Design and Technology Futures
Study programme title in Est.
Disaini ja tehnoloogia tulevik
Study programme title in Engl.
Design and Technology Futures
TalTech study programme code
MADM10
MER study programme code
103284
Study programme version code
MADM10/23
Faculty / college
E - School of Engineering
Head of study programme/study programme manager
Kätlin Kangur
Language of instruction
English
Study level
Master study
ECTS credits
120
Self-paid study programme
no
Nominal study period
4 semesters
Study programme group
Engineering, Manufacturing and Technology
Broad area of study
Engineering, Manufacturing and Construction
Study field
Engineering and engineering trades
Granting the right to conduct studies in the study programme group
õppe läbiviimise õigus
Validity date of the right to conduct studies in the study programme group
tähtajatu
No. of the decision granting the right to teach in the study programme group
112
Access conditions
Bachelor degree in technology, design or in some other speciality addressing innovation in accordance with admission requirements of TalTech.
Work experience is recommended. Professional experience in product development, design or any other field connected to innovation may allow exceptions in candidate's educational background. Show more...
Work experience is recommended. Professional experience in product development, design or any other field connected to innovation may allow exceptions in candidate's educational background. Show more...
Study programme aims and objectives
The aim of the program is:
- to prepare young professionals with the background in innovation,
design or technology who are able to spark, lead and perform socially and economically future oriented product- or service concept development;
- to offer possibility to gain a wide range of theoretical and practical knowledge about the interdependence of design, technology and economics;
- to create a skillset to implement design thinking for dealing with contemporary complex problems, understanding the interests, limits and possibilities of users, technology and entrepreneurs in economic, social and cultural context;
- to create an understanding of sustainable development regarding social, environmental and economic sense;
- to hold a discussion about the role of design in the context of emerging technology, culture, society and environment;
- to ensure skills and attitude to work efficiently in interdisciplinary team towards solving complex and undefined problems;
- to create an understanding about the strategic functions of a company, including technological production processes, business planning, marketing and design management;
- to encourage and support to take responsibility and work actively for creating a better World.
We are open to students with a variety of different backgrounds with an ambition for innovation. They have to demonstrate high level of professional skills connected to development in a wide sense, an open mind-set, interest, curiosity and creativity.
The career of graduates depends on their first profession and stretches over the horizon of innovation, involving researches in research institutes, designers and consultants in design offices, development engineers, design or development managers in businesses, freelancers or successful entrepreneurs.
Graduating prepares students for doctoral studies. Show more...
- to prepare young professionals with the background in innovation,
design or technology who are able to spark, lead and perform socially and economically future oriented product- or service concept development;
- to offer possibility to gain a wide range of theoretical and practical knowledge about the interdependence of design, technology and economics;
- to create a skillset to implement design thinking for dealing with contemporary complex problems, understanding the interests, limits and possibilities of users, technology and entrepreneurs in economic, social and cultural context;
- to create an understanding of sustainable development regarding social, environmental and economic sense;
- to hold a discussion about the role of design in the context of emerging technology, culture, society and environment;
- to ensure skills and attitude to work efficiently in interdisciplinary team towards solving complex and undefined problems;
- to create an understanding about the strategic functions of a company, including technological production processes, business planning, marketing and design management;
- to encourage and support to take responsibility and work actively for creating a better World.
We are open to students with a variety of different backgrounds with an ambition for innovation. They have to demonstrate high level of professional skills connected to development in a wide sense, an open mind-set, interest, curiosity and creativity.
The career of graduates depends on their first profession and stretches over the horizon of innovation, involving researches in research institutes, designers and consultants in design offices, development engineers, design or development managers in businesses, freelancers or successful entrepreneurs.
Graduating prepares students for doctoral studies. Show more...
