The research project in our MDes program adapts the “constructive approach” to design research. The students will be expected to develop artifacts (design construct) to facilitate their research inquiries. That is, in addition to the written reports such as dissertations, a design construct or a series of design constructs is to be delivered by the end of the research project. To accommodate the complexity and variability of researched problems, as well as indeed the transdisciplinary nature of the program, required forms of the design construct are accepted in a relaxed manner, i.e. they can be tangible, e.g. products or devices, or intangible, e.g. systems, services, or applications. It is aimed that through the constructive process, a better and wider understanding of the design problem can be achieved. The design construct serves both the aim and tool for investigating a complex, transdisciplinary problem.
A Identify design opportunities with need finding processes
B AnalyseCriticize research literatures and design solutions related to the investigated topics
C Develop design constructs with transdisciplinary approaches
D Evaluate design constructs with appropriative user/usability study methods
E Assess design research reports systematically
Each student will, depending on the nature of the researched problems, work with at least one academic staff member to complete the research project. The advisor is expected to have the appropriate expertise to support the student’s research work. Knowledge and skills are obtained through regular meetings and intensive discussions with advisors, as well as individual studies initiated by students. The students are expected to develop and maintain a good work ethic and self-paced management during the project. It is aimed that advisors and the students can be mutually benefited from the research process by tackling research problems with novel and applicable approaches.