In detail

Career opportunities

In terms of specific sectors, MUID graduates find opportunities in a wide variety of industries: from traditional manufacturing companies (automotive, household appliances, furniture, lighting, toys, etc.) to technology-based companies and startups focused on new products. An outstanding example is the automotive sector: Ford Spain (Almussafes plant) has hired numerous engineers trained at the UPV and values the high technical level of graduates and interns from the university. It is also common their insertion in design and innovation consultancies and recognized design studios (some graduates have been recruited by studios such as Rubio & Del Amo, Nemo Studio or Yonoh after collaborating in academic projects). Thanks to their versatile profile, which combines creativity, technical capacity and strategic vision, many graduates manage to successfully enter the labor market or even start their own design studios or companies. In short, MUID’s high degree of specialization, coupled with its transversal competencies (project management, teamwork, use of advanced digital tools, etc.), allows its graduates to adapt to the diverse demands of the industrial design sector and assume positions of responsibility in product and service innovation.

Aimed primarily at

The master’s degree is particularly suitable for graduates in Industrial Design and Product Development Engineering, as well as for graduates in Industrial Engineering (Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Organization Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, etc.) or other technical degrees related to the field of product design. Graduates in Fine Arts or Architecture or other design-related fields are also eligible. In general terms, it will be valued that the new student has knowledge of industrial design, technical drawing, computer science applied to design (CAD/CAE), materials science and engineering fundamentals, as well as motivation for innovation and creativity in product development.

Research and access to Ph.

The MUID has a strong applied research component, preparing students not only for professional practice but also to continue their academic training in the research field. Several subjects in the curriculum incorporate design research methodologies (e.g., digital creativity, systems modeling, user studies, market trends, etc.), and the program culminates with a Master’s Thesis (TFM), which in many cases can be research or experimental in nature. This research orientation allows students to develop skills in hypothesis formulation, literature search, experimentation methodologies and data analysis, typical of scientific work.

After completing the master’s degree, graduates meet the requirements for access to doctoral studies (MECES level 4). In particular, the UPV offers a PhD Program in Design, Manufacturing and Industrial Project Management, directly linked to this area. This doctoral program seeks professional specialization and the promotion of research in the field of industry for the design and development of new products, their manufacture and the management of industrial processes. It has about 40 annual places and is taught in Spanish and English, integrating several groups and research centers relevant to design, graphic engineering, engineering projects, innovation, etc. MUID graduates can join this doctoral program at the UPV or other related programs (e.g., PhDs in industrial engineering, information technologies applied to design, creativity, etc.) according to their interests. In fact, the master’s degree provides the necessary basis (90 postgraduate ECTS) for admission to a doctoral program, and provides the student with the basic research skills that can then be further developed.

Within the master’s degree itself, there is the possibility of collaborating with UPV research groups or technological institutes in the TFM. For example, some TFMs are carried out at the Institute of Biomechanics of Valencia (IBV) or other centers, integrating the student in real research projects on ergonomic design, new materials, etc. This allows the student to initiate a line of research during the master’s degree, which may even lead to scientific publications or serve as the basis for a subsequent doctoral thesis. The school has professors-researchers active in various lines (sustainable design, additive manufacturing, human-product interaction, virtual reality applied to design, among others), which provides opportunities for students to become involved in these initiatives.

In short, the MUID opens the door to a doctorate and a research career. Students graduate with a mixed profile of designer-engineer with research capacity, something highly valued if they wish to opt for research positions in industry (R&D departments) or continue in academia. The UPV, through its Doctoral School, offers the environment to continue with third cycle studies, and many graduates of the master’s degree take advantage of this option to aspire to the PhD degree.

Academic exchange / agreements with other universities

It should be noted that the UPV occupies leading positions in Erasmus mobility at the national level, which is reflected in the offer available for its masters. MUID students can count on the support of both the Central Office (OPII) and the school’s international office to process their application, find accommodation and validate their studies. In summary, the Master’s Degree in Design Engineering provides the opportunity to carry out part of the studies abroad, integrating into a different academic environment. This international experience provides not only improvements in language and technical knowledge, but also intercultural skills and a more global vision of design, qualities that are highly appreciated later on in the labor market.

In short, the Master’s Degree in Design Engineering offers its students the possibility of enriching their education with an academic stay abroad, integrating into a multicultural context and obtaining a broader perspective of design at a global level, which is very valuable both personally and in terms of their professional future.

