Research
Thesis

Part 1 of your research thesis is the foundation of your design thesis.

The primary goal is to establish a solid knowledge base that informs your design work.
In this section, you should critically address a research question or hypothesis and present a coherent and academically grounded argument. Even if your thesis draws from multiple fields, it must consistently maintain a design perspective to strengthen your design practice. Your critical stance should be apparent throughout, with each section contributing meaningfully to the research question. 

In summary, Part 1 of the research thesis should:

• Clearly frame the problem and opportunity space. Identify key stakeholders and outline their relationships. Stakeholders can include people, objects, institutions, conventions, and non-human entities such as animals.
• Define your research focus. Determine what knowledge you need to intervene effectively in this problem space as a designer.
• Explore a focused research question. Align your research question with your defined focus.
• Synthesize knowledge generated. Create frameworks or models that will guide your design thesis based on the knowledge you have gathered.
• Develop scenarios and value propositions. Outline potential approaches, expected outcomes, and possible challenges.
• State your intended impact. Clearly articulate the change or impact your work seeks to achieve.

Part 1 is submitted several months before the design thesis and serves as a detailed exploration of the subject you plan to address. It establishes the essential knowledge base for your design thesis. In addition to this theoretical framework, practical work completed in semesters 1 and 2 will contribute to your research. These initial prototypes will help refine your questions and provide valuable insights.

Part 1: Research thesis in the MA design includes:

• Title page
• Abstract
• Affidavit
• Table of contents
• Main content
• Glossary
• List of abbreviations (optional)
• List of figures
• Reference list
• Appendix (optional)

It is strongly recommended that students with limited academic writing experience use the template provided by the MA. The digital version should be a single-page PDF, not to exceed 9 MB.

Components of the research thesis in detail:

Title page / Cover page: Must include the title, subtitle (if applicable), program details, author’s name, supervisor’s name (with academic titles), second reader’s name, and submission date.

Affidavit: A declaration of independent authorship, with optional mention of any AI tools used. Example:

Affidavit 
I hereby solemnly declare that I have independently prepared this final year thesis. 
Ideas directly or indirectly taken from outside sources are indicated as such. 
The work has not previously been presented to another examination authority nor otherwise published in the same or similar form.

If you have used an AI Tool in writing the text, please add something like the following phrase: When writing the thesis, I used the AI-powered writing tool [insert name of the tool] to optimize text. Passages taken verbatim from the tool were cited in the text as personal communication.
Lucerne, (date) (signature)

Abstract: A concise summary of the thesis content, typically one paragraph, including the topic, problem and context, research question, methodology, and results.

Table of contents: Number all pages with Arabic numerals, excluding the cover page. The main chapters should be structured into appropriate sublevels, avoiding more than three levels to maintain coherence.

Introduction: Outline the research question, outcomes, primary references, research design, and chapter overview.

Main content: Definition of problem space, state of the art, methods, research practice, data analysis, critical discussion, outcomes, and assessment of prototypes; Validation of results (test and verify outcomes, considering expert feedback and possible criticisms); Conclusion (e.g., summary of findings, assessment of the approach, discussion of contributions to knowledge, suggestions for future research directions).

Glossary: Summarize technical terms related to your field or topic.

List of abbreviations: If you use specific abbreviations other than common ones, explain them in a separate list after the table of contents.

Reference list: Alphabetically lists all literature used, following APA format.

List of figures: Include a separate list of figures with comprehensive references using APA format.

Other appendices: Include raw data such as interview transcripts or field observation photos in the appendix.

Part 1: The research thesis has specific formal requirements that must be adhered to.

Length of the text
The main body should be between 8,000 and 15,000 words, excluding the abstract, affidavit, table of contents, bibliography, list of illustrations, and appendix.

Completion and submission of Part I of the research thesis
Deadlines for submitting the research thesis will be published via the master design calendar. Concerning the format and submission, the following should be noted:

First draft (to be delivered approximately mid-August)

• Layout: the template made available by the master’s program in design is recommended.
• Delivery: Submit digitally as a PDF (single pages, no double pages, max 9 MB).
• Submission: Upload via SharePoint with the following format (further details to be communicated):
  ‘25HS_MAD (or MASD/MADI/MAESD) _Last name_ First name_ thesis_1stDraft’

Final version (to be delivered approximately at the beginning of October)

• Digital delivery: Submit a PDF (single pages, max 9 MB).
• Layout: The template made available by the master’s program in design is recommended.
• Submission: Please upload the PDF via SharePoint using the format (further details to be communicated): ‘25HS_MAD (or MASD/MADI/MAESD)_Last name_First name_thesis_p1_final’

You will be assigned a research thesis advisor who will guide you throughout the writing process and evaluate both your first draft and the final version of your thesis. A second reader will also assess the final version, though they are unavailable for coaching or feedback. Take advantage of the wide range of experts within and beyond the MA Design faculty during the Atelier Days.

In mid-August (exact dates will be communicated each year), you are expected to submit the first draft of your research thesis. Your advisor will provide detailed, written feedback on this draft. It is important to note that this draft will neither be graded nor directly affect your final thesis assessment. However, submitting it is the most effective way to ensure you are on the right track, as the feedback you receive will be invaluable for refining your final version.

