Master of Arts in Design

Overview

MASTERS OF ARTS IN DESIGN

The world is faced with complex challenges such as climate change, loss of biodiversity, natural resource depletion and widening inequality. The African continent is particularly affected by these global challenges due to the continent’s slow pace of development. In Kenya, development challenges are a major concern for the government. Through its vision 2030, the Kenyan government aims to transform Kenya into a newly industrializing, middle-income country providing a high quality of life to all its citizens by 2030 in a clean and secure environment. To help achieve Kenya’s vision, and Africa’s vision for enriching livelihoods in general, designers need to explore new approaches to problem solving. The Master of Arts in Design engages with these kinds of interconnected problems by equipping students with skills to envision a better future for all. The programme has five areas of specialization: Graphic, Textile and Fashion, Interior, Product design and Design Appreciation.

PHILOSOPHY OF THE PROGRAMME

The philosophy of the Masters of Arts in Design programme is to prepare candidates to achieve world class scholarly excellence in design by providing quality research skills and training that embody the aspirations of the Kenyan people and the global community through creation, preservation, integration, transmission and utilization of design knowledge.

RATIONALE OF THE PROGRAMME

The Master of Arts in Design program rationale arises from the need to have an industry-focused programme that prepares design professionals to participate in design process in communities and organizations as well as to be a premier center for design exellence through quality design research and technological innovation.

GOAL OF THE PROGRAMME

The goal of the programme is to prepare:

A competent design professional who can consider and integrate technological and social innovations to solve complex challenges.
A design researcher who is responsive to global trends of environmental sustainability, economic viability and social responsibility.
A design entrepreneur who can create product solutions that have both local and global appeal.

EXPECTED OUTCOMES

At the end of this programme the learner should be able to:

Analyse theoretical knowledge and integrate creativity and technical skills to solve complex design challenges.
Demonstrate competency in skills in scientific writing, logical reasoning and communication skills.
Engage stakeholders in collaborative design activities that are geared towards social change.

Apply through Application Portal

Contact us for Support:

Phone: (254) 020-4913505
Email: stad@uonbi.ac.ke

Structure

The Master of Art in Design degree is offered under one modules; full time (Module II). The degree programme, is a two year programme that runs for a minimum of four (4) semesters and a maximum of twelve (12) semesters from the date of registration.
To qualify for the award of the Master of Arts in Design, a candidate must take and pass all the 12 course units offered.
The candidate shall be required to attend at least 2/3 of lectures and write a research thesis.
The course breakdown is as follows:

YEAR 1
FIRTS SEMESTER (Compulsory Theory)
UNIT CODE	UNIT NAME	SEMESTER HRS	EXAM HRS
BDS 501	Research Methodology	45	1x2 hours
BDS 503	Design Management	45	1x2 hours
BDS 505	History of Design	45	1x2 hours
BDS 507	East African Design	90	Portfolio
BDS 509	Computer Aided Design	90	Portfolio
BDS 511	Design Materials & Process	90	Portfolio
Total		405
Graphics Design Option
BDS 502	Advertising Design	90	Portfolio
BDS 504	Advertising	90	Portfolio
BDS 506	Corporate Identity Design	90	Portfolio
BDS508	Publication Design	90	Portfolio
BDS 542	Design Practice	90	Portfolio
Total		450		Portfolio
Fashion and Textile Design Option					Portfolio
BDS 510	Printed Textile Design	90	Portfolio
BDS 512	Woven Textiles Design	90	Portfolio
BDS 514	Fashion Design	90	Portfolio
BDS 516	Fabric Craft and Design	90	Portfolio
BDS 542	Design Practice	90	Portfolio
Total		450
Interior Design Option
BDS 518	Principles of Landscape Design	90	Portfolio
BDS 520	Interior Space Design	90	Portfolio
BDS 522	Exhibition and Display Design	90	Portfolio
BDS 524	Furnishing Design	90	Portfolio
BDS 542	Design Practice	90	Portfolio
Total		450
Product Design Option
BDS 526	Jewellery Design	90	Portfolio
BDS 528	Household Product Design	90	Portfolio
BDS 530	Leisure Product Design	90	Portfolio
BDS 532	Furniture Design	90	Portfolio
BDS 542	Design Practice	90	Portfolio
Total		450
Design Option
BDS 534	West & North African Design	45	1x2 hours
BDS 536	Central & South African Design	45	1x2 hours
BDS 538	European-American Design	90	Portfolio
BDS 540	Oriental Design	90	Portfolio
BDS 542	Design Practice	90	Portfolio
Total		360

YEAR 2
FIRST SEMESTER
UNIT CODE	UNIT NAME	SEMESTER HRS	EXAM HRS
BDS 601	Contemporary Design Issues	90	1x20 minutes oral examination
BDS 603	Design Project 1	90	1x20 minutes oral examination
BDS 605	Design Project II	90	1x20 minutes oral examination
Total		270
BDS 602	Design Project II	90	1x20 minutes oral examination
BDS 604	Research Project II	90	1x20 minutes oral examination
Total		180

Admission Requirements

Common Regulations, for Masters’ degrees, of the University of Nairobi shall apply

Admission to the M.A. degree in Design is open to holders of Bachelor’s degrees in:

Design, of at least Upper Second Class Honours, of the University of Nairobi or an equivalent qualification recognized by Senate;

Any discipline related to Design, of at least Upper Second Class Honours from the University of Nairobi or other Universities recognized by the Senate;

Design or a discipline related to Design of at least Lower Second Class Honours with at least three years of professional experience and a certified portfolio O Level Division III or equivalent plus a Certificate and Diploma in a relevant discipline
Diploma from University of Nairobi or other recognized institutions and an aggregate of C in KCSE or equivalent.
A Level with two principal passes, IB or equivalent in relevant subjects.
Degree from a recognized University.

