Integrated Product Design

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Integrated Product Design (IPD) is a systematic approach to product development. In the IPD Masters Programme, you will learn to adapt the design process to the demands of specific design problems and design contexts, focusing in particular on the design of innovative products and product-service combinations for consumers and professional users.

A total approach to product design
You will learn how to perform design activities using modern methods and advanced design technologies, and how to plan, execute and manage complex product development processes in multidisciplinary teams and distributed environments. Focusing on the knowledge- and method-intensive phases of concept and embodiment design, you will master product creation from the level of a design brief to that of a completed, materialised and validated product or product prototype. In this context design and applied research & development converge in one rigorous scientific framework.

In IPD you will master the total integrated workflow that is visible in the research & development/design & development departments of large companies as well as small and medium sized companies/free-lance design offices where Industrial Design Engineers are employed.

What you will learn
The IPD programme offers a balanced mix of theory and practice, intimately linking applied scientific research to the design process. In the context of the courses Advanced Concept Design and Advanced Embodiment Design you will acquire specialised knowledge and competencies in fields such as applied ergonomics, product communication and presentation, aesthetic product impact, technical concept materialisation, advanced design enablers, smart systems & technologies and sustainable design, and learn to integrate these in real-life projects executed with partner companies. Strategic and business aspects will have a focus in the 3rd semester courses Managing Product Innovation and Strategic Sustainable Design. In the Joint Master Project you will have the opportunity to apply this knowledge to solve realistic, complex design problems, spanning the entire design process.

There are several opportunities to incorporate your personal profile in the programme, by choosing electives or by choosing one of the specialisations; Medisign, Advanced Automotive Design or Retail Design.

The IPD programme turns out "complete" industrial designers, capable of handling all aspects of industrial design. Hence, the curriculum covers the full spectrum of design processes, from the first steps of the company related analysis, through the conceptual stage, and on to prototyping. Aesthetics, ergonomics and engineering are key concepts. The programme provides opportunities for specialisation with a range of elective courses.

First year
The fall semester focuses on the first part of the product development process: the conceptualisation phase. This phase starts from a product idea and ends with a product concept in which the sense of usability, aesthetical quality, technical working principles and materialisation, and its societal impact will be elaborated. Virtual and physical simulation techniques will be used to evaluate in between concepts, ending with a realistic virtual presentation of the product concept. Specialised, theoretical knowledge will be acquired, and have an integrated application in a real-life project, the Concept Design Project, providing practical experience as well.

The spring semester focuses on the embodiment design phase of the product creation process, which starts from a program of requirements and working principles, and ends with a validated prototype. The seamless integration of several domains of expertise, such as theory of embodiment design, ergonomics, product aesthetics and experience, smart systems and technologies, technical concept materialisation, sustainable design engineering and advanced design enablers, is required within this phase. Specialised theoretical knowledge must be applied in a nonlinear, real-life project, the Embodiment Design Project.

Second year
During the second year you will do two major design projects:

* In the Joint Master Project you will work together with students from the other two MSc programmes: Design for Interaction and Strategic Product Design.
* The design assignment, in collaboration with a real company, covers the entire development process: from developing a concept to devising a plan for implementation and market introduction.

The final semester is completely devoted to the completion of your Graduation Project, which already starts in the 3rd semester, concluded with the presentation and defence of your final thesis.

What is required to be considered for admission to an MSc programme? Please note: if you do not meet all the formal requirements, it is no use applying.1)A. A good university Bachelor's degree in a main subject closely related to the MSc programme to which you are applying, with good grades on the key courses.orB. A proof that you have nearly completed a Bachelor's programme in a main subject which is closely related to the MSc programme to which you are applying, with good grades on the key courses.Exceptions: Management of Technology, Engineering and Policy Analysis and Science Education & Communication, to which all students holding any Bachelors of technology or science / engineering degree may be admitted.2)A Bachelor's Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of at least 75% of the scale maximum, unless specific requirements are defined for the country in which you obtained your Bachelors degree: * Countries A - H * Countries I - P * Countries Q - ZPlease note: if you have not graduated yet your CGPA must meet the requirements at the time of application.3)Proof of English language proficiencyOnly nationals from the USA, U.K., Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and Canada are exempt from the proof of English language proficiency requirement. Applicants who obtained a bachelors degree in one of the mentioned countries, are also exempt from the proof of English language proficiency requirement.Certificates older than two years are not accepted. As the whole process of collecting information, registering for the tests and receiving the test results may take several months, we advise you to register for the IELTS or TOEFL several months before starting your application.It is allowed to send us a copy of your test results, please check the application documents for detailed information. * For EU/EFTA nationals, the English language certificate may be submitted until 1 July provided that all other required hard copy documents are received before the application deadline of 1 April. * Nationals of the Peoples Republic of China only: for visa purposes you need a Nuffic certificate as proof of your English language proficiency. In order to obtain the Nuffic certificate you will need to take the IELTS or TOEFL internet-based test.4)A clear and relevant essay in English (1,000 - 2,000 words) addressing the following:Your motivation for taking the MSc programme of your choice. * Your motivation for taking the MSc programme of your choice. * Why you wish to pursue this programme abroad and/or in the Netherlands in particular. * Why you are interested in TU Delft and what you expect to find here * If there are optional specialisations in the Masters programme of your choice: which specialisation(s) interest you most, and why? * Describe your hypothetical thesis project; what kind of a projectwould you prefer if you were free to make a choice? Also briefly explain what you would want to explore in your thesis project. Provide a maximum of three hypothetical thesis topics and elaborate on your particular interests in them. * A brief summary (maximum 250 words) of the thesis work or the final assignment (to be) done for your Bachelors programme, including information on the credits earned, grade, and full workload.5)Two reference letters in English, French, German or Dutch: * one from from a professor or an assistant professor from the faculty from which you graduated. * one from your employer, if you already have work experience.If you have not yet graduated or do not have work experience, you need to provide two letters from professors or assistant professors from the faculty at which you are studying.6)An extensive résumé (curriculum vitae) written in English.7)Proof of identity8)Please note:Applicants for Architecture Urbanism & Building Sciences, Design for Interaction, Integrated Product Design and Strategic Product Design are required to upload a digital portfolio. Please note that only uploaded portfolios will be processed. The programme specific portfolio requirements are described on the following pages: * portfolio requirements for Architecture Urbanism & Building Sciences (and its five tracks) * portfolio requirements for Design for Interaction * portfolio requirements for Integrated Product Design * Portfolio requirements for Strategic Product Design English Language Requirements IELTS band: 6.5 CAE score: (read more) Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) is part of the Cambridge English suite and is targeted at a high level (IETLS 6.5-8.0). It is an international English language exam set at the right level for academic and professional success. Developed by Cambridge English Language Assessment - part of the University of Cambridge - it helps you stand out from the crowd as a high achiever. 60 (Grade C) TOEFL iBT® test: 90

Numerous scholarships are awarded to admitted students with exceptional promise and outstanding academic achievement by the university, its faculties, departments and industry partners. Consideration for these scholarships requires students to have been admitted to their MSc Programme. Make sure you submit your application as early as possible to be in time for all the scholarship deadlines. More information: