The Design (MA) offers something rare and raw - space and time to generate ideas, concepts, objects, systems, interventions, and experiences. It’s a space for research, exploration, action and reflection in a socio-political climate that can, at times, leave us breathless. Immersed in a diverse community of makers and thinkers in the fields of communication, interface and product design, the Design (MA) offers time. Time to think, discuss, contemplate, reimagine and reflect on alternatives for our planetary present and future. Embark on a transformative journey with us!
2 semesters
4 semesters
until 15.06.
15.06. - 15.08. (admission restricted)
60 ECTS credit points
120 ECTS credit points
Profile
Designing Futures: Between Strategy and Speculation – The New Design Master's at FHP
The Design (MA) offers a unique learning environment, where a strong studio culture of co-creation and collaboration supports your studies. By specializing in one of our studios, “Speculative Software” or “Strategy in Design”, it opens up a flexible, modular and interdisciplinary learning environment (English or German track). Choosing from a rich selection of courses in communication, interface and product design, the programme offers the opportunity to craft an individual learning journey that is entirely your own. At the core of your studies lies an in-depth practical and theoretical research exploration into societal transformation processes and interdisciplinary futures.
Studio: Design as Strategy
Design, with its diverse disciplines, offers a powerful toolkit for achieving entrepreneurial or societal goals. In this studio, we'll develop methods and train routines that enable future designers to engage with clients in making strategic decisions before the design process begins. The focus lies on understanding design not just as execution, but as a driver of vision, positioning, and long-term impact.
Studio: Speculative Software
This studio pushes the boundaries of interaction design and invites students to speculate on the future of software itself. Together, we’ll question today’s conventions, explore radical design approaches, and prototype new forms of digital interaction and expression. From ambient systems to post-GUI futures – this is a space to rethink how we shape, sense, and experience the digital world.
Design in Times of Polycrisis
The climate crisis, societal polarization, and rapid technological transformation define a present that raises more questions than it offers clear answers. The Master's programme in Design at the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam invites students to engage with this complexity not through quick fixes, but through a reflective, research-oriented design practice.
At the heart of the programme, design is not conceived as embellishment, but as a mode of thinking, researching, and acting. Rather than searching for a simple solution to solve a problem, students are encouraged to embrace ambiguity, confront contradictions, and turn tensions into productive potential. The ability to navigate complexity emerges as a vital competence.
Design is understood here as both critical reflection on the everyday and a speculative engagement with future possibilities. Students develop projects that range from situated interventions in daily life to visionary scenarios that challenge and reimagine societal futures. The projects aim not only to persuade through conceptual clarity and aesthetic precision, but to foster discourse and offer new perspectives on transformation.
Following a period in which design thinking has often been indiscriminately applied as a universal solution, this Master’s programme positions itself as a deliberate counter-model — one that values consolidation over hype, depth over immediacy. It cultivates an awareness of when to pause and reflect, and when urgent change demands acceleration. In this sense, design becomes a matter of rhythm: attentive, responsible, and with a feel for the right moment.

Hands-On Research
Our approach is reflected not only in the design projects, but in the close integration of teaching and research. The Master's programme offers diverse opportunities to explore design questions within the context of current research projects, combining theoretical reflection with hands-on research experience.
Engage with cutting-edge research while developing your own practice. The Master's programme offers the opportunity to collaborate on innovative research projects within the Interaction Design Lab and the Urban Complexity Lab. Gain hands-on experience and deepen your academic and methodological skills in our research-oriented modules or as student assistant. Additionally, we support your pursuit of a PhD in one of our research labs as a future opportunity.
Interaction Design Lab
The IDL is home to an international team of researchers, designers and developers with roots in science and industry. We create an interface between teaching, research, development, technology transfer, design and knowledge transfer and thus open up a space for multidisciplinary projects.
Urban Complexity Lab
The UCLAB is an interdisciplinary research group that combines expertise from the fields of interface design, computer science and the humanities. Its research work focuses on the design, development and investigation of data visualisations.
Why Study Design at FH Potsdam?
Are you looking to deepen your existing interest in design? Do you want to complete your undergraduate studies with an internationally recognised qualification? Are you eager to explore design as both a practical and theoretical field of research, and considering an academic career in design research? Would you like to be supported on your path to developing your own research question—across disciplines and fields?
The Master's programme in Design at the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam offers you these opportunities. You will learn to address problems on formal, aesthetic, and methodological levels and acquire the skills to understand and manage complex design, development, and transformation processes—structurally, conceptually, and strategically. Ecological, social, and political contexts are not add-ons here—they're integral to how we understand and teach design.
