Interaction Design
Do you constantly imagine how things might be in the future? Are you interested in graphic design, 3-D design and technology? Are you curious about how people engage with screen based designs? More importantly, do you want to create incredible and enriching digital experiences through design?
From apps and websites to connected products and wearable technologies, Interaction Design is about designing the way people communicate and interact at home, work or play. Interaction designers explore the relationship between people and technology to design digital products, apps, user experiences and services. Interaction designers create the future, and shape the digital products of tomorrow.
Take a look at our Workshop for applicants from January 2022
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What will I study?
Studying Interaction Design at NCAD will enable you to develop your skills within a creative art and design school environment, underpinned by technical expertise and extensive links with industry. The small size of each year-group, coupled with close and frequent contact with the tutors, creates an informal yet highly effective learning environment. The curriculum exposes students to a wide range of topics, ranging from user experience (UX) design, to app and web design, to service design, to interactive digital products, experiences and installations. It is built around a core belief in human-centred design, with students developing the research and innovation skills that will allow them to design meaningful and desirable digital products.
Year 1
The first year experience for BA students at NCAD begins with a foundational semester of interdisciplinary Art and Design creative practice and research. In the second semester all Design students undertake projects spent within selected design programmes. This is to give you a working taste of your chosen discipline and/or those that you are interested in and would benefit from experiencing. The second half of Semester 2 introduces students to key processes and practices in your chosen design discipline, encouraging the creative and critical development of a personal practice and introducing fundamental disciplinary design and technical methods.
Year 2
The focus in second year is on further developing key skills and knowledge within the field of Interaction Design. Projects focus on human centred design, app and web design, user experience (UX) design, service design, creative coding, physical computing and virtual reality. Coding and technology skills are taught from a beginner level to enable students realise compelling creative products and services during their studies.
Year 3: Studio+ & International
Studio+ is an optional year open to all Design students allowing you to engage with the world beyond NCAD by gaining practical work experience in the form of working within the NCAD Design Bureau on live commercial, social or community projects and/or undertaking approved internships and industry placements. Studio+ can also include a work placement abroad or a study abroad experience through the Erasmus programme with internationally recognised art and design faculties partnered with NCAD.
Students who choose Studio+ will complete a 4 year BA Interaction Design or a 4 year BA Interaction Design (International).
Final Year
In the final year, students are ready to develop their own programme of study, which reflects each individual’s skills and interests within Interaction Design. This will culminate in a substantial body of work for assessment and display at degree shows, exhibitions and events.
Each year is supported by a series of lectures by leading creative practitioners and theorists, collaborative interdisciplinary opportunities, live industry projects, field trips, and study visits.
Critical Cultures
A key component of your curriculum in every year is the study of Critical Cultures. This is where you study the connections between history, theory and practice in modern and contemporary contexts in order to become a critically engaged, reflective and effective practitioner.
How will I be assessed?
Coursework, essays, practical design projects and assessments take place at key points throughout the year. Formal assessment results are issued at the end of each academic year.
Opportunities after graduation
Interaction Design is one of the fastest growing areas in design and graduates have significant employment opportunities to work in design consultancies and also in the large range of multinational tech companies based in Ireland. Interaction Design graduates have a wide range of local and global opportunities open to them, working in areas such as interaction design, user experience (UX) design, app design, service design, web design, user interface design, and design-led research.Increasingly, graduates progress to further study at postgraduate level to refine their creative abilities and approach. The School of Design offers a range of innovative masters programmes, as well as a practice-based PhD programme.
Please see the Study at NCAD section for full application details.
| Duration | 3 /4 Years BA |
| Places | 20 |
| Applications |
CAO Course Code: AD222 Interaction Design |
| Entry Requirements |
Leaving Cert: 6 Subjects (2 X H5 and 4 X O6/H7) Subjects must include English, Irish and one of the following: a third language or Art or Design & Communication Graphics (DCG) Maths Requirements: Leaving Cert Maths or Technical Subject O6/H7 QQI/FETAC: 5 Distinctions Full Award + Maths requirement as per Leaving cert or equivalent |
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Portfolio Requirement |
Click here for info on preparing a Portfolio for Interaction Design |
| Degree Awarded | BA Interaction Design / BA Design (International) |
NCAD students currently in First Year can choose Interaction Design as their degree pathway for 2020.
For further information please contact:
School Secretary David Bramley
E-mail: bramleyd@ncad.ie
Programme Team
Sam Russell (BDes, MA) is an experienced product designer, researcher and academic. His current research interest relates to the design of new learning experiences and interactive spaces. As Head of Product Design his focus is on experiential learning, interdisciplinary collaboration and linking students to industry networks.
Emma Creighton (BDes, MSc, PhD) worked and trained in both interaction design and product design. She is a passionate designer and educator whose research interests include interactive play, design in education, and physical computing.
Marcus Hanratty (BDes, MSc, PhD) has been designing products and experiences for over a decade, and has taught interaction design in a number of universities here and abroad. His research focuses on the role design and technology play in shaping people's behaviours with a particular interest in behaviour change, design for emotion, and sustainable design.
Portfolio and Application Events
Each year we run a range of events to help applicants prepare their portfolio for application to Product Design.
Portfolio Information Session
On Tuesday November 6th at 5.30pm Interaction Design staff will host a dedicated information session for prospective applicants intetested in studying Interaction Design at NCAD. On the evening you will get a tour of the studio space and workshops, meet staff, see examples of successful portfolios, and get a sense of what we are looking for in your application.
This event is free but spaces are limited so booking is essential. Book tickets here.
Open Day
The NCAD College Open Day is on Wednesday 27th November 2019. Open Day is an opportunity to vist the NCAD campus, visit different departments, meet students and tutors, attend taster lectures, talks, tours, demonstrations and view First Year Entrance Portfolios. All are welcome. Both staff and students will be on hand to answer your questions.
There will be a lunchtime Information Session for teachers, tutors and guidance counsellors focussed on developments in Design at NCAD.
Who should attend our events?
Anyone interested in applying for Interaction Design for entry in September 2019.
Art & Design/Technology/Engineering/DCG teachers and tutors helping students prepare an entrance portfolio for NCAD.
Further details of events will be posted on our social media accounts below.
