Project for the activation of a PhD Programme managed by Politecnico di Milano

XXVIII CYCLE
The project is composed of the following documents: 1. Regulations of the PhD programme, edited according to the enclosed form 2. Details of the PhD programme (pdf of the page filled in on MIUR Website anagrafe) Enclosed Documents: A1. Description of the composition of the Advisory Board (Comitato di riferimento), short report of the activities carried out with the committee, minutes of the meeting(s) (in 2011) A2. (only in the case new courses are activated): Short descriptions (5 10 lines) of the new courses at PhD level introduced in the regulation for the cycle to activate. The programmes are drawn up in accordance with the form which is inserted in the database of the PhD courses. The present document contains the forms to draw up training projects related to the activation of a PhD course. The project has to be submitted by the end of March 2012. The project has to be accompanied with the decision of approval by the Board of Professors of the PhD programme and by the Department Board (for all the proposing Departments). The forms are valid only for the PhD programmes managed by the Politecnico di Milano. Regarding PhD programmes managed by other Universities in which Politecnico di Milano takes part as associated University, the interested Department has to submit a request of agreement to the PhD School and to fill in the appropriate forms (to be requested to the PhD School: phdschool@polimi.it). The criteria and the regulation of the PhD programmes of the Politecnico di Milano which the activation proposals have to conform to are described in the Programmatic document of the PhD School of the Politecnico di Milano, approved on September 2011 and to the current laws and regulations. The project has to be filled electronically, using the provided file. The files have to be sent to the following address: phdschool@polimi.it

Proposal of a PhD Programme (PhD)

administered at Politecnico di Milano

PhD in: Design CYCLE: XXVIII

TYPE OF ACTIVATION PROPOSAL:

A.) Re-proposal of a PhD already activated no change to the training project. B.) Re-proposal of a PhD already activated no substantial changes to the training project. C.) Re-proposal of a PhD already activated - substantial changes to the training project. D.) PhD of new activation (not applicable for the XXVIII cycle).

Proposing Department: Industrial Design, Arts, Communication and Fashion (InDACo) Other proposing departments: Dipartiment of Mechanics e Dipartiment of Chemistry Materials and Chemical Engineering Giulio Natta.

PhD School of Politecnico di Milano

Regulations of the PhD Programme in Design Cycle XXVIII

Location: Milano Bovisa

(document to be submitted in English or in English+Italian)

1. General Information
PhD School of Politecnico di Milano PhD Course: Design Official Language(s): English/Italian Location of the PhD Programme: Milano Bovisa PhD School Website: http://www.ricerca.polimi.it/phd PhD Programme Website: http://phd.design.polimi.it

2. General presentation of the PhD Programme

The Politecnico di Milano was among the first universities in Italy to start a PhD degree programme in the field of design in 1990. Starting from this tradition, the PhD degree programme in Design was established in 2008, as the result of a process of complete re-thinking of the way design was taught in the school at a doctoral level in previous years. In its current configuration the programme aims at developing the professional competence to carry out highly qualified research referring to design as a whole scientific field. In this respect its main topics are to reflect on the nature of design, with its aesthetical, formal, performance and meaning values, as well as the capability of being an agent of social change towards more sustainable systems; to strengthen the disciplinary core of design; to develop and to share a common body of knowledge and methodologies, as well as a complete set of tools that could distinguish the designer from other researcher/professional figures involved in the design activity. The main objective of the programme is then to form designer-researchers who, facing the problems and the opportunities of the contemporary society, know how to produce an original knowledge in design. Precisely, it is required to produce visions, proposals and projects (design research), to develop tools and methodologies with which to put them in practice (research for design) and to deepen the reflection both on design itself and on its fields of application (research on design). The programme is structured in different fields of research (corresponding to the teaching and operational subdivision of the discipline in the Department InDACo as well as in the School of Design) and in lines of research (corresponding to the specific issues on which research programmes are carried out in the doctorate). It derives a strong relationship among the PhD degree programme, the Department and the School, which offers the best opportunities to combine both teaching and research experiences during the three-year training programme. In this respect the programme offers the best foundations for both starting an academic career and to get job opportunities in research centres, design enterprises, and public bodies.

