“By creating we think, by living we learn” Patrick Geddes
Information on this page is valid for students starting courses in September 2010.
From 2011, this course will be renamed BSc Digital Interaction Design. If you wish to join us in 2011, please visit the BSc Digital Interaction Design course page.
| Degrees available: |
|
| Academic School: | School of Computing and Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design |
| How to apply: | Apply through UCAS |
| Institution Code: | D65 |
"The future is digital. But is it beautiful?" Simon Armitage, poet.
Interactive Media Design at Dundee is all about being more creative and sensitive about how digital technology will affect our lives, doing new things because they help people and give pleasure, not just because we can.
Today this doesn't just mean computers of course - digital technology is in mobile phones, video games, intelligent clothing, electronic music, interactive TV and so on... almost everywhere!
And you will learn to design things that not just look beautiful, but behave beautifully. You will also understand users' needs and desires and develop good technical knowledge to make it all happen.
Our students are gaining an international reputation for work that combines design, people and technology. This is possible because of an equal partnership between Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and the School of Computing, both internationally renowned - a very special relationship that has led to this pioneering course.
Recent students' projects have included:
All were made as working prototypes, that people could actually use - and would want to use. We like to create whole experiences, not just images or models. These are incredibly valuable and flexible skills in today’s workplace.
Here are just ten of our graduates who have each gone on to their own 'dream jobs' (which are all quite different of course):
Our multi-disciplinary teaching team includes interaction designers, graphic designers, computer scientists, ethnographers, a sound engineers, design theoreticians and product designers.
Because the course is a collaboration between Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design and the School of Computing, it combines various different teaching styles. Teaching include seminars, theory and practice lectures, visitors' talks, crits, computing and IT labs, woodworking and electronics workshops, occasional field trips, and many practical design briefs.
Assessment includes written work, blogs and reports, (a few) exams and class tests, but mainly practical coursework–which can include websites, prototypes, videos, and other digital media. This coursework is not just submitted but usually presented, sometimes to potential future employers.
Together, these activities teach a number of transferable skills, from working in teams, to project management and presentation (our graduates are all very used to presenting their work professionally).
The heart of the course is in the IMD studios, where our students not only work together, but very much make themselves at home. These studios are modelled on the multidisciplinary studios within design groups and whether our students are working in teams or individually, they always benefit from each other's ideas, opinions and skills–and friendships.
In and around the studios, our students have access to all the facilities you might expect, with the support of expert technicians. Software includes Java, Final Cut Pro, Adobe CS, Pure Data and Processing; hardware includes iMacs and Apple G5s, Arduino and sensor kits, motors and servos, projectors and speakers, HD video cameras, lights, professional sound recording, editing and mixing. Other facilities include woodworking and electronics workshops, laser cutters and fabric printing, etc., etc.
We are developing very strong links with world-leading companies. For the last two years, Microsoft Research have invited our students to work with our neighbouring course, Product Design, on an invited competition, as the only courses in the UK to be invited! This has involved four of our current students, Neil, Jo, Ruth and Mike, being flown out to Microsoft HQ near Seattle to present their work at Microsoft's research conference. Here's some of the feedback they got:
"It bridges the generations of people, but actually I think it was just as elegant how it bridged the generations of technologies: [your grandfather] speaks in the technology of his day and you view in the technology of your day and it's seamless–that's elegant and I've not seen that before... so thank you". Bill Buxton, Principal Researcher, Microsoft.
| Typical Degree Programme Example | |||
| Honours Degree | |||
| Advanced Entry Honours Degree | |||
Level 1 Semester 1 Web Authoring Visual Expression Introduction to Interactive Media Semester 2 IT For Computing Visual Expression Screen Based Interactive Media 1 |
Level 2 Semester 1 Software Development Design Studies: Contexts and Stakeholders Screen Based Interactive Media 2 Semester 2 Introduction to Data Structures and Algorithms Design Studies: Structuring Creativity Interaction Design (Products) |
Level 3 Semester 1 Object-Oriented Analysis and Design Design Futures and Professional Practice Interaction Design (Exhibits) Semester 2 Human Computer Interaction Dissertation Preparation Interactive Entertainment Experience Design |
Level 4 Semester 1 Electives – two from: (Mini Dissertation, Industrial Team Project, Innovation Technology Management) or Design Dissertation Major Personal Integrated Projects Semester 2 Major Personal Integrated Projects |
At any one time, in Levels 1 to 3, you can expect* to be studying three complementary modules:
Interactive Media Design is where people, design and technology come together, sometimes in work that is practical and easy to use, sometimes more exploratory or playful–and, best of all, sometimes both simple and radical.