Facilities and laboratories

The master’s degree is taught at the School of Aerospace Engineering and Industrial Design (ETSIADI) of the UPV, mainly in buildings 7B and 7E of the Vera campus (Valencia). This center has modern facilities and first class technological resources to support practical training in design. MUID students have access to:

• Computer and assisted design classrooms – Rooms equipped with high performance workstations and specialized software (CAD/CAE tools, 3D modeling, rendering/animation, graphic design, multimedia editing, etc.). For example, the “San Onofre” computer room has ~30 PC’s with engineering and design software installed. Here are carried out the practices of digital subjects (3D modeling, digital creativity and AI, advanced visualization, graphic design, etc.).
• Prototyping and digital fabrication laboratories – Workshops where designs can be materialized through fabrication techniques. They have 3D printers (various technologies), laser cutters, CNC milling machines, lathes, 3D scanners and other machines. ETSIADI has, for example, a prototyping workshop with equipment such as vacuum thermoforming machines, hot wire cutters, column drills, etc., which allows students to manufacture prototypes and functional mock-ups of their products.
• Model workshop and material library – Area for manual modeling work, with tools for assembly, finishing, painting, etc., as well as a library of materials. This resource allows you to consult and experiment with innovative materials (plastics, metals, wood, textiles, composites, etc.), learn about their properties, finishes and applications in design. It is especially useful in sustainable design projects, selection of optimal materials or aesthetic finishes.
• Ergonomics and human factor laboratory – Space equipped with instrumentation for ergonomic analysis and usability: motion capture systems, anthropometric measurement equipment, postural analysis platforms, simulators, etc. It is used in projects of inclusive design or user-centered design, allowing the evaluation of human interaction with products (effort, comfort, accessibility). The IBV collaborates in this field by providing methodologies and advanced equipment for biomechanics applied to design.
• Virtual Reality (VR) and visualization laboratories – The school has incorporated Virtual and Augmented Reality technologies for design. It has, among others, a CAVE (Cave Automatic Virtual Environment) system for visual immersion, located in the Polytechnic City of Innovation. This environment allows projecting immersive 3D scenarios for students to visualize their designs at real scale and evaluate their interaction in a virtual world. High-end VR glasses/helmets and rooms adapted to work with 3D models in virtual or mixed reality are also available. These tools are used in subjects such as Advanced Visualization or space design projects, where being able to “navigate” through the designed object is very enlightening.
• Color and lighting laboratory – Within the CPI (UPV science park) the school has access to a laboratory specialized in colorimetry and visual optics. It has equipment such as spectrophotometers, colorimeters and standardized light booths (D65, etc.) to evaluate colors and finishes. It also includes color management software tools and color charts (e.g. Munsell test). This color lab is useful in branding, graphic and product design projects where color and lighting accuracy are critical (e.g. packaging design, interiors, etc.).
• Multi-purpose classrooms and drawing rooms – In addition to the computer rooms, ETSIADI has spacious and bright traditional classrooms for theory classes and creative workshops. Several are equipped for the teaching of technical and artistic drawing, with drawing tables, display panels, etc.
• Specialized library and study rooms – The center’s library offers an extensive bibliographic collection in design engineering, industrial design, art, architecture, ergonomics and related subjects. It includes books, scientific-technical journals, standards, catalogs of materials, as well as previous TFG/TFM. Students can access up-to-date material for their projects and research work. In addition, there are individual and group study areas with ample timetables, ideal for the teamwork required by the master’s degree.
• Other facilities – As part of the UPV, students have access to general campus services: meeting rooms and an assembly hall (where lectures and eventually TFM defenses are held), reprographics and 3D printing services (FabLab UPV), cafeterias and canteens, green areas for recreation, parking lots, etc. The entire campus environment favors creativity and collaboration, with spaces for multidisciplinary interaction (e.g., proximity to other schools of engineering, architecture, fine arts, etc.).

Together, these infrastructures provide an optimal environment for MUID’s practical and project-based teaching. The school keeps its laboratories updated, incorporating new emerging technologies of Industry 4.0 applied to design (additive manufacturing, IoT, virtual reality, eye-tracking for user studies, etc.), ensuring that students work with tools similar to professional ones. This provision of material means has been checked and approved in the successive accreditations of the degree, ensuring that the master’s degree has adequate material resources to achieve its training objectives.

Master’s Thesis

The Master’s Thesis is the final individual project that crowns the MUID training. It is 15 ECTS (one semester) and consists of an original project or study directed by a professor, in which the student applies and integrates the knowledge, skills and attitudes acquired during the master’s degree. To enroll in TFM it is necessary to be in the last semester and to have passed the majority of mandatory credits according to UPV regulations. Each student has an academic tutor who guides the development of the work from the definition of the topic to the preparation of the defense.