3. Objectives
The Doctoral Program in Design forms designer-researchers who, comparing themselves with the problems and the opportunities of the contemporary society, know how to produce an original design knowledge. The curriculum lasts three years, during that period both educational and research activities are provided. Some of these activities provide the candidates with the rights to acquire ECTS credits up to a total of 75; 40 of them relate to structured teaching activities. The Program develops project and analytical ability, it proposes different methodologies of research, it promotes the attitude to collaborate. The programme is structured in different fields of research, which correspond to specific research units of the Department InDACo. These are: Advanced Design. Envisioning Product and Process Forms (ADD); Design and Innovation for Sustainability (DIS); Design for Cultural Heritage (DeCH); Design of Communication (d.COM); Design Representation (D.REP); Design Strategy (DeST); Fashion & Textile (MODA); Industrial Design and Engineering for Innovation (IDEA); Interiors (INT); Researches for Ergonomics and Design (RED); Technology and Design for Healthcare (TeDH). The research units Methods and Tools for Product Design and Materials and Design are active respectively in the two other Departments involved in the programme. Most of the research within the Department is produced by the research units, which also contribute to the teaching activities undertaken by the School of Design. The PhD programme, carries on research programmes on specific topics emerging from the whole of research initiatives of the Departments. At the beginning of the programme the candidates become effective members of a research unit, within which they develop an original theme of research (PhD thesis); this activity is the fundamental core of the learning process. Parallel to this main activity, the candidates are involved in several other educational actions, divided into common and specialized activities. Common activities are those like courses and seminars connected to the discipline of the design and the methodologies and the practices of the research, considered in their whole. Specifically: common activities are proposed to consolidate the cultural and operational substratum, which is common to all the areas of design research. Specialist activities are those education activities specifically regarding the areas of research in which the doctoral programme as well as the Department are articulated. The Program hence offers the doctoral candidates the following opportunities: To develop a PhD thesis, working on a specific line of research as members of a research unit; To participate in courses and seminars on design, on design research and on research in general, developing competences concerning the discipline of the design, and the profession of the researcher; To participate in courses and workshops participate in which to hone their competences within the design process; To participate in workshops, developing high-level specialist competences and acquiring knowledge and tools for the development of their theme of research; To do an internship in an international research centre to verify the hypotheses, the methodologies and the results of their own work and to consolidate the net of international relationships within which it is situated. 5

Moreover, the activities of the PhD in Design include the participation in projects that take place within the research unit; the participation in conferences (as listeners or speakers); the writing of scientific papers; the participation, as tutors, in teaching activities, in the perspective of an ongoing synergy between teaching and research activities.

4. Professional opportunities and job market

The designer-researcher that the PhD programme in Design intends to form is a flexible professional figure. It is in fact a designer who knows how to make research and a researcher who uses design tools. But it is also an expert in knowledge management, in constructive interaction among different actors and in communication of ideas and proposals. The whole of these abilities is useful in different working circles. Specifically: in the institutions expressly charged with the development of the design research, as the universities and the centres of research; in the design agencies and in the most innovative and design-oriented enterprises; and also in the public corporate body, in the enterprises of services and in the organizations for the territorial development that, more and more often, are compared with complex design problems. Design problems that the designer-researcher can effectively face, analyse and contribute to resolve.

5. Enrolment at the PhD Programme

5.1 Admission requirements
Italian and foreign citizens can apply. They are requested to have graduated in accordance with the pre-existing laws D.M. 3.11.1999 n. 509 or they to have a master of science degree in accordance with D.M. 3.11.1999 n. 509 or a master of science in accordance with D.M. 22.10.2004 n. 270 or similar academic title obtained abroad, equivalent for duration and content to the Italian title and for an overall duration of university studies of at least five years. The knowledge of English language at least at B2 level is a requirement. The admission to the programmes will be decided according to the evaluation of the curricula of the studies, the motivation letter and according to written proposal about the development of a possible PhD research, which candidates will send contextually with their application to the admission announcement. The topic of this research proposal has to be chosen from a list of topics suggested by the Board of Professors of the PhD programme and available at the PhD website. Applications on other research topics will not be accepted.

