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What is the MAS-Luxury ?

The MAS-Luxury is a full-time postgraduate programme lasting one year (2 semesters of 16 weeks), giving entitlement to 60 ECTS credits. It is conceived and organised by the ECAL/Ecole cantonale d'art de Lausanne, an internationally renowned university of art and design which ranks regularly among the 10 best performing institutions in the world.

For the MAS-Luxury, the ECAL collaborates closely with the EPFL (Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne) through the joint EPFL+ECAL Lab research laboratory, as well as with some of the world’s leading companies in the luxury goods industry.

Who is the MAS-Luxury for ?

The programme is intended for Swiss and foreign candidates with qualifications in 3D design or a similar field who wish to improve their knowledge and develop their design experience in the luxury goods industry. The 12 to 15 students selected must have undergone training attested by a diploma (Bachelor level) from a university and submit a convincing portfolio showing undeniable aptitude in creative and innovative design.

Design and the luxury goods industry

Switzerland is considered to be a centre of excellence in the field of luxury goods and exclusive products. The growth of this segment feeds demand and encourages the application of knowledge and design skills to an increasingly wide range of products, services and environments. The combination of new technologies and traditional skills involved in the creation of new luxury concepts offers prodigious opportunities for talented designers benefiting from state of the art training.

Objectives of the MAS-Luxury programme

The aim of the MAS-Luxury is to give students the skills and understanding required to work at a high level within this booming sector, i.e.

• a good understanding of the problems and special features that determine design and the process of creating products, services and environments in prestige markets
  
• an in-depth knowledge of the different materials, approaches and technologies specific to this sector
  
• practical experience in the development and realisation of appropriate design work

Content of the programme

Structured in 5 modules (Luxury and complexity, Luxury and expertise, Luxury and contemporary culture, Luxury and concept and Diploma project), the programme operates in a stimulating environment ensuring intellectual diversity through multiple teaching formats combining theory, learning and practical work:

• courses, seminars, presentations, supervised workshops
  
• study visits to sites, direct experience in companies in Switzerland and in Europe
  
• the participation of international professionals who are leaders in the design, management and production of goods and services for the luxury industry
  
• preparation and realisation of a portfolio of work
  
• independent design project

Professional outlets

Graduates will benefit from immediate and worthwhile professional opportunities as soon as they obtain their qualification and throughout their career. Other opportunities are likely to open up specifically as a result of the rich panel of industry experts, directors and designers from some of the world’s leading luxury goods companies with whom and on whose behalf students will have the opportunity to develop projects and relations throughout the programme.

Practical information

Course fees: CHF 8,000.- for the entire programme.

Duration: from 21 September 2010 to 1 July 2011

Qualification awarded: Master of Advanced Studies HES-SO in Design and the Luxury Goods Industry

Admission procedures

The online registration is open until 7 May 2010.

Simultaneously to their registration, the candidates have to send to the ECAL until 12 May 2010 an application file containing:

Studies planning

Modules description

Weekly schedules

Head

Professors

Visiting professors

Assistants