Doctor of Design

Understand how our program is designed for your success.

The DDes is a three-year program for mid-career professionals to explore a research question in an intense and rigorous practice-based project that is distinct from, but parallel to, their professional work. Students continue to work full-time in their profession during the degree, working closely with their supervisory committee for feedback and mentorship.

Since the research question is based on the student’s own work experience and expertise, the research emerges from the candidate’s substantive existing knowledge and related professional-practice experience. In situations where additional knowledge or expertise is required, candidates work with their supervisor to include into their course of study a learning opportunity that is either informal (through a professional-based experience) or formal (such as a directed study course or online course).  

Three required courses offered in a blended distance-learning format help guide students through the early stages of their research.

Twice a year, all DDes students are required to attend and participate in a four-day research symposium to present the progress of their research work in a ‘studio-crit’ format and receive feedback from their supervisors, fellow students, and a cohort of invited critics. In between symposia, students work remotely with their supervisors to continue developing their projects. The degree is completed with a written thesis document, gallery exhibition, and public defense conducted at the student’s final DDes Research Symposium.

APLA 680 Design Practice Research Project Definition

Introduction to practice research in the design fields. The course will explore the differences between first professional degree training, traditional PhD research and design-based creative practice research. Students will learn contextualize their existing professional expertise and experience as the tacit knowledge required for advanced doctoral research. Students will progress toward defining their doctoral research question through self-reflexive study of their career paths and practice portfolio; attendance at and reflection upon practice research symposium events and peer presentations; examination of published and unpublished practice research case studies; core reading; and writing or their research statement.

APLA 682 Strategies for Design Practice Research

Exploration of diverse contexts crucial to the student’s research question and development of skills associated with the evaluation and use of extant research. The effects on design research of social, political, economic, and cultural contexts, as well as of academic and professional practices, are considered through the assessment of academic literature, case studies, and symposia presentations. Students develop an understanding of how contexts impact the researcher, the research question, the choice of research methods, dissemination of research, and other aspects of practice research.

APLA 685 Strategies for Design Practice Research II

This course compares alternative strategies for conducting practice research in the design fields. Emphasizes discussions regarding the appropriateness and limitations of different approaches and methodologies through examination of academic literature, practice research case studies, and the research of peers in the symposium. The research process, drawing conclusions, and reporting findings also are examined with a view toward the student’s crafting their research proposal and work plan in advance of preparation for candidacy.

The Thesis Research Proposal for the DDes is a 3,000 to 5,000 word written document (or equivalent combination of textual and non-textual design-based graphic representations). It must be approved by the supervisory committee and clearly describe the project (Title, Objectives, Background, Methodology, Expected Outcomes, Research Progress to date) and include an explicit component related to professional practice. The Thesis Proposal is typically submitted in the fall of Year 2.

The candidacy examination is typically held at the candidate’s third DDes Research Symposium. The examination is public and will be based on the submitted Thesis Research Proposal, work completed in the three courses, and progress to-date on the research project. After candidacy, students should complete the research over the next 18 months. 

DDes students must complete the following components for candidacy:

1. All course requirements as identified in the calendar.
2. Thesis Research Proposal approved by the Supervisory Committee.
3. Field of Study (FoS) Examination conducted during one of DDes Research Symposia to evaluate their understanding of 1) the relevant contexts (social, political, economic, and cultural, as well as academic, personal, and professional in which their design-based practice research is situated; 2) the relevant strategies for conducting their practice-based research; 3) the progress of the research to date and a strategy for completing the expected outcomes. The examination will consist of a verbal presentation by the student followed by rounds of questions from the examination committee.

Candidancy requirements are being finalized. Please confirm requirements with your advisor or contact bwylant@ucalgary.ca with specific enquiries.

Download the DDes candidacy PDF

In the dissertation, the student writes a thesis on their selected topic that represents a significant research accomplishment and contribution to knowledge and makes a positive impact in the student’s area of professional practice. Students will present a portfolio of both textual and non-textual work, including a written thesis and supporting artefacts that tell a comprehensive story about the research project, its context, its methods, and for whom the outcomes will have impact. The story of the research will be told through a public exhibition of the student’s work, alongside an oral presentation and oral defense of the thesis during one of the semi-annual symposia, which provide a forum for the communication of the research results. 

Get a glimpse of what your journey will look like. 

YEAR 1

Fall term

• Completion of APLA 680 Design Practice Research Project Definition in a distance learning format
• Development of research project in collaboration with Supervisor               
• Research Presentation 1 at the DDes Fall Research Symposium                 

Winter term

• Completion of APLA 682 Strategies for Design Practice Research in a distance learning format
• Development of research project in collaboration with Supervisor                

Spring/Summer term

• Completion of APLA 685 Strategies for Design Practice Research II in a distance learning format
• Development of research project in collaboration with Supervisor.
• Research Presentation 2 at the DDes Spring/Summer Research Symposium
• Preparation of Thesis Research Proposal in collaboration with Supervisor 

YEAR 2

Fall term

• Completion and submission of Thesis Research Proposal Document to Supervisory Committee
• Candidacy examination as Research Presentation 3 at the DDes Fall Research Symposium  

Winter term

• Development of research project in collaboration with Supervisor                

Spring/Summer term

• Development of research project in collaboration with Supervisor               
• Research Presentation 4 at the DDes Spring/Summer Research Symposium   

YEAR 3

Fall term

• Completion of research project in collaboration with Supervisor
• Development of final dissertation documents in collaboration with Supervisor
• Research Presentation 5 at the DDes Fall Research Symposium

Winter term

• Development of final dissertation documents in collaboration with Supervisor
• Post for Defense

Spring/Summer term

• Preparation of final exhibition
• Dissertation Defense as Research Presentation 6 at the DDes Spring/Summer Research Symposium