Procedure and types of TFM

At the beginning of the final year, the Master’s Commission opens a call for TFM proposals. The student can choose to enroll in a topic from the public offer of projects (a list of proposals offered by professors, sometimes in collaboration with companies or research groups), or propose a topic of his/her own (looking for a tutor professor to endorse it). Once the pre-project is approved, the assignment is formalized and the student develops the work during the semester under the periodic supervision of the tutor.

Regarding the nature of the FMT, two main typologies can be distinguished:

• TFM of professional/applied orientation: It is a complete industrial design project that responds to a real product need. For example, the development of a new product or device, equipment, urban furniture, etc., generally in collaboration with a company or a specific commission. This type of work includes all phases of the design process: analysis of the context and requirements (users, market, existing patents), concept generation, selection and detailed development of the concept, virtual and/or physical prototyping, evaluation and improvement proposals. The result is usually a design ready to go to detailed engineering or production, with drawings, renderings and in many cases a functional prototype. An example could be the “Development of a packaging for an industrial product” or “Democratic lighting system”, titles of recent TFMs oriented to specific design solutions. These projects provide innovative solutions to industry problems and often the student works in direct contact with the company, improving their chances of being hired. The evaluation of the TFM will be carried out by applying the specific rubric for this type of TFM.
• Research-oriented TFM: Focuses on an in-depth study of some aspect of design. Rather than creating an immediate commercial product, the goal is to generate knowledge: it may deal with new design methodologies, experimentation with advanced materials, applications of emerging technology in design (e.g., AI algorithms to generate shapes, innovative additive manufacturing, etc.), or advanced user experience studies. This type of FMT requires a solid literature review, definition of hypotheses or research objectives, experimental or analytical work, and drawing generalizable conclusions. It is usually linked to a research group or laboratory. Examples of recent research-based TFM titles are “Qualitative research in the field of design: the user and lifestyles” or “Research and development of the concept of mass customization in design engineering and digital additive manufacturing”. These works, in addition to the memory, can generate scientific publications or presentations at conferences, and are often the germ of a future doctoral thesis of the student. The evaluation of the TFM will be carried out applying the specific rubric for this type of TFM.

Regardless of the type of project, all TFM must comply with the established requirements of originality and quality. A written report documenting the complete project (background, objectives, methodology, development, results, conclusions and bibliography) is required. The UPV provides guidelines on the minimum content of a TFM and format of the report (length, abstracts in Spanish/English, etc.), ensuring an academic standard.

Defense and evaluation

The defense of the TFM is a public academic act (except in exceptional and justified cases) before a panel typically composed of 3 professors of the master (and occasionally external professionals or invited researchers). ETSIADI schedules several defense calls throughout the academic year (usually in the months of January/February, June/July and September, coinciding with the end of the semester). The student may present at any of them once the work is ready and the credit requirements for the defense have been met. In the presentation, students have 15 minutes to present their project, using audiovisual aids, demonstrations or prototypes, if any. After the presentation, the tribunal will ask questions, make observations and debate with the student about the work done. Finally, the panel deliberates behind closed doors and awards a grade, based on criteria such as the technical and aesthetic quality of the proposed solution, the rigor of the analysis or research, the clarity of the report and the oral defense, the degree of achievement of objectives, etc., in accordance with the UPV Evaluation Regulations.

Formally, the TFM is governed by the TFG/TFM Regulations of the UPV and by the specific procedure of the ETSIADI. This implies, among other aspects: the need for registration and prior approval of the topic by the Academic Committee, administrative deadlines (registration of the topic, deposit of the report a few days before the defense, etc.), and the rights of the student (for example, if he/she fails, he/she can defend again in the next call within the same course without the need for a new registration). The possibility of defense by videoconference is also contemplated in the case of exchange students or special circumstances (as was evident during the pandemic). The school provides support documentation (templates, regulations, etc.) and usually organizes informative talks to guide students through the whole TFM process.

In conclusion, the MUID’s TFM represents the synthesis of all the learning of the master’s degree and an opportunity for the student to demonstrate his or her professional autonomy. Whether it is presenting a new product ready to be marketed, or research that expands the frontiers of design knowledge, the TFM adds value to the graduate’s profile. Many of the Master’s TFM projects have been awarded or implemented in real environments, and the experience of carrying out a complete project from scratch prepares the graduate to face complex challenges with solvency in his or her later professional or research life.