5.2 Admission deadlines and number of vacancies

The number of vacancies is indicated in the announcement for the admission to the 28 cycle of PhD programmes: http://www.polimi.it/phd Scholarships both on general and on specific themes are available, in accordance with what is specified in the call for admission. 6

6. Contents of PhD Programme

6.1 Requirements for the attainment of the title:
The attainment of the PhD title in Design requires a study and research activity of at least three years equivalent to full time study, research and development of PhD thesis. The PhD in Design foresees 40 credits from PhD level courses to be acquired as indicated in the following paragraph 6.3. Other activities providing credits are: the writing of scientific papers (minimum 5 credits); the participation in research activities within a research unit (15 credits), the internship abroad in universities or research centres (10 credits); the participation in teaching activities of courses or design studios of the School of Design or of other School of the Politecnico.

6.2 Development of the research and of the PhD thesis

The aim of the PhD programmes of Politecnico di Milano is the development in the candidates of a research-oriented mind-set, with expertise and skills in a specific research topic. To develop a research-oriented mind-set, the candidates have to acquire the capability of problemsolving in complex context, included a deep analysis of the problem, the identification of an original solution and the capability of evaluating a solution and its applicability in given contexts. These skills provide the PhD candidates with major opportunities of development in their research both in the academic field and in public and private organisations. The main objective is the development of an original research contribution. The PhD thesis has to contribute to increase the knowledge in the research field of the candidate. Besides, it has to be coherent with the research topics developed in the department, in which, the PhD programme chosen by the candidate, is carried out. The original research has to be submitted through a PhD thesis, which contains and discusses the contribution, even in the field of the state of the art in the research community about the research issue. The PhD research will be developed according to the guideline of a supervisor, who supports the candidate in the setting-out and in the everyday activities regarding the development of the thesis. The supervisor does not have to be a member of the Board of Professors and can also belong to an institution different from Politecnico di Milano. The supervisor can be supported by one or more cosupervisors. To develop the capability of carrying out research activities, the candidate will have to attend the courses according to the PhD programme, defined for his/her study plan and pass them with a positive evaluation. For each candidate admitted to the programme, a tutor, belonging to the Board of Professors, is appointed. The tutor supervises and supports the candidate him/her-self in the overall training path. The supervisor and the tutor can coincide. The choice of the courses will be overseen by the tutor, and it will be formalized in a study plan and approved by the Coordinator of the PhD programme. Other activities for the development of own personal skill and research expertise are encouraged during the PhD path. The candidate has to acquire the capability to present and discuss his/her work in his/her research community. 7

Consequently both the participation to international conferences and publication of the research results in international magazines with review are encouraged. The candidates are also encouraged to carry out part of their research activities in contact with other research groups in their interest field, preferably abroad. Research visits of at least three months are strongly encouraged at research groups through which the candidate can acquire further skills to develop his/her research work and the thesis. Under the PhD programme in design all the candidates are strongly recommended to do this activity, which is compulsory for those with a scholarship. Candidates without a scholarship who, for good reasons, cannot go abroad, are permitted to substitute the internship abroad with other learning and research activities, according to the indications of the Board of Professors. The duration of the programme is normally three years.

6.3 Objectives and general framework of the teaching activities

The PhD programmes and the PhD School can activate teaching forms of various kind and of different value (courses, seminars, project workshops, laboratories). All the activities will aim at: creating the starting knowledge common to the PhD programme; examining the basic research issues (problems, theories, research methods and tools) which represent the founding element of the PhD programme and which identify clearly its cultural position; deepening in a specialist way some research issues connected with the problems developed in the thesis. Lessons are in English language, except for single lessons scheduled otherwise. At least one path thoroughly in English language is foreseen in the PhD programme. Some teaching activities provide the candidates with the rights to acquire ECTS credits (structured teaching activities); other activities, typically specialised and for which it is difficult to evaluate the learning and its quantification, fall within the scientific activities of which the Board of Professors takes into account in the overall evaluation, but the value of which is not quantified in ECTS. The educational structure of the PhD in Design provides the acquisition of 75 credits, 40 of them come from structured teaching activities (courses) and 35 from other learning activities. These activities are grouped in the first two years of the programme, while the third is entirely devoted to the development of the thesis. In the PhD programme in Design, Characterising Courses provide 30 of the 40 credits related to structured teaching activities. Candidates are required to take courses and carry out the activities within them, the assessment procedures will be specified by the professors in charge of the teachings. The programmes and general information on the teaching activities can be found at the PhD Secretary office as well as on the PhD website. The tables here below show the foreseen path for the candidates and they refer only to coursework activities. At the same time, the programme foresees that the candidate is devoted to the research activity in a continuous way, following the lead of his/her supervisor and of the Board of Professors. 8

