Interaction Design Specialization

Focused area of study for majors in Creative Media

Why Choose a Specialization in Interaction Design?

Students eager to explore the potential of our relationships with computer systems and how the field could evolve may be interested in this specialization, which has many digital applications. While learning about creative ways to approach technology, you’ll be introduced to the sensory side of interfaces—sounds, images, how pages move—with a focus on interactivity as a design element.

The foundations of this studio-based specialization are interface design theories and concepts, non-linear approaches to time-based media, and tools to create interactive media. Through a sophisticated curriculum, students will examine our interactions with computer systems, study the design of easy-to-learn interfaces, and conceptualize and build websites, responsive media installations, audio-processing applications and other projects.

You’ll expand your viewpoint with an interdisciplinary approach through courses that draw from a range of fields: human-computer interaction, graphic design, new-media art, architecture, media studies and interactive design. As you learn to skillfully manipulate our experience of the digital world, you’ll position yourself to be successful in a future that promises to be more and more driven by digital technology.

The IXD area can be a complementary focus for the Creative Media BFA program. Students choose four courses from the sequence. As an area of specialization (usually 12 to 15 credits) for Game or Graphic Design majors, students work out the appropriate sequence with their program director.