Design Studies/ Theoretical Studies will give you a deeper background in design techniques, theory and ideas, including how to talk to people you are designing for, how to present ideas and some of the biggest issues facing society, such as sustainability.
Applied Computing gives you a foundation in digital technology, including IT and programming. But this is applied computing, not computer science, so you will learn about the way people use computers, such as accessible websites for disabled people and older people for example.
* all details are subject to change as the field evolves and the course with it.
Level 1 introduces you to a range of theories, practices and technologies that you will encounter as an interactive media designer:
Level 2 involves deepening your thinking of graphical interfaces, user research and prototyping:
Level 3 introduces more novel interactions such as 'physical computing' (making objects interactive). Projects have industry involvement and students have an opportunity to find summer work placement:
Level 4 is devoted mainly to your own personal project. We will help you to specialise in a particular area of expertise:
As a successful student, at the end of the course you will be able to:
"I was pretty blown away by the quality and sensitivity of the students' work." Richard Banks, Interaction Designer at Microsoft Research, Cambridge
"the fabulous, quirky and poetic Museum of Lost Interactions (MoLI)." Regine Debatty, We Make Money Not Art
"I don't know what it is they're doing up there in Dundee, but it seems to be working." Jack Schofield, Computer Editor, The Guardian
| Typical Entry Requirements | |
| Higher | BBBB |
| A-Level | CCC |
| Typical Subjects | A mix of Art & Design or another creative subject with something more technical (such as Computing, Physics, Maths, Information Systems) (H or A-Level) |
| Essential Subjects | A science or technical subject (such as Computing, Physics, Maths, Information Systems, Chemistry or Biology) (H or A-Level) |
| We like to see a few examples of creative work at interview (of whatever kind, digital, photographic, hand-drawn or hand-made, it could also include more technical work). This need not be a full portfolio - but an excellent portfolio may be considered as roughly equivalent to a Scottish or Irish Higher or A-Level. In the case of a telephone interview, work may be viewed online, emailed or posted. |
|
| Advanced Entry | |
| Advanced Higher or A-Level | BBB |
| Essential Subjects | None |
| An informal portfolio of creative work is recommended for Level 2 applicants. | |
| Alternative Qualifications | |
| SQA/EDEXCEL | HNC from an approved FE college with an articulation agreement with the University of Dundee HND from an approved FE college with an articulation agreement with the University of Dundee (Level 2 or 3 entry) |
| ILC | BBBC at Higher including a science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Maths or Computing) |
| IB | Considered individually |
| EB | Considered individually |
| We like to see a few examples of creative work at interview (of whatever kind, digital, photographic, hand-drawn or hand-made, it could also include more technical work). This need not be a full portfolio - but an excellent portfolio may be considered as roughly equivalent to a Scottish or Irish Higher or A-Level. | |
| Applicants with alternative overseas qualifications should visit the relevant country page on our International website. | |
It is possible to study for most of our honours degrees in 3 years if you have the required grades and subjects as listed in the Entry Requirements section. There are definite advantages to considering this route as the time needed to study is reduced by one year which enables you to start working and earning earlier.
Diana Davidson
Admissions & Student Recruitment
University of Dundee
Nethergate
Dundee
DD1 4HN
Scotland
Telephone: 01382 384 029 (from the UK)
Telephone: +44 1382 384 029 (from outside the UK)
Email: ContactUs@dundee.ac.uk
del.icio.us
digg
reddit
facebook
stumbleupon