By: Design Studies Institute Staff
If you're ready to elevate your design career with a doctoral credential but aren't sure of which path to pursue, we can help. Choosing between a PhD in Design and a DDes (Doctor of Design) is an important decision for your future. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your career goals. You might be asking, what is the difference between a Doctor of Design (DDes) and a PhD in Design?
What is a Doctor of Design (DDes) degree?
A Doctor of Design (DDes) degree is a multidisciplinary doctoral program for working professionals seeking to advance their careers as designers. The DDes degree emphasizes practice-based inquiry. DDes degree programs allow learners to deepen their expertise in their area of design practice, while also building their capacity to research through that same design practice. DDes learners blend theory with applied, industry-focused topics as the focus of their research work. The DDes is particularly suited for design leaders, practitioners, and educators who want to make an impact in industry or within applied research contexts.
What is a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Design degree?
A PhD in Design degree is a research-intensive academic degree focused on the creation of original scholarly knowledge that advances the theory and discourse of the design field. PhD learners work to refine their understanding of research methodologies and conduct research that contributes to the intellectual foundations of design. The PhD degree is ideal for those who want to pursue careers in academia, theoretical research, or other settings where the primary goal is the production of new knowledge rather than its direct professional application.
Is a DDes better than a PhD in Design?
Both the Doctor of Design and PhD in Design are terminal, doctoral-level credentials. The DDes and the PhD are recognized as separate, but equally important approaches necessary to the design field. You can think of PhD holders as “professional researchers” and DDes holders as “researching professionals” (Davis et al, 2023). Together, DDes holders work to apply the generalizable knowledge generated by PhDs to specific conditions within their field of design practice. One is not better than the other; the design field needs both.
What are the key differences between a DDes and a PhD in Design?
Do other disciplines have two types of doctoral degrees?
The differences between a research-focused PhD and a hands-on professional doctoral degree are not restricted to the design space. Northeastern Graduate School of Education’s Joseph McNabb explains how the issue reverberates in the education field too: “With a PhD, [students are] generating new knowledge based on a theory or hypothesis. Conversely, a Doctor of Education student [works to learn] the skills it will take to resolve [a] complex problem of practice” (O’Connor, 2024). This distinction between research and practice doctorates appears across many fields beyond design and education: PhD and DBA in business, DrPH and PhD in public health, DEng and PhD in engineering, DNP and PhD in nursing, and perhaps most famously, the MD and PhD distinction in medicine.
What if the DDes is right for me? What should I do next?
If the DDes sounds like the right fit for you, the Design Studies Institute's flexible, low-residency Doctor of Design (DDes) program lets you earn your doctorate without putting your career on hold. You'll gain the tools to position yourself as a thought leader in the evolving design landscape, while learning alongside a strong network of peers and mentors.
References
Davis, M., Feast, L., Forlizzi, J., Friedman, K., Ilhan, A., Ju, W., Kortuem, G., Reimer, H.R., & Teixeira, C. (2023). Responding to the indeterminacy of doctoral research in design. She Ji: The Journal of Design, Economics, and Innovation, 9(2), 283-307. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405872623000400
O’Connor, S. W. (2024, July 1). EdD vs. PhD in Education: What’s the difference? Northeastern University. https://graduate.northeastern.edu/knowledge-hub/edd-vs-phd-in-education/
