Master Design — M1 Recherche en Design

Design research examines the theoretical, historical, and methodological underpinnings of design as a field of study, distinct from training focused primarily on producing design objects. At Institut polytechnique de Paris, based in Palaiseau Cedex, France, the Master Design offers a track titled M1 Recherche en Design, which introduces students to research approaches applied to design questions, including how design choices are analyzed, evaluated, and situated within wider social and technological contexts. Students in this discipline typically study design history and theory alongside research methods, learning to formulate research questions, gather evidence, and present findings in a structured academic format. Coursework often involves critical analysis of existing designed objects, systems, or environments, examining the reasoning and constraints behind design decisions rather than focusing solely on aesthetics. Because Institut polytechnique de Paris brings together engineering and scientific disciplines, students in this design research track may also encounter perspectives from technology and engineering as they relate to how designed products and systems function and evolve. Seminars, independent research projects, and written work are common components of training in this field, often building toward a substantial research paper or thesis. Graduates typically pursue research-oriented careers within design consultancies, research institutions, or companies seeking to incorporate systematic research into their design processes, while others continue toward doctoral study in design or related fields. The program is taught in French, spans two years, and is expected to begin in September, with yearly tuition of 250 EUR. Its location in Palaiseau Cedex places the program within a cluster of engineering and scientific institutions associated with Institut polytechnique de Paris, offering an environment that connects design research with technical and scientific disciplines.