Design and Technology Future (D&TF) is built on the notion that a deep understanding of modern technology, an appreciation of cultural diversity, and a creative mind-set are the main driving forces of any successful innovation. It is a transdisciplinary programme merging the competencies and skills of technology and design.
Table of Contents
Key Features
Study Programme
Degree: Master of Science in Engineering (MSc)
Duration: 2 years
Faculty: School of Engineering
Study Load: 120 ECTS (view curriculum)
Mode of Study: Full-time study
Study Information
Language: English (view English language requirements)
Tuition Fee: non-EU: 3300 EUR/year, free for EU students
Tuition Fee Waivers: Available for best candidates
Scholarships: Different options available
Admission: Admission for 2020/2021
Admissions
Students for TalTech international study programmes are admitted based on the admission threshold. The maximum score for all examination parts is 10 points. An applicant who receives the minimum of 5 points is admitted.
Programme Specific Requirements
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in technology, design or innovation field.
In order to qualify for the studies in Tallinn University of Technology an applicant has to have at least 60% of the highest possible CGPA.
Motivation letter should give an overview of candidate's background and define clearly why he/she wishes to study in D&TF master’s programme. Please discuss the following themes:
- Present how your previous studies, activities and experience are relevant for studying design driven innovation. You can illustrate your statements with the outcomes from your personal design, engineering or innovative activities done before or reflect on the problem you have presented visually in your portfolio.
- Discuss and present your personal understanding about the possibilities and dangers hidden in the development of technology and design. Illustrate your thoughts with one currently topical case.
- Include an analysis of your strengths when contributing to multicultural and cross-disciplinary team projects and vision about your future plans in the field.
NB! It is important to properly cite and reference any sources used in your motivation letter (quotations, publications, ideas etc. that are not your own). Neglecting the rules of referencing and citation is considered plagiarism and will result in the disqualification of your application.
Motivation letter is graded with maximum of 3 points. Threshold is 1.5 points.
A portfolio should give an overview of the applicant's professional capabilities and include the best examples of his/her innovative developments, designs and other creative work.
The portfolio could include development sketches, engineering designs, photos of the models or finished products or other developments related to modern technology as user interfaces, apps, service design projects, marketing activities etc. We do not expect you to master classical painting or drawing skills but want to get an insight to your creativity and critical thinking and get an overview what are your means to participate in innovative activities.
As an option, you can also create for your portfolio a visual analysis of one contemporary complex problem where you feel that design or innovative intervention could play a role in looking for solutions. Present visually the complexity, bring out different perspectives to and elements of the problem, show the relations and interests in-between.
We will evaluate the quality of the work submitted and the portfolio as a whole. Some of the presented projects will be also discussed in an interview.
Portfolio is graded with maximum of 3 points. Threshold is 1.5 points.
An applicant must be attentive, have analytical skills and be interested in the profession and the world in all its diversity. We evaluate the skill to substantiate the choice of the speciality and to connect it with your professional career, your motivation and ability to discuss the trends and issues in the field. We evaluate communication skills, creativity and critical thinking, motivation to pass the selected study programme and to continue with the professional career, the ability to collaborate and to contribute to multicultural and multidisciplinary teamwork (creativity, critical thinking, communication, collaboration).
Duration of the interview is 20-30 minutes.
Interview is graded with maximum of 4 points. Threshold is 2 points.
Overview
Design and Technology Futures is combining education and innovation into an enabling platform which at one hand collaborates with industry and government partners to search new ways out from the modern complex challenges and on the other hand, engages students with new and unique experiences out of their comfort zones in order to create innovation and new thinking. To find out what the future might be.
The challenges in the program are presented in an open format, encouraging students’ personal creative development and self-expression.
Keep eye on their projects, events, and news at www.design-engineering.eu
Why this programme?
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The programme offers an opportunity to acquire integrated practical and theoretical knowledge in design-driven innovation with an ability to spark, lead and perform future-oriented tech-intensive product, and service concept development;
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Exiting cooperation projects with industry, government partners or society looking for new opportunities for technology development into promising product-service systems;
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Teaching staff with high theoretical and practical experience.
CURRICULUM OUTLINE (120 ECTS)
- General studies - cover cultural theory and visual literacy that helps to understand inter-relationship of culture, science, technology and economic development.
- Core studies - include courses about design (human-centred design, corporate entrepreneurship and design), engineering (production digitalisation, concurrent product development), entrepreneurship (entrepreneurship and business planning), etc.
- Special studies - students learn about service systems design tools, methods and practices that are tested and polished in action during real development projects.
