Programme
Delft Designers: Creating change & impacting the world
The only constant is change, but these days the rate of change is accelerating. But whether it’s shifts in the rapid process of digitalisation or the demand for widely available personalised healthcare – the Industrial Design programme will make sure you’re ready. Students will learn to initiate and shape future transitions, shifting towards designs that address sustainable products and services, healthier living, and better mobility.
Complexity in design
Today the new technologies of Industry 4.0 offer designers the potential to prototype, test and roll out designs at pace. But developments have to be matched with the user. Nowadays that user can be anyone from a single consumer to a network of people. Besides the end-user, the entire stakeholder network, consisting of different parties, often with conflicting wants and needs, should be taken into account while researching and designing. And while big business may still be the brief-holder, it is just as likely to be the public sector or society as a whole. Faced with this complexity, the resulting design can take many forms. Not just physical products, but also services or even the re-design of complex systems
In the image below you can see how design is evolving. Where it used to be solving formula’s 50 years ago, now we’re designing for systems and taking the world around the design intervention into account. In the future the designer has to deal with the increasing complexity of the system.
The role of the designer
The Delft designer functions as a linchpin, bringing together expertise and knowledge from various disciplines and making this knowledge their own. By developing a deep understanding of various subjects and design competencies, designers can disarm complexity and create impactful innovations.
Design is no longer the product of the individual. Co-design demands duality in designers: they need to be both open to collaboration and fresh perspectives, while also being able to take a stance and drive decision making.
What makes a designer a Delft Designer?
When you become a Delft designer, you become part of the largest design school in the world. With over 2,000 undergraduate and master's students and more than 400 research, teaching and support staff, the faculty is united in its mission to match the evolution of people and revolution of technology.
Delft design students...
- Have a broad interest in people, technology and organisations.
- Are curious and want to know what the real problem is.
- Have an interest in shaping the future and can deal with uncertainty.
- Able to deal with uncertainty in the design process.
- Are empathetic, open-minded, and have abstract thinking skills.
During your time at IDE, you’ll...
- Think creatively to explore a variety of solutions and ideas.
- Reflect critically to evaluate what works and what can be improved.
- Shift focus between the individual to society while designing.
- Work in teams as well as individual and with a variety of stakeholders.
- Come up with solutions, even when dealing with uncertainty.
- Collaborate with specialists from other areas of expertise.
Additional Opportunities
Delft Honours Programme Delft
The Delft Honours Programme is for ambitious students who are looking for a challenge over and above what their curriculum offers. This is in addition to your regular study programme in the 2nd and 3rd year. It gives you the opportunity to acquire additional knowledge in or outside your field of specialisation, to work on your personal development, and to collaborate with students on other programmes.
More information about the Delft Honours Programme
Dreamteams
At TU Delft you have the opportunity to be involved in unique student projects that bring together students from various disciplines. These incredible student projects include the world’s fastest bicycle, the fastest solar-powered car, and the altitude record for amateur-built rockets. Our teams compete in worldwide competitions and achieve fantastic results that put TU Delft on the map.
More information about Dreamteams
Top sporting talent
Do you want to become a top-level athlete while studying for your degree? TU Delft supports students who combine their studies with top-level sporting activities and invests in the development of talent in and outside the lecture halls. Because it is often difficult to combine a regular programme of study with a top-level sports training programme, we offer special facilities and provisions for recognised top-level athletes. This includes coaching by academic counsellors and top-level sports coordinators, financial support in the form of the Graduation Support Scheme, sponsorship, and access to the sports facilities at X.
More information about top-level sport