KMDI - Knowledge Media Design Institute
Knowledge media are building blocks of a knowledge society
Applying
- What the Collaborative Program offers
- Who Should Apply?
- How to Apply
- Application Deadlines
- Application Package
- Where to Send the Application
- Where to Get Help with Applying
What the Collaborative Program offers
Knowledge Media Design (KMD) is an emerging interdisciplinary field centred on the human-centred development of new digital media and the creative exploration of the interaction between new technologies, media and social practices. The Knowledge Media Design Institutes Collaborative Program (Collaborative Program) provides a specialisation for graduate students from a variety of academic backgrounds to engage in the design, prototyping, evaluation, and use of media intended to support and enhance the ability of individuals and groups to think, communicate and create knowledge. The Collaborative Program offers its members abundant opportunities to explore contemporary media design issues in active collaboration with exceptionally well-qualified students and faculty reflecting an appropriately wide range of research interests and expertise. While the Collaborative Program does not issue its own degree, students meeting the program requirements will receive the qualification with specialization in Knowledge Media Design added to their primary graduate degree.
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Who Should Apply?
The KMD Collaborative Program is designed for students from a variety of academic backgrounds, with expertise that is neither technically nor intellectually narrow, and a dedication to interdisciplinary research and collaboration. It welcomes applications from students who demonstrate a combination of: strong academic performance; intellectual maturity, excellent communication skills; creative engagement with some aspect of knowledge media; interest and aptitude for collaborative, interdisciplinary work; and commitment to complete a challenging course of study.
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How to Apply
The KMD Collaborative Program is a joint venture involving KMDI and an association of collaborating graduate departments at the University of Toronto. Applicants seeking admission to the KMD Collaborative Program must be enrolled in, accepted or anticipate being accepted into one of the collaborating units (this will be your home department).
The collaborating units currently include:
- Architecture, Landscape, and Design
- Art/Visual Studies
- Computer Science
- Curriculum, Teaching and Learning OISE/UT
- Information Studies
- Institute of Medical Science
- Mechanical and Industrial Engineering
- Sociology
Applying to the Collaborative Program and applying to a home unit are separate procedures. Consult the individual units for their application requirements. Acceptance into a collaborating unit does not guarantee acceptance into the KMD Collaborative Program, nor does Collaborative Program acceptance ensure a place in a home department.
University of Toronto students, at either the Masters or PhD level, currently enrolled in a collaborating unit are invited to apply to the Collaborative Program. Any University of Toronto graduate student may enroll in a KMD course without also applying to the Collaborative Program, but priority will be given to Collaborative Program students.
Students currently in other than one of the eight collaborating units listed above should consider requesting that their department or faculty apply to join the Collaborative Program. Contact us for assistance with this request.
Instructions for mailing or emailing the final application package follow below (see "Where to Send the Application").
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Application Deadlines
The Collaborative Program accepts applications from January until June 1 for admission beginning in September, the start of a new academic year. Early application is encouraged as space in the program is limited. Successful applicants will be notified beginning in April. In some cases students will have already completed course work that satisfies the Collaborative Program requirements before they apply for admission into the full Program. Recently completed course work will be credited retroactively.
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Application Package
A complete Collaborative Program application includes the following six components:
- Application for Admission Form
- Statement of Research Interest
- Resume
- Portfolio
- Two Letters of Reference
- Academic Transcripts
1. Application for Admission Form
The Application Form is a record of an applicants contact information, intended program of study and relevant background. The information provided is used solely for admission, registration and program administration. A printed copy, legibly filled in, must be included in the application package. If you prefer to fill out the form on your computer before printing, make sure the original formatting is not altered.
APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION 2007/8 Academic Year * NEW*
Download [PDF] (Portable Document Format) or [RTF] (Rich Text Format):
PDF format; RTF format
2. Statement of Research Interest
The Statement of Research Interest is a key component of the application package and should be prepared carefully. Above all, applicants should be specific in representing their interests and background preparation in order for the KMD CP Program Committee to best judge their study interests, research potential, and prospective fit with the Collaborative Program. Students entering graduate-level studies for the first time are not expected to have a fully formed research program, including a designated supervisor, and, in fact, they will be encouraged to explore new avenues as their course work progresses. Nonetheless, the Program Committee will be looking for evidence of thoughtfulness, creativity and clarity of direction. PhD applicants will be expected to present a correspondingly more focused program of research. The Statement of Research Interest is a 1-2 page letter. The letter should be typed/word-processed, with margins no smaller than 1 inch and font no smaller than 12pt. References to cited works may appear on an additional page.
