Master of Design (MDes) Interaction Design

About

The Interaction Design specialism is directed at students with a passion for people and technology, who have a curiosity about the future and want to shape how information is accessed and used, how environments might change based on need, or how embedded information in products support use. Those with a Bachelor’s degree in design (visual communication, product, digital media, or environmental design), communication, information technology, or even psychology may find interaction design to be the next step in their professional development.

• Application Timeline - Sep 2018 Entry
• Applications start: 26 Sep 2017
• First Round Review deadline: 12 Dec 2017
• Application deadline: 30 Apr 2018

Aims

This specialism seeks to enhance human ability and life through the design of innovative, interactive and experiential ideas, based on a synthesis of human thought patterns and habits with technical means. A combination of theory, planning strategies, research, and technical skills provide the foundation for workshops that explore emerging aspects of interaction design, based on human needs and pleasures as well as technological development.

Objectives

This specialism seeks to join theory and action by:

• putting people first in the people/technology equation — explore human-centredness
• understanding active communication processes on which interactivity is built
• learning methods for analysis and construction of interaction design
• working across communication technology, product interface, and service systems
• focusing on one of the above as an alternative focus
• developing a holistic approach to human-centred interaction that includes a problem or opportunity identification, research, prototyping and execution

Programme Structure

The specialism is structured by a combination of intensively taught short courses that directly support a workshop investigation. Workshops take various forms from individual to teamwork, from self-initiated projects to externally sponsored projects. A range of electives is available to tailor the experience to individual interests. Some classes meet during weekends and evenings. The expectation is that the student is fully committed to the programme and works in the studio environment. The programme concludes with a demonstration project that unites: research, creative exploration, user understanding, and prototype testing toward a solution. Graduation requires the successful completion of 36 credits.

Class delivery mode & Duration

Classes are normally held during daytime on weekdays, except some shared electives are delivered on weekday evenings and weekends. Each of these weekend subjects requires three weekends spread over 4–5 weeks. Normally it takes one year to complete the programme.

Entrance requirement

A Bachelor’s degree in design or the equivalent in a related discipline is required. Candidates with other tertiary qualifications complemented by substantial relevant professional experience will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

A complete application includes

• Application form
• Letter of intent
• Three letters of recommendation (Academic/ Profession)
• Evidence of academic qualification, i.e. Official Full Transcripts and Degree Certificates
• Portfolio (refer to FAQ for requirements and submission)
• IELTS/ TOEFL report*

* If you are not a native speaker of English, and your Bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification is awarded by institutions where the medium of instruction is not English, you are expected to fulfil the following minimum English language requirement for admission purpose: A Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of 80 for the Internet-based test or 550 for the paper-based test; OR An overall Band Score of at least 6 in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).

Interview

All admissions must go through the interview process. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend an interview in person (for local applicants) or over internet video calls (for non-local applicants).

• Number of credits: 36
• Normal Period of Study: 1 Year (full-time)
• Tuition: HK$144,000 (local) / HK$158,400 (non-local) Initial Programme Fee: Local student HK$16,000 (4 credits x HK$4,000)/ Non-local student HK$44,000 (10 credits x HK$4,400)

Financial Aid

No scholarship is available for non-local students for 2018/19 admissions. For local residents, two types of financial aid are available through the Government's Student Finance Office: (1) Continuing Education Fund and (2) Extended Non-means-Tested Loan Scheme (ENLS).

Some subjects in MDes scheme are included on the Continuing Education Fund (CEF) list of reimbursable courses for local residents. For further information on CEF or reimbursable courses list, please visit CEF official website. Extended Non-means-Tested Loan Scheme (ENLS) offers interest-bearing loans to eligible students for covering tuition fees. For details of the scheme, please refer to the Government’s website.

Type of VISA (for International Students)

The People’s Republic of China and foreign nationals may join the full-time programme provided either they apply for and receive a Student VISA, or they may join the part-time programme if they are holding a valid work permit or dependent VISA from the Hong Kong Administrative Region Immigration Department. School of Design will provide assistance in this regard.

Webinar

You can now view the playback of the webinar on Interaction Design: A Multi-disciplinary Approach hosted by PolyU Interaction Design faculty. In the webinar, specialism leader, Dr Kenny Chow introduced the programme in four parts, namely Theories & Perspectives, Methods & Processes, Students Background, and Prospects. He was joined by our recent alumni: Kesaven shared more on his decision to relocate to Hong Kong and Wallace on steering a career change.