The Design Faculty sets out to produce postgraduate students who will be leaders in their field through research, enquiry, experimentation and product development at the highest level. NCAD MA studies are exploratory and ground-breaking, addressing both intellectual enquiry and practical realisation, and demonstrating contemporary relevance. The Faculty especially welcomes applicants who wish to interact with industry during their study.
Postgraduate students are expected to be motivated to develop an informed, critical and creative approach to practice through a flexible, individually negotiated programme of study and research with the help and guidance of a supervisory team. Progress is monitored through regular panel reviews.
The Design Faculty staff comprises lecturers who are also designers, artists, craftspeople, critics, historians, studio/workshop technicians, together with part-time and visiting tutors representing a range of expertise.
The final submission for MA through design practice will normally entail a combination of:
1. Preliminary research materials (drawings, photographs, sketchbooks, technical notes and test pieces)
2. Concrete outcomes (proof of concept work, prototypes, completed works)
3. A written text of 5,000 words. This may comprise, for example, a case-study report on work undertaken, an analysis of outcomes, a contextualised statement of intent or a report articulating the process and outcomes of the work.
An important consideration for postgraduate students is the appropriate form for making the outcomes of their work publicly and professionally available. While in the past exhibition has been standard practice, students are increasingly encouraged to consider a range of modes of distribution and communication.