University of Tehran

Kish International Campus

Master Program in

Industrial Design

Introduction

The Master of Industrial Design program explores design as a vehicle for addressing social, cultural, environmental and other concerns, recognizing that design is not simply a professional service, but rather a way of connecting individual interests and values with a social framework. The program endorses the notion that the most valuable design opportunities today are those promoting the preservation of our environment and a better understanding of human behavior.
Good industrial design is a necessity in order to create useful and ecologically justifiable products that can compete in a market flooded with goods and services. A Master's Degree in Industrial Design will enable students to develop strategically important products for the global industry. This programme combines basic knowledge, insight and working methods from aesthetics, engineering and industrial design, and it emphasizes a combination of engineering qualifications and designer skills that gives students an excellent foundation for participation in product development projects, and after a few years of industry experience, qualifications for establishing and managing such projects. Hence, the degree programme is built around projects related to the design of products, goods and services. The tasks are developed around real problems and with a focus on user needs and abilities based on innovation. Innovation requires breaking boundaries and making connections between diverse disciplines. As a creative profession, industrial design deals with the design of innovative, sustainable and durable solutions for people, nonhumans, economy and society, which may take many forms from tangible artifacts to expansive system designs. Students of Industrial Design learn the basic principles of design, engineering, human factors, marketing and sociology. They acquire such technical skills as computer-aided design and drafting, prototype fabrication, photography, sketching and graphics techniques. Students are introduced to design methods, color theory, product planning, visual statistics, materials, manufacturing methods, consumer psychology and environmental studies.

Learning Outcomes

• Students will develop an independent masters-level thesis project that reflects the design process according to current professional practice. Above all, emphasis will be placed on addressing human needs from the point of view of interface, ergonomic, social, global, historical, ethical, and commercial issues.
• Students will acquire professional-level competence in two- and three-dimensional design, using aesthetic sensibility, digital/analog tools, and critical thinking, combined with a working knowledge of materials and methods in an environmentally responsible context.
• Students will hone their writing to complement other presentation skills related to research, design concepts, theory, and development of a persuasive personal viewpoint verbally and in written documentation.

Special feature of Industrial Design in Kish Campus

Master of Industrial Design in Kish campus is a generalist, humanist design program that pays attention to students without prior design degrees, helping them to incorporate their previous backgrounds and interests in their work, and to enter the professional sphere with conviction, intelligence, and skill. As such, the Master's in Industrial Design (MID) program builds skill while it cultivates talent and prepares students for a much wider world of industrial design than ever.

Curriculum

The Master of Industrial Design requires completion of 32 credits, with 20 credits in the core courses and a minimum of 6 credits of elective courses. The program requires completion of a thesis of 6 credits. Admitted students with a different undergraduate degree are also required to complete a few credits of leveling courses which prepare such students for success in the Master of Industrial Design, these courses do not count toward the degree.  
A minimum GPA of 14 over 20 must be maintained for graduation.

Leveling Courses (not applicable to degree)

The Masters in Industrial Design assumes a B.A. degree in Industrial design. However students holding any other undergraduate degree besides Industrial Design will be required to complete the following leveling courses that are designed to provide a back ground for the Master courses.  These leveling courses are not counted for graduate credit towards the Master in Industrial Design.

Leveling courses: 7 courses required; 18 credits

Core Courses: 9 courses required; 20 credits

Elective courses: 6 credits required

Course Descriptions

Design Methodology

Course contents:

Theorey:

Getting familiar with different methods of designing:

• Design methodology based on the logical patterns such as Nigel Cross
• Design methodology based on Total quality Design
• Methodology of Kansei
• Methodology of Concurrent engineering
• Other new methodologies (At least two or three of design methodologies should be instructed )

Practice:

• In this part, students get ready for doing short-term projects based on the instructed methodologies at the classrooms. Students should choose a simple industrial topic at the beginning of the semester and work on it based on the instructed methodologies in different session. At the end students will be able to compare the results of doing one-single project with different methodologies

References:

• Cross, N. (2000). Engineering design methods: strategies for product design. 3rd Edition, john Wiely & Signs.

• Green, L. N., & Bonollo, E. (2004). The importance of design methods to student industrial designers. Global J. of Engng. Educ, 8(2), 175-182.

