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Master'sMotorcycles & 2-Wheelers Applications open

Master’s in Colour & Trim and Perceived Quality Engineering

Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in colour and trim engineering and perceived quality, structured in 12 modules covering CMF strategy, colorimetry, paints and coatings, plastics, metals and upholstery, graphics, durability, colour harmony, perceived quality and sustainability under ISO 11664-4 (CIELAB), ISO 3664 and ISO 2813, with an assigned technical tutor.

Duration1900 h
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute diploma
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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Design colour, materials and finish strategies for motorcycles.

02

Measure and control the colour, gloss and appearance of parts.

03

Select exterior materials and finishing processes.

04

Assess the weathering durability of finishes.

05

Define perceived quality criteria and audits.

06

Manage colour harmony across suppliers.

07

Develop the colour, materials and perceived quality strategy of a model.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Colour and materials designers working on vehicles or consumer products.
  • Perceived quality engineers in the motorcycle and automotive industries.
  • Colorimetry technicians who measure and approve colour.
  • Paint and finishes engineers looking to broaden into CMF strategy.
  • Product quality auditors focused on appearance and fit.
  • Product CMF managers responsible for model ranges.
  • Engineering or science graduates aiming to join motorcycle manufacturers.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • ISO 11664-4 (CIELAB) (CIE 1976 L*a*b* colour space)
  • ISO 3664 (viewing conditions for graphic technology and photography)
  • ISO 2813 (determination of gloss value of paints and varnishes)
  • ISO 4892-2 (exposure to laboratory light sources — xenon-arc lamps)
  • ISO 2409 (cross-cut adhesion test for paints and varnishes)
  • ISO 11341 (artificial weathering and exposure to filtered xenon-arc radiation)
  • ISO 105-B02 (colour fastness to artificial light)
  • VDA 270 (determination of odour behaviour of vehicle interior materials)
  • X-Rite Color iQC
  • Datacolor Tools
  • Autodesk VRED
  • Adobe Substance 3D
  • Minitab
Syllabus

