Interaction Design

Programme - second cycle - 60 credits

Overview

Admission requirements

1. Degree of Bachelor or equivalent in subjects relevant for interaction design. Examples of relevant subjects include, but are not limited to: computer science,
informatics, information systems, human-computer interaction, new media arts,
fine arts, design (industrial, product, graphic, interaction), communication studies,
media studies and cognitive science.

2. Approval of the following submitted material: 2 x work samples of previous
relevant work and an individual response to the application assignment, available
on the Malmö University web site.

3. General eligibility + the equivalent of English course B in Swedish higher
secondary school.

  • Application instructions are available here.
  • Hand in your work samples, response to the design assignment and letter of motivation  here.

    • Description

    Interaction design concerns the design of digital artifacts and digitally mediated communication, with a focus on use experience.

    Interaction design is a rapidly changing discipline, and we maintain the relevance of our education by working with real-world design cases and outside clients that include local industry partners, as well as cultural and civic organizations. Navigating a shifting design landscape also requires the critical mindset of a scholar, and we foster reflective design by teaching research skills and involving students in active research projects.

    The one-year master programme consists of four 15-credit courses, starting with a studio-based introduction to multidisciplinary collaboration and mainstream interaction design. The next two courses address embodied interaction and collaborative media, two of our signature topics. The final course is a Master’s level graduation project.

    We have offered master’s degrees in interaction design since 1998, with graduates moving on to positions as designers and strategists in the ICT and media industries around the world, as well as to entrepreneurial endeavours.

    Content

    Interaction Design at Malmö University
    We educate designers who can articulate and develop cutting-edge practices in key areas of interaction design: tangible and sensor-based interaction, wearable and embodied interaction, game design, participatory design practices, critical design, social innovation and collaborative media development. Students approach these genres within a broad context that considers the social, political and ethical consequences of their designs. Our education is studio-based, bringing students into close contact with our design professors. 

    This is a one-year programme, which is also offered as the first year of a two-year programme providing a more well-rounded combination of design practice and academic research

    Practical Design Skills and Academic Research 
    Interaction design is a rapidly changing discipline, and we maintain the relevance of our education by working with real-world design cases and outside clients that include local industry partners, as well as cultural and civic organisations. Navigating a shifting design landscape also requires the critical mindset of a scholar, and we foster reflective design by teaching research skills and involving students in active research projects.

    Internationally Recognised
    Our programme was founded in 1998, making it one of the more established programmes of its kind. We focus on areas where our design and research excellence is internationally recognised: tangible and sensor-based interaction, wearable and embodied interaction, game design, participatory design practices, critical design, social innovation and collaborative media development.

    Inteaction Design Students
    Students Mel, Martina and Camilla in the studio discussing and sketching possible use scenarios for solutions of navigating the building we are in. This happened during an intense ’Prototyping Interactions’-workshop during the first theme-project.

    Content
    The programme comprises full-time study for one academic year, divided into four courses starting with a studio-based introduction to multidisciplinary collaboration and mainstream interaction design. The next two courses address embodied interaction and collaborative media, two of our signature topics. The final course is a Master’s level graduation project.

    Upon graduation, you are eligible for the second year of the two-year Master’s programme to learn more about interaction design research and theory. Read more about the two-year Master’s programme.

    Teaching Methods
    The programme is based on a learning-by-doing pedagogy. This means that we encourage an iterative practice of experimentation and reflection. As teachers, we view ourselves as coaches guiding you in this process.

    Studio-based
    The programme is studio-based. You will also have access to computer labs, a materials workshop and a prototyping lab for electronics, sensor and microprocessor programming.

    Group work in multidisciplinary teams
    The primary method of learning is through group work in multidisciplinary teams with classmates and other stakeholders. Abilities to work in teams and with others - including user communities - are important parts of our curriculum, and several projects are organised to practice doing this.

    Humanistic approach
    With our humanistic approach, you will be practicing qualitative research approaches to support your design of tangible artefacts as well as digital and interactive services, systems and artefacts. We emphasize an understanding of people in their use situations.

    Reflective and experimental design thinking and practical doing 
    Prototyping in the studio and real-world contexts is an integral part of becoming an interaction designer.
     
    To practice reflective and experimental design activity, projects and courses integrate seminars and hands-on workshops introducing students to, among other things, ethnographic fieldwork, visualisation, low- and high-fidelity prototyping, microprocessor programming and video sketching, as well as evaluation of use qualities. All these practices are backed up by literature references and examples.

    The thesis project
    Your thesis project will be a combination of a design project and reflective writing that will involve communicating and discussing your own design work.

    Working environments
    Students have access to studio space, and we encourage a healthy studio culture. This is where we conduct group-work, seminars, workshops, presentations and discussions. Close by there is a well-equipped materials workshop and a physical prototyping lab for electronics and sensor work. Additionally, we often use the facilities at the MEDEA research centre for final presentations, exhibitions, seminars and programme-meetings.

