Design, from the perspective of the IED Madrid, positions itself as an interlocutor who is able to question, reflect and respond to the new economic, social and cultural processes of our societies and a new environmental awareness. In this sense, the values developed in the educational framework constitute a true benchmark from which to act in our societies in an active, critical and thoughtful manner.

The programs of the Masters of Design and Innovation reinforce the values of a design school such as the IED Madrid by promoting concepts such as:

• Innovate: design must quickly adapt to the new ways of life that arise as a result of social change, anticipating future needs. To do so, students must combine knowledge in information technology with the development of creativity.
• To experience: experimentation using several inputs and learning how to detect errors, which are extremely explanatory in the creative process and can reach the finished product category. Not only do we want to train designers that can offer answers, but also those who will seek new questions.
• Promote / activate: by encouraging strategic thinking, using the tools of design to solve strategic problems in companies. This applies not only to the context of form, but to the service or design management as a discipline that bridges profitability and creativity.
• Commitment to Sustainability: the Department of Sustainability of the IED Madrid works to respond to the commitment that design has with society and our environment, guaranteeing the quality of life of present and future generations, emphasising in the Masters of Design and Innovation a core of this systemic approach, which is responsible and passionate for the project, focusing on people, welfare and ecosystems. From innovation and entrepreneurship, we are committed to a form of development that does not always entail growth.

In short, designers’ curiosity drives them to new challenges and to a passion for finding possible solutions, and, as Massimo Vignelli said: “Creativity needs the support of knowledge to be able to perform at its best”. This knowledge is the nutrient that enables us to overcome, with awareness and responsibility, the challenges in an increasingly complex environment, and it is our multifaceted vision that enables us to address them successfully.

The Masters of Design and Innovation are methodologically based on project culture and on the concept of learning while doing, where the focus lies in the spirit of action and participation.

These programs, where work and research are carried out in parallel to the training process, contemplate a range of individual and team activities through which students interact with professionals, companies and their peers.

The relationship between disciplines is promoted by encouraging the exchange of knowledge, ideas, opinions and experiences in order to provide participants with a stimulating and enriching training programme to help them in their professional career.

For the proper development of content, in each case the most appropriate format will be applied:

• Workshops: group activities where students put into practice the knowledge acquired and experiment with new concepts or tools, from several approaches.
• Seminars: meetings with professionals in which the goal is to lay solid foundations for the specific knowledge of each program in order to ensure the successful implementation of ideas.
• Conferences and case studies: bringing students closer to the experiences of some of the top professionals in various realms of action.
• Trips: an opportunity to expand the vision of students in other environments, make professional contacts and position the school’s space in various places, institutions and companies.
• Visits: to learn first-hand from professionals, schools or places of inspiration, where work, businesses and processes are carried out that may be inspiring or work as reference points.
• Tutorials: meetings offering personalized monitoring of the training process, the research process and the proper development of the thesis project.
• Time Lab: it is essential for students to devote an increasing amount of time on studying, reflecting, research, analysis, activities, experimentation etc. For this reason, the Time Lab is essential for the proper development of the program and the attainment of the objectives set out, to achieve the best results in the final project.