In the letter respond to each of the following items:
a. Outline your reasons for pursuing admission into the KMD Collaborative Program. What has inspired you? What do you expect to gain?
b. Briefly explain how your background has prepared you for work, specifically in Knowledge Media Design and more generally in a collaborative and interdisciplinary environment.
c. Explain why your anticipated/proposed Program of Study is related to Knowledge Media Design, rather than a Program of Study that can be contained within the more traditional disciplinary boundaries of your home department.
d. Indicate the potential scope of your research and any topics, approaches or methods that you anticipate using. Estimate what remaining background preparation, supervision and resources you may need in order to successfully complete your research program.
3. Resume
This document should be an up-to-date record not exceeding 2 standard typed pages. As opposed to a CV, a resume also includes extra-curricular experience and interests.
4. Portfolio
The portfolio is one sample of your own creative work, or your creative work as a member of a group, that demonstrates how you can be a unique and distinctive part of the KMD Collaborative Program (e.g., an outstanding web design, software you have created, or a design product). This sample of work allows applicants to demonstrate their potential for a program of study in Knowledge Media Design to a multidisciplinary Committee of scholars. Given the scope of Knowledge Media Design, and the range of backgrounds conducive to excellence in the field, the Program Committee welcomes a variety of submission genres:
Paper: If your portfolio contains a sample of creative writing or written work (e.g., abstracts of research; excerpts of 10 to15 pages from long essays, papers or reports; media articles; selected design work incorporating graphic expression), all paper-media work must be clean-copy (not marked or annotated by an initial reader). The font of the main text should not be smaller than 12 pt.
Electronic: If your portfolio contains an electronic product (e.g. software, games, video, music composition, etc.), you may submit your creative sample electronically on an appropriate magnetic/optical medium (e.g., website with a URL link, a CD/DVD, or an audio or video cassette). You should document and briefly describe your electronic submission in an accompanying written document. You must supply clear instructions for the access and operation of any electronic media using standard software configurations on either PC or Mac systems.
Other: If your portfolio contains work that cannot be reproduced for paper or electronic submission (e.g., published books, sculpture, mechanical objects, websites, physical artifacts, etc.), you may describe your creative sample in writing and/or photographically. You must include accurate documentation (e.g., publication information, URLs, etc.) that will enable the Committee to readily locate, access and review the work.
NOTE: in all instances in which applicants are not the sole author/creator of the work, it is essential that applicants clearly explain the extent of their individual contribution.
Our preference is that you forward the sample for your portfolio electronically to program@kmdi.utoronto.ca.
If you prefer to mail your portfolio item, it should fit within a business envelope along with the other components of the application package. If any submitted material is to be returned to the applicant, it must be accompanied by a note requesting the return of specific items and a self-addressed envelope with adequate postage.
5. Letters of Reference
The applicant must supply two (2) letters of reference. While commenting on the applicant's past performance and achievement, the reference letters should focus on the specific interests of the Collaborative Program. When possible, referees should assess the applicant’s intellectual and technical range, interdisciplinary aptitude, and suitability for a program of study in Knowledge Media Design. The letters of reference need not be solely academic. Students often pursue interests outside their course of academic study that are preparatory to later Collaborative Program research. A recommended mix of letters might include one academic and one non-academic letter.
Given the specific orientation of the KMD Collaborative Program, however, copies of the letters submitted to the home unit may not be adequate. Students are encouraged to provide at least some external commentary that specifically addresses their aptitude for a course of interdisciplinary study in KMD.
When new original letters of reference are forwarded to the Collaborative Program, they should be included in the application package sent by the applicant, and not sent directly by the referee. The letters, however, must be confidential. The referee should place the letter in a sealed envelope and sign across the back flap. It is up to the applicant to ensure that the letters are prepared and collected from each referee in time to be submitted with the application.
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6. Academic Transcripts
Applicants should provide transcripts of all previous undergraduate and graduate work. These are confidential documents, stamped and sealed by the issuing institution(s), and mailed directly to the Collaborative Program by the issuing institution. The applicant must ensure that sufficient time is given to allow the transcripts to arrive at the approximate time that the rest of the application arrives.
If applicants are already enrolled in a collaborating unit, they may notify the KMD CP in their application that the original documents are available at their home department. At the same time, they should ask their home department to release these documents to KMD CP.
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Where to Send the Application
Either mail or email application documents.
Email: Email is the preferred method of submitting an application whenever possible. All documents except original transcripts and reference letters may be sent as doc attachments through program@kmdi.utoronto.ca. Original reference letters sent directly from referees are also acceptable. Contact the program before sending your application materials in order to facilitate the process. All electronic documents should be sent at one time.
Mail: Send the complete application as a single package (excepting transcripts and letters of reference if these are being forwarded from your home unit) to:
Professor Jim Slotta, Program Director
KMD Collaborative Program, BA7222
Bahen Centre for Information Technology, 40 St. George St.
University of Toronto
Toronto, ON M5S 2E4
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Where to Get Help with Applying?
Questions can be addressed by email to program@kmdi.utoronto.ca or by phoning 416-946-8515.
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Studies, University of Toronto.
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