Course summary

Push your design thinking and design practice beyond existing boundaries, towards interconnected, holistic, and systemic approaches addressing human and planetary challenges, and make a positive contribution to society, health, and planet through ethical and systemic design interventions. In a world with so many changes in so short a time, future design professionals have never played such a central role in responding to ethical, political, social, and ecological concerns - through systems-shifting design approaches to everyday physical and digital life that are agile, digital, context-specific, and connected, and also address the complex issues of security, safety, and trust. Study MA Human-Centred Design at ARU, and develop the theoretical, practical, and leadership skills, understanding and knowledge that are critical to creating dynamic and connected modes of engagement with the everyday physical and digital life; the climate and nature; and business. You’ll gain a broad understanding of people, culture, and context from the perspective of design, and tackle human and planet-related issues in a global context by introducing new forms of process, tools, and methods. You’ll work closely with students from across the Cambridge School of Art, including postgraduate students from Interior Design Innovation and Art, Health, and Wellbeing on an industry-led collaborative project, and deliver public-facing events. As a Human-Centred Design student in Cambridge, you’ll be able to work in a start-up environment and a relaxed culture in which creativity and creative problem solving are valued, building strong relationships and freely exchanging thoughts and ideas. Most importantly, you’ll receive support and guidance from our experienced staff who, as well as running their own studio practice, have worked with companies such as Nokia, Hitachi, Ogilvy, Unilever, Ford, and Dyson. The creative freedom offered by the course results in a variety of degree outputs based on design futuring, ideas and methods for design as an expanded ethical and professional practice, from new product development to new experiences and services, systems, and models. Talks from visiting lecturers and live briefs from industry are built into our course. They focus on areas including human-connected design; design in crisis and emergency; cross-cultural and transnational design; social design and innovation; sustainable production; and circular economy. We'll encourage you to build your profile by entering national and international competitions, as well as taking part in our own competitions such as the Sustainability Art Prize. You'll have the chance to develop a business plan, and you can get involved in our research conferences and creative events. Our MA Human Centred Design will help you achieve a career within the public, private, and third sector in roles such as: Human-Systems Designer; Ethical Researcher and Interventionist; New Product Designer; Innovation Designer; UX/UI Designer/Researcher; Human Behaviour Strategist; Human-Service Designer; Experiential Designer; Human-Machine Designer; Usability Specialist; Policy Designer; Mobility and Environments Designer. All of our modules integrate professional practice, and you’ll be introduced to different aspects of the design industry by the teaching team and external guests. This will help you develop an appreciation and awareness of the changing role of designers, and the increasing responsibilities within possible career paths. Your awareness of current practices and responsibilities will develop at an early stage of your studies, particularly in the Design Ethics and Design Practices modules.