Program Overview

Programme Outline

The programme is divided into three semesters. In the first semester, students learn basic concepts of interaction and experience design. In the second semester, students build on their theoretical and practical knowledge to expand abilities in selected areas. During the summer months, a substantial dissertation project is undertaken. An MSc in Interaction and Experience Design will be awarded to successful graduates who undertake a technical/scientific project. An MA in Interaction and Experience Design will be awarded to successful graduates who undertake a design/artistic project.

Autumn Semester (Sept - Dec)

Core Modules (3/3)

• CS6431 Foundations of Interaction and Experience Design Theory: This module provides a general introduction to the field of Interaction Design's theory and practice. It covers basic principles of human cognition and behaviour, and their relevance to the design of usable systems.
• CS6441 Foundations of Interaction and Experience Design Practice: This module provides a general introduction to the available methods, techniques, and tools in human-computer interaction (HCI) and Interaction and experience design (IXUX). It covers user and human-centred approaches to design, participatory and collaborative ones, iterative design, creative techniques, prototyping techniques, and test and evaluation techniques.
• CS6041 Interactive Media Project/Workshop 1: This module is about the practical methods and tools for working with Interactive Media. Students learn about photography, graphics, sound production, video production, and web design.

Elective Modules, choose two out of five (2/5):

• CS4083 Sound Synthesis: Students create software-based applications for sound synthesis and demonstrate a facility with text-based and graphical-based software systems for audio programming.
• CS4151 Digital Modelling and Animation: Students learn the skills needed to produce 3D digital animation, models, and filmmaking content. The module focuses on learning applied, vocational skills and leveraging 3D tools to design scenarios focused on user experience, interaction, explainability, and usability.
• CS4071 - Virtual and Augmented Reality Design: Students develop bespoke Augmented and Virtual Reality scenarios using pre-built software pipelines, working to specific industry standards.
• CS4020 Information society: This module provides a socio-economic, political, and cultural exploration of the "internet society". It introduces perspectives on the network society, including technological determinism, social constructivism, and Actor Network theory.
• CS6351 Physical Computing: Students develop their knowledge of physical computing in the context of interactive art, performance, and interaction design through laboratory-based small group project work and lecture-based learning and research.

Spring Semester (Jan - Apr)

Core Modules (3/3)

• CS6572 Principles of Interaction and experience Design 1: Students investigate key concepts and methods in the fields of interaction and experience design. The module examines and explores a number of key themes related to interaction and experience design in various settings.
• CS6572 Principles of Interaction and experience Design 2 - Project: Students plan their IXUX Research Project, learning about the requirements for planning a successful Final Project, including choosing topics, analysing issues, developing argumentation, structuring research, and report writing.
• CS6042 Interactive Media Project/Workshop 2: This module is about the practical methods and tools for working with Interactive Media. Students learn about design and programming in environments such as Adobe Flash, Pure Data/GEM, Processing, and Google Sketchup, as well as open-source hardware like Arduino.

Elective modules, choose two out of five:

• CS4056 Mobile Application Design: This module focuses on the design of mobile applications, teaching students to overcome challenges associated with designing applications for mobile devices.
• CS4126 - 3D Modelling and Digital Fabrication: The main objective is to promote a good understanding of the 3D modelling and digital fabrication process, developing a range of skills on digital fabrication to be applied in different interaction design areas.
• CS4049 Visual Coding: Students are introduced to the principles behind algorithmic visuals and the practice of creating visuals through programmed and procedural approaches, using Processing.
• CS4078 Applied Interaction Design: This module focuses on participatory, collaborative, and adversarial approaches to design, providing knowledge of and practical experience in participatory/collaborative design supporting participatory innovation in the design of human-centered systems.

Summer Semester (May-Aug)

Dissertation Project:

During the summer months, a substantial project is undertaken, which may be artistic (such as a media production or installation) or technical (such as the development of media software). Students are required to design, build, and test a demonstration of their ideas, as well as writing a report of approximately 12,000 words.

About

The Masters in Interaction and Experience Design is offered by the Computer Science and Information Systems Department, Faculty of Science and Engineering, at the University of Limerick.