Program Overview

Program Overview

The Programa de Doctorat en Disseny (PhD Program in Design) is a research-oriented program that focuses on the study of design as a global, complex, and systemic discipline. The program is offered by the Departament d'Enginyeria Gràfica i de Disseny (DEGD), the Departament de Representació Arquitectònica (RA), and the Centre de la Imatge i la Tecnologia Multimèdia (CITM) of the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC).

Research Areas

The program covers various research areas, including:

• Disseny i Sistemes Contemporanis (Design and Contemporary Systems): This area focuses on the study of design in relation to contemporary systems, including topics such as new transportation systems, economy, and sustainability.
• Disseny Arquitectònic. Eines i Processos (Architectural Design: Tools and Processes): This area explores the process of architectural design, including the use of parametric and generative design tools, and the relationship between design and cultural, social, and historical contexts.
• Realitat i Futur, Representació i Materialitat (Reality and Future, Representation and Materiality): This area delves into the capacity of design as a tool for pre-visualizing, anticipating, and pre-configuring reality and the future, including topics such as speculative design, virtual reality, and materiality.
• Disseny Digital Experiencial (Digital Experiential Design): This area focuses on the study and practice of digital design, including the development of new interfaces, immersive experiences, video games, and digital art, with an emphasis on human-centered design and innovation.

Research Topics

Some of the specific research topics covered in the program include:

• Nous sistemes de transport i mobilitat (new transportation systems and mobility)
• Economia circular i sistemes sostenibles (circular economy and sustainable systems)
• Disseny paramètric i generatriu (parametric and generative design)
• La dimensió humana del disseny (the human dimension of design)
• Disseny especulatiu (speculative design)
• Realitat virtual i realitat augmentada (virtual and augmented reality)
• Disseny d'interfícies (interface design)
• Disseny digital i nous formats (digital design and new formats)

Program Description

The PhD Program in Design is designed to provide students with a deep understanding of the design discipline and its applications in various fields. The program aims to develop students' research skills, critical thinking, and creativity, as well as their ability to work in interdisciplinary teams and communicate complex ideas effectively. The program is intended for students who wish to pursue a career in research, academia, or industry, and who are interested in exploring the boundaries of design and its potential to shape the future.