Interactive Design

The confluence of the physical and digital worlds, technology and media presents some of the most captivating issues in contemporary culture. Every day we interact with products such as smartphones, automobiles and home appliances that have both physical and digital properties. And the way we interact with them varies: we touch screens, speak to devices, fixate our eyes or move our bodies.

What You’ll Learn with an M.F.A. in Interactive Design

With an M.F.A. in interactive design, you will have the skills needed to achieve your bigger goals, regardless of industry or area of expertise within the design realm and will be able to:

  • Understand how human-technology interaction, design, digital media and information technology come together in interactive design.
  • Evaluate product usability and apply media ethics and media law to design decisions.
  • Research, design, prototype and test products using user experience (UX) design and human-computer interaction methods.
  • Design products and interfaces, such as websites, mobile apps, auto dashboards and appliances, including wearables, augmented reality and Internet of Things experiences.
  • Produce a graduate media project in the Media Project and Thesis Workshop while working in collaborative teams to implement project workflows.

 

Degree

Master's

School

McAnulty College and Graduate School of Liberal Arts

Academic Department

Media

Duration

2.5 Years

Required Credit Hours

42

Modality

In-Person

 

Through design projects, Dr. Gibbs has helped me rethink digital media by guiding me in developing 3D-printed prototypes that connect design and usability. Alongside his mentorship, support in the production studios has strengthened my technical skills through a collaborative learning environment.

Nick Brown, A'25, GA'28

Curriculum

14 Courses, 42 Credits

View Our Course Catalogue
  • DMA 501 Introduction to Media Design (3 Credits)
  • MDIA 565 Ethical Issues in Media (3 Credits)
  • ADPR 567 Research Methods (3 Credits)
  • MDIA 582 Media Law and Regulation (3 Credits)
  • MDIA 700 Media Project and Thesis Workshop (3 Credits)
  • DMA 522 Kinetic Design Techniques (3 Credits) or DMA 505 Graphic Design Process (3 Credits)
  • DMA 545 Interactive Design Studio - Methods (3 Credits)
  • DMA 562 Elements of the User Experience (UX) Design (3 Credits)
  • DMA 564 Human Computer Interaction Studio (3 Credits)
  • DMA 572 Development Studio - Creative Coding (3 Credits)
  • DMA 574 Interactive Design Studio - Process (3 Credits)
  • DMA 575 Development Studio (3 Credits)
  • Electives (6 credits)

Learning Outcomes

  1. Develop principals and skills necessitated by the industry.
  2. Gain a solid understanding of the industry strategies, systems and structures.
  3. Understand and analyze trends, issues and challenges involving media/content design and delivery.
  4. Function within collaborative environments to implement project workflows.