You have these qualities
- analytical and conceptual way of thinking
- a creative vision
- enjoy art, culture, design, media and technology
- independence, communication, organisational and teamwork skills
Shop window
Let us inspire you! In our virtual showcase you will find current projects and works from the degree programmes of the Faculty of Design.

Info Day 2025: We open our doors
Open Day at the Potsdam University of Applied Sciences: On 24 May 2025, you will get to know the diverse study paths at our university, explore the campus and gain exclusive insights into our modern laboratories and workshops.
Take the opportunity to talk to students and lecturers in person and look forward to a varied programme.
Projects of the Design department
More projectsThe Opposite of Fear is Courage – Photography as a Tool
Under the direction of Wiebke Loeper, students from the Department of Design presented their photographic work as part of the exhibition "The opposite of fear is courage" at the Kulturhaus Wittenberge in November 2024.
International Study and Training Partnership with the National Taipei University of Technology (Taiwan)
Exchange programme for students and teachers within the framework of the DAAD ISAP programme
Drängende Gegenwart × Luckenwalde – Photographic and Textile Works
The exhibition ‘Drängende Gegenwart - Fotografie als Forschungsinstrument’ and ‘Drängende Gegenwart - textiles in transit’ combines photographic and textile works. The exhibition opening took place on the 6th of June 2024. The exhibition itself was on display at the Luckenwalde branch until the 27th of June 2024.
LAUBE focuses on Sustainability, Social Issues and Biodiversity
The allotment garden is changing – one driver of this change is the demographic development, which results in a generational change.
Contact us
The colleagues at the Central Student Advisory Service provide information to prospective students, first-year students, parents, teachers and students on all general questions relating to the degree programme. If you have specific questions and concerns about the Master's degree programme in Design, please contact the Student Advisory Service.
Student counselling
Student counselling
You may also be interested in these degree programmes
More coursesDepartment | Degree programme | Teaching language | Start of study | Application deadline |
---|---|---|---|---|
|
Urban Futures (MA) | German | Winter semester | 15/05 – 15/06 (restricted admission) |
Programme content
Programme Structure and Modules
The Design (MA) is offered as a one- or two-year course, full-time or part-time, leading to a Master of Arts degree. The two-year programme can be completed in either German or English. In addition, you may pursue a double degree as part of our established collaboration with the National Taipei University of Technology (Taipei Tech).
The double degree is a joint programme between the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam and Taipei Tech. It allows you to obtain two degrees: a Master of Arts and a Master of Design. You are required to complete specific courses and pass the necessary exams at both institutions. This programme provides an international academic experience and enhances your career prospects by offering intercultural competencies and subject-specific qualifications.
1-year Master's programme (2 semesters) | taught in German
The one-year "Fast-Track" Master's programme is designed for graduates of eight-semester (four-year) Bachelor's programmes who wish to deepen their knowledge in the fields of design research, design theory, and aesthetic-artistic practice.
Through the central studio project and elective specializations such as Teaching Experience, Design Leadership , or Interdisciplinary Futures, you can strategically expand your expertise and sharpen your argumentation strategies for decision-making. In your Master's thesis, you will further deepen your knowledge through practice-based or practice-led research and theory. The programme combines practical and academic approaches to critically address current design issues, while simultaneously equipping you with essential skills to respond flexibly to changes and uncertain conditions in the design profession.
2-year Master's programme (4 semesters) | taught in English
The two-year Master's programme provides an opportunity to obtain a double degree. In your first year, you will study at the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam and in your second year at the National Taipei University of Technology (Taipei Tech). At Taipei Tech’s Interaction Design MA programme, you can dive deep into topics such as XR, UX, Service Design, as well as Human-Centred AI. You will gain hands-on experience working on both creative and research-driven projects, developing, implementing, and documenting your own ideas. The Master’s thesis will be completed at Taipei Tech, with supervisors from both universities.
First Year – Curriculum and Module Overview
This outlines the curriculum of the Design (MA) programme, organised by the academic year. You will find all module descriptions, the study and examination regulations, as well as the statutes for the selection procedure neatly compiled and easily accessible here.
Studio for Design as Strategy
Studio for Design as Strategy

The Master Studio for Design as Strategy represents all relevant design disciplines as purpose-oriented “measures” to achieve a goal. Trained designers will develop into “deciders” and thus into advisory “counterparts” for clients.
