Interactive Media Design (IMD)

On this page: Major Description | Requirements | Learning Objectives

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The Interactive Media Design Major

IMD provides students with an expansive understanding of the processes and methods involved in conceiving, creating, and evaluating technology-mediated experiences.

IMD students create media products ranging from video and immersive artworks to web-based and platform-specific apps while working in collaboration with their peers.

With its interdisciplinary approach to interaction design and emphasis on studio practice, IMD enables students to develop creative solutions to complex problems.

Cohort-Based Learning

The two-year curriculum, grounded in an intensive cohort‐based learning environment, blends academic theory, human-centered design, artistic technique, process management approaches, and methods for gathering and analyzing critical metrics.   

Career Focus

IMD majors graduate with a design portfolio that prepares them for careers in the arts and industry, as well as for graduate study.  They are uniquely qualified to provide leadership across employment sectors concerned with interaction design in education, engineering, art, science, social media, and other forms of digital interactivity.

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Requirements

Prerequisites (20 credits)

See our Admissions page for details about the IMD pre-requisite courses.

Major Requirements (75 credits)

IMD Core (55 credits) — Effective Autumn 2020

Studio Elements Sequence, Year One

Autumn

Winter

Spring

B IMD 351 Studio Elements I (5)

B IMD 352 Studio Elements II (5)

B IMD 353 Studio Elements III (5)

B IMD 481 Integrative Studio I (5)

B IMD 362 Studio Elements II –Practicum (5)

B IMD 363 Studio Elements III – Practicum (5)

Integrative Studio Sequence, Year Two

Autumn

Winter

Spring

B IMD 491 Integrative Studio I – Practicum (5)

B IMD 482 Integrative Studio II (5)

B IMD 483 Integrative Studio III (5)

 

B IMD 492 Integrative Studio II – Practicum (5)

B IMD 493 Integrative Studio III – Practicum (5)

A minimum 2.0 grade is required in each IMD Core course.

Upper Division Electives (20 credits)

Students must complete a minimum of 20 credits of 300-400 level coursework beyond the IMD Core Courses.

A minimum 2.0 cum gpa is required in all courses applied to the major.

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Learning Objectives

Upon completion of the IMD degree students will be able to:

  • Understand and engage critically with theories and concepts related to analysis, design, development and implementation of interactive media experiences and their social context.
  • Use an interdisciplinary approach in the design and development of interactive media that applies engineering and user-centered, inclusive, community-based and universal design methodologies and best practices.
  • Collaborate effectively, creatively, productively, and ethically using team and communication skills imbued with respect and empathy.
  • Create interactive media experiences that engage unequal relations of power, knowledge, and difference, by learning from communities with multiple intersecting identities.
  • Utilize a variety of technologies and tools to explore, develop, and deliver interactive experiences on commonly used platforms and infrastructure, as well as on novel and experimental interfaces and systems.
  • Write and communicate clearly at all stages of project research, design, and implementation.

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