This design program comes at a moment where the traditional definitions of space and program that we inherited from the 20th century are becoming totally blurred due to great disruptions in technology, the coming together of physical and virtual worlds, and changes in culture and behavior. Today, in the fields of work, retail, and learning, just to name three, change is continuous. No longer do you have to go to an office to work, a department store to buy something, or even a school to get a degree. The reality is that nowadays you can do pretty much every activity in any given interior space.
In this new context, what is the role of design and physical spaces? We believe that this new reality requires a new breed of multidisciplinary design professionals that can tackle complexities from a multifaceted perspective. We understand that we need to design not only the architecture of an interior space, but we also need to analyze and manage the culture and technology that impact that space. These are precisely the three pillars that have a direct impact on the nature of the contemporary interior spaces. Only through understanding them and strategically approaching design will we be able to create quality spaces that foster innovation, well-being and positive change.
The IE Master in Strategic Design of Spaces is coming at a time when every company in the world is asking around how they can be disruptive rather than be disrupted. Without a doubt, the design of their workplaces and retail environments will be part of that equation.
This Master, which will be starting its sixth edition in February 2019, is delivered in a blended format, combining face-to-face periods in Madrid and London with interactive online ones. This methodology runs parallel to the demand for flexibility and the desire for work-life balance that the most progressive companies and professionals are seeking. The course allows participants to keep up with their professional responsibilities while studying, so they can apply, from day one, concepts learned without having to take a break from their jobs.
The blended program uses an executive education format. The face-to-face periods are intensive, but during the online periods, students attend classes on Fridays from their home base, along with some asynchronous exercises during the rest of the week. This blended methodology has proven to be extremely productive because it combines the best of both worlds. In total, students have seven weeks of intensive, face-to-face contact, plus the online interactive ones that they can do without having to abandon their work or other responsibilities.
In terms of the content and faculty, the program has been designed in partnership with the Royal College of Art´s Helen Hamlyn Centre for Design in London, a world-class research center with a special focus in user-centered design, a key focus. The program brings together some of the most well-known and experienced designers and consultants from both sides of the Atlantic. Students will not only study the latest theories and research about the definition of innovative interior spaces but also develop hands-on exercises on real working environments in Madrid and London.
In summary, the Master in Strategic Design of Spaces is expanding the traditional limits of the interior architecture practice and evolving it into a much more strategic, user-centric and innovation-led approach for forward-looking professionals.
Contact: daniel.dipaolo [at] ie.edu
