MA Interaction Design Communication

Content

MA Interaction Design Communication provides an opportunity for experimental practice in an area of design that increasingly explores the intersection of the physical and digital domains. With a focus on synthesising thought through rigorous design prototyping (making), digital processes and user perspectives, the course is highly reflective of interdisciplinary practice within the contemporary design, media and communications industries.

The course's integrated approach to critical thinking provides you with the opportunity to work with critical ideas in an applied design context – for example psycho-geographic practice as empirical research or engaging with other critical theories of space to generate user perspectives. This ensures that ideation processes take on both the macro as well as micro opportunities for innovation and speculation crucial to building a portfolio of highly engaged work.

As well as placing you in a position to work across the broad spectrum of interaction, design and communication, the course is just as interested in design questions as design answers. This means that the course also prepares you for progression to further design research at MPhil/PhD level as well as to advanced self-directed experimental practice.

LCC has an outstanding team of practitioners and published researchers and enjoys a rich programme of visiting speakers. The course also benefits from a cross-European collaboration with design industry professionals and higher education institutions and there is an opportunity to visit at least one other centre in Europe during the course.

This course is taught within the Design School.

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Course start date

24 September 2018

Course units

Each course is divided into units, which are credit-rated. The minimum unit size is 20 credits. The MA course structure involves six units, totalling 180 credits.

Autumn, Term One

Unit summary:

• Theories and Technologies of Interaction Design (40 credits)
• Research Practice and Human Centred Design (20 credits)

Term One of the course introduces you to the technologies and concepts that are core to the practice and theory of interaction design. Following an induction programme that sets the scene for the course, you will see how contemporary interaction, design and communication practice uses a range of technologies and concepts, and you will experience the interrelationship between theory and practice.

This phase allows you to acquire the important foundations of knowledge across several disciplines including interaction, design and communication. These are critical for the development of subsequent stages of the course. You will be introduced to key design prototyping and technical skills in this phase that will be essential for your practice throughout the rest of the course.

Spring, Term Two

Unit summary:

• Interaction Futures and Speculative Design (20 credits)
• Physical Computing and Design Prototyping (20 credits)
• Collaborative Unit (20 credits)

Term Two offers you the opportunity to use both the critical and technical skills gained in Phase One to produce speculative and critical design projects. We also explicitly explore the intersection of the physical and digital domains, introducing you to the applied skills needed to work with physical computing, sensors and data environments. During this phase you will also develop a project proposal for your final major project and thesis in Phase Three.

Summer, Term Three

Unit summary:

• Interaction Futures and Speculative Design (20 credits)
• Physical Computing and Design Prototyping (continued)

Autumn, Term Four

Unit summary:

• Unit 4.1 Final Major Research Project
  (Weighted 50% written component and 50% practical component)

You will undertake a final major research project which relates to the expanded field of interaction, design and communication. This will involve a self-directed major practical project and the completion of a related thesis, which demonstrates your critical reflection, analysis and original research. With access to broad theoretical models spanning the discipline, you will apply these models to your own specialist area of interest to produce a critically aware major project that after assessment will usually be presented at your postgraduate show.

If you are unable to continue or decide to exit the course, there are two possible exit awards. A Postgraduate Certificate will be awarded on successful completion of the first 60 credits and a Postgraduate Diploma will be awarded on successful completion of the first 120 credits.

What our students say

It's a very well balanced combination of theory and practice. For overseas students it's very good that it is so intense and that you have to attend five days a week.

I've worked with people from more than 10 different countries – where else could I get that experience?

I really enjoyed the course for all its opportunities. We had much better support than you get on other courses. The lectures and seminars were great.

Programme Specification‌

MA Interaction Design Communication Programme Specification 2017/18 (PDF - 345KB)

Staff Course Leader:

Tobias Revell

Programme Director:

Eva Verhoeven

Specialist Tutor:

Nicolas Marechal