MA Future Design

Program Overview

The MA Future Design is an intensive or standard British Master's degree equipping students with design thinking skills, critical thinking, problem-solving, and marketing fundamentals to become "future-ready designers" in leadership roles. The program is taught by a collaborative community of designers and innovators and prepares graduates for careers in research, development, and design at leading corporations or as startup founders. The program culminates in a major project, such as exploring AI's impact on industries or proposing a self-sustained energy system.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The MA Future Design is a British Master's degree offered in an intensive (high residency) or standard (low residency) format, allowing completion in 18 or 24 months, starting in September. The program aims to elevate careers in the creative industry by equipping students with the skills to become "future-ready designers." This includes leadership skills, critical thinking, problem-solving, and essential marketing and business fundamentals. The curriculum focuses on design thinking, strategies, and research methodologies, intending to make graduates indispensable in the job market, opening doors to higher salaries and advanced roles such as creative leader, art director, manager, or startup founder. The program is offered within the framework of Lifelong Learning, leading to a British qualification and granting ECTS credits.

Outline:

The program's structure varies between intensive and standard formats. The intensive format (high residency) is completed in 18 months and the standard format (low residency) in 24 months.

• Intensive Format (18 months):
• Semester 1:
Innovation by Design; Design Research Methods; Launchpad: Exit into Industry.
• Semester 2: Design Practice; Critical Thinking and Theoretical Contexts; Design Integration.
• Summer Semester: Advanced Practice.
• Semester 3: MA Future Design Major Project.
• Standard Format (24 months): Modules are spread over four semesters, with the content likely similar to the intensive format but distributed over a longer period.
Module descriptions are limited, but the program emphasizes comprehensive training in design strategy, research methodologies, and design thinking, integrating specialized training, independent learning, and advanced problem-solving skills.

Teaching:

The program features a collaborative community of designers and innovators, working towards shared goals in an inspiring environment. Students benefit from professional guidance from seasoned professionals and build valuable industry connections. The program leader, MgA. Vít Škop, is an award-winning visual designer with extensive international experience. The teaching methods are not explicitly detailed, but the program description implies a mix of lectures, workshops, independent learning, and group work. The intensive format involves 9-12 hours of class time per week, plus additional workshops and guest lectures, with an additional 16-17 hours of independent learning and group work expected. The standard format involves 6-8 hours of class time per week, with the same additional independent learning and group work expectation.

Careers:

Graduates pursue various career paths, including research, development, and design roles at leading corporations; further studies at leading institutions; and starting their own businesses. The program highlights several graduate success stories:

• Suzanne Heidekamp: Creative Technologist and Head of Product at Cuebric, specializing in generative AI.
• Mike Jelinek: Senior Researcher/Product Manager at Wacom, working with VR technology.
• Isa Ibasco: 3D augmented reality artist and fashion designer.
• Irina Sidorina: Head of Creativity - France for Canva and Co-Founder of Le Kimino.
• Mattia De Vitis: Art Director at Matbold studios.
The program emphasizes career preparation, developing both technical and interpersonal skills to navigate the creative market effectively. An internship opportunity is also mentioned, with Suzanne Heidekamp's experience serving as an example.

Other:

The MA Future Design culminates in a major project, with examples provided:

• Ruth's project explored the impact of AI on various industries and the importance of participatory design.
• Muneer's project, "Unit 2.6m²," focused on modular shelters for disaster relief.
• Zhyldyz's project, "Self-Sustained Energy System [RES2050]," proposed a citywide energy network.
• Mattia's project, "Anti Social Media," explored communication and social interaction in a world without the internet.
The program is described as providing a "British qualification" and granting ECTS credits. The program is offered at Prague College, which is now part of Prague City University.