Master of Design Studies

The Master's Program in Design Studies offers a common ground for various design disciplines and embraces interdisciplinary as an academic framework. Such interaction between disciplines will allow students to discover more creative solutions.

Introduced as the first graduate program of this kind in Turkey, architects, interior architects, graphic designers, industrial designers, fashion designers and applicants of other disciplines are provided with a unique research opportunity. With studies informed by this broad approach, ultimately, students will prepare a comprehensive thesis in their chosen field. Students aiming to apply their skills in their respective industries are provided with opportunities to deal with projects in a theoretical framework. Consequently, it is possible for graduates to pursue careers in both the field market and academia.

The Master's Program in Design Studies is structured with the belief that the theoretical and practical aspects of successful graduate education can be effectively joined in a way that will be constructive for graduates of various disciplines. Emphasizing relations between various subjects and approaches provides the students with a broader professional training. Each will leave the program equipped with substantial and creative skills, unique experiences, and specialized knowledge.

The program was launched in the 2006-2007 academic year. Currently, students with bachelors degrees in architecture, interior architecture, industrial design, graphic design, fashion, management, textile and mechanical engineering are doing research in areas that range from prototypical car design to urban identity, from smart textiles to cultural representation, from the use of daylight in architecture to fashion and gender.

The students have the ability to spend a part of their educational life abroad within the scope of ERASMUS. We have exchange agreements at the graduate level with the following universities in different fields of design:

• UNIVERSITE DE LIEGE - BELGIUM
• ECOLE NATIONALE SUPÉRIEURE DES ARTS DÉCORATIFS (ENSAD) - FRANCE
• ALBSTADT-SIGMARINGEN UNIVERSITY - GERMANY
• REUTLINGEN UNIVERSITY - GERMANY
• UNIVERSITY OF THE AGEAN - GREECE
• UNIVERSITÀ DI BOLOGNA - ITALY
• POLITECNICO DI MILANO - ITALY
• WEST POMERANIAN UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, SZCZECIN - POLAND
• ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS IN WARSAW - POLAND
• INSTITUTO DE ARTES VISUAIS, DESIGN E-MARKETING (IADE) - PORTUGAL
• UNIVERSITY OF AVEIRO - PORTUGAL
• ESAD- ESCOLA SUPERIOR DE ARTES E DESIGN - PORTUGAL
• UNIVERSIDADE LUSOFONA DE HUMANIDADES E TECHNOLOGIAS - PORTUGAL
• FACULTY OF DESIGN - SLOVENIA
• UNIVERSITY OF NOVA GORICA - SLOVENIA
• SHEFFIELD HALLAM UNIVERSITY - UNITED KINGDOM

Occupational Profiles of Graduates

Introduced as the first graduate program of this kind in Turkey, architects, interior architects, graphic designers, industrial designers, fashion designers and applicants of other disciplines are provided with a unique research opportunity. With studies informed by this broad approach, ultimately, students will prepare a comprehensive thesis in their chosen field. Students aiming to apply their skills in their respective industries are provided with opportunities to deal with projects in a theoretical framework. Consequently, it is possible for graduates to pursue careers in both the field market and academia.

Courses

• FFD 505 Design Seminar
• FFD 511 Research Methodology
• FFD 595 Seminar
• FFD 506 Graduate Design Studio
• FFD 599 Master Thesis

Elective Courses

• FFD 501 Design Research Methodology
• FFD 502 Current Topics in Art and Design
• FFD 503 Design Representation Theories
• FFD 507 Design Project Research
• FFD 509 Ethics and Social Responsibility in Design
• FFD 510 Individual Study
• FFD 551 Spatial Practices
• FFD 555 Imaginary and Futuristic Design Studies
• FFD 557 Ecological and Bio-climatical Design
• FFD 563 Art, Design and City
• FFD 566 Trend Catalogue Project
• FFD 568 Looking into The Past in Contemporary Fashion
• FFD 569 Advanced Materials in Design
• FFD 571 Literary Spaces
• FFD 572 Creativity and Design Management

Application Requirements for International Students

Who can apply?

• Foreign nationals
• Blue Card holders (Turkish citizens by birth, but released from citizenship by the Ministry of the Internal Affairs, and who can certify that their minor children who are registered in that permit are eligible for the rights stated in Law No. 5203)
• Foreign nationals who became Turkish citizen afterward/dual citizens in the same status
• Turkish nationals who completed the last three years of their secondary education (high school) in a foreign country excluding Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, (including those who completed their entire secondary education (high school) at Turkish schools in the presence of Ministry of National Education in a foreign country excluding Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus) before 01 February 2013.
• Turkish nationals who completed their entire secondary education (high school) in a foreign country excluding Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, (including those who completed their entire secondary education (high school) at Turkish schools in the presence of Ministry of National Education in a foreign country excluding Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus) after 01 February 2013.
• Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus nationals who reside there and completed their secondary education there having a GCE AL certificate, and those, who registered to high schools in other countries between 2005-2010 and hold or will hold GCE AL certificate.

Who cannot apply?

• Turkish nationals, who completed their entire secondary education in Turkey or in Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
• Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus nationals (excluding the ones who completed their entire secondary education there having a GCEAL certificate, and those, who registered to high schools in other countries between 2005-2010 and hold or will hold GCE AL certificate)
• Dual citizens who have a Turkish citizenship by birth. (excluding the ones who completed their entire secondary education in a foreign country excluding Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus/ those who completed their entire secondary education at Turkish schools in a foreign country excluding Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus)
• Dual citizens who have a Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus citizenship (excluding the ones who completed their entire secondary education there having a GCEAL certificate, and those, who registered to high schools in other countries between 2005-2010 and hold or will hold GCE AL certificate)
• Turkish nationals or dual citizens, who have a Turkish citizenship by birth, that attend schools affiliated to the embassies in Turkey, and foreign high schools located in Turkey.