12 modules · 1900 h

  1. 1.1Role of CMF in the product
  2. 1.2Colour and brand identity
  3. 1.3Racing colours
  4. 1.4Colour trends
  5. 1.5Colour psychology
  6. 1.6Visible materials on a motorcycle
  7. 1.7Segments and strategies
  8. 1.8Personalisation options
  9. 1.9Costs of colour
  10. 1.10Case study: colour range of a model
  1. 2.1Colour perception
  2. 2.2CIELAB colour space
  3. 2.3ΔE colour differences
  4. 2.4Colour-measuring spectrophotometers
  5. 2.5ISO 3664 viewing conditions
  6. 2.6Metamerism and light sources
  7. 2.7Effect colours
  8. 2.8Multi-angle colour measurement
  9. 2.9Colour tolerances
  10. 2.10Lab: multi-angle colour measurement
  1. 3.1Paint systems on metal
  2. 3.2Painting plastics
  3. 3.3Metallic and pearlescent paints
  4. 3.4Clearcoats and gloss
  5. 3.5Matt paint finishes
  6. 3.6Powder coatings
  7. 3.7Cataphoresis of frames
  8. 3.8Paint defects
  9. 3.9ISO 2813 gloss measurement
  10. 3.10Practical exercise: paint defect analysis
  1. 4.1Bodywork thermoplastics
  2. 4.2Mass-coloured plastics
  3. 4.3Textures and graining
  4. 4.4Unpainted plastics
  5. 4.5Chrome plating of plastics
  6. 4.6In-mould decoration
  7. 4.7Films and vinyls
  8. 4.8Printing of decorations
  9. 4.9Visible carbon fibre
  10. 4.10Workshop: finish selection for a fairing
  1. 5.1Anodised aluminium parts
  2. 5.2Brushed stainless steel
  3. 5.3Chrome finishes and alternatives
  4. 5.4Painted castings and their finish
  5. 5.5Seats and upholstery
  6. 5.6Stitching and finishes
  7. 5.7Grips and controls
  8. 5.8Surface feel
  9. 5.9Material odour
  10. 5.10Practical exercise: tactile study of controls
  1. 6.1Motorcycle graphic design
  2. 6.2Logos and typefaces
  3. 6.3Decals and their durability
  4. 6.4Racing graphics
  5. 6.5Customer-customisable graphics
  6. 6.6Integration with surfaces
  7. 6.7Registration and tolerances
  8. 6.8Decal production
  9. 6.9Trademark regulations
  10. 6.10Case study: graphics for a special edition
  1. 7.1Effect of UV radiation
  2. 7.2ISO 4892-2 xenon test
  3. 7.3Natural weathering test
  4. 7.4ISO 105-B02 colour fastness
  5. 7.5ISO 2409 adhesion
  6. 7.6Stone-chip resistance
  7. 7.7Chemical resistance of finishes
  8. 7.8Abrasion resistance
  9. 7.9Corrosion and surface protection
  10. 7.10Lab: xenon ageing test
  1. 8.1Colour masters
  2. 8.2Sample management
  3. 8.3Harmony between parts
  4. 8.4Colour approval
  5. 8.5Communication with suppliers
  6. 8.6Digital colour data
  7. 8.7Supplier audits
  8. 8.8Management of batch variations
  9. 8.9Production scale-up
  10. 8.10Practical exercise: colour harmony plan
  1. 9.1The concept of perceived quality
  2. 9.2Fits and gaps
  3. 9.3Flushness and clearances
  4. 9.4Surface quality
  5. 9.5Part noise and squeaks
  6. 9.6Material odour to VDA 270
  7. 9.7Quality of detail
  8. 9.8Quality benchmarking
  9. 9.9Assessment methods
  10. 9.10Workshop: perceived quality audit
  1. 10.1Material rendering
  2. 10.2Material scanning
  3. 10.3Physical material samples
  4. 10.4Colour plaques and boards
  5. 10.5Customer clinics
  6. 10.6Virtual reality for design review
  7. 10.7Online configurators
  8. 10.8Validation with management
  9. 10.9Iteration of proposals
  10. 10.10Case study: colour clinic with users
  1. 11.1Low-VOC paints
  2. 11.2Use of recycled plastics
  3. 11.3Bio-based materials
  4. 11.4Reduction of finishes
  5. 11.5Recyclability assessment
  6. 11.6Leather and alternatives
  7. 11.7Carbon footprint of finishes
  8. 11.8Environmental regulations for coatings
  9. 11.9Communication to the customer
  10. 11.10Practical exercise: sustainable CMF proposal
  1. 12.1Brand and market analysis
  2. 12.2Colour strategy
  3. 12.3Materials selection
  4. 12.4Definition of finishes
  5. 12.5Durability plan
  6. 12.6Perceived quality criteria
  7. 12.7Supplier harmony plan
  8. 12.8Visual presentation of the project
  9. 12.9Master's Thesis report
  10. 12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, making it compatible with work.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is X-Rite Color iQC, Datacolor Tools, Autodesk VRED, Adobe Substance 3D and Minitab, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures: colour and gloss measurement on painted and plastic parts, accelerated xenon ageing testing and a perceived quality audit of a model. Assessment is continuous by module plus the final Master's Thesis.

Standards covered: ISO 11664-4 (CIELAB), ISO 3664, ISO 2813, ISO 4892-2, ISO 2409, ISO 11341, ISO 105-B02, VDA 270.

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of ISO 11664-4 (CIELAB), ISO 3664, ISO 2813 and ISO 4892-2 applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:X-Rite Color iQC, Datacolor Tools, Autodesk VRED, Adobe Substance 3D and Minitab, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Master's Thesis with defence:the colour, materials and perceived quality strategy of a motorcycle model, from brand analysis to supplier harmony planning, defended before a panel.
Flexible format:100% online, no fixed timetables, compatible with full-time work.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.

Multi-angle colour measurement
Measure effect colours with a multi-angle spectrophotometer and set colour tolerances.
Finish selection for a fairing
Select paint, plastic and decoration finishes for a fairing.
Xenon ageing test
Run and interpret an accelerated xenon ageing test on finishes.
Perceived quality audit
Audit fits, gaps, surfaces and details of a model against perceived quality criteria.
Master's Thesis
The colour, materials and perceived quality strategy of a motorcycle model, from brand analysis to supplier harmony planning, defended before a panel.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Colour and materials designerPerceived quality engineerColorimetry technicianPaint and finishes engineerProduct quality auditorProduct CMF manager
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • University degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
  • Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
  • English sufficient to read technical standards.

Ready to start?

Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

The programme totals 1,900 hours over 12–14 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.

You work with X-Rite Color iQC, Datacolor Tools, Autodesk VRED, Adobe Substance 3D and Minitab, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.

A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the Master's Thesis. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.

Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the higher programme. Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.

A university degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent professional experience, plus a computer able to run the programme software and English sufficient to read technical standards.

Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.

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