Master's Programme in Transportation Design

Admitted to the programme

Here you will find everything you need to know before the programme starts.

While studying

The Master's programme in Transportation Design is unique in broadly covering mobility and its relation to the transport industry worldwide. The programme is based on the Scandinavian design tradition, which emphasises the understanding of the users' needs as a key towards designing successful products.

Applied design courses

Students get to develop their work with conceptual ideas, and gain genuine knowledge of work development in the automotive industry, as well as a good comprehension of the use of modern methods and aids in transportation design. During your studies you develop specific knowledge in areas like presentation techniques, strategic design, visual storytelling, physical and digital development. The backbone of the programme is devoted to project work in collaboration with external partners like company design departments or research institutions. During such projects, students receive constant feedback from experienced industrial designers working in the industry.

Collaborative degree projects

The fourth and final term is devoted entirely to the examination project. You will carry out your exam project in cooperation with a corporate sponsor or other external partner. It is important that the project is seen as a collaboration and not a commission. You are expected to define a problem area, establish contact with an external partner and write a project brief that includes aims, method description and anticipated deliverables.

Internships

Internships allow further development of professional skills and the expansion of one's own business networks in preparation for a future career in transportation design. Over the years, our students have been taking advantage of the school's broad network of industry connections, engaging in voluntary internships during the summer months between the first and second year in the programme, or by applying for a full gap year sometime before the final thesis project. The school encourages a period of practice in connection to the master's education and for this reason an elective third term internship is also a formal possibility in the programme syllabus.

Industry-like design studios

All programmes reside in industry-like design studios, where each student has an individual workspace. The shared spaces - workshops, computer labs, painting rooms, libraries - build innovative learning environments defined by a collaborative spirit.

24/7 access to facilities

Whether it's a weekend, day or night, all students have access to the school premises. Key equipment within the facilities include 3D-printers, laser cutters, milling machines, painting rooms and much more. The cutting-edge digital infrastructure with multiple computer labs and studios allow students to master 3D-modelling, digital sketching, electronic prototyping and programming.

Career opportunities

Many previous graduates are today employed in major global corporations like Volvo, Tesla, Scania, Geely, Toyota, BMW, Audi, Volkswagen, Bentley, Kia Motors as well as design consultancies like Semcon, Kiska and Cliff Design.

During your education you have the opportunity to enrol in industry placements (internships) which will help you develop your professional skills as well as your own network in preparation for a career in design.

Depending on your performance and professional experience upon completion of the studies, you may join such companies as junior, senior or freelance designer.

Further studies?

An MFA degree from Umeå Institute of Design will provide the basic academic merits required to apply for PhD positions worldwide.

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