Learning outcomes of the study programme
After passing the curriculum the student:
- is able to systematically develop innovative concepts testing different possible Futures of essential themes for people and society;
- has acquired skills and abilities to handle problems systemically by being able to untangle the them, noticing the interrelationships between different nodes and opportunities for possible change;
- can creatively and critically envision future possibilities of emerging technologies and propose new and well explored concepts for possible solution opportunities in socio-cultural and economic context;
- is able to contextualise developed concepts and understand and consider the effect of a new proposition in creating a meaningful and desirable Futures;
- is able to plan, lead and manage design led transdisciplinary research and development process;
- demonstrates knowledge and skills to conduct human-centred development process, can independently perform user, design and technology research and masters co-creation techniques to involve users and stakeholders in development process;
- knows design and product development processes, masters skills to integrate design, technology and entrepreneurship mind-sets in development activities;
- has acquired entrepreneurship, brand building and marketing knowledge and understands the relationship between company’s strategic level, commercialising and developing new ideas, products and services;
- has acquired knowledge about contemporary production processes and can make decisions about production planning;
- presents skills and knowledge to work out concept ideas for new product- and service systems, for running agile and iterative product development, rapid prototyping and testing;
- is able attractively and clearly present the outcome and the process of the work, revealing design ambition, the value for users and/or society and opportunity for commercialisation. Show more...
- is able to systematically develop innovative concepts testing different possible Futures of essential themes for people and society;
- has acquired skills and abilities to handle problems systemically by being able to untangle the them, noticing the interrelationships between different nodes and opportunities for possible change;
- can creatively and critically envision future possibilities of emerging technologies and propose new and well explored concepts for possible solution opportunities in socio-cultural and economic context;
- is able to contextualise developed concepts and understand and consider the effect of a new proposition in creating a meaningful and desirable Futures;
- is able to plan, lead and manage design led transdisciplinary research and development process;
- demonstrates knowledge and skills to conduct human-centred development process, can independently perform user, design and technology research and masters co-creation techniques to involve users and stakeholders in development process;
- knows design and product development processes, masters skills to integrate design, technology and entrepreneurship mind-sets in development activities;
- has acquired entrepreneurship, brand building and marketing knowledge and understands the relationship between company’s strategic level, commercialising and developing new ideas, products and services;
- has acquired knowledge about contemporary production processes and can make decisions about production planning;
- presents skills and knowledge to work out concept ideas for new product- and service systems, for running agile and iterative product development, rapid prototyping and testing;
- is able attractively and clearly present the outcome and the process of the work, revealing design ambition, the value for users and/or society and opportunity for commercialisation. Show more...
Graduation requirements
Completion of the curriculum in the required amount, and the successful defence of the graduation paper in conformity with the requirements set by the TalTech Senate.
In order to obtain Cum Laude diploma the graduation paper must be defended for the grade "5" and the weighted average grade must be at least 4,60, where all grades from diploma supplement are taken into account. Show more...
In order to obtain Cum Laude diploma the graduation paper must be defended for the grade "5" and the weighted average grade must be at least 4,60, where all grades from diploma supplement are taken into account. Show more...
Degrees conferred
Master of Science in Engineering
Study programme version structure :
Module type
total ECTS credits
General studies
12.0
Core studies
36.0
Special studies
42.0
Free choice courses
6.0
Graduation thesis
24.0
Total
120.0
- +MAIN SPECIALITY 4: Design and Technology
- +MODULE: General studies 12.0 ECTS credits (General studies)AimsThe general aim of the Module is to widen students’ horizon of knowledge and to introduce the role and impact of technology and innovations on social,
cultural and economic development. On the other hand, to understand the cultural theory and learn visual literacy in order to see culture’s possibilities and influence to guide technology development. A set of the subjects explain different theoretical conceptions and build a platform students can tie these with their own professional practice and everyday life. Show more...Learning outcomesUpon completion of this module, student is able to:
- demonstrate the understanding of the inter-relationship of culture,
science, technology and economic development and can interpret their own ideas within the theory;
- can build connections and comparison between different theoretical models and use them in contextualizing their own professional practices;
- is aware of the processes taking place in contemporary development of technology, culture and society and able to form his/her own opinion;