• Karbhari, V. M., Burns, J. S., & Wilkins, D. J. (1994). Total Quality Design: An approach for customer satisfaction in critical advanced technologies. Benchmarking for quality management & technology, 1(1), 65-88.

• Lee, S., Harada, A., & Stappers, P. J. (2002). Pleasure with products: Design based on Kansei, Industerial Design Engeneering, Delft University, Jaffalan 9, 2628 BX Delf, Netherlands.

• Schutte, S., & Eklund, J. (2003). Product design for the heart and soul: An Introduction to Kanesi Engineering Methodology. Linkoping University, Sweden.

User Centerd Design

Course contents:

Theorey:

• User-oriented concepts of design
• Investigative the relationship between human beings and anesthetic aspects of products
• Cognitive psychology
• Engineering psychology and its implication in product and environment design
• Interactive design
• Familiarity with user-friendly design concepts and their relationship with universal design
• Concepts and principals of universal design
• Related branches:
• Design for all
• Barrier-free design
• Accessibility
• Adaptable design
• Universal access design

Practice:

In this part, students for doing a case study in design a user-oriented universal design are guided.

References:

• Casim, J., Dong, H., Clarkson, J., and Coleman, R., (2007). Design for Inclusivity: A Practical Guide to Accessible, Innovative and User-Centered Design, Gower Publishing, Ltd.
• Coates, D. (2002). Watches tell more than time, Mc Grawhill, New york.
• D. Bust, P.(2006). Contemporary Economics, Taylor and Francis, London.
• Green, W. S., & Jordan, P. W. (Eds.). (2002). Pleasure with products: Beyond usability. Taylor and Francis, UK..
• Helin, K., Evila, T.,Viitaniemi, J., Aromaa, S., Klipelainen, P., Rannanjaarvi, L., and Vaha, P. (2007) Human ICT: New Human Centered Design Method and Virtual Environments in the Design of Vehicular Working Machine Interfaces. Ulkaisija Utgivare Publisher, Finland.
• Jordan, P. W. (1998). An introduction to usability. CRC Taylor and Francis, UK.
• Jordan, P.and Green, W. (1999)Human Factors in Product Design , Taylor and Francis, UK.
• Jordan, P. (2000). Designing Pleasurable Products, Taylor and Francis, UK.
• Nemeh, C. (2004)Human Factor Methods for Desing: making system human center, CRC press, London
• Norman, D. (2002). The Desing of every day things, Basic Books, New York.
• Norman Donald, A. (2005). Emotional design: Why we love (or hate) everyday things. , Basic Books, New York.
• Tullis, T., Albert, W., Dumas, J. S., & Loring, B. A. (2008). Measuring the User Experience: Collecting Analyzing, and Presenting Usability. Elsevier, UK.
• Vink, P. (2005)Confort and Desing, CRC Press, New York

• Strategic Design

  Course contents:

  -Theorey:

  • Defining Strategic Design
  • The nature of strategy and strategic approach in industrial design
  • Strategic management in industrial design
  • Designing user experience
  • Touch point
  • Different types touch points
  • The process of strategic design
  • Fundamental variable in strategic decision-making
  • Strategies of expanding different services and products
  • Defining design management ( from different aspects of governmental, organizational, educational and social)
  • Planning for the development of design policies and missions and the workflow design in a way that designing could be considered as a part of production or product distribution
  • Service design
  • Corporate identity design
  • Branding
  • Designing Visual identity

  Practice:

  In this parts students are guided for doing practical research project (individually or in groups) in designing public services such as banks, post offices, Insurance Companies, transportation terminals as well as intra and inter city transportation systems.

  References:

  1- Best, K. (2006). Design management: managing design strategy, process and implementation. AVA publishing.
  2- Bruce, M., & Bessant, J. R. (2002). Design in business: Strategic innovation through design. Financial Times, Prentice Hall.
  3- Cleland, D., (2002). Project management: strategic design and implementation, 4th edition., McGraw-Hill Professional
  4- Flynn – Heapes, Sparks, E. (2000) Creating wealth principles and practices for design. The center for strategic Planning.
  5-Grob, P. (1990)Design Management, Architecture Design and Technology Press, London.

