Work in progress - a course design for a Master of Design program linked to the electronic and computer engineering graduates

A Master of Design program is normally opened to the bachelor's degree graduates who are practitioners in painting, illustration or craft, as well as an industrial designer. An engineering degree in undergraduate or post-graduate level normally does not offer much design methods to build students' knowledge and skills in industrial design area e.g. Ergonomics. However, a demand on electronic and computer engineering industry is an advanced designer with in-deep engineering background. The author had presented a paper in FIE 2008 to investigate if a student's engineering background is useful in their studying in Master of Design program. The conclusion of the analysis at three Master of Design students' projects was that a student, who has engineering background, has advantage in Industrial Design in electronic and computer engineering area. The existing Master of Design program is ‘by project’. In order to encourage electronic and computer engineering graduates studying in Master of Design program, this paper is to introduce a “bridge” course design for the first year students in Master of Design program before they start their projects. On the other hand, an alternative pathway in the “bridge” courses can enable a Bachelor of Design graduate to entry this technology oriented program.