Innovation Design (M. A.)
This Master's program empowers professionals from any background to apply design as a strategic tool, lead innovation, and shape the products of tomorrow.
Innovation Design (M.A.) at CODE is a human-centered, studio-first Master’s for people who want to shape how we interact with technology, services, and each other. You’ll learn to make futures tangible through speculative and research-through-design explorations, lead complex decisions with service design methods, and co-create with communities to deliver meaningful social and business impact.
Semester Start
Fall 2026: 25.08.2026
Degree
Master of Arts (M. A.)
Language
English
Location
Berlin
ECTS Tracks
60 / 90 / 120
Duration
From 1 year to 4 years, depending on your ECTS track and time model (full-time or part-time)
Accreditation
Accredited by the German Accreditation Council and State-recognized by the State of Berlin
Tuition
Pay-Later or € 1,250 / monthWho is this program for?
This program is for professionals who have realized that the most interesting challenges aren't just about better execution, but about a better vision. It’s for those who see that the complex problems facing our society and businesses are, at their core, design problems waiting for a new perspective. This isn't a program about learning a new piece of software; it's about a fundamental shift in how you think and lead.
What you’ll learn
- Solve complex problems by applying a human-centered and systemic design approach to uncover real-world needs
- Build what matters, developing innovative concepts and functional prototypes that create a measurable impact.
- Collaborate with engineers, founders, and researchers in project-based teams
- Shape the future responsibly, understanding and steering the ethical, social, and environmental impact of new technologies.
- Drive real change by initiating and leading design-driven transformation within established organizations and new ventures.
This is more than a study program; it's a new way of thinking and working, giving you the skills to turn design into a powerful catalyst for change.
Admission requirements
To join our program, candidates must meet the following criteria:
- Bachelor’s degree of any field
- At least one year of professional experience (including internships, working student positions, founding a startup, …)
- Proof of English language proficiency (at least B2). Here’s what we accept.
Additionally, we seek individuals who are:
- Driven by curiosity and a growth mindset, eager to explore untapped potential in themselves and the world.
- Striving for excellence with a pioneering spirit, motivated to reach their goals.
- Empathetic, respectful, and kind, with a commitment to empowering others and valuing diverse opinions and cultural backgrounds.
- Open-minded, capable of navigating uncertainty confidently, and continuously reflecting on and improving their strengths and weaknesses.
Module spotlights
Creating Future Vision and Form (M_07)
Speculative design, design fiction, and design futuring come together in a studio where you imagine and prototype near- and far-future interfaces, services, and experiences. You’ll use Research Through Design (RTD) as your method to explore, make, evaluate, and communicate.
You’ll practice
- Generating and iterating prototypes across fidelities (from sketch to spatial/interactive)
- Evaluating materials, modalities (visual, tactile, spatial), and emerging technologies
- Applying interaction and visual gestalts, human factors, and ergonomic/spatial design
- Documenting and communicating your design process for critique and dissemination
Leading with Design (M_08)
Learn to lead design-oriented services where decisions balance user needs, business goals, and technical realities. You will plan and facilitate workshops, craft blueprints and journeys, prototype service touchpoints, and orchestrate stakeholder alignment.
You’ll practice
- Service design methods: user journeys, stakeholder maps, service blueprints, and prototyping
- Decision-making under constraints; prioritization and trade-offs across user/business/tech
- Facilitation: plan and lead user-centered design workshops; communicate design rationales
Designing with People (M_09)
Explore the transformative role of design in social innovation and sustainability. You’ll co-design with stakeholders, develop local responses to global challenges, and critically evaluate ethics, impact, and the human experience in context.
You’ll practice
- Human-centered design and co-design methodologies with communities and stakeholders
- Prototyping context-specific solutions and evaluating social impact
- Reflecting on ethical implications, responsibility, and resilience in systems
Applications for Fall 2026 are open!
A community of pioneers
At CODE, we are a vibrant community from over 75 nationalities. As forward-thinkers and pioneers, we relentlessly push boundaries and share commitment to making a profound impact on the world. We are immensely proud of our strong partnerships with leading corporations such as Porsche and Telekom, as well as the backing of Germany’s most successful entrepreneurs who frequently share their expertise through our Founder Talk series.
Career Paths
Graduates will be prepared for diverse roles at the intersection of design, strategy, and innovation—shaping products, organizations, and systems that create real-world impact.
- The Strategist (Design Strategist / Innovation Lead)
You will be the one who answers the question, "What should we build next and why?" By connecting deep user insights with business goals, you'll define the innovation roadmap and shape the strategic direction for new products and services.
- The Leader (Product Design Lead / Creative Director)
You will lead the teams that bring the vision to life. You'll guide interdisciplinary groups of engineers and business experts to ship exceptional products, owning the user experience and ensuring the creative vision is executed with quality and impact.
- The Founder (Founder / Venture Builder)
You will build the entire venture from the ground up. Armed with the skills to identify a problem, design a solution, and lead a team, you'll be equipped to launch your own startup or build a new business unit within an existing company.
A campus in the heart of Berlin
Join us on our brand new campus in Berlin Neukölln where you will have 24/7 access to fully equipped project rooms and cozy co-working areas, perfect for collaboration and innovation. Connect and unwind in our vibrant community kitchen, the heart of student life or take a swim in the rooftop infinity pool. Need a bite? A basement food court and supermarket have you covered all day with a variety of delicious options.
Our learning concept is radically different
Challenge-based
Engage with real-life challenges instead of abstract theoretical lectures, ensuring your education is directly applicable to real-world situations.
Professors as mentors
Our professors take on the role of mentors, offering tailored support for problem-solving and delivering focused learning units as needed.
Self-Directed Learning
In a world where knowledge is just a click away, we promote dynamic education through self-directed learning and peer collaboration.
Questions? Let’s talk!
We’re here for you. You can either contact us via e-mail or directly book a call with our admissions team.
