (methodology and work), a publication and a clear vision with which you stand as a professional in your new network. 

Students come from different design disciplines, most having a Bachelor of Arts or Design. What binds them during the master is iterative researching and working with participants, while at the same time keeping their own voice. 

The Master Design is an international classroom. The program is taught in English, but students individually can work in Dutch. The study after an application assessment accepts both students from the Netherlands and within the EU. 

Application procedures
Practical information on the Master Design, the application and projects from (previous) students can be find here. 

Besides we cordially invite you to take part in our preliminary workshops. In two working & feedback sessions you learn to recognize current contexts for design questions and to reflect on your professional behavior based on the competencies of the Master Design, both being part of the application assessment.

Preliminary workshops
Wednesday, March 3 & March 31, 2021, 10am–12:30pm
Sign up till Thursday, February 24, 10am, through wdka.masterdesign [​at​] hr.nl

General information and contact
Please contact us with any questions you might have: wdka.masterdesign [​at​] hr.nl