What is this study about?
The Technical University of Munich (TUM) has been offering a four-semester Master of Science program at the Faculty of Architecture at the Department of Industrial Design since the winter semester 2008/2009.
The master's program in Industrial Design pursues a cross-disciplinary cooperation with chairs of the Faculties of Architecture, Mechanical Engineering and Economics. It is the first design study course with subsequent doctoral studies at a technical university in Germany. The focus of the study is the teaching of an interdisciplinary understanding of design as well as knowledge in design research and the training of entrepreneurial thinking and acting.
In a unique collaboration with UnternehmerTUM, Europe's leading university incubator, student teams can develop products or services for start-ups.
In particular, the challenges of an ecologically sustainable mass production, the transformation of society on the basis of demographic change ( "Universal Design") and a process-oriented design based on the principle of the new functional design are treated as priorities.
How is the course structured?
The four main project modules of the study are Design, Communication & Society, Design Methods and Processes as well as Design Enterprise 1 and 2.
The Design Enterprise Module 1 takes place in cooperation with the university start-up center TUM Entrepreneurship.
• In the first semester, the emphasis is on teaching basic knowledge.
• In the second and third semester, project work takes center stage. This is supplemented by in-depth modules.
• The fourth semester is dedicated to the Master's thesis. Here, the acquired knowledge and the methodological knowledge flow together in their creative application.
What's in the center of teaching?
The main parts of the courses, especially the project work, takes place at the Department of Industrial Design.
At the beginning of the study the Design, Communication & Society module will initiate a critical discourse on current social issues related to design. Building on this discourse, each year develops ideas that represent a cultural contribution through their implementation as a publicity project.
The module Design Research scientific methods are taught, applied and developed further. The selection of topics for design research projects is trained as well as the conception and execution of small qualitative and quantitative studies as well as the writing of scientific texts.
Design Enterprise modules teach methods for creating business plans. During the development of company identities and products win collaboration with StartUp teams of the Technical University of Munich, the advisory role as a designer is consolidated. In the context of a real contract, the complex realization and the associated communication of industrial products is made tangible.
With the final Master's thesis the students should prove that they can select, work on and present a complex problem of the discipline Industrial Design independently and with appropriate methods. About one third of the work should consist of one theoretical part, one research part and one design part.
In addition, the subjects of engineering, sociology, psychology and philosophy, which are offered together with cooperation partners, deal with interdisciplinary projects. The courses are held at the Faculties of Architecture, Mechanical Engineering and Economics and Humanities of the Technische Universität München (TUM) and at the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU).
Where can i find more information about the study content?
Further information about the study content can be found by searching in TUM-Online in the area of courses or in the module handbook.
Are there special events for detailed information?
Yes, once a year shortly before the application phase, we organize an information day for the master's program Industrial Design. The appointment will be announced on our homepage and via our mailing list.
In addition, TUM organizes the Master's Day.
https://www.tum.de/studium/im-studium/mastermesse/
How is the departement equipped with?
Temporary workstations in the library and seminar room are available for the students. They also have access to a well-equipped model workshop and computer workstations with a variety of relevant software.
Which competences and skills do I acquire?
As a graduate of the Industrial Design Master's degree program, you know the most important design and brand theories. You overcome the boundaries of individual disciplines in order to design sustainable strategies for brand and product development. Your methodological knowledge let you apply and control various design processes.
You work with models of design thinking and practically apply your research, consulting and design skills.
Your experience in hands-on work with real customers allows you to smoothly integrate design services into business processes. You have the a bility to work towards a specific goal individually or in a team for new areas of responsibility, and present your results in a professional way.
What professional opportunities do I have with this degree?
For graduates perspectives open up in offices for industrial design, brand design and creative innovation. Already during their studies the students develop products and services for young entrepreneurs in the Design Enterprise modules, so they get in touch with prospective clients and can, if necessary, participate in founding a company. You will also have the change to take on tasks in interdisciplinary research projects.
Can I work alongside my studies or study for another degree?
The program is designed as a full-time course. The students are strongly involved in the project so during the semester part-time jobs are hardly possible.
During the semester break there is a one- to two-month lecture-free and exam-free phase that can be used for internships and part-time jobs.
Are there any studies fees?
No. In 2013, the study fees were abolished in Bavaria. The semester contribution for the Studentenwerk currently costs 111 euros. More information about the Studentenwerk contribution can be found here.