First Year
Courses PhD School Courses Courses characterising the PhD programme Other PhD courses Other activities Possible details or reference to following tables See table B See table A See table C Publication of a scientific papers (in English only) Research activity within a research unit Number of credits Note (min-max) 5 25 5 5 5 Appraised by the supervisor or the responsible UdR To be approved by the supervisor or the responsible UdR

Second year
Courses Courses characterising the PhD programme Other PhD courses Possible details or reference to following tables See table A See table C Number of credits (min-max) 5 5 Note

Other activities

Internship abroad in a University or a Research centre Publication of a scientific papers (in English only) Teaching activity within a course or a design studio Research activity within a research unit

10 5 5 10

Optional activity, to be approved by the supervisor or the responsible UdR Minimum 3 months Optional activity

Appraised by the supervisor or the responsible UdR

Third year In the third year the candidate should be devoted entirely to the research and to the development of the PhD thesis.

PhD PROGRAMMES A) The PhD programme in Design organises the following Characterising Courses (see table A) For the admission to the final exam the acquisition of at least 75 credits is mandatory. These credits have to be acquired through the characterising PhD courses offered by the PhD programme, the cross- sectoral courses and the other activities provided by the educational programme. For the admission to the second and third year the acquisition of at least 20 credits (per year) is mandatory. B) The PhD School organises every year general and Cross sectoral courses and courses with foreign professors. The acquisition of at least 5 credits is mandatory among the courses of B type 9

C) Other PhD courses. 5 of the mandatory credits can be obtained choosing among Cross sectoral courses organised by the PhD School (B type), or among other courses provided by other PhD programmes of Politecnico and/or external entities. In the choice of these courses, the previous approval of the supervisor, and of the PhD coordinator is mandatory. PREPARATORY COURSES If the supervisor and the tutor find useful or necessary that the candidate attends preparatory courses (chosen among the activated courses at the Politecnico di Milano) the Board of Professors of the PhD programme can assign some extra-credits to be acquired to complete the training path. The credits acquired in this way will be considered as additional, in relation to the mandatory credits to be acquired with the PhD courses. SPECIALISTIC COURSES, LONG-TRAINING SEMINARS The attendance of Specialist Courses, Workshops, Schools, Seminars cycles is strongly encouraged and (if these seminars, workshops are certified and evaluated) may permit to acquire credits according the modalities established by the Board of Professors and previous approval of the study plan submitted by the candidate. These courses and workshops can be inserted in the study plan, even if they are not evaluated (and therefore not qualified as credits), as optional additional teaching. In the following, the scheduled planning is reported for the academic years 2012-13 e 2013-14. It is possible that other courses are activated at the PhD School even afterwards; in this case the candidates will be promptly informed. The candidates will be able to insert these new courses in their study plan.

Table A: PHD COURSES CHARACTERISING THE PHD PROGRAMME

SSD Name of the Course
Design Lessons 1 Tools For The Research In Design Methods And Models For The Decision Making Design Lessons 2 Going Public: Communicate With People Out There To Improve Research Processes And Results. Organization Of Scientific Seminars

Professor
Trabucco Francesco Rampino Lucia Colorni Alberto Trabucco Francesco Ciuccarelli Paolo

A.Y./ Semester
1/1 1/1 1/1 1/2 1/2

Language
Eng. Eng. Eng. Eng. Eng.

Credits
5 5 5 5 5

Guerrini Luca

2/1

Eng.

Table B SUGGESTED CROSS SECTORAL COURSES OR WITH A FOREIGN PROFESSOR

SSD Name of the Course Professor A.Y./ Semester Language Credits

10

Practicing Collaboration In Research

Pizzocaro Silvia

1/1

Eng.