CREDIT TRANSFERS

Applicants may transfer credits for similar courses, at Master’s level, taken in other institutions recognized by the Senate.

Applicant seeking transfer of credit may:-

Send a formal application seeking transfer of credits, justification of the request and attach evidence of the credentials which would support such a request.
Apply for transfer of credit which is processed only after paying the prescribed exemption fee;
Be allowed a maximum of one third of the courses.
The courses in which transfer of credit is sought shall not exceed one-third (1/3) of the total units for the relevant degree programme.

Careers

Furniture Designer, Set Designer, Interior Designer, User Experience, Interactive Designer, Prototyper, ModelMaker,Production Manager, Ideation Lead, etc
Freelance Designers, Advertising Agencies, Design Studios, etc
Fashion Designers, Fashion Stylist, Illustrator, Patterncutter, Machinist, Textile Surface Designer, Costume Designer, Samplemaker etc.
Freelance Illustrators, Art Director, Illustration for Development, Animation, Art Tutors, Artists, Experiential Design, Publishers, Art Curators, Editorial Illustration, Web&Content Design, etc.
Interior Design Firms, Architecture Firms Freelance Designers, Interior Designers in Residential and Commercial Space, Indoor and Outdoor Landscape Designers, Exhibits and Display Designers for Expos, Marketer and Suppliers, Construction Project Managers, etc

Fees and Funding

Masters in Design-Year 1-(TOTAL of 11 units)
	Semester 1	Semester 2	Yearly TOTAL
TUITION	216,000	216,000	432,000
MEDICAL FEE (PER YEAR)	6,500	-	6,500
ICT SERVICES - (PER YEAR)	7,000	-	7,000
CAUTION - (ONCE)	5,000	-	5,000
LIBRARY (PER YEAR)	5,000	-	5,000
REGISTRATION (PER SEMESTER@2250)	2,250	2,250	4,500
EXAMINATION (PER UNIT @1000)	5,500	5,500	11,000
ID CARD ( PER YEAR)	1,000	-	1,000
ACTIVITY-( PER YEAR)	2,000	-	2,000
STUDENT ORGANISATION(PER YEAR)	1,000	-	1,000
TOTAL	251,250	223,750	475,000
Masters in Design-Year 2-(TOTAL of 11 units)
	Semester 1	Semester 2	Yearly TOTAL
TUITION	216,000	216,000	432,000
MEDICAL FEE (PER YEAR)	6,500	-	6,500
ICT SERVICES - (PER YEAR)	7,000	-	7,000
LIBRARY (PER YEAR)	5,000	-	5,000
REGISTRATION (PER SEMESTER@2250)	2,250	2,250	4,500
EXAMINATION (PER UNIT @1000)	5,500	5,500	11,000
ID CARD ( PER YEAR)	1,000	-	1,000
ACTIVITY-( PER YEAR)	2,000	-	2,000
STUDENT ORGANISATION(PER YEAR)	1,000	-	1,000
THESIS EXAMINATION		30,000	30,000
TOTAL	246,250	253,750	500,000

Grand TOTAL			975,000

Exam Regulations

Examinations for the Master of Arts in Design programme has TWO components, theory and portfolio examinations.

The examination will be governed by the general examinations regulations of the University of Nairobi.
Examinations shall be conducted in the semesters in which the courses are taught
Examinations shall take the form of continuous assessment, written, portfolio and dissertation.
Continuous assessment shall comprise of tests, assignments, term papers, oral presentation and sketches executed during the semester.
Two or three-hour written examination for all theory and studio courses.
Portfolio examination shall comprise oral presentation and exhibition.
The pass mark for a course shall be 50%; and the weighting shall be as follows
A-45 hour course unit shall be examined by a 2-hour written examination and marked out of one hundred.
A-90 hour course unit shall be examined by a 3-hour written examination and marked out of two-hundred.
A design or research project is the equivalent of three course units is marked out of three-hundred.
A pass obtained by re-sitting a course unit shall be recorded as 50%
Examination of Courses
A theory course shall be examined by continuous assessment and a two or three-hour written examination paper.
A studio course (marked*) shall be examined by continuous assessment, and portfolio.
Examination of portfolio/design project shall be by oral presentation and exhibition of work.
Oral presentation shall be marked out of one hundred.
Exhibition of work shall be marked out of two hundred.
A research project shall be examined by continuous assessment regulations governing thesis examination.