    Who are you?
    Interaction design requires the fusion of multiple skill sets. We recruit students with different backgrounds—design, media, engineering, the arts, and social sciences—and focus our teaching on creating disciplinary synergy in the concrete design work.

    Career

    Students enter the programme with different kinds of expertise, from art and design to engineering and social sciences. Upon graduation, you will have built a strong understanding of how your particular skills play a role in interaction design and how they combine with other specialities of fellow designers.

    Potential positions
    Most alumni move on to positions as interaction designers, user experience specialists or usability architects in the ICT, telecom and media industries. For some, this involves fine-tuning the interfaces and interactions of current products to users' needs; other interaction designers work on concept development for future products and services. Yet other alumni find their calling in strategic positions where the role of interaction design is considered in relation to market and business development.

    Some interaction designers are also found in the role of change agents in public organisations and NGOs. 

    Syllabus

    Programme Code: TAINE

    Institution:
    School of Arts and Communication
    Revision:
    1
    For students admitted fall 2013   fall 2012  

    Approval

    The programme was established 03 November 2011.
    This programme syllabus (version 1) was approved 03 November 2011 by the Board of Studies at Faculty of Culture and Society (k3).
    The syllabus is valid from 03 September 2012.

    Entry requirements

    1. Degree of Bachelor or equivalent in subjects relevant for interaction design. Examples of relevant subjects include, but are not limited to: computer science,
    informatics, information systems, human-computer interaction, new media arts,
    fine arts, design (industrial, product, graphic, interaction), communication studies,
    media studies and cognitive science.

    2. Approval of the following submitted material: 2 x work samples of previous
    relevant work and an individual response to the application assignment, available
    on the Malmö University web site.

    3. General eligibility + the equivalent of English course B in Swedish higher
    secondary school.

    Learning outcomes

    The general learning outcomes for the programme are the ones that Högskoleförordningen prescribes for the degree of Master (60 credits), as follows.

    Knowledge and understanding
    The student demonstrates
    • knowiedge and understanding within interaction design, including an overview

    as weil as deep knowledge in parts of the field, and insights into current research;
    • advanced methodological knowledge in interaction design.

    Competence and skills
    The student demonstrates
    • ability to integrate knowledge and to analyze, assess and manage compiex

    phenomena, questions and situations under conditions of limited information;
    • ability to independently identify and formulate questions, and to plan and

    adequateiy perform qualified assignments within given time limits;
    • ability to clearly account for and discuss conclusions and the knowledge and

    arguments underpinning the conciusions in written and spoken dialogue with
    various groups;
    • skills required to take part in research and development as weil as in other

    advanced enterprises.

    Judgement and approach
    The student demonstrates
    • ability to perform judgments within interaction design considering relevant

    academic, societal and ethical aspects;
    • awareness of ethical aspects in research and development;
    • insight into the possibilities and limitations of science, the role of science in

    society, and people’s responsibility for its use;
    • ability to identify further knowledge needs and to assume responsibility for

    knowiedge development.

    Topical outcomes are specified per course, where the generic types of outcomes
    are mapped to interaction design as follows.
    • Knowledge and understanding - Repertoire and theory (canonical designs, important design elements and important theoretical concepts)
    • Competence and skills — Skills and technique (including design approach)
    • Judgement and approach - Reflection and criticism.

      • Content

      Course list:see supplements

      Organisation

      The programme comprises full-time study for one academic year, divided into four
      courses as follows.
      Introduction to multidisciplinary interaction design, 15 credits
      Embodied interaction, 15 credits
      Collaborative media, 15 credits
      Graduation project, 15 credits

      Concerning design methodology, there is a progression from participatory
      approaches with heterogeneous groups in public settings to participatory
      approaches where the border between design and use is dissolved.

      Academic maturity is developed throughout the year towards an independent
      graduation project on a Master 60 credits level.

      Degree

      Master of Arts / Science (60 credits).


    Contact

    Further information

    Kristina Regnell, student services assistant
    Phone: 040-66 57102
    E-mail: kristina.regnell@mah.se

    Simon Niedenthal, programme responsible
    Phone: 040-66 57164
    E-mail: simon.niedenthal@mah.se

    Information about the School of Arts and Communication

    K3_vykort

    The School of Arts and Communication – also called K3 after its Swedish name “Konst, kultur och kommunikation” – is a multidisciplinary school engaged in media, culture and design. At K3 we combine traditional scholarship and academic knowledge with artistic methods and practical skills. In our teaching and research, art, technology, design and communication converge in new and innovative ways.

    K3 offers education in fields as English, interaction design, media and communication studies, visual communication, graphic design, arts journalism, as well as a range of practical courses in different types of media production.

     

    Degree programmes at K3

    Courses at K3