Keep in mind that the quality of the feedback depends on the completeness of your draft. Therefore, you should aim to submit a well-developed draft that includes most, if not all of the critical content necessary for the structure and argument of your work.

Part 1 of your research thesis will be evaluated by your supervisor. A second reader will be assigned to evaluate the following criteria:

Criterion No. 1 – Research process

Articulates the rigor and structure of the research process. This includes the clarity of the research question, the selection and justification of methods, the consistency and depth of research activities, integration of experiments or prototypes into the research design, reflexivity and critical reflection on the overall process.

Criterion No. 2 – Analysis and synthesis

Evaluates the student’s ability to critically analyze information and synthesize findings into coherent conclusions. It encompasses the depth of analysis, critical reflection on experiments or prototypes, identification of key insights, synthesis of various sources and viewpoints, and the coherence and strength of the argument.

Criterion No. 3 – Relevance and impact

Gauges how well the research gap is defined and the relevance of the chosen topic. It assesses the originality of the contribution, its significance within the field, the complexity of how the problem is framed, and its potential for real-world impact. Additionally, the evaluation considers the validation of results, including stakeholder involvement, ethical considerations, and the potential for positive effects within the discipline or society.

Criterion No. 4 – Quality of concept, design, and prototype

Assesses the relevance of knowledge generated for the design thesis. Focus on the clarity and originality of the knowledge base, evaluation of practical experiments, and identification of how research is integrated into the design process.

Criterion No. 5 – Documentation and presentation

Considers the effectiveness of the thesis in terms of documentation and presentation. Key factors include clarity and coherence of the written text, the logical structure and organization of content, and the quality of visual aids or supporting materials such as diagrams, sketches, and models. Attention to detail in citations, formatting, and overall professionalism is also evaluated.

Part 1 of the research thesis is graded with pass or fail. 
Part 2 will be assessed by the primary advisor of the design thesis as part of your final deliverables before the Degree Show. 

Please note that each assignment and assessment is independent. For example, if you successfully complete the research thesis proposal but later decide to change your topic, you are free to do so. However, such a fundamental change may require restarting the entire research process. Therefore, this approach is only recommended if thoroughly considered and discussed with your tutors.

Over the years, many students have found different, yet equally effective, ways to design their research process, develop their argument, and structure their thesis. Here, you’ll find a collection of some excellent MA Design theses submitted in the past few years.

Reviewing how your peers approached similar challenges can be an excellent starting point for your own journey. This is especially helpful if you feel stuck along the way—there’s no shame in drawing inspiration from the work of others. On the contrary, it shows that you are informed and capable of building on existing knowledge.

Part 2: Documentation & Reflection is submitted at the end of your studies, together with all other final deliverables needed for the degree show (Werkschau). While Part 1 of the research thesis establishes the theoretical foundation by exploring relevant research, Part 2 documents and reflects on the prototyping and implementation of your design proposals. Part 2 includes:

• Documentation of the prototyping and development process. 
• Presentation and discussion of the results. 
• A final chapter reflecting on the key learnings from your project work and how these relate to the initial findings from Part 1.

This connection between your practical work and research creates a comprehensive record of your overall thesis project. 

Upon completion of your MA thesis project, you will finalize your research thesis by incorporating the following components into the main content:

Documentation: Ensure that your design process is understandable for readers. Provide visual documentation of your prototyping phase, describe how you navigated your iterative design process, detail the implementation of your design work, and finally, discuss the results of your efforts.

Impact assessment: Clearly outline your objectives and evaluate how your project generates an impact. It is essential to assess your project critically, including any shortcomings or roadblocks that need to be addressed in the future.

Reflection: Reflect on the insights you gained from your conclusions in Part I. Consider how your perspective evolved through your project work.

Length of the text
Part 2 should be between 1,500 and 4,000 words. Please include visual material to enrich the documentation of your project.

Position of Part 2
Part 2 should be positioned after the main content of Part 1 and before any glossary or reference lists.

Completion and submission of Part 2 of the research thesis
Deadlines for submitting the completed research thesis will be published via the master design calendar. Please take note of the following guidelines concerning the format and submission:

• Printed Delivery: One double-sided, ring-bound copy is required for exhibition at the Werkschau, which will later be archived by the MA Design program. 
• Digital Delivery: Submit a PDF (maximum size 20 MB). 
• Layout: It is recommended to use the template provided by the master’s program in design.
• Submission: The printed copy must be submitted to the MA office before the Werkschau (deadline to be communicated in due time), while the PDF must be uploaded via SharePoint using the following format (further details will be provided): ‘26HS_MAD (or MASD/MADI/MAESD)_Last name_First name_Thesis_complete’.
  You will also be required to upload the PDF to the Junior Design Research Conference website, the national thesis archive of Swiss design colleges (link to be communicated: https://junior-research.ch/conference/junior-design-research-conference-).

The primary and secondary advisors for your design thesis will assist with any questions about documenting and reflecting on your design process. Additionally, you will receive valuable support in the Thesis Colloquium, where you can specifically address any challenges related to this task.

The documentation and reflection of your MA thesis will be evaluated as part of your final deliverable by your design thesis advisors, the head of the MA programs, and external evaluators. While this documentation is not graded as a standalone component, it plays an important role in your final submission’s overall quality and assessment.