Master of Design (Intelligent Systems Design) (ISD)
Hung Hom, Hong Kong
DURATION
1 up to 3 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
Request earliest startdate
TUITION FEES
HKD 223,200 / per course
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Key Summary
Introduction
The Master of Design (Intelligent Systems Design) (ISD) is an emerging specialism with interdisciplinarity at its core. It is based on the integration of intelligent technologies, system theories, and innovative design approaches, bringing together professional knowledge in the areas of design and STEM. To achieve transformative industrial innovation, ISD aims at bolstering the most cutting-edge and competitive industries, enabled by advanced technologies and processes, such as AI, Industry 4.0, robotics, and AIoT (AI+IoT), through systemic design innovations.
Aims
A combination of theory, planning strategies, research, and technical skills provide the foundation for studios that explore emerging aspects of user experience (UX) and interaction design, based on human needs and pleasures as well as technological development.
The aims of this specialism are:
- To nurture the creativity and design ability of the students by enabling them to embrace intelligent also systemic approaches;
- To develop students' awareness of the present and emerging technologies in the innovation industry and advanced manufacturing (e.g. industry 4.0) environment; and
- To promote an understanding of supporting marketing and business practices.
- To enhance the awareness of the impact of designed objects on human, social, environmental, and global domains through developing more responsible, transparent, and ethical design processes.
Objectives
The Master of Design (Intelligent Systems Design) (ISD) is directed at students who have a passion for people and technology, are curious about the future, and are willing to shape it through design. In principle, ISD is open to all the talents who can innovate masterfully within this broad spectrum, who have a perspective, who will search out where the wicked challenges are, and who are willing to be the future agents of change.
ISD students take advantage of the legacy education and culture from its predecessor, MDes (Interaction Design), and of the specifically tailored technological learning environments supporting non-STEM background students. Those with a Bachelor's degree in design (interaction, user experience (UX), graphic communication, product or industrial), STEM, communication, or even psychology and anthropology may find ISD to be the next step in their professional development.
Gallery
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
Fellowships for Local Students
This specialism under Master of Design is an eligible program of the Targeted Taught Postgraduate Programmes Fellowships Scheme (the Fellowship Scheme) in the 2024/25 academic year. MDes Scheme has been allocated 26 fellowship places. Each fellowship subsidizes HK$120,000 of the program tuition. Details about the Fellowship Scheme are available on the University Grants Committee (UGC) website. For information on eligibility, assessment criteria, and application procedure, visit PolyU eProspectus. Local applicants are expected to be informed of their MDes admission and Fellowship application results simultaneously.
PolyU reserves the right to change or withdraw the fellowships/ scholarships at any time. In case of any dispute/ disagreement, PolyU’s decision is final.
Financial Aid
Extended Non-means-tested Loan Scheme (ENLS), administered by the Student Finance Office (SFO) of the HK Government, offers interest-bearing loans to eligible residents (who have the right of abode in Hong Kong or have resided or have had their homes in Hong Kong continuously for three complete years before the commencement of the program) to settle tuition fees. For details of the scheme, eligibility, and application, please refer to SFO's official website.
Curriculum
The ISD comprises a series of intensively taught subjects that directly support the ISD Studios and Lab Studies specialism subjects.
- The ISD Studios subjects take various forms, from individual work to teamwork, and from self-initiated to externally sponsored projects.
- The Lab Studies subjects provide a unique platform for students to gain exposure to real-world research projects; to familiarise themselves with lab equipment (which is normally more research-oriented, technologically advanced and hands-on than classroom teaching materials); and to work with established and experienced researchers in the field.
In addition, a range of elective subjects is available to enable students to tailor their learning experience based on their individual interests. Students are expected to be fully committed to their studies and to work well in a studio environment.
The specialism concludes with an Industry Research Project that unites research, industry collaboration, social investigation, creative exploration, user understanding and prototype testing to provide solutions to the chosen project.
To receive the award of Master of Design, students must successfully attain a total of 36 credits from the following subject categories: Compulsory Common subjects for 6 credits, Compulsory Specialism subjects for 15 credits, Elective subjects for 15 credits (12 credits from Elective Pool A and 3 credits from Elective Pool B).
Compulsory Common subjects (6 credits)
- SD5008 Research and Analysis for Design (3)
- SD5009 Research and Academic Writing (3)
Compulsory Specialism subjects (15 credits)
Specialism Major subjects
- SD5513 Theories in Interaction Design (3) or
- SD5514 Advanced Visualisation and Interaction (3)
Lab Studies subjects
- SD5532 Lab Studies in Intelligent Systems Construction (3)
Specialism Studio / Project subjects
- SD5538 ISD Specialism Studio (3)
- SD5539 ISD Capstone Research Project (6)
Elective subjects
Elective Pool A (12 credits)
Foundation subjects
- SD5114^Design Methods (Advanced) (3)
- SD5115 Design Project Management (3)
- SD5116 Design for Transformation (3)
- SD5511 UX Design Fundamentals (3)
- SD5512 Prototyping and Scripting (3)
- SD5411 Designing Services (3)
- SD5711 Design for the Biosphere (3)
- SD5712 Design for Change (3)
- SD5713 Design Systems Thinking (3)
Specialism Major subjects
- SD5117^Innovate with Lifestyle and Culture (3)
- SD5513 Theories in Interaction Design (3)
- SD5514#Advanced Visualisation and Interaction (3)
- SD5412 Advanced Service Design Methods and Tools (3)
- SD5413 Socio-Technical Service Ecosystem (3)
- SD5414 Systemic Innovation and Designing Future Services (3)
- SD5716 Regenerative Ecosystems Design (3)
- SD5717 Territories, Societies, and Spatial Complexes (3)
Elective Pool B (3 credits)
Interdisciplinary Studio / Project subjects
- SD5131^Interdisciplinary Project (3)
- SD5431 Interdisciplinary Studio (3)
- SD5731 Regenerative Environments Design (3)
Lab Studies subjects
- SD5132 Lab Studies in Human Cyber-Physical Systems (3)
- SD5531 Lab Studies in Systems Design (3)
- SD5532# Lab Studies in Intelligent Systems Construction (3)
- SD5432 Lab Studies in Data-Driven Service Design (3)
- SD5732 Lab Studies in Applied Technologies for Territorial Design (3)
Remarks:
# denotes subject containing pre-requisite requirement.
^ denotes subject containing co-requisite requirement.
Program Tuition Fee
Faculty
Program delivery
Full-time and part-time students follow the same timetable and attend classes together. Classes are normally held during the day on weekdays.
For full-time students, the normal duration of the programme is 1 year; for part-time students, it is 3 years. One academic year contains three semesters (including the Summer Term). A full-time study load is 36 credits in a year, and a part-time study load is 6–9 credits in a compulsory semester (Semesters 1 and 2).