MA Design

Master of Design - Two-year course (120 credits)

The completion of this course leads to a Master of Art (MA) degree in Design. The Faculty of Design offers an MA program within the following specializations:

• Interior Architecture
• Furniture Design
• Fashion Design
• Costume Design
• Visual Communication

The course educates designers in order that they are able to operate within the international culture of contemporary design and design-related subjects. Drawing upon the tradition of the Academy as well as its considerable crafts heritage; the course has developed a curriculum that addresses theories of design, research-based design and contemporary practice. Moreover, the course has developed strategies that locate the students' specialist design practice within socially committed, ethical and environmental design practices.

In order to achieve this, the MA programme requires that the candidates apply by proposing a project. This project should outline a subject of study within the specialist pathways for the period of two years. We actively encourage candidates who are interested investigating subject areas such as environmental, social design (i.e. Universal Design), service design.

The course structure also allows for other forms of specializations in the MA program, based on minor subjects that can be studied at other institutions which the Faculty collaborates with.

The course structure provides scope for experimentation and independent design development, as well as enhancing entrepreneurial and social skills, and the ability to interact in the professional milieu of the designer.

The MA program comprises four main areas of study, which emphasize the range and scope of the course.  An exploration of:

• Theory and Method – that locates design practice within a critical framework of design knowledge.
• Specialization I – that enables the student to explore nominated areas of design study.
• Specialization II – that builds upon the previous two areas and allows students to partake in in-depth study in their chosen specialist pathway.
• Major Project & Thesis – that allows students to research, explore, create and develop objects (or processes) of design, whilst reflecting upon them within a structured narrative.

ADMISSION
The MA program builds on a three-year bachelor’s degree (180 credits) or equivalent course including design studies worth at least 120 credits related and relevant to the specialization applied for. Applicants with a degree comprising a lower proportion of design/design-related subjects may also apply if they can demonstrate appropriate practical experience and ability in the specialization applied for.

The MA program is a project-based course. The application must be accompanied by:

1. Curriculum Vitae
2. Portfolio – Examples of personal work/projects presented by pictures and sketches (at least 5 examples and the portfolio must to be presented in A3 format or bigger formats.
3. Transcripts - The application must include transcripts of a bachelor degree or equivalent education with a total of 180 points/ECTS credits. For applicants with less than 120 points/credits in design/design related subjects, documentation of non-formal learning in the subject matter must be submitted. Applicants with non-Norwegian educational background have to deliver translated and certified copies of transcripts. These copies should be translated into Norwegian or English.
4. Essay/Report
5. Project Proposal - The application for the Master Degree programme should contain a description of the chosen project for the course of study. This proposal should be approximately 2-3 pages of A4 and should describe the aim and objectives of your project.

You will find more detailed information on the application form. The closing date for applications is 2nd of February 2009.

For more information, contact: MAdesign@khio.no

Application form (pdf)

Frequently asked questions (pdf)