Master of Arts in
Transportation & Car Design
Course length
16 months
Start
January
Language
English
Where
Milan
Master of Arts in Transportation and Car Design with Advanced Practice
The Master of Arts in Transportation and Car Design with Advanced Practice retraces the work phases that a designer faces in a real design centre: the development of a concept, the visual creativity that derives from it, the application of engineering constraints to the project, the creative phase in which the linguistic elements of the brand are amplified, by taking into account the constraints learnt in the previous phase, and, finally, the actual design phase, in which style features and engineering constraints find their definitive balance.
Features
The Master of Arts in Transportation and Car Design is based on a balanced mix of conceptual and creative skills, along with an established understanding of engineering, ergonomics, marketing principles, and aesthetic considerations. Designers are challenged to envision innovative transportation concepts.
The student, who has gone through the stages of this process, will become a designer who understands and knows how to apply a brand’s own style and language and has, at the same time, a solid background in automotive architecture.
The location of the course in Milan facilitates opportunities for direct dialogue with the Design Centres of the Motor Valley in the form of visits and collaborations. Tutors collaborated in the past and are currently collaborating with world-famous transportation design centres or consultancy firms. This provides students a unique opportunity to have insights into the sector’s current evolution.
The program offers, too, an in-depth study of two topics that are current challenges for every design centre: aerodynamics and human-machine interface (HMI), to enable students to design more energy-efficient, and consequently, more sustainable means of transport.
Method
The Master of Arts in Transportation and Car Design with Advanced Practice is based on a learning strategy aimed at nurturing creative talent through the acquisition of professional knowledge and skills.
Its main objectives are:
- Enhance creative skills informed by advanced digital design tools and methodology, and provide an industrially relevant education.
- Provide students with the ability to creatively synthesise the linguistic elements of a transportation-related brand with the engineering constraints, a peculiar feature of transportation projects.
- Provide a deep understanding of the different products of transportation design, from wheel vehicle to wheel-free vehicles, from human-driven up to autonomous driving.
- Provide students with the knowledge to understand the current technical evolution and innovation of means of transport, especially with reference to the most recent requirements and need for carbon-free or Zero Emission Vehicle, and with the design tools to face the challenges arising from this change.
To be admitted into the Master of Arts course, students must have a second class (2.2) honours or higher in art, design, or other creative disciplines from any recognised ISCED level 6 programme. Graduates in scientific disciplines, social sciences, and humanities can also be selected, as well as candidates who have previously gained significant professional experience in the field of the Master selected.
SPD also considers other relevant experience and/or the attendance of SPD Preparatory Courses. In addition, international students need an IELTS score of 6.0, with no component below 5.5.
To be admitted to the master’s program, students must submit a portfolio that demonstrates their technical skills. If the portfolio does not meet the requirements for direct admission, the student will be required to attend an in-person preparatory course, a prerequisite for the master’s program.
Additionally, the student will be asked to complete a live sketching session, which will further assess their technical abilities.
After the successful completion of the Master’s programme, eligible students can earn the Master of Arts degree, awarded with 180 UK credits (corresponding to 90 ECTS credits). The Master of Arts Courses are accredited by Teesside University, SPD’s Educational Partner. The standard programme (without Advanced Practice) awards a total of 180 UK credits (90 ECTS), while the version with Advanced Practice awards 240 UK credits (120 ECTS).
The 15-week Advanced Practice module is a unique opportunity to experience a first taste of the professional or academic life ahead of you and to test the knowledge and skills acquired in your studies.
During this semester, you have the option to choose from three opportunities:
- a professional experience in a real workplace environment (internship);
- an in-depth exploration of a particularly significant study topic through a research project within the school, in collaboration with a company (project work);
- an experience of personal and cultural growth through a period of study in a different institution (study abroad period).
The Major Project is the final individual research project that will allow you to investigate a specific topic at a high level, within a proposed research framework or project brief.
This project not only represents the culmination of your education but also marks the beginning of your professional career.
With the Major Project you will, indeed, have the opportunity to gain genuine project experience at the professional level, and when the project involves collaboration with companies, your ideas, if deemed of particular interest, may become the subject of further development that will make your resume competitive in the relevant industry.
After completion of the MA in Transportation and Car Design with Advanced Practice at SPD, you are ready to embark on a career in various fields, including:
- Design Centres in the automotive and transportation field
- Design consultancy and design firms in the field of transportation design
- Various roles in the automotive manufacturing business (design, Color & Trim, 3D virtual and physical modeling, , Aero-designer, envisioning)
- Design studios in Mobility-as-a-Service design
- HMI, user Experience (UX) and Interaction Design for Vehicles
- Public Transport Systems Design
- Automotive Branding and Marketing Design
| YEAR | SUBJECTS | UK CREDITS |
|---|---|---|
| First Year |
Concept Design The module follows a streamlined creative process divided into research and analysis, creative development, and execution by visualisation tools.
|
20 |
|
Automotive, Architecture Learn how to transform engineering constraints into design opportunities in a complete vehicle design project.
|
40 | |
|
Style - weeks 1-5 Analyze the fundamental elements of automotive design language and develop a personal design style that showcase your individual design style while maintaining brand consistency.
|
20 | |
|
Design - weeks 6-15 Encompass the entire vehicle design process, from research and analysis to concept ideation, visualization, prototyping, and testing, developing a personal ability to creatively and innovatively shape the future of mobility.
|
40 | |
| Second Year |
Advanced Practice Experience either a vocational internship with external institutions and companies, an internal research internship, or a period of study abroad.
|
60 |
|
Major Project Develop your own design research under the guidance of the Course Leader.
|
60 |
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Course highlights