  • Kogan, R., Bobcheck, C. (2007). Strategic planning for design firms. Kaplan AEC Education.
  • Phillips, P. L. (2004). Creating the Perfect Design Brief: How to manage design for strategic advantage. Skyhorse Publishing Inc..
  • Press, M &Cooper, R. (1995). The design agenda: a guide to successful design management. John Wiley and Sons.
  • Press, M &Cooper, R. (2003). The Design Experience: The Role of Design and Designers in the twenty first century. Ash Gate, Burlington.
  • Tether, B. (2005). The role of design in business performance. DTI Think Piece, CRIC and University of Manchester.
  • Walsh, V. Roy, R., Potter, S. and Bruce, M. (1992) Winning By Design: Technology, Product Design and international competitiveness Basil Blackwell, Oxford.
  
  

   

  Sustainable Design

  Course contents:

  Theorey:

  • Fundamental concepts of sustainable design
  • Recycling
  • Re-use
  • Repair
  • Remanufacture
  • Bio-degradable materials
  • Organic products
  • Renewable energies
  • Greens and eco-warriors
  • Pollutants and pollutions
  • Greenhouse cases
  • Weather change and acid rains
  • Deforestation
  • Garbage and Construction waste
  • Packing
  • Global warming
  • Culture and social-urban structures, and collective beliefs with sustainable design approach
  • Governments, organizations and regulations
  • Good and bad approach of sustainability
  • Fashion and short-lasting products transitive products
  • Long lasting design

  Practice:

  At this part students are guided for doing a project in sustainability design

  References:

  • Brickland, J, (2002) Design for sustainability: A Sourcebook of Integrated, Eco-logical Solution, Erath scans Publications Ltd
  • Papanek, V. (1995)Green Imperatives: Ecology and Ethics in Design and architecture, Thames and Hudson
  • Walker, S (2006) Sustainable design Earth scan London
  
  

  Semantics and Criticism of Industrial Design Products

  Course contents:

  Theorey:

  • Semantics in design
  • Semiotics
  • Elaborating and criticizing form, content and function of the products

  Practice:

  At this part students are guided for doing a project (individually or in groups) in Semantics and Criticism of Industrial Design Products

  References:

  • Chandler, D. (2002). Semiotics: the basics, Routledge: London.
  • Delly, J.N. (1990). Basics of Semantics. Indiana University Press, Bloomington.
  • Hjelm, S.L. (2002. Semiotics in Product Design, CID Stocholm
  
  

  Consumer Behavior

  Course contents:

  Theorey:

  • Users as customers and consumers (similarities and differences)
  • Customers and decision-making process
  • Internal and external factors affecting customers' decisions
  • Analyzing customers behavior through research
  • The sense of being responsible for the process and making the sense of loyalty in customers
  • The role of distribution, packing, pricing, marketing process and advertisement and etc.
  • Type and method of life in consuming products
  • Global movements and consumers' rights
  • Negative behaviors of customers
  • POP and customers' behavior
  • Electronic commerce and the culture of customers behavior in eBay markets

  Practice:

  At this part students are guided for doing a project (individually or in groups) in Consumer Behavior

  References:

  • Hawkins, N.Q. (2002). Consumer Behavior, McGraw Hill, RoseVile
  • Karterwrithgt, R. and Green, G. (2001). Handbook of managing consumer satisfaction, Professional Usability Services Press, London, UK.
  • Schoeler, H.R. (2001). From the voice of the consumer to the function-oriented Product concept. The value Management Concept in Product Development, Scholer and Partner, Eggenstain, Germany
  
  

  Seminar

  Course contents:

  -Theory:

  • Describing the process of research and its different types
  • Stating the problem, methodology and research goals
  • Developing Proposal
  • Ethics in Research
  • Searching data bases and information retrieval systems
  • Writing literature review
  • Defining variable and the method of measuring them
  • Getting familiarity with data collection methods(observation, interview and questionnaire)
  • Familiarity with statists
  • Report writing

  -Practice:

  At this part, students are helped to run a research project within a 10- week period individually or in groups

  References:

  Cesswell, J.W. (2003) Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative and Mixed Methods approaches, 2nd edition, Sage Publication: London

  
  

  Industrial design project (1) with research and idea creation approach

  Course contents:

  -Theorey:

  • Learning project management and familiarity with concepts such as:
  • Designing with cost approach
  • Time management and phasing the project implementation
  • Project Control
  • Learning innovative techniques and idea creation:
  • Brain storming
  • TRIZ
  • Mood Map

