Program Overview

Introduction to the Low Res MA in Interactive Media Arts

The Low Res MA in Interactive Media Arts is a unique program that leverages a project-based curriculum to explore the intersection of emerging media and humanistic values. Aspects of computer science, engineering, and design are fused with arts and humanities in a workshop-style approach to learning.

Program Structure

The program is divided into four sessions, each taking place in a different location: New York, Online, Berlin, and Shanghai.

Summer 1 - New York

• 9 credits
• Four 2-Credit Courses:
  • Concepts, Culture & Critique
  • Creative Coding
  • Design for Communication
  • Interface Lab
• One 1-Credit Course:
  • Conversations New York
• Establish core fundamentals in programming, electronics, data, interaction design, user experience, and media production
• Emphasis placed on conceptual frameworks to facilitate critical engagement and practice-based research

Course Descriptions

• IMALR-GT 101 Concepts, Culture & Critique (2 credits): Introduction to the concepts, questions, and terminology of interactive media arts.
• IMALR-GT 102 Creative Coding (2 credits): Hands-on introduction to programming and software engineering for creative applications.
• IMALR-GT 103 Design for Communication (2 credits): Practical skills and theoretical frameworks for making and assessing audio and visual communication.
• IMALR-GT 104 Interface Lab (2 credits): Survey of alternative interfaces with an emphasis on embodied interactions.
• IMALR-GT 105 Conversations New York (1 credit): Dialogue with local leaders from emerging media fields.

Fall - Online

• 7 credits
• Two faculty-led courses involving self-directed learning and collaborative project work
• One 4-Credit Course:
  • Connections Lab
• One 3-Credit Course:
  • Critical Experiences
• Emphasis on creating connected applications, critical making, and user experience
• Continued development of technical skills and practice-based research

Course Descriptions

• IMALR-GT 201 Connections Lab (4 credits): Design and development of creative connected web applications.
• IMALR-GT 202 Critical Experiences (3 credits): Combination of "critical making" and "user experience" for personalized practice-based research.

January - Berlin

• 3 credits
• One 2-Credit Elective Course (students choose one):
  • Civic Ecologies
  • Radical Networks
  • Virtual Worlds
• One 1-Credit Course:
  • Conversations Berlin

Course Descriptions

• IMALR-GT 301 Civic Ecologies (2 credits): Comparative study of global cities focusing on urban ecological systems.
• IMALR-GT 302 Radical Networks (2 credits): Critical engagement with communication and networking technologies.
• IMALR-GT 303 Virtual Worlds (2 credits): Architecting and constructing unique virtual histories.
• IMALR-GT 304 Conversations Berlin (1 credit): Dialogue with local leaders from emerging media fields in Berlin.

Spring - Online

• 7 credits
• Three faculty-led courses involving self-directed learning and collaborative project work
• One 3-Credit Course:
  • Thesis Development Studio
• Two 2-Credit Courses:
  • Designing Change (Weeks 1 – 7)
  • Local Data – Collection, Creation & Contextualization (Weeks 1 – 7)
  • 50 Days of Making (Weeks 8 – 14)
• Emphasis on larger global issues paired with an individualized focus on personal thesis project development, technical skill building, and creative practice

Course Descriptions

• IMALR-GT 401 Thesis Development Studio (3 credits): Conceptualization, definition, and implementation of the final thesis project.
• IMALR-GT 402 Designing Change, Weeks 1 – 7 (2 credits): Design as a vehicle for change, combining UX design with behavioral psychology.
• IMALR-GT 403 Local Data – Collection, Creation & Contextualization, Weeks 1 – 7 (2 credits): Data collection as a local, situated, and contextually-bound process.
• IMALR-GT 404 50 Days of Making, Weeks 8 – 14 (2 credits): Iteration and its impact on the creative process through daily practice.

Summer - Shanghai

• 6 credits
• One 4-Credit Course:
  • Thesis
• One 1-Credit Elective Course (students choose one):
  • Design for the Future
  • Entrepreneurship & the Future of Work
  • Future of Media
• One 1-Credit Course:
  • Conversations Shanghai
• Primary focus on completing and sharing individual thesis projects
• Secondary elective to complement thesis work

Course Descriptions

• IMALR-GT 501 Thesis (4 credits): Completion, sharing, and reflection on the final thesis project.
• IMALR-GT 502 Design for the Future (1 credit): Combination of "design-fiction" and "speculative design" to inspire design discussions.
• IMALR-GT 503 Entrepreneurship & the Future of Work (1 credit): Exploration of entrepreneurial and commercial pursuits in the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
• IMALR-GT 504 Future of Media (1 credit): Examination of the current state of the media industry with attention to journalism, media ethics, and public policy.
• IMALR-GT 505 Conversations Shanghai (1 credit): Dialogue with local leaders from emerging media fields in Shanghai.