Master of Design

Knowledge: Knowledge is the understanding of theories, facts, concepts, principles and procedures within subjects, subject areas and/or occupations.

• The students are expected to be capable of establishing an independent area of application, contribute original angles of perception and solutions, and practise the discipline at a high international level.
• The students are expected to know the subject’s unique history and place in society and be capable of reflecting on the subject’s cultural and technological preconditions today and looking forward.
• The students have knowledge and experience of research and development work.
• The student have the ability to reflect on their own work and transcend their own frame of reference.
• The students take responsibility for their own development and are capable of using their knowledge and skills in new fields.

Skills: The ability to use knowledge to solve problems and complete tasks. There are different types of skills – cognitive, practical, creative and communicative.

• The students are capable of developing concepts and solutions through design-related surveys, ideation, cooperation and carrying out projects.
• The students are capable of developing, adapting and communicating about aesthetic design choices.
• The students master the subject’s methods, tools and forms of expression and are capable of using them in creative processes in a targeted, professional and experimental manner.
• The students are capable of communicating values and concepts and facilitating dialogue and interdisciplinary processes by applying a broad range of design methods and tools.
• The students are capable of reflecting on and positioning their own contribution to the field in relation to ethical issues that arise when practising design. 
• The students are expected to be capable of taking on different professional roles and demonstrate good cooperation skills when cooperating with other professional groups.

General competence: General competence is to be capable of applying knowledge and skills in an independent manner in different situations by demonstrating cooperation skills, responsibility, and the ability to reflect and take a critical approach in education and professional contexts.

• Designers educated at AHO should be able to adopt a holistic approach to both problem-solving and identifying new windows of opportunity.
• With a focus on people and an empathic approach, designers educated at AHO should be capable of working with a wide range of different users, stakeholders and systems.
• Designers educated at AHO are familiar with methods for and an approach to complexity and systemic challenges in society, industry and culture.
• Designers educated at AHO are expected to be capable of taking responsibility for the consequences of their practice and projects and taking into consideration different users and technologies, as well as ecology, nature and long-term sustainability.