MA Design (Interaction)

Program Overview

The MA Design (Interaction) at Sheffield Hallam University is an interdisciplinary program that emphasizes social and cultural innovation through collaborative studio work, personal research, and cutting-edge methods. Led by design specialists, researchers, and practitioners, the program equips students with specialist skills and an independent approach, preparing them for diverse careers in the creative industries, research, education, and more. The program also provides access to dedicated facilities, including state-of-the-art technology and exhibition spaces, fostering students' development as autonomous and innovative designers.

Program Outline

It aims to help students develop specialist skills and knowledge in a collaborative studio environment, encouraging them to innovate with materials, technology, and conceptual thinking. The program emphasizes personal research, allowing students to develop their own interests and ideas in a challenging and supportive environment. The program is led by design specialists, researchers, and practitioners who support students in expanding their practice and developing an independent, autonomous approach.

Outline:

The program is structured around a set of key principles: engaging with the world, collaborating with others, challenging students to think in new ways, and providing a supportive environment for them to thrive.

• Initial Modules: All students in the Department of Art and Design (including fashion, graphics, illustration, interior, jewellery and metalwork, interaction, packaging and product) are taught initial modules focusing on gaining a critical understanding of design thinking, theoretical studies, research methods, and making practices.
• Subsequent Modules: Students then follow their own personal practice, supported by key specialist staff.
• Learning Methods: Students learn through immersive learning alongside peers in a studio environment, practice-based research, project work, individual and group tutorials, lectures, seminars, and constructive critical debates.

Assessment:

The program uses a variety of assessment methods, including:

• Coursework: All modules are assessed through coursework, with a 100% weighting.

Teaching:

• Teaching Methods: The program utilizes a mix of lectures, seminars, and practical sessions, along with access to digital and online resources to support learning.
• Faculty: The program is led by design specialists, researchers, and practitioners who support students in expanding their practice and developing an independent, autonomous approach.
• Unique Approaches: The program emphasizes personal research, allowing students to develop their own interests and ideas in a challenging and supportive environment.
It also incorporates live projects, field trips, and networking opportunities to connect students with the creative industries and professional practice.

Careers:

The program prepares students for a career as:

• Independent design practitioner
• Designer
• Design manager
• Maker or manufacturer
• Company-employed designer
The program aims to help students achieve their personal employment ambitions, whether as a design professional in the creative industries or in related areas such as research, retail, marketing, and education. Previous graduates have gone on to work for international design companies and consultancies, as well as gaining PhD scholarships.

Other:

• Creative UK Membership: Sheffield Hallam University is a member of Creative UK, which means students are also members until they graduate.
Creative UK represents, champions, and supports the UK's creative industries, advocating on issues that matter most to creative communities.
• Art and Design Research Centre (ADRC): The program has a long-established link with the ADRC, which supports a continuing tradition of graduates working as research assistants or continuing their studies to PhD level.
• Design Futures Consultancy: Students can work alongside the Design Futures consultancy and with researchers from the ADRC.
• Networking Opportunities: The program provides networking opportunities with leading design agencies and organizations, museums, and