Collaboration at eye level: This “counterpart” begins at the briefing stage, well before the design process itself. It is crucial to hear, understand, and assess the client's interests at this stage. The stated goals need to be critically questioned and, if necessary, discussed, and design measures formulated and planned. The foundation for this is established in the studio for “Design as Strategy”, which includes skills such as constructive listening and thinking, the ability to contextualize, an understanding of design as an “investment” and a realistic ability to assess the appropriate effectiveness of creative means. Most importantly, this process requires mental agility and flexibility.
Let’s dive in: Into the subject! In the studio “Design as Strategy” we practice reflected assessments on various actors, levels and stages: the initiators' self-image and understanding of the objective, the conditions (economic, temporal, technological, social, and ethical), of the players and reference groups, the interests, wishes and resistance of all players, the potential touchpoints and its possible effects and consequences. We achieve a deeper comprehension of our topics by classification, mapping, characterisation and discussion. Thereby, you systematically develop criteria for every recommendation and project, ensuring consistency and quality in our outcomes.
Moving towards the solution: What can be achieved, with what resources, and by when? Based on your assessments and criteria, you can outline various scenarios, each with its own unique measures. As a designer and consultant, it is crucial to possess in-depth knowledge across multiple design disciplines. This interdisciplinary knowledge enables you to approach challenges from the client’s perspective, allowing for a critical evaluation of objectives, required efforts, development timelines, costs, benefits, and overall resource efficiency, including return on investment. Recommending design measures and criteria involves strategic considerations regarding their concrete effects and, above all, their intended purpose.
Facing reality: Is this way of thinking and working design now or is it yet to come? The studio for “Design as Strategy” supports a new generation of designers as strategic thinkers! This approach is based on the observation that more design tasks become automated or even carried out by amateurs using software like Canvas. The market is shrinking, and the design quality is deteriorating. How do design professionals address this challenge? What role do strategic considerations play in their daily work? And how does this shift affect the role of designers? We are reaching out to successful FHP design graduates to gather insights. Additionally, we are developing methods that provide a framework and value proposition for a new generation of designers.
The studio for Design as Strategy is headed by Matthias Beyrow. He holds the professorship for “Identity and Sign” at the Department of Design at the FH Potsdam. His teaching expertise lies in applied communication for companies, administrations and institutions, in short: branding and campaigning. His compendium, already emphasizes the potential of different design disciplines for holistic design strategies.
If you are interested in applying for the Master Studio for Design as Strategy, please join our online information event on May 22, 2025 Zoom Link.
Contact us
Studio Speculative Software
Studio “Speculative Software”

The Master Studio Speculative Software is dedicated to the design and exploration of creative, experimental software user interfaces. It is part of a full-time two-year Master programme, taught in English.
The Master Studio Speculative Software is dedicated to the design and exploration of creative, experimental software user interfaces. It is part of a full-time two-year Master programme, taught in English.
The studio pushes the boundaries of interaction design and invites students to speculate on the future of software. They are encouraged to challenge conventions, explore radical design approaches, and imagine new forms of digital interaction and representation that question established norms.
The studio covers a wide range of topics and is structured around three core perspectives: technology, speculation, and dissemination. In the first semester, students are introduced to current technologies such as XR, web technologies, artificial intelligence, spatial typography, robotics, data visualization, and software prototyping. The second semester focuses on theory, thesis development, and design discourse, engaging with topics like speculative design, human-computer interaction, cultural theory, and media theory. The third semester emphasizes strategic communication and dissemination, while the fourth is dedicated to the Master’s thesis.
Students benefit from a broad range of practical and theoretical perspectives offered within the Department of Design. Each semester, the studio invites professors and lecturers to join as co-teachers, enriching the learning experience. As part of the Master's programme, students also have the opportunity to take electives across the department, fostering interdisciplinary learning and collaboration. (For details, please check the Modules and Course of Study).
Additionally, those enrolled in the Studio for Speculative Software can choose to participate in the double degree programme with the National Taipei University of Technology (Taipei Tech) in Taiwan.
Speculative Software places a strong emphasis on critical reflection, encouraging students to consider the cultural and ethical implications of software design. Graduates develop the ability to envision and create forward-thinking design concepts that inspire, challenge, and redefine software across diverse applications, from digital art installations to experimental software platforms. The studio welcomes applicants from a variety of backgrounds. We are looking for students who want to make a transformative impact in the evolving landscape of software design.