- is able to assess the role and consequences of technology by ethical, social and cultural criteria. Show more...Compulsory courses:Course titleCourse codeECTS creditsHours per weekLecturesPracticesExercisesE/P-F.Ass./ Gr.Ass.Teaching semesterTotal: 6.0 ECTS creditsElective courses:Course titleCourse codeECTS creditsHours per weekLecturesPracticesExercisesE/P-F.Ass./ Gr.Ass.Teaching semesterTotal: at least 6.0 ECTS credits - +MODULE: Design 12.0 ECTS credits (Core studies)AimsThe aim of the Module is to offer contemporary knowledge and
theoretical understanding about the current design thinking trends and practices so that students can build up their own personal attitude based on critical understanding about designers’ responsibilities and possibilities dealing with the complex problems situated in the 21st century, understanding humans, culture, environment and entrepreneurship. Show more...Learning outcomesUpon completion of this module, student is able to:
- understands
the conception and practices of human-centred design and is able to practice these independently in innovation process;
- possesses in-depth knowledge in integrating design over the whole set of activities in entrepreneurial company or public organisation starting from identifying possibilities for change, to conceptualising new product or service development, till final polish of user experience design in the interaction happening in the touchpoints of product or service use;
- understands design’s responsibility and possibilities of action in the movement towards globally sustainable development, regarding and judging activities from social, economic and environmental perspective;
- is able to critically judge and analyse whole complex systems from the viewpoints of business, technology and human perspective and tie it to contemporary thinking in design. Show more...Compulsory courses:Course titleCourse codeECTS creditsHours per weekLecturesPracticesExercisesE/P-F.Ass./ Gr.Ass.Teaching semesterTotal: 12.0 ECTS credits - +MODULE: Entrepneurship 6.0 ECTS credits (Core studies)AimsCreate an understanding about the essence of entrepreneurship and it’s processes,
the role of entrepreneur and the principles of business planning and development (incl growth) process, also about the main aspects of the activities of enterprises in the context of external business environment. To give an opportunity for students on the basis of chosen business idea to practically plan the business process, design business model and compile business plan through teamwork and interdisciplinary study, which is supporting students in their career choice of becoming entrepreneur or entrepreneurial employee. Show more...Learning outcomesLearning outcomes:
- explaining the essence of entrepreneurship, phases of entrepreneurship processes and business planning as well as the main activities of enterprises;
- assessing own abilities to initiate teamwork and activate on the development of business ideas in real life and handle risks;
- assessing business opportunities and analysing them based on problems needful to solve, uncovered market nisches and development trends;
- carrying out market and competition analysis originated from chosen business opportunities, compiling the general and competition strategy for planned enterprise;
- designing full marketing mix for enterprise (products/services, pricing policy, market channels and promotion activities);
- compiling report for profit, cash flows and balance prognosis and cost-benefit analysis;
- presenting and justifying the feasibility of business model (business plan). Show more...Compulsory courses:Course titleCourse codeECTS creditsHours per weekLecturesPracticesExercisesE/P-F.Ass./ Gr.Ass.Teaching semesterTotal: 6.0 ECTS credits - +MODULE: Engineering 12.0 ECTS credits (Core studies)AimsThe general aim is to give systemic knowledge about the philosophy and processes of contemporary product development,
learn to know different production Technologies and the role of IoT, digitalising manufacturing and evolving layer-additive production methods to mass and small series production; to understand the principles of Internet of Things and to learn to utilise the possibilities offered by such digital platforms for creating new product and service system concepts. Show more...Learning outcomesUpon completion of this module, student is able to:
- understands the integrated nature of product development, it’s different phases and guiding logic;
- is able to plan product development process, put together and lead project team and integrate the activities to all the connected partners in a company;
- can plan and design for product quality for all product life cycle:
- can plan and control production processes;
- can decide and choose manufacturing processes according to the specification of product design;
- knows the technologies of Internet of Things, is able to design, build and test simple IoT systems by himself;
- can create digital simulation environments based on virtual reality and machine vision technology. Show more...Compulsory courses:Course titleCourse codeECTS creditsHours per weekLecturesPracticesExercisesE/P-F.Ass./ Gr.Ass.Teaching semesterTotal: 6.0 ECTS creditsElective courses:Course titleCourse codeECTS creditsHours per weekLecturesPracticesExercisesE/P-F.Ass./ Gr.Ass.Teaching semesterTotal: at least 6.0 ECTS credits - +MODULE: Elective studies 6.0 ECTS credits (Core studies)AimsThe aim of the Module is to deepen student's knowledge in the realms of entrepreneurship,
design or technology. Show more...Learning outcomesUpon completion of this module, student has gained deeper knowledge and skills in a specific field of entrepreneurship,
design or technology. Show more...Elective courses:Course titleCourse codeECTS creditsHours per weekLecturesPracticesExercisesE/P-F.Ass./ Gr.Ass.Teaching semesterTotal: at least 6.0 ECTS credits - +MODULE: Specialization studies 42.0 ECTS credits (Special studies)AimsThe main aim of the Module is to offer a practical experience of participating in creative design-led transdisciplinary development projects dealing with complex problems.
