Design for Change (MA (ECA))

at University of Edinburgh

This programme engages you in structured teaching through a series of design labs, which provide thematic focus to open project briefs, encouraging independent interpretation in the design studio.

Design labs
These labs have several aims for developing your design based skillset:

• to develop the innovative use of analytical design research methods
• to encourage application of contemporary methods of production and prototyping to discover new insights
• to facilitate cutting-edge forms of communication, presentation and dissemination of your work.
• The design labs are complemented by options from subjects across the wider College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences.

These entry requirements are for the 2022/23 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2023/24 academic year will be published on 3 October 2022.

A UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent

We also ask for evidence of your ability to communicate in non-textual forms as well as your motivation to engage in design-led practices which embrace a wide variety of media, materials and techniques. Each portfolio should contain two explicit components:

• a two minute video where you introduce yourself and discuss a potential circumstance for change across one of the three programme themes (social, technical or environmental change). The video should showcase your ability to present complex subject matter supported by appropriate reference materials, which may include objects; images; visualisations; compositions; performance; drawing; writing; etc
• a collection of visual support material (maximum 15 pages) which demonstrates your affinity and aptitude for engaging in creative, design-led, studio based work. This can be existing project work, a portfolio of drawings; sketchbook development; whatever exemplifies your creative approaches to thinking and communicating complex information and ideas.
• The portfolio is a requirement which helps us to determine your level of creative competency, to help us understand in which ways you will be able to flourish on our programme. Prior training in art, design or architecture is not required, but a desire and the courage to communicate change through multi-media means is expected. Professional experience equivalent to academic qualifications may be considered.

The professional knowledge, skills and abilities you develop will prepare you for a career as a designer, strategist or consultant in a variety of private sector organisations including design studios and government or non-governmental organisations.

We encourage you to think about a future career in academia leading to emerging fields of inquiry, including digital humanities, developmental studies and emergent forms of design study and practice as an academic researcher.