Design Studies | Master of Design

The Master of Design (MDes) program offers two areas of specialization:

• Industrial Design (ID)
• Visual Communication Design (VCD)

The MDes program focuses on research for the public good in the areas of Industrial Design and Visual Communication Design. Award-winning faculty members are engaged in research and practice, using interdisciplinary approaches and collaborative and participatory methods. Industrial Design is concerned with the user’s physical, cognitive, and emotional responses when negotiating the built environment. Visual Communication Design focuses on information design and communication, in digital and print environments, and includes design for health well-being and safety, and for education and culture. Graduate students in design have presented their work at local, national and international conferences and exhibitions.

Chandni Luhadiya (India) and Dongjun Li (China), with supervisor Rob Lederer, in the ID studio.

VCD student Zohreh Valiary Eskandary (Iran) with her thesis project display concerning the empowerment of young Iranian women.

Salim Azzam (Lebanon) working on thesis project fieldwork, concerning the preservation of cultural heritage, in his home village of Bater.

 

MDes program Year 1

During the first year of study, students work on a number of assigned projects, under the guidance of faculty members. They also take classes in concepts, analysis and criticism, research methods, theory, and a seminar concerned with design issues. Upon completion of the first year, students write a thesis project proposal and then begin their research and design work under the guidance of a faculty supervisor.

MDes program Year 2

Thesis project development begins in the second year of study and may take between one and three years to complete, depending on the complexity of the project and the ability of the student. The thesis project allows students to learn advanced research and working methods in order to make an original contribution to their chosen field of design. Normally, the thesis project includes a design product with a written support document.

Stephanie Rossi’s (Canada) designs created for disabilities of the hand

 

Recent thesis project titles in Industrial Design

Ruochan Li

Integrating Theoretical and Design Approaches to Address Academic Procrastination Among University Students: Insights from Internal and External Factors

Elaheh Jaberi

Enhancing Emotional and Social Development in Visually Impaired Children aged 6 to 10 through Game Design

Zhengyang (Robert) Ou

Parametric Program for User-Centered Design: Enhancing Student Well-being Through Spatial Optimization in Compact Living Environments" (2025).

Stephanie Rossi

Salutogenic Design: Bringing the 'Person' into Personalization in Healthcare by Designing for Disabilities of the Hand

Narges Pesian

Enhancing Gym Attendance and Engagement Through a User-Centered and Co-Design Approach for Key Features in a Mobile Application

Zhiying (Peaches) Zheng

Preserving the Past, Embracing the Future: A Study of the Design Solutions for Fostering Tea Culture Space in Modern Cities for the Younger Generation in China

Pegah Esmaieilnezhad Shirazi (Iran) designed an app intended to simplify trip planning, reduce costs, and enhance social engagement for international students new to Alberta.

 

Recent thesis project titles in Visual Communication Design

Zarah (Pegah) Esmaieilnezhad Shirazi

Enhancing Travel Ease: Designing an Integrated Platform for Camping-Trip Planning in Alberta, Canada

Jesal Bhatt

Ovarywise: Designing a Digital Health Platform for Women with PCOS

Hannaneh Ghahramani

Written In Between: A Latin Typeface Design Representative of Persian Culture

Elio Baradarijomehri

An Exploratory Visual Identity System for William Hawrelak Park

Yiwen (Joyce) Zhou

From page to stage and back to page: Enriching the reading experience of a drama play script through book design

Zohreh Valiary-Eskandary

Building awareness about women’s rights & fostering empowerment among young Iranian women through visual communication design

Mohammad Ali Butt

Mindfully Social: Designing in Response to Mental Health Issues Linked to Excessive Social Media Use

Mehrnoush Zeidabadi

Development of a Digital Information Platform to Enhance Usability and Accessibility for Immigrant Women Who Have Experienced a Miscarriage

 

PhD (interdisciplinary)

We do not offer a PhD in Design Studies, however, there is the possibility of doing an interdisciplinary PhD. At least one of the other Department(s) must offer a PhD program. (example: Health Sciences, or Digital Humanities).

This application form at this link, clearly outlines the application process and requirements.