Projects address a wide set of issues, most of them composed in partnership with private companies or public organisations. The goal is to study real and complex challenges of everyday life today and in close future in order to envision innovative solution concepts.
The aim is to encourage student’s personal creative development and self-expression in a chosen direction through practicing to solve open tasks focused on the exploratory and experimental front-end phase of the development. These activities include analysing problem ground and future possibilities, noticing and articulating new possibilities, generating solution ideas and prototyping, testing and validating proposed concepts.
These projects are run in teams. One of the goal is to encourage students to enhance and develop their existing skills and knowledge in teamwork and to train virtuoso team players able to handle the complexity of contemporary issues with the sensitivity and courage to cross the familiar and pre-set domains in order to develop creative change- and sense-making solution concepts.
The theoretical conceptions, practical skillsets and methods learned in other curriculum subjects are tested in practice during Design Studio projects. The goal is to grow innovative and independent professionals who are able to compose relevant research and development projects, choose and if needed, design themselves suitable creative methods for the purposes. Show more...Learning outcomesUpon completion of this module, student is able to:
- to attain a wide set of design tools,
methods and practices what are tested and polished in action during real development projects;
- to demonstrate the ability to work efficiently in transdisciplinary team with complex themes under the stress and discomfort to learn to know and tame the intricate subjects outside student’s own competences;
- to define design strategies to deal with particular set of complex problems;
- is able to acknowledge, understand and take in account the different views, interests, goals and cultures of problem stakeholders, like users, companies or public organisation, in creating solution offers;
- demonstrates the ability to think creatively, reframe the situations from new standing-point and start discussion about possible change with the stakeholders;
- to develop creativity, demonstrate designerly way of acting and sensitivity to create meaningful and pleasurable experiences. Show more...Compulsory courses:Course titleCourse codeECTS creditsHours per weekLecturesPracticesExercisesE/P-F.Ass./ Gr.Ass.Teaching semesterTotal: 42.0 ECTS credits - +MODULE: Free-choice course(s) 6.0 ECTS credits (Free choice courses)AimsTo give to the students following possibilities:
- to improve
the basic professional knowledge and skills acquired during studies with the complementary subjects needed for orienting in professional as well as in general cognition.
- to choose subjects from different curricula depending on individual interests and abilities; Show more...Learning outcomesUpon completion of this module, students will be able to: explain and apply new knowledge in a constructive way for his/her professional and social needs. - +MODULE: Master Thesis 24.0 ECTS credits (Graduation thesis)AimsTo conduct independent and thorough development or research project.
In thesis project student demonstrates his abilities to carry out design-led innovation practices and ideas in a creative project. The theme of the thesis is chosen by student according to his personal interest or professional ambition. Show more...Learning outcomesUpon completion of this module, student is able to:
- define problems, form exact research questions and solve them using a set of innovative methods in a given frame;
- is able to conduct independently different background research to understand problem context, technology and market possibilities, understanding users and other stakeholders;
- demonstrates abilities to critically analyse research material and to synthesise the out-comes of the research in generating creative solution ideas;
- demonstrates independent creative thinking and ability to create and work out innovative and well-argued concepts;
- demonstrates the ability to understand different stakeholders of the problem issue and envision product or service systems combining design and technology futures;
- can compile problem analyses and study according to scientific principles and international standards of scientific literature. Show more... - +STANDARD STUDY PLAN: Autumn daytime study