Intelligent Mobility Design MA

The Intelligent Mobility Design MAMDes will be available either as a one year MA or a two year MDes. This programme was formerly known as the Intelligent Mobility MA. This programme at the RCA builds on the college’s rich history in vehicle design, exploring mobility within a changing social, cultural and technological landscape. You investigate autonomous systems, renewable power, demographic change and the evolving relationship between people and machines, developing advanced design and innovation proposals for future mobility. Through research, experimentation and collaboration with mobility practitioners, thought leaders and leading brands, you explore questions of business, production, ownership and use across vehicles, mobility services and wider systems. While the intensive one-year MA route focuses on developing critical and technical agency through an Independent Research Project, the extended two-year MDes route builds on this foundation to cultivate sustained creative practice and professional leadership. Programme structure: Term 1 In Term 1, you take People and Places, which explores how future mobility fits within changing global landscapes and how people and places connect through mobility. You also take Humanising Technology, examining emerging technologies such as autonomy and electrification and how these can create new and meaningful interactions between people and mobility. Term 2 In Term 2, you take Automotive Transitions, where you explore the future of automotive design in response to technological and social change, considering advanced manufacturing, contemporary cultural issues and new business models. You also take a choice of elective units, allowing you to shape your learning journey and work alongside students from other programmes. Term 3 In Term 3, you take the Independent Research Project, where you define, develop and address a socially relevant and technically challenging research question through a self-directed mobility design project. You lead the development of your ideas through research, experimentation and making, working across 2D, 3D and digital media before presenting your work publicly.Referring to the website: Please refer to the programme webpage for the most accurate and up-to-date information about the programme, its structure, modules and any updates or changes. About RCA: The Royal College of Art is the world’s leading postgraduate art and design university, providing students with unrivalled opportunities to develop their practice, build their networks, enhance their career and to deliver art and design projects that transform the world. For 12 consecutive years, the RCA has been ranked as the world’s number 1 art & design university in the QS World University subject rankings (2015-2026) - attracting artists, designers and communicators from across the globe.

Candidates are selected entirely on merit and applications are welcomed from all over the world. The selection process considers creativity, imagination and innovation as demonstrated in your portfolio, as well as your potential to benefit from the programme and to achieve high Master's standards overall.You’ll have completed or be in the final year of a first degree in an art and design (or related) subject. Alongside this, you’ll need proven commitment to the discipline, with a high level of self-motivation and evidence of independent study. You should possess a high standard of illustrative skills and an understanding of 3D form.Portfolio requirementsIntelligent Mobility extends traditional vehicle and transport design into a visionary, transformative and connective approach to future mobilityIn your portfolio submission, we want to specifically see:Design excellence and a clear sense of design sensitivity in its broadest sense - evidenced through projects which look to the future of what mobility can be. Projects which explore important areas such as sustainable design, emotional technology, autonomy, urban infrastructure and future mobility typologies.Skills and ability to analyse and transform ideas from 2D, sketching and imaging into 3D. Evidence of testing ideas through making and materiality and experimenting with this process.Understanding of vehicles and brands and an interest in the relationships between mobility design and other disciplines such as architecture, consumer products, fashion, fine art and engineering/innovation practice.Design research and a deep interest in people and social context as a way of generating new insights and directions.Passion and personal identity – for example through the style and development of your thinking or the way you use media to express and develop your ideas and ideology.Personal statementPlease provide a 300-word written personal statement that addresses the following points:Introduce yourself, your interests and your motivations for applying to the Royal College of Art, and to this programme in particular.Briefly summarise any educational background and professional experience to date that will support your application.Tell us what you want to do in the future.Video requirements