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Interactivity 1
Master of Design: Thesis
A Practice-based Framework
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What is a thesis?
“Students identify a chosen area of research and develop an
individual direction within the greater context of
contemporary
design practice. Students develop a body of work that
demonstrates a critical awareness of themselves and the place
of
design in the world”
(York University, MDes Handbook)
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MDes Supervisory Committee
- Comprised of Supervisor and Advisor
- Supervisor must be in the Department of Design and FGS
appointed
- Responsibility of the student to approach prospective
committee members
to discuss supervisor
- Arrange a minimum of 3 meetings each term with their
supervisory
committee
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MDes Faculty - Supervisors
- David Cabianca
- Wendy Wong
- Paul Sych
- Jan Hadlaw
- David Gelb
Students cannot be forced to work with a faculty member; faculty
similarly
cannot be forced to work with a student. In some cases, faculty
from outside of
Design may serve on a supervisory committee as advisors for
reasons of
expertise.
- Angela Norwood (sabbatical 2015/16)
- Sandra Gabriele (sabbatical 2016/17)
- David Scadding (Professor Emeritus)
- Michael Longford (Digital Media, sabbatical 2016/17)
- Angela Iarocci (Sheridan College)
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Draft Thesis Statement
Students write a draft thesis statement to circulate amongst
prospectivefaculty members.
The statement (approximately 500 words) will include:
- Title (working title)
- Thesis Statement
- Brief overview of concepts being investigated
- Possible design project outcome
Once faculty have agreed to serve as supervisor and advisor(s),
the signed Thesis Supervisory Committee Form is to be
submitted to the GPA in
Graduate Design Program office by end of April.
http://www.yorku.ca/grads/forms/SupervisorCommitteeApproval.pdf
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Student and Supervisory Committee
Students meet with Supervisory Committee in April/early May to
discuss a
plan of study for the summer term.
Thesis Proposal is due mid-August :
- outlines the direction of work student will explore in the
second year
- culminates in a presentation to faculty and students of ideas
and
visual work completed over the summer term
- Thesis Proposal is submitted to GPD then to FGS for approval-
If you are including human participants in your study,
completed
Research Ethics Forms are required
http://gradstudies.yorku.ca/current-students/thesis-dissertation/forms/
