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IID

The University of Johannesburg offers a Master of Arts in Design

he University of Johannesburg programme requires students to conduct into the challenges, opportunities and
offers a Master of Arts in Design a comprehensive review of leading and current position of interior design in
T(MA Design) with specialisation current research in design and produce South Africa. The body of knowledge
in Interior Design. This qualification significant insights and findings in each produced through these studies deserves
has been offered in the Faculty of Art, dissertation. The research focuses on recognition by the Built Environment and
Design and Architecture since 2016. This topics relevant to the South African Design industry. I herewith present a brief
postgraduate programme stems from the context and industry. In each dissertation, outline of four dissertations completed in
Magister Technologiae (MTech): Interior the students explore, by employing 2022 to explain the research relevance and
Design that was offered since 1997 in advanced and specialised skills and contribution of the programme. dw
the then Technikon Witwatersrand. discourses appropriate to design, research
The MA Design postgraduate research projects that provide a deep insight www.iidprofessions.org.za

Michelle Hunter

Michelle Hunter explored design strategies that address the consumer
behaviour of millennials in South African furniture retail stores. In the
study, she employed an Appreciative Inquiry (AI) method to collect
the data, conduct interviews and analyse the research themes. Her
conclusions show that local furniture retailers understand the millennial
consumer’s behaviour. This understanding enables companies to
develop specific retail design strategies. The AI method encourages
a future-thinking approach to retail furniture stores in South Africa.
Whilst quality and affordability play an essential role, companies should
also accommodate various cultures and styles in the retail environment
to introduce a cohesive customer experience. Elana van der Wath and
Ilse Prinsloo supervised the study.

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