Table C OTHER PhD COURSES

SSD Name of the Course
Course to be choosen in the School the Design, the School of Doctorate elsewhere (compulsory) Course to be choosen in the School the Design, the School of Doctorate elsewhere (optional) of or of or

Professor

A.Y./ Semester
1/2

Language
Eng.

Credits
5

2/1

Ita./Eng.

6.4 Presentation of the study plan

Each PhD candidate will have to submit his/her study plan. The candidate will have the opportunity to review it periodically (every three months) in order to adequate it to every possible change of the training offer or to needs motivated by the development of his/her study plan. The study plan is approved by the Coordinator of the PhD programme, according to the modalities established by the Board of Professors of the PhD programme itself.

6.5 Instructions for the annual exams

Every year the candidate is evaluated to be admitted to the next year. In the annual exam of the third year the admission of the candidate to the final exam (held by the external Commission) is evaluated. The candidate presents his/her work to the Board of Professors at least once a year. After every annual evaluation, the candidate will receive an evaluation (A/B/C/D) or, in case the candidate will not pass the exam, the candidate will be qualified Repeating candidate(Er) or not able to carry on with the PhD (Ei). The last year, the candidate who has achieved sufficient results but who needs some more time to draw up his/her thesis, he/she can obtain a prorogation of a maximum of 12 months.

6.6 Other foreseen reviews

Each year, at the end of the first semester, the candidates submit their work on the PhD thesis to the members of their research unit and to a representative of the Board, who assess the progress of the thesis.

6.7 Instruction for the preparation of the PhD thesis

The PhD study and research work will be carried out, full time, during the three years of the PhD course. The possibility of stages or study periods in Italian or in foreign companies or external entities and universities is foreseen. The main objective is the development of an original research contribute. The PhD thesis has to contribute to increase the knowledge in the research field of the candidate. Besides, the thesis has to be coherent with the research issues developed in the department at which the PhD programme, chosen by the candidate, is developed. The candidate has to present the original thesis, discussing its contribution to the state of the art in 11

the research field in the research community. The PhD research will be developed following the lead of a supervisor, who supports the candidate in the setting out and in the everyday activities regarding the thesis development. At the conclusion of the studies, admission of the candidate to the final exam will be evaluated by the Board of Professors, and, afterwards, a final exam for the attainment of the title, in which the research work carried out and the thesis will be evaluated by an examination Committee composed by three members, of which at least two external evaluation members.

7. Laboratories, PhD Secretary Services

Laboratories for practical activities and experiments: Laboratory of Photography Laboratory of Exhibit Design Laboratory of Lighting Laboratory of Colour Laboratory of Fashion Laboratory of Models Laboratory of Movie Design Laboratory of Virtual prototyping-reverse modelling Poli.teca (library PhD Secretary Office Mrs. Simona Murina Department InDACo Phone: +39.02.2399.7245 Fax: +39.02.2399.7230 e-mail: simona.murina@ceda.polimi.it

8. Internationalisation and other activities

The carrying out of study and research activities at other laboratories is strongly recommended. The university proposes also the opportunity of PhD joint paths with foreign universities and of joint and double PhD programmes. Further information are available on the PhD School Website and on the PhD programme Website. The Doctorate of Design fosters relationships with international design schools, particularly those in which doctoral programs are running. In addition, the PhD programme organizes regular meetings, seminars and lectures with internationally renowned professors and experts in order to foster dialogue and debate on the latest disciplinary themes of research.

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Attachment A1 PhD Advisory Board (mandatory attachment)

The members of the Advisory Board of the PhD in Design, are academics, professionals, representatives of private and public bodies. they are all acknowledged experts in the themes developed by the doctoral program.

Surname Rosa Inghilleri Meda Braun Dhulster

Name Paolo Paolo Alberto Sass Frederik

Kristensen Tore

Institution Studio Azzurro University of Milan Designer Fashion Instituite of Technology, New York Hogeschool West-VlaanderenKortrijk-BE Copenhagen Business School

Position Partner Professor Professional Professor Professor - Head of MA Industrial Design Engineering Professor

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