School of Design, Media & Creative Arts

M.Des
Product
Design

A two-year postgraduate programme developed to nurture visionary designers integrating creativity, material science, systems thinking, and strategic innovation to craft meaningful physical and smart product experiences.

Degree Master of Design (M.Des)
Duration 2 Years / 4 Semesters
Credits 80 Total Credits
Location Bangalore
01 / Programme Overview

Shaping the future of products and systems.

The Master of Design (M.Des) in Product Design is a postgraduate programme envisioned to develop future-ready designers who integrate creativity, technology, and strategic thinking to craft meaningful tangible product outcomes.

The curriculum emphasises the critical intersection of form, function, materials, and human experience, supported by rigorous user-centred design methodologies, material experimentation, and systems thinking. Delivered across four semesters, the programme integrates strong theoretical foundations with studio-based practice, applied research, and sustained industry engagement.

Learners progressively advance from foundational design exploration to specialised applications in product systems, manufacturing processes, CMF (Colour, Material, and Finish), and strategic product innovation, culminating in a discipline-specific capstone thesis project.
02 / Highlights

Strategic innovation.
Advanced making.

Anchored in interdisciplinary engagement, research integration, sustainable design frameworks, and sustained industry collaboration.

01

Interdisciplinary & Future-Oriented

Integrates core principles of industrial design with emerging domains, smart products, experience design, engineering, and business strategy.

02

Studio Pedagogy with Research Integration

Immersive studio laboratories combine hands-on prototyping, material exploration, and evidence-based design research methodologies.

03

Sustainability & Social Responsibility

Engage with circular economy frameworks, cradle-to-cradle principles, and ethical approaches to solve real-world environmental challenges.

04

Robust Industry & Academic Engagement

Collaborations with leading design consultancies, manufacturing hubs, and innovation centres through masterclasses and live industry projects.

Degree Level
Master of Design (M.Des)
Duration of Study
2 Years
(4 Semesters)
Total Credits
80 Credits
(Postgraduate)
03 / Admissions

Postgraduate admissions.

Review the entry criteria and qualifying parameters for admission to the Master of Design in Product Design programme.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Bachelor’s Degree Qualification (Level 6.0)

A candidate who has passed a Bachelor’s Degree of a minimum 4 years duration (Level 6.0) and obtained at least 50% marks (45% marks in case of candidates belonging to reserved categories) in the qualifying examination is eligible to apply.

04 / Curriculum

Four semesters.
One master’s practice.

From human factors, product semantics, and CMF to sustainable manufacturing, smart product interaction, and an independent master’s capstone thesis.

01 / Foundation & Systems

First Year: Design Research & Smart Products

Semester 1 Foundations & Human Factors

  • Design Foundation
  • Design History
  • Digital Tools and Prototyping
  • Human Factors Design
  • Studio 1: Design Thinking and Research Methods

Semester 2 Semantics, CMF & Smart Systems

  • Product Representation Techniques
  • Product Semantics and CMF
  • Systems and Service Design
  • Design for Interaction – Smart Products / UI–UX
  • Studio 2 (Specialisation: Toy & Game / Accessory / Furniture Design)
02 / Industry & Thesis

Second Year: Advanced Detailing & Master’s Thesis

Semester 3 Manufacturing, Detailing & Internship

  • Internship
  • Design Research Seminar
  • Sustainable Prototyping and Manufacturing
  • Design Styling and Detailing
  • Studio 3 (Specialisation: Transportation / Medical / Home Appliances)

Semester 4 Speculative Design & Capstone Thesis

  • Graduation Project / Thesis
  • Speculative and Critical Design
  • Open Elective 1
  • Open Elective 2
Note: Courses on offer are subject to change between semesters or academic years depending on relevant recommendations from experts in industry, academia and other important stakeholders.
05 / Professional Edge

Career Enhancement Programmes.

Structured postgraduate initiatives bridging academic theory, executive masterclasses, industry apprenticeships, and startup incubation.

01

Structured Knowledge Engagement

Classroom-based instruction, expert-led masterclasses, industry lectures, and peer discussion forums strengthening conceptual mastery.

02

Practical & Experiential Learning

Studio- and laboratory-based projects, immersive industry engagements, and self-directed design initiatives supported by continuous mentoring.

03

Real-Time Projects & Academic Juries

Semester-wise external critiques and collaborative multi-stakeholder projects that simulate professional design practice and evaluative rigour.

04

Advanced Electives & Certification

Enables specialization in focused domains such as transportation design, universal design, cultural design, and toy & game design.

05

Internships & Apprenticeships

Short-term professional immersions, project-based industry internships, corporate engagements, and sustained corporate linkages.

06

Entrepreneurship Immersion (EDP)

Startup founder shadowing and enterprise studio projects culminating in the development and launch of a micro-brand or Minimum Viable Product (MVP).

06 / Opportunities

Postgraduate career pathways.

Graduates of the M.Des in Product Design are equipped to lead design teams, consult on product engineering, drive applied research, or launch design-led ventures.

01

Core Product Design & Systems Practice

Shape physical and hybrid products across consumer, industrial, and public domains, integrating form, ergonomics, materials, and manufacturability.

Product Designer · Industrial Designer · Systems Designer · Concept & Development Engineer
02

Research-Led & Human-Centred Pathways

Advance design solutions through empirical inquiry, behavioural analysis, usability labs, and qualitative & quantitative synthesis.

Design Researcher · Human-Centred Design Specialist · UX Researcher · Ergonomics Consultant
03

Industry, Manufacturing & Applied Innovation

Drive applied product development with engineering, tooling, and supply chain partners to realize production-ready solutions.

Product Development Specialist · DFM Consultant · Innovation Engineer · Industry Design Lead
04

Strategic, Digital & Emerging Domains

Design smart connected products, IoT platforms, and digitally augmented hardware ecosystems responsive to emerging technologies.

Strategic Designer · Digital Product Designer · Design Strategist · Interaction & Systems Designer
05

Entrepreneurial & Studio Leadership

Initiate design-driven ventures, build independent consultancies, manage design studios, or scale innovative hardware startups.

Design Entrepreneur · Studio Founder · Independent Product Consultant · Design Manager
07 / FAQ

Questions,
answered.

Frequently asked questions regarding the Master of Design (M.Des) in Product Design programme.

What is M.Des in Product Design?
The Master of Design (M.Des) in Product Design is a postgraduate programme focused on the design and development of physical, digital, and hybrid products. It integrates design theory, user-centred research, materials and manufacturing knowledge, systems thinking, and studio practice to prepare professionals for advanced leadership in product innovation.
Is UI/UX the same as Product Design?
No. UI/UX design primarily focuses on digital interfaces and user interactions within software and web applications. Product Design addresses the end-to-end creation of products, including physical hardware, digital interfaces, materials, manufacturing processes, usability, and full lifecycle considerations.
Which is better: Product Designer or UX Designer?
Neither is inherently better; the choice depends on your specific career goals. Product Designers work across physical, smart, and digital systems, engaging with materials, engineering, and manufacturing. UX Designers specialise in user research, interaction flows, and digital usability. Both roles are in high demand and carry significant strategic value.
Are Product Designers in high demand?
Yes. Product Designers are in high demand across consumer electronics, smart mobility, medical equipment, sustainable hardware, furniture, and IoT technology enterprises that require human-centred innovation, sustainable lifecycle design, and strategic thinking.
Admissions Open 2026

Master the craft of
tangible innovation.

Explore the M.Des Product Design programme and take the next step toward strategic industrial design, smart product systems, and design leadership.

Start Your Admission →

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