Design Innovation & Interaction Design

Key Facts

Staff

Programme Overview

Award

MDes in Design Innovation and Interaction Design. All GSA degree programmes are validated by the University of Glasgow. Established in 1451, the University of Glasgow is a member of the prestigious Russell Group of leading UK research universities and a founder member of Universitas 21, an international grouping of universities dedicated to setting worldwide standards for higher education.

Assessment

The assessment combines written work, visual and project material produced both by groups and individuals. The assessment formats are designed to develop analytical thinking, creative synthesis and a rigorous capacity for reflection and self-evaluation. There is an emphasis upon collaborative studio working combined with individual exploration and analysis of theoretical positions and discourses.

Facilities
You will study at GSA’s Creative Campus in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. Located just outside Forres, the Creative Campus is a research and postgraduate teaching centre for international excellence in creativity and innovation. The combination of modern studio environment and workshop with a traditional highland setting offers a unique educational experience. We deliver Masters and PhD programmes, and the campus location enables us to research in geographically diverse and distributed contexts as well, as develop innovative forms of teaching with our academic partners around the world.

Indicative Additional Costs
Individual departments levy material fees as indicated on this page. You should budget for each year of your programme of study and should allow for costs over and above your fees and maintenance, particularly if expensive materials or projects are chosen.

Head of School
Prof. Gordon Hush

Academic Leads
Dr Iain Reid (Glasgow)
Dr Mafalda Moreira (Glasgow)
Ruth Cochrane (Forres)

Programme Coordinator
Dr Iain Reid

Lecturer & Subject Leader
Dr Christine Farion

Research Methods Lecturer
Dr Mafalda Moreira

Programme Overview

This programme is taught at the GSA's campus in the Highlands of Scotland. More information on living and studying at our Highlands campus is available here

The way people today experience their environment and interact with others is often mediated through new technologies. The discipline of Interaction Design has emerged to ensure the delivery of these technologies enhances all aspects of modern society. Interaction Design at The Glasgow School of Art focuses on people, rather than technology. This Masters programme looks to tackle real-life problems by improving interaction and communication between stakeholders using a variety of methods.

The programme, taught at the school’s campus in the Scottish Highlands, promotes a hands-on approach to interaction design. Through live projects with an emphasis on collaborative working, you will develop an understanding of Interaction Design in complex environments and learn to analyse behaviours that inform the design process.

You will also have the opportunity to engage with peers from international schools as part of the annual Winter School held at the campus in Forres. This seasonal event brings together students and faculty from leading institutions around the world for a two-week programme of lectures, workshops and networking opportunities that offers an insight into what a career in design as a global activity looks like.

Opportunities enabled by contemporary technologies are examined and incorporated into a programme that adopts a holistic approach to interaction design. You will explore all the ways in which interactive components can be used to enhance our relationships with people, products and services in an increasingly digital future.