Research
Research generates new scientifically developed and verified knowledge. It is the driving force of social, technical and scientific innovation in which all design disciplines also participate.

The Faculty of Design and Art pursues a humanist-influenced understanding of design. In its teaching and research it is neither purely technological-, industrial- or market-oriented, but understands its work primarily as a contribution to a meaningful configuration of  everyday life of man, society and the environment.

The Faculty of Design and Art makes use of project and theory-based types of research that can be separated into the sectors Research by Design and Research about Design.
 
Research by design takes account of the fact that design creation intends to obtain innovative results and therefore always includes a research activity. Research by design is a design or development discipline and is also described as action research based on active design work. In Bozen/Bolzano it is the processing of concrete product innovations in the sectors product design, visual communication, service design as well as interior & exhibit design. On the one hand this takes place directly within the project study. On the other hand there are also a number of projects completed by teachers and researchers of the faculty.

Research about design deals with the scientific investigation of the discipline design in the basics of its professional development and its interactions with economic, social and cultural realities. In this connection it is especially concerned with reflection, analysis and future prospects.The results are made public at congresses, in publications etc.