Interaction Design Major - Bachelor of Design Te Tohu Paetahi mō te Hoahoa

Interaction design integrates the principles of visual and other forms of communication, design, creative thinking and user-experience design (UX design) processes, with appropriate media and technologies to design efficient, effective, pleasurable and meaningful interactive experiences.

Year 1

You’re introduced to user experience and interface frameworks and processes including prototyping, idea analysis and user experience research methodologies. You’ll learn about UX and UI principles, information architecture, design systems and technologies.

Semester 1 courses

• DESN511 Introduction to Design Practice (30 points)
• DIGD507 Mahitahi | Collaborative Practice (15 points)
• DESN512 Making and Media (15 points)

Semester 2 courses

• INRD511 Interaction Design Practice I (30 points)
• Plus two courses* from your second major, your minor(s) or elective courses

Year 2

You’ll work on studio projects and workshops to:

• Advance your understanding of creative processes and techniques, and employ lateral thinking to develop concepts, functionality and design systems for navigation within communication channels
• Integrate UX and UI principles to deepen knowledge of communication strategies, graphic conventions and typographic systems
• Develop communication design strategies for brand, navigation and content management
• Integrate narrative structures, communication design systems and theories
• Explore methodologies within industry contexts and practices
• Develop a portfolio

Semester 1 courses

• INRD611 Interaction Design Practice II (30 points)
• Plus two courses* from your second major, your minor(s) or elective courses

Semester 2 courses

• INRD612 Interaction Design Practice III (30 points)
• Plus two courses* from your second major, your minor(s) or elective courses

Year 3

The focus this year is the major self-directed design project you complete. Projects can be individual, in partnership with another student or undertaken as a group project. The project will form a substantial part of your design portfolio.

The year ends in a public exhibition where you can show your work to the public.

Semester 1 courses

• INRD711 Interaction Design Practice IV (30 points)
• Plus two courses* from your second major, your minor(s) or elective courses

Semester 2 course

• DESN711 Integrated Design Practice (60 points)

_{*Two 15-point courses or one 30-point course.}