Headed by Boris Müller, Professor of Interaction Design and Co-Director of the Urban Complexity Lab [https://uclab.fh-potsdam.de/], the studio builds upon innovative and experimental design research. The Urban Complexity Lab (UCLAB) is a research space at the intersection of design, science, and the humanities. Its activities have a strong focus on data visualization and exploratory design. Boris Müller recently gave a TEDx Talk on Speculative Software, presenting his unique perspective on design and exploration. Furthermore, he publishes essays on interaction design, data visualization, and design research on his blog.
If you are interested in applying for the Master Studio for Speculative Software, please join our online information event on May 22, 2025 at 2 pm (CEST) Zoom Link.

TEDx “The Art of Speculative Software”
We spend almost 8 hours a day in front of a screen - but is the software we use really well designed? On 6 November 2024, Boris Müller gave a talk on this topic at the TEDx conference in Potsdam. He argues that software is the dominant medium of our time, but that it usually lacks creativity and vision. In his talk, he questions conventional UX paradigms and introduces the concept of "speculative software".
Contact us
Application & Contact
Dates & Requirements
The Design (MA) programme welcomes applicants with a Bachelor's degree in design, art, or related design- or art-oriented disciplines (e.g. architecture). We also encourage applicants from a wide range of other fields, including media studies, information and communication sciences, or media informatics. It is essential to show a strong interest in design, design research and to demonstrate relevant design expertise.
Dates
- 22/05/2025: Virtual Open Event: Presentation of the Master Studios and Q&A session
- 24/05/2025: Open day at the FH Potsdam
- Until 15/07: Registration for the entrance exam
- Mid-July: Entrance exam (online)
- Until 15/08: Submit an online application to confirm your place
Entry Requirements
- Honours degree or possession of equivalent qualification (at least 180 ECTS credit points) in a design degree programme or a design-oriented degree programme from a university, university of applied sciences or university of the arts
- Passed entrance exam
How to apply
Follow this step-by-step guide to apply for the entrance exam.
Project outline
The project outline is a key requirement for admission to the Master's programme in Design. You should develop a well-founded position on the chosen study topic (length: max. two pages). This can take the form of one or more research questions as well as initial approaches for the practical, aesthetic-artistic or scientific examination of the topic.
Whether problem solving, speculative design or artistic intervention - the perspectives on the studio are diverse, as is the possible form of the sketch. It can be exclusively text-based or include visual elements such as photographs, illustrations, user interfaces or infographics.
Your project outline, the presentation in the entrance exam and your portfolio will be assessed according to these criteria:
Project outline
Originality: level of innovation and independent interpretation of the topic, ranging from aesthetic-artistic to methodological-scientific
Content quality: clarity of the problem, technical depth and conceptual derivation
Thematic fit with the studio: examination of the thematic link to relevant issues of the selected studio from various design-specific perspectives
Presentation and Discussion
Presentation and communication: comprehensibility, strength of argumentation and response to queries
Portfolio (our portfolio term is broadly defined and refers to a variety of creative forms of expression, e.g. also texts or software)
Portfolio quality: creative, technical and methodical realisation of previous work
Artistic and creative design skills: creativity, improvisation, abstraction and technical skills
Further information
The following links summarise further information on the topics of application and enrolment for national and international students at the Potsdam University of Applied Sciences.
International applicants
Would you like to apply for a degree programme from the first or a higher semester and have obtained your school-leaving certificate and/or university degree abroad? Then you can have your qualifications and achievements from abroad recognised and study with us.
Application & enrolment procedure
The Application and Study Service provides information and advice on general questions about the application process, admission and enrolment at the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam. It also supports applications for a higher semester, and further on topics such as compensation for disadvantages, part-time study, waiting semesters and hardship applications.
Contact & Services
The Central Student Advisory Service provides information and advice on general questions about studying and on topics such as choosing a programme, application process, enrolment and how to organise your studies.
For subject-specific questions about module content, credit transfer, examinations or studio specialisations in the Master's programme, the Student Advisory Service is the best place to go.
Student counselling
Student counselling
Study and Examination Service
Study Info Service
studien-info-service@fh-potsdam.de
bewerbungs-service@fh-potsdam.de
campuskarte@fh-potsdam.de
Study Service
studien-service@fh-potsdam.de
Exam Service
pruefungs-service@fh-potsdam.de
Family Affairs Commissioner
Office hours
Tue and Thu 9.30 am – 1.30 pm
Commissioner for University Employees with Impairment
Office hours
by arrangement