- Free choice courses - students can choose from a wide variety of courses offered at the university.
- Graduation thesis - a research project that will define problems and offer a set of innovative methods and scientific principles to solve them.
Future Career
Entrepreneurs, innovation leaders, product and service developers and managers who are able to work in a wide scope of creative integrated development teams and run design-driven innovation projects integrating together the technological possibilities provided by industry with opportunities found on the market and in the society.
What students say
Tinatin Dzirkvadze
Georgia - Alumna - Interior Designer/Owner, Tinatin
Design and Technology futures is a truly interesting but also challenging course. As it's a joint programme of Taltech and Estonian Academy of Arts, you will get to study and work with lecturers from both engineering and design faculties. As a designer, I really value that this programme helped me to understand engineers better and gave me a more profound understanding of technologies, especially through the many group works and projects we had to do, which created a lot of synergy. I was also given the opportunity to study as an exchange student at TalTech's partner university in Barcelona, which broadened my experiences even more.
Aigar Tälli
Estonia - Alumna - product development engineer
For me, this programme was a real eye-opener regarding various topics from user-centred design, product branding, user interfaces to innovation management processes and many more. All of these which are necessary for a person who wants to call himself a designer engineer - a multidisciplinary approacher with innovative ideas. All of the courses are led by professionals in their field with real-life experiences and are an absolute pleasure to hear and discuss with. Students with various backgrounds bring different ideas and perspectives to all of the works and discussions. I would recommend this programme to people who are fond of product and service development, are open-minded and would like to experience a world where design and engineering work together for creating a better tomorrow.
Tea Tüür
Estonia - alumna - Design Thinker, Satellite Applications Catapult
Design and Engineering is a truly unique study programme in Estonia, transmitting skills and knowledge that are relevant and sought-after in many modern international companies. It opened up my worldview, enabled me to gain international contacts and cross-disciplinary teamwork experience. I loved the topicality and diversity of the projects we could work on – no semester was alike. I was uncertain about my career path when I started the programme. The most important thing I gained from D&E is the discovery of what I’m good or not-so-good at and what are the things in life I really care about. In addition to learning to analyse the cultural, social and economic changes in society, every student received feedback and support to assess their personal development. I would definitely recommend D&E to a wide variety of people – whether at the start of their career or well-established; passionate about tech, design, business, psychology or all four. You are guaranteed to get a new perspective on things, learn a lot and meet a bunch of great people along the way!
Sofia Vega
Mexico - alumna - Strategic designer, Velvet Design Agency
The best skill that came out through this program is ‘Reframing, reframing and reframing’, which is changing the way we look at a situation or a problem. I have also learned about new technologies which opened my eyes for more possibilities. From the design perspective, I expanded on my already existing knowledge and got a more unobstructed view of how design can have a systemic impact and strategic value.
Arnav Khan
India - alumna - Project manager, Ericsson
Design thinking has been a game-changer in developing a holistic line of thought in me & the clarity with which I approach problems & define trajectories in coming up with a feasible and viable outcome. Also, empathy has helped me a lot in profoundly understanding the perspectives of various natures. I see it as a critical tool when dealing with stakeholders, colleagues or building up a case ground-up.
Rainer Lepik
Estonia - alumna - Product Manager, COMODULE
When I look back on the school years then probably one of the most useful skills I acquired was design anthropology. In my mind this has become the basis of creating products - to create products you have to keep your eyes open, observe, ask the right questions that will lead you to a problem that is worth solving.
Manan Anwar
Pakistan - alumna - Developer engineer, Stoneridge, Inc.
The best result of this degree is how to learn about collaborating across multidisciplinary and multicultural teams. In addition you don’t just learn how to think like a designer but you also learn how to communicate effectively. I can feel the difference from the day I came here to when I gave my final thesis presentation and it made me realise how much I have grown in that time.
Denizay Apusoglu
Turkey - alumna - Multidisciplinary designer
Design studios were great learning experiences for interdisciplinary collaborations where designers, engineers and industry partners worked together to find forward-thinking solutions. Being involved in the whole process of design, from problem framing to solution, enabled me to combine my skills and learn the importance of versatility.
Martti Rosenblatt
Estonia - alumna - Agile coach, Ericsson
The more we create, the more complex our world becomes. Novel ideas are needed to sustain our progress, and Design & Technology Futures offered me an opportunity to learn how to steer this complexity in the wanted or needed direction. This unique program has accelerated and amplified my growth to dance with the ever-increasing complex world in a meaningful way.
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Prof. Martin Pärn
martin.parn@taltech.ee
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