  Practice

  At this part students are guided for ding the following activities:

  • Preparing project proposal
  • Design management and project control
  • Doing project research with regards to the selected approach
  • Idea creation for meeting the needs of society

  References:

  • Lawson, B. (2006). How Designers Think: the design process demystified 4th edition, Architectural Press: Oxford
  • Ulrithch, K.T. and Eppinger, S.D. (2007) Product Design and development 4th edition, McGraw-Hill Higher Education
  
  

  Industrial design project (2) with idea development and designing details approach

  Course contents:

  Theorey:

  • The process of design development
  • The method of evaluating and selecting the best design
  • Production methods
  • Familiarity with materials, knowledge and cutting-edge technologies
  • Knowledge of using tools and advance techniques in design projects such as Rapid Prototyping
  • Production management
  • Familiarity with methods such as DFA, DFM, DFX
  • Value engineering

  Practice:

  At this part students are guided for doing the following activities:

  • Evaluating ideas
  • Selecting the best idea
  • Developing the best idea
  • Implementing the idea with regards to the technical aspects and features

  References:

  • Ashby, M. and Johnson, K. (2003). Material and design, Bunerworth- Heinnernarm, London
  • Cross, N. (2000). Engineering design methods: Strategies for product Design. 3rd Edition, John Wiley &sons LTD.
  • Cuffaro, D. (2005). Process Material Measurements, Rockport, Massachusetts
  • Ulrithch, K.T. and Eppinger, S.D. (2007) Product Design and development 4th edition, McGraw-Hill Higher Education
  
  

  Computer Aided Design (1)

  Course contents:

  • Modeling with software Packages
  • Familiarity with outputs of product such as STL, IGES, STEP
  
  

   

  Computer Aided Design (2)

  Course contents:

  • Modeling with software Packages
  • Familiarity with outputs of product such as STL, IGES, STEP
  
  

  English for Design

  Course contents:

  Understanding the uses of English in different specialized and technical branches of industrial design trough learning specialized vocabularies. Although the purpose of this course is not to teach general concepts and grammar of English, they will be instructed for the students

  • Reading Comprehension

  Reading books or articles of the industrial design (expanding vocabularies and learning structures)

  • Writing
  • Writing abstract for articles or thesis
  • Writing product description
  • Writing design brief
  • Writing Email
  • Writing CV
  • Speaking
  • Explaining and describing the design of a product in short seminars
  • Listening
  • Watching and listening to the speeches and related videos to industrial desing

  References

  • Lougheed, L. (2002). Rusiness Correspondence, 2nd edition, Pearson Education
  • Williams, E.J. (2008). Presentations in English: Students Book, DVD pack, McMillan Education
  
  

   

  Communication skills and its methods of presentation

  Course contents:

  Learning presentation techniques for increasing students skills for participating in international conferences and job interviews

  • Speech skills
  • Prioritizing the content of the presentation
  • Communicating with the audience
  • Having effective speech
  • Question and answer
  • Time management
  • Visual skills
  • Using audio and video tools
  • Using PowerPoint Presentations
  • Using computer software packages such as "Flash" and "Movie Maker"
  • Non-computerized methods of presentation
  • Preparing poster for presentation
  • Making portfolio
  • Considering professional points for communication with employer

  References

  • Dragga, S. and Gurak, L. (1999). Oral Presentations for Technical Communication, Longman Press, UK.
  • Gurak, L. and Hucks, M. (2008) The Technical Communication Handbook, Longman, Uk.
  
  

  Entrepreneurship in Industrial Design

  Course contents:

  • Concepts and definitions of Entrepreneurship
  • Different types of Entrepreneurship (organizational, independent, imitative, acquisitive, and opportunistic)
  • Process of Entrepreneurship
  • strategies of Entrepreneurship
  • different types of business
  • goals and method of planning in business
  • methods of running new business
  • Analysis feasibility
  • Preparing business plan
  • Managing business
  • Culture of companies
  • Types and management of risks in business
  • Developing ideas to achieve profitability
  • Planning for product sale
  • Entrepreneurship and internet
  • Writing contracts
  • Insurance contracts
  • Along with preparing a business plan students are guided for doing a beneficialEntrepreneurship project

  References:

