Design for Interactive Art & Experiences MA



Explore new and emerging methods for prototyping experiences and products for design and visual arts.
Overview
The MA Design for Interactive Art & Experiences will allow you to examine design and visual arts principles in the creation of interactive and responsive environments. You will work with traditional and digital fabrication methods and apply programming for digital media software and hardware.

The course is constructed from core modules and modules specific to your chosen pathway. All students take the Live Project and you will study 'Thinking: Research for Creative Practice', which will help you to determine your Research Portfolio.

To ensure there is sufficient time to process your application, we encourage you to submit your application by 30 June.

Student exhibiting at Edinburgh Napier University Degree Show 2018.

Mode of Study:

Full-time (available as Part-time)

Duration:

1 years

Start date:

Sep

Course details
The MA Interactive Art & Experiences programme works at the intersection of creativity and new and emerging technology, attracting applicants with backgrounds in both design and the visual arts, and computing and engineering.

Technologically driven creative interventions are deployed increasingly as objects or spaces, both as a form of critique on the challenges of modern life, and to enhance user experiences and quality of life.

Digital data is instantly transferable in many ways, and you will learn how to shape and form objects and spaces, and use hardware and software to programme direct and indirect user interactions.

The programme is supported by the Edinburgh Napier design team who are actively engaged in research, knowledge exchange and/or consultancy work as part of the Art & Design Research Centre (ADRC). The pathway is led by Andrew O’Dowd who has a background in engineering design and computing, and expertise in interaction design. 

Andrew O’Dowd studied computing, and then engineering design, before completing a masters degree in Interaction Design. Andrew has a wide range of design, technical and software skills and is currently working on several research projects that utilise interactive technologies.


Design for Interactive Arts & Experiences is a constantly evolving discipline where practitioners work at the intersection of design and computing, electronics, and new and emerging technologies.

On the Sketching in Hardware & Software module you’ll develop technical prototyping skills.

On the Design for Heritage & Cultural Spaces you’ll work on responsive environments and interactive experiences for exhibition and display.

On the Making as Thinking module, you’ll work on prototyping interactive objects.

You can choose Design for Makerspaces module, to develop making skills for entrepreneurial opportunities in circular economies, or the Light Art & Projection module in which you’ll explore ways to apply digital imaging and digital installations within responsive environments.

  • calendar How you’ll be taught The programme uses practice-based learning, workshops, seminars, lectures, guest speakers and supported on-line learning in which core knowledge and understanding design are acquired and assessed in tandem with their specific application to your own individual projects.
  • note and pen Assessments We take a common approach to learning, teaching and assessment in studio modules where practice-based student output is collated as a portfolio presentation.
  • briefcase Work placement The programme offers two modules (Live Project in trimester 1, Research Projects and Entrepreneurship in trimesters 2) where you have the option of working with external partners, which may include some work-based learning.
  • library Facilities All design programmes in the School of Arts & Creative Industries are delivered in studio learning environments.

Disclaimer

Study modules mentioned above are indicative only. Some changes may occur between now and the time that you study.

Full information is available in our disclaimer.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

The entry requirement for this course is a Bachelor (Honours) Degree at 2:2 or above in any discipline.

We may also consider lesser qualifications if you have sufficient professional work experience within the industry.

English language

If your first language isn't English, you'll normally need to undertake an approved English language test and our minimum English language requirements will apply.

This may not apply if you have completed all your school qualifications in English, or your undergraduate degree was taught and examined in English (within two years of starting your postgraduate course). Check our country pages to find out if this applies to you.

International students

We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.
Entry requirements by country

Please note that international students are unable to enrol onto the following courses:
  • BN Nursing/MSc Nursing (Pre-registration) (Adult, Mental Health, Child, Learning Disabilities)
  • BM Midwifery/MM Midwifery
  • All Graduate Apprenticeship courses.

See who can apply for more information on Graduate Apprenticeship courses.

Admissions policies

We’re committed to admitting students who have the potential to succeed and benefit from our programmes of study. 

Our admissions policies will help you understand our admissions procedures, and how we use the information you provide us in your application to inform the decisions we make.

Undergraduate admissions policies
Postgraduate admissions policies

Fees & funding

The course fees you'll pay and the funding available to you will depend on a number of factors including your nationality, location, personal circumstances and the course you are studying. We also have a number of bursaries and scholarships available to our students.

Tuition fees
Students from 2023/24 2024/25
Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland £8,300 tba
Overseas and EU £17,090 tba

Please note tuition fees are subject to an annual review and may increase from one year to the next.
For more information on this and other Tuition Fee matters please see Frequently Asked Questions about Fees

Click this link for Information of Bursaries and Scholarships

The University offers a 20% discount on Postgraduate Taught Masters programmes to its alumni. The discount applies to all full-time, part-time and online programmes.
Please note that the tuition fees liable to be paid by EU nationals commencing their studies from 1 August 2021 will be the Overseas fee rate. The University offers a range of attractive Tuition Fee bursaries to students resident in specific countries. More information on these can be found here.


Careers

Graduates from this programme pathway can pursue careers in: 

  • interaction design
  • exhibition, museum and interpretation design
  • service design
  • installation art