COURSE CURRICULUM

The MA Human-Centred Design at ARU provides students with an in-depth understanding of human-centred design through studio-based activities, industry-led briefs, and interdisciplinary projects. The course emphasizes both technical and digital skills, alongside transferable professional skills such as innovation, risk-taking, independent enquiry, communication, negotiation, team-working, and management. A significant portion of the program is dedicated to a self-directed research project, where students produce an artefact and a business plan, applying their knowledge in a practical context. Research methods and ethics training is integrated throughout, ensuring students can evaluate historical, economic, cultural, environmental, and professional aspects of design in their work. Assessment methods are diverse and reflect contemporary industry demands, including research analysis, experimentation, concept development, portfolio creation, critical reflection, employability skills, and strategies addressing social, environmental, and market-related challenges. Students are also trained in backcasting and forecasting approaches to anticipate and respond to future design needs. Core modules cover critical and contextual studies, design ethics considering human, planetary, and future conditions, grand challenges, systemic and human-focused design practices, and the principles and applications of human-centred design. Overall, the program equips students to create innovative, ethical, and sustainable design solutions that address complex contemporary challenges while preparing them for professional practice in a dynamic, multidisciplinary environment.