It is part of the programme's philosophy to provide the greatest possible integration between the participants of the master's and doctoral courses, as well as with the undergraduate design course. Our physical facilities are shared, which facilitates communication between PPDESDI students. We have multi-purpose study rooms equipped with internet connection and equipment such as cameras and scanners.

Subjects 2025+
All subjects have the same workload (60h/y per semester), which is equivalent to 4 credits (15h/y = 1 academic credit). The Scientific Methodology course is compulsory for all master's and doctoral students. It discusses the concepts of methodology, the procedures and techniques of academic research and the need for deep engagement in the training of researchers. It is an introductory course for master's students who are still familiarising themselves with the nature of postgraduate studies.

Also compulsory are the foundation courses of the four lines of research, effective from December 2024, valid for entrants in 2025. For the PhD, it is necessary to take Epistemology of Design. Some compulsory and elective activities are also worth credits.

Master's students must take compulsory and elective subjects and activities to complete the 24 credits required and doctoral students the 48 credits. When all the credits have been completed, students must maintain a link with the programme by enrolling in the Dissertation or Thesis Preparation subject every semester.

The PPDESDI also adopts a qualifying exam halfway through the programme. Students who pass the qualifying exam may apply to the CPD for registration for the public defence of their dissertation. The maximum period for completing the master's programme is 24 months and the doctorate 48 months.

Elective subjects

Special topics (all lines)

Design, politics and subjectivisation

1. critical approaches to design and technology (in portuguese)
2. Design, body and technopolitics (in portuguese)
3. Design and oppression  (in portuguese)
4. Teaching-learning and design thinking: political issues and subjectivisation (in portuguese)

Design, management and innovation

1. New business design (in portuguese)
2. Service design (in portuguese)
3. Design and innovation (in portuguese)
4. Generative design (in portuguese)
5. Knowledge management (in portuguese)

Design, culture and visuality

1. Information Design and Graphic Memory (in portuguese)
2. Data visualisation (in portuguese)
3. History, design and material culture (in portuguese)
4. Image and discourse (in portuguese)
5. Culture, aesthetic experience and technology (in portuguese)

Design, territorialities and anthropocene 

1. territory, social struggles and political ecology (in portuguese)
2. Making and living beyond development (in portuguese)
3. Politics, globalisation and counter-colonialism (in portuguese)
4. Critical perspectives on art and architecture (in portuguese)
5. Images and imaginaries of the Earth/land (in portuguese)
6. Anthropology and philosophy beyond the human (in portuguese)
7. Project, fabulation, futures (in portuguese)

Up to 2024

Technology, Product and Innovation:

Compulsory: PhD: Research methodology for Technology, Product and Innovation.

Electives: Accompanying Studies in Technology, Product and Innovation - Physical Computing - Interaction Design - Design and Innovation in Services - Design, Science and Technology - Project Management - Creative Industries and Innovation - Business Innovation and Design - Methods for Product Design - Digital Media - Recognition and Analysis of Shapes, Patterns and Image - Seminars in Technology, Product and Innovation - Qualitative Techniques in Product Interface Research - Special Topics in Innovation - Special Topics in Technology - Product Usability - Use of Interface Technology for Design - Information Visualization.

Theory, Information, Society and History:

Compulsory: Research Methodology for Theory, Information, Society and History.

Electives: Accompanying Studies in Theory, Information, Society and History - Textual Elaboration - Concepts and Configuration of the Field of Design - Design and Anthropology - Design and Architecture - Design and the City - Design and the Condition of Theory - Design and Epistemology - Design, Art and Philosophy - Design, Culture and Society - Design, Information and Visual Languages - Digitization and Preservation of Iconographic Collections - Interactive Experience, Art and Design - History of Design - History of Design in Brazil - History, Design and Material Culture - Contemporary Image: Genealogy and Critical Investigations - Thought and Visuality - Questions of Aesthetics and Design Theory - Seminars in Theory, Information, Society and History - Design Theory: An Introduction - Special Topics in Design History - Special Topics in Design Theory.