Design Technology (Graduate Field)
Field Description
The M.S. Design Technology program bridges disciplines and domains with the aim of generating innovations across science and design for applications spanning digital tools, products, responsive materials, and the built environment. To this end, an expanded scope of faculty from across the College of Architecture, Art, and Planning, the Ann S. Bowers College of Computing and Information Science, Cornell Human Ecology, Cornell Duffield College of Engineering, and Cornell Tech, including from the Graduate Fields of Architecture, Art, Aerospace Engineering, Design & Environmental Analysis, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Physics, Fiber Science & Apparel Design, Information Science, Materials Science and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Systems Engineering compose our inaugural faculty. Cornell faculty affiliates and new cross-cutting Radical Collaboration tenure-track hires together known as DTech Faculty & Fellows share resources, engage in collaborative research and workshops, and co-teach transdisciplinary design studios and seminars.
Year One: Upon entering the M.S. Design Technology program, students take core studios and courses to develop foundational skills in design and technology. In addition to the required core studio sequence and courses, including Coding for Design and Design for Physical Interaction, students take elective courses in support of their research and project interests. For some students, these may be classes in computer science, for others courses in digital fabrication, biology, materials science or field research methods. These classes are carefully selected in consultation with the student’s primary advisor. At the end of the first year, students who elect to do a research thesis are required to produce a comprehensive research plan, with supporting materials, outlining the approach to their thesis. Students also must select a full (2-person) special committee in place no later than the end of the first year.
Year Two: In the second year of the program, students pursue one of two tracks, a thesis-centered design research program (Ithaca-based) or a studio professional track (Cornell-Tech based). Students in both tracks work closely with faculty, take electives in support of their research and project interests during the fall term, and complete a capstone project in the spring semester. Students in the studio professional track at Cornell Tech take the studio sequence, which includes Product Studio in the fall and either Startup, BigCo, or PiTech studio in the spring. In this track, students develop a collaborative specialization project in teams.
Distinctive elements of the program and field
The Design Technology program is a two-year research and project degree offered jointly by the College of Architecture, Art, and Planning and Cornell Tech which culminates in a master of science (M.S. DT). Students pursue research in areas that bridge disciplines and domains with the aim of generating innovations across science and design for applications spanning digital tools, products, responsive materials, and the built environment. The transdisciplinary nature of the program is its unique strength where Design Technology spans multiple disciplines and fields. Synergistic fields and concentrations include:
Architecture, Robotics, Fiber Science and Apparel Design, Information Science, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, and Design and Environmental Analysis.