Master of Strategic Design in Complexity
Academic Program
The Master In Strategic Design in Complexity is a one year program at ELISAVA School of Design and Engineering in Barcelona Spain and in partnership with Kaospilot in Aarhus Denmark.
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Students engaging in field work around Barcelona.
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Students in Studio at Elisava.
Students engaging in field work around Barcelona.
Students in Studio at Elisava.
Student designed exhibitions presented at Barcelona Design Week 2024
Program Description
The Master in Strategic Design in Complexity combines design disciplines with other applied social sciences to respond to today’s challenges, developing students’ capacities to solve problems both in the business sphere and all kinds of organisational or community-based settings.
Design has found a place in practically all aspects of society and is no longer exclusively limited to areas related to craft, art and architecture. Following this trend, strategic planning and its application have begun to form part of the world of design, driving new hybrid disciplines and theories that encompass areas like innovation, inclusive design, corporate design and strategic design, but also areas like leadership, sustainability, systems thinking and business change and development, among others.
As the world becomes increasingly VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous), areas like strategy design and the role of strategy in design are gaining relevance. This master responds to the context of society’s growing complexity and the need for a systems approach for solving problems. It thereby aims to prepare a new generation of professionals, like you, by not only enhancing business skills, but also equipping students with the design capacities required to develop initiatives that respond to the challenges and needs of the 21st century, including environmental and ethical issues.
In this context, the programme promotes ethnographic and anthropological research, ideation and prototyping to devise new approaches in the field of business and social innovation. Students will gain design-based critical thinking skills, while developing sophisticated perspectives on organisational and management strategy, financial and environmental strategy, entrepreneurial spirit and ethical leadership.
Design has found a place in practically all aspects of society and is no longer exclusively limited to areas related to craft, art and architecture. Following this trend, strategic planning and its application have begun to form part of the world of design, driving new hybrid disciplines and theories that encompass areas like innovation, inclusive design, corporate design and strategic design, but also areas like leadership, sustainability, systems thinking and business change and development, among others.
As the world becomes increasingly VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous), areas like strategy design and the role of strategy in design are gaining relevance. This master responds to the context of society’s growing complexity and the need for a systems approach for solving problems. It thereby aims to prepare a new generation of professionals, like you, by not only enhancing business skills, but also equipping students with the design capacities required to develop initiatives that respond to the challenges and needs of the 21st century, including environmental and ethical issues.
In this context, the programme promotes ethnographic and anthropological research, ideation and prototyping to devise new approaches in the field of business and social innovation. Students will gain design-based critical thinking skills, while developing sophisticated perspectives on organisational and management strategy, financial and environmental strategy, entrepreneurial spirit and ethical leadership.
Program Structure
The 1-year program is divided into four modules, each with it’s own focus, designed to build upon one another.
1. Business of Strategic Design
This module explores the world of design, with a particular focus on strategic design at social and organizational levels. Students examine the value and relevance of design beyond aesthetics, understanding its impact across disciplines. The module introduces approaches, models, and tools to strengthen skills in innovation, problem-solving, and strategic thinking.
2. Strategic Design Development
Students focus on the development process, from identifying a problem or idea to creating solutions that are disseminated, adopted, and used. Creative and problem-solving processes are explored through hands-on exercises, with prototypes developed to address complex challenges. Students learn from a wide range of case studies to refine their design thinking and practical skills.
3. Strategic Design Leadership
This module emphasizes leadership in contexts of uncertainty and systemic challenges. Students explore conceptual, analytical, and practical strategies for driving change, with a focus on multi-stakeholder collaboration. The module also examines different leadership styles and helps students develop approaches suited to varied situations and challenges.
4. Master Final Project
In the final module, students design and execute an individual project focused on a real-world social or organizational challenge. The project integrates learning across the program’s modules and thematic areas. Students may carry out the project within their own organization or collaborate with external partners, applying strategic design in practice.
Across the Program
In addition to these modules, the program includes ongoing activities and experiences that connect learning with real-world engagement, collaboration, and experimentation.
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1. Business of Strategic Design
This module explores the world of design, with a particular focus on strategic design at social and organizational levels. Students examine the value and relevance of design beyond aesthetics, understanding its impact across disciplines. The module introduces approaches, models, and tools to strengthen skills in innovation, problem-solving, and strategic thinking.
2. Strategic Design Development
Students focus on the development process, from identifying a problem or idea to creating solutions that are disseminated, adopted, and used. Creative and problem-solving processes are explored through hands-on exercises, with prototypes developed to address complex challenges. Students learn from a wide range of case studies to refine their design thinking and practical skills.
3. Strategic Design Leadership
This module emphasizes leadership in contexts of uncertainty and systemic challenges. Students explore conceptual, analytical, and practical strategies for driving change, with a focus on multi-stakeholder collaboration. The module also examines different leadership styles and helps students develop approaches suited to varied situations and challenges.
4. Master Final Project
In the final module, students design and execute an individual project focused on a real-world social or organizational challenge. The project integrates learning across the program’s modules and thematic areas. Students may carry out the project within their own organization or collaborate with external partners, applying strategic design in practice.
Across the Program
In addition to these modules, the program includes ongoing activities and experiences that connect learning with real-world engagement, collaboration, and experimentation.
Studio Projects
Each year, our faculty selects a theme and topic for students’ first project, creating a hands-on opportunity to learn by doing. These projects give students direct experience applying their knowledge in real-world contexts, fostering deeper understanding through active engagement.
The projects are centered around dynamic, relevant topics connected to the local context of Barcelona, Catalunya, and Spain. This approach helps students connect with their new environment while engaging in practical, applied activities—speaking with stakeholders, visiting sites in person, and testing ideas on the ground.
At the same time, these projects allow our faculty and institution to engage more deeply with complex societal challenges, building meaningful relationships, networks, and collaborations that extend beyond the constraints of the academic calendar.
The projects are centered around dynamic, relevant topics connected to the local context of Barcelona, Catalunya, and Spain. This approach helps students connect with their new environment while engaging in practical, applied activities—speaking with stakeholders, visiting sites in person, and testing ideas on the ground.
At the same time, these projects allow our faculty and institution to engage more deeply with complex societal challenges, building meaningful relationships, networks, and collaborations that extend beyond the constraints of the academic calendar.
Previous Studio Projects
Examples of Students Work
Related Press & Publications
Planetary Civics Inquiry: Beyond the National: Cities, Bioregions, and the Planetary, Panel, Dark Matter Labs, RMIT, Politics for Tomorrow, RISD Center for Complexity, Global event. February 26, 2025.
Master of Strategic Design in Complexity. Journey With Us, Fall 2024. LinkedIn. January 9, 2025.
Master of Strategic Design in Complexity. Barcelona Design Week. LinkedIn. November 2024.
Kaospliot. Interview with Toban Shadlyn. Kaospilot Blog.
Planetary Civics Inquiry: Beyond the National: Cities, Bioregions, and the Planetary, Panel, Dark Matter Labs, RMIT, Politics for Tomorrow, RISD Center for Complexity, Global event. February 26, 2025.
Master of Strategic Design in Complexity. Journey With Us, Fall 2024. LinkedIn. January 9, 2025.
Master of Strategic Design in Complexity. Barcelona Design Week. LinkedIn. November 2024.
Kaospliot. Interview with Toban Shadlyn. Kaospilot Blog.
Index