Design is a factor in everything we do, see and experience daily ... touching the screen of an iPhone, using an ATM or scanning items at a self-checkout in a grocery store. In the KU Edwards interaction design program, students will learn to be more effective in conceiving and researching design ideas and market-inspired business concepts. Interaction design is an emerging discipline involving the research and development of products, services and systems that are useable, useful and desirable to people, as well as economically viable to business.

The interaction design program is focused on the theory, methods and practices of this new holistic approach, and affords students the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform as interaction designers in today’s changing business environment. This program is designed for engineers, architects, interior designers, advertising executives, educational technology personnel and many other professionals.

The Curriculum

The Master of Arts degree in Interaction Design requires students to complete 31 hours of coursework. Twelve hours are in the major area of study, including design management, design strategies and methods, strategic design innovation, designing business services and consumer experiences. The additional 19 hours include electives in and outside of the department, research seminars and thesis. Interaction design students must write a thesis documenting an independent investigation and pass an oral examination on the research and its outcomes.