Transportation-Car Design.

One-year Master course in collaboration with
Volkswagen Design Group
Starting date: 22 October 2013
Final Dissertation project
Scholarships available;

Classes ▼

At SPD designers are being called on to envision progressive transportation concepts that fit a future scenario where cars are no more the unrivaled player. Alongside micromobility solutions or people mover systems that respond to the challenge of the new megacities and their fast-growing economies, today’s car design paradigm can also be brought into question in the urge to better interpret new social habits and environmental issues.

Characteristics and aims

Features

The Master programme embraces the entire design development process by researching into new experiential concepts, redefining architectural solutions and moving forward with new criteria for comfort and efficiency. Parallel to the technical training, studio projects are organized in collaboration with major car companies. In particular SPD has signed a long term educational partnership with Volkswagen Group Design involving the participation of designers from the various brands - from Audi to Lamborghini - into the teaching activites. After the initial exploration, students move forward into design concepts and their refinement up to both physical and digital modelling. It’s a long process that demands a high level of personal committment and flexibility, organizational and time management skills as well as a strong attitude to teamwork. Projects are subject to group critiques and critiques with outsider reviewers. Transportation designers thus acquire a constant spur to innovation both in form language and function, allied with the understanding of engineering and production processes.

Entry

Upon selection, the Master admits graduates in Transportation or Car Design, Industrial Design, Vehicle Engineering or their equivalents, and candidates who have gained significant professional experience in the field.

Duration
The Master lasts for one year (from October to November of the following year, with a summer break in August). Attendance is compulsory and full time.

Research project

At the end of lessons, students finalize their research project in collaboration with the academic sponsor.

Language
The Master course will be held in English.

Professional openings

The Car Designer is able to face transportation design using a multidisciplinary approach. His work blends aspects of engineering, ergonomics, design and performance with environmental sustainability and social awareness. And all this while paying close attention to technological and production constraints. In order to take on this complex task he will with experience develop significant managerial skills such as the ability to collaborate with all the other people involved in the car development process. The Car Designer works in teams in the styling centres of car manufacturers or in external design firms. There are also interesting opportunities open to those interested in studying alternative ecological means of transportation.

Programmes and teaching staff to be updated