  • Bhltd, A., Sahlman, W., Stancil, J. and Rock, A. (1999).Harvard business review on entrepreneurship. Harvard Business School Press: USA.
  • Calagione, S. (2005). Brewing Up a Business: Adventures in Entrepreneurship from the Founder of Dogfish Head Craft Brewery. John Wiley & Sons.
  • Wright, P. L., Kroll, M. J., & Parnell, J. A. (1998). Strategic management: concepts and cases. Vikas Publishing, New Delhi.
  • Holt David, H. (1998). Entrepreneurship: New Venture Creation. Prentice-Hall Of India Press: New York.
  • Drucker, P. (2014). Innovation and entrepreneurship. Collins Business.
  • Shane, S. A. (2008). The illusions of entrepreneurship: The costly myths that entrepreneurs, investors, and policy makers live by. Yale University Press.
  
  

  Industrial Design and World

  Course contents:

  • Familiarity with modern approaches of industrial design
  • Familiarity with new styles of industrial design
  • Familiarity with different braches of this field in other countries
  • Being familiar with pioneers and distinguished figures of the field
  • Familiarity with successful international companies of industrial design
  • Familiarity with international competitions in industrial design
  • Familiarity with new materials and technologies of industrial design
  • Understanding other related areas to industrial design such as culture, civilization and architecture
  • Familiarity with informative sources of industrial design like books, magazines and websites

  References:

  • Berridge, G. (2007). Events design and experience. Butterworth- Heinemann Press.
  • Buxton, B. (2007). Sketching user experiences: getting the design right and the right design. Elsevier Press.
  • Chapman, J. (2005). Emotionally Durable Design: Objects. Experiences and Empathy, Earthscan Publication LTD Press
  • Dreyfuss, H. (2003). Design for people, Allworth press
  • Nobelt, J. (1996). Industrial Design: reflection of a century- 19th to 21st century, Flammarion Press.
  • Norman, D. (2002) The Design of Everyday Things, Basic Books Press
  
  

   

  Traditional design and construction of objects

  Course contents:

  • Familiarity with traditional methods of construction
  • Familiarity with traditional tools of stuff construction
  • Learning how to use Islamic-Iranian culture in designing products
  • Learning Islamic-Iranian symbols in design
  • Investigating the role of design in traditional process of construction
  • The process of design in construction of a product
  • Familiarity with distinguished artists of world in traditional design
  • Familiarity with the important centers of traditional design and construction

  References:

  • Prada, E. Diason, R, and Wilkenison, C. (2005). Translated by Yousef Majidzadeh, University of Tehran: Tehran.
  • Rahnavard, Z. (2000). The Wisdom of Islamic Art, Samt Publishing: Tehran
  • Adl, S. (2001).Art and Society in Iranian World. Edited by Ehsan Eshraghi, Toos Publishing Tehran.
  • Arab Golpayegani, E. (1997). Ancient Myths of Iran. Hirmand Publishing Iran.
  • Vaziri, Alinaghi, (1990). General History of Visual Arts. First Edition (Before the History to Islam), Hirmand Publishing Tehran.
  • Vaziri, Alinaghi, (1984). General History of Visual Arts. Second Edition ( Before the History to Islam), Hirmand Publishing Tehran.
  
  

  Design and Society

  Course contents:

  Theorey:

  • Different types of the society (modern, traditional, rural and urban)
  • Culture and its different types
  • Lifestyles
  • Global transformations
  • Globalization
  • Consumerism
  • Consumer protection
  • Designing at national and international levels
  • Themed environments
  • Social psychology and design
  • Mutual effects of design and social change
  • Ecology of products
  • Spirituals and ethical responsibilities of designers
  • Products and social diseases

  Practice:

  In this part, students for doing a research study about design and society are guided.

  References:

  • Rilzer, G. (1993). The Mcdonaldization of the society: an Investigation into the Changing character of contemporary social life, Thousand Oaks, CA: Pine Forge Press
  
  

  Final Project

  The final project will be done individually under the supervision of the supervisor. Firstly, the proposal of the project will be prepared by the students and will be sent to the department for the approval. This project could be run as a complementary part of the previous projects in form of one of the following approaches:

  • Doing a research project which leads to an article that could be published in national and international peer-reviewed journals
  • Doing a research project that ends in writing a thesis