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This is an archived copy of the 2019-2020 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://calendar.carleton.ca.

School of Industrial Design
Mackenzie Bldg. 3470
613-520-5672
http://id.carleton.ca

This section presents the requirements for programs in:

Program Requirements

Master of Design (5.0 credits)

The Master of Design program requires the successful completion of 5.0 credits with at least 4.5 credits taken at the 5000 level or higher. A minimum of 1.0 of the required 1.5 elective credits should be selected from outside the M.Des. program and 0.5 elective credits may be taken as a Directed Study.  All electives should be chosen in consultation with the Graduate Program Coordinator and exceptions can be made only subject to approval. The program may be completed over two years.

Requirements:
Year 12.5
Fall Term
IDES 5101 [0.5]
Interdisciplinary Design Development Seminar
IDES 5102 [0.5]
Design Research Methods
Winter Term
IDES 5103 [0.5]
Interdisciplinary Design Development Studio
1.0 credits in elective courses
Year 22.5
Fall Term
0.5 credit in elective course
Winter Term
IDES 5909 [2.0]
Thesis
Total Credits5.0

Industrial Design (IDES) Courses

IDES 5000 [0.5 credit]
Directed Studies in Industrial Design

Reading and research tutorials.
Includes: Experiential Learning Activity

IDES 5101 [0.5 credit]
Interdisciplinary Design Development Seminar

Investigation of interdisciplinary design discourse about disciplines, themes, and concepts involved in design development. Examines a range of different professional perspectives and methods for integrating collaborative practices affected by leadership, negotiation, conflict management, and team building. Introduction to graduate academic writing.
Includes: Experiential Learning Activity

IDES 5102 [0.5 credit]
Design Research Methods

Critical review of qualitative and quantitative research methods to support interdisciplinary design. Methods used by collaborators from the sciences and humanities as well as methods designers bring to interdisciplinary collaborations are introduced. Research for design, research through design and theoretical frameworks are discussed.
Includes: Experiential Learning Activity
Also listed as HCIN 5404.

IDES 5103 [0.5 credit]
Interdisciplinary Design Development Studio

Team-based studio projects draw on interdisciplinary design development methods in achieving a common design objective. Projects will be supervised by academic and industry advisors from a wide range of disciplines, and conducted in collaboration with professionals from external organizations. Open to students from other programs.
Includes: Experiential Learning Activity
Prerequisite(s): IDES 5101 and IDES 5102 or permission of the School of Industrial Design.

IDES 5104 [0.5 credit]
Accessibility and Inclusive Design Seminar

Provides foundational knowledge, exploring interdisciplinary approaches for incorporating accessible, inclusive, and human-centered design principles into the research, design, and development of products, information, and environments that can be used by all people, regardless of ability.
Includes: Experiential Learning Activity

IDES 5500 [0.5 credit]
Special Topics in Industrial Design

Seminar course in contemporary design issues of an interdisciplinary nature. Guided by a faculty member and supported by external professionals.
Includes: Experiential Learning Activity

IDES 5909 [2.0 credits]
Thesis

A comprehensive project that demonstrates the student's ability to conduct critical research in a specific area in which design can contribute to competitive advantage through design planning and interdisciplinary design development processes.
Includes: Experiential Learning Activity
Prerequisite(s): IDES 5101, IDES 5102, and IDES 5103.

Summer session: some of the courses listed in this Calendar are offered during the summer. Hours and scheduling for summer session courses will differ significantly from those reported in the fall/winter Calendar. To determine the scheduling and hours for summer session classes, consult the class schedule at central.carleton.ca

Not all courses listed are offered in a given year. For an up-to-date statement of course offerings for the current session and to determine the term of offering, consult the class schedule at central.carleton.ca

Regulations

See the General Regulations section of this Calendar.

Industrial Design does not permit the C+ option as stipulated in Section 11.2 of the General Regulations.

Admission

The University's general requirements for admission are outlined in Section 2.1 of the General Regulations in the Graduate Calendar.

Applicants must have successfully completed a bachelor's degree in a design discipline, or the equivalent, with B- or higher overall.

Applicants with a design-related background, but not a degree in design, will be required to demonstrate significant links between their academic background and professional experience in the design development process.

In addition to these academic credentials, applicants must submit the following materials to the School of Industrial Design:

  • Application Form
  • Statement of Intent (One page)

The quality of the statement of intent is critical to the likelihood of an applicant's admission. The writing should be succinct and as carefully considered as the content of the statement, which should address at least the four following areas:

  • What is the area of intended research with specific reference to the program courses and the expertise of the faculty members
  • How the applicant's academic background and professional experience relates to the program with reference to any previous research, scholarship, or project experience with interdisciplinary or collaborative teams
  • How the intended research program will align with the objectives of the program relating to: design research, interdisciplinary design development, strategic design planning, knowledge creation and dissemination
  • An explanation of the specific reasons for choosing the School of Industrial Design at Carleton University
Portfolio

The portfolio should provide the best examples of creative intellectual activity and recent professional work that indicates the applicant is sufficiently prepared to pursue studies in the program. These activities may be represented by proposals, reports, and/or analysis documents. Emphasis should be placed on evidence of understanding the communication of design ideas in visual form.

The presentation of the portfolio should be professional and facilitate the review process of the content, and should be submitted in prescribed format.

Two Letters of Recommendation

Applicants must provide two (2) confidential letters of reference appended to prescribed recommendation forms.

Language Proficiency

Proficiency in English is necessary to pursue graduate studies at Carleton University. All applicants are required to meet the requirements set out in Section 3.6 of the General Regulations of this Calendar.

Qualifying Year Program

Candidates with admission deficiencies would be required to successfully complete additional prescribed courses to qualify for admission. Applicants without a degree in design may be required to register for up to 2.0 credits of courses selected from the undergraduate Bachelor of Industrial Design program, in consultation with the Graduate Program Coordinator.

All courses must be approved by the Graduate Program Coordinator of the School in consultation with the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research. (See General Regulations Section 2.3, “Completion of the Qualifying Year”, for more details.) Completion of the Qualifying Year is not a guarantee of admission to the Master of Design. Re-application to the M.Des. program is required.

Accelerated Pathway

The accelerated pathway in Industrial Design is a flexible and individualized plan of graduate study for students in the final year of the Bachelor of Industrial Design.

Students in their third-year of study in the Bachelor of Industrial Design should consult with both the Director and the Graduate Program Coordinator to determine if the accelerated pathway is appropriate for them and to confirm their selection of courses.

Accelerated Pathway Requirements

  1. A maximum of 1.0 credits with 5000-level courses.
  2. Minimal overall CGPA of B+

Students may receive advanced standing with transfer of credit of up to 1.0 credit which can reduce their time to completion.