Interactive Design and Media has a profound impact on today’s global economy and is changing the standards in which society communicates and interacts on a daily basis. When we look at any web site, mobile communications device, graphic user interface, or integrated system, we can see how important the role of interaction and innovation plays in communicating a rich media experience. For most businesses, success depends on a well-designed, engaging, dynamic, and robust experience. The Masters in Interactive Design and Media program is dedicated to teaching students the necessary skill sets while exercising the critically thinking mind, both vital to this rapid evolving field.

The School of Design and Engineering offers the Interactive Design student a unique opportunity to study in an interdisciplinary atmosphere. Fundamental to being a successful member of the interdisciplinary design team is the knowledge and skill to manipulate digital technology, communicate ideas, visualize design proposals, and manage information.

The predominant feature of the Master’s in Interactive Design and Media is the development of new and innovative ways of communicating and learning to work as a team.

Admissons Criteria

2-Year Program

An undergraduate degree in design is highly recommended for this program. Applicants must demonstrate a high degree of technical proficiency in interactive design as well as an ability to conceptualize and produce at a sophisticated level of communication. The background for this skill set could come from significant professional experience and/or previous study. An online interactive design portfolio is necessary, two letters of recommendation, transcripts, resume, along with a letter of intent, specifying the student’s goals for the period of study.

3-Year Program

Applicants must demonstrate an understanding of and aptitude for design or the visual arts, either through professional experience and/or previous study. A portfolio demonstrating the candidate’s creativity is required. This portfolio can be in the form of a CD and does not have to be online. Also required are two letters of recommendation, transcripts, resume, along with a letter of intent specifying the student’s goals for the period of study. The initial courses in this track provide an appropriate foundation for students who have a background in the visual disciplines but need additional design or interactive experience before they start two years of immersive graduate coursework. In some cases students from other disciplines who demonstrate a particular aptitude for design may be accepted into the program.

Curriculum Sequence

Because of the interdisciplinary emphasis of the Interactive Design and Media program, it is anticipated that prospective students will come from various backgrounds and levels of expertise. Both programs are designed to accommodate these different backgrounds by offering two distinct curricular sequences.

The 2-year program is open to students who already possess an undergraduate degree or professional experience in design. They must demonstrate a high level of technical and conceptual competency in a core group of technological abilities including skills in web design, video production, and rich media.

The 3-year program is open to students who possess an undergraduate degree or professional experience, but the degree is not in design. They must demonstrate a mid-level of technical and conceptual competency in a core group of technological abilities. This type of student will benefit from an additional year of interactive foundations, where they will acquire the necessary technical and design skills and critical thinking abilities needed to perform in the 2-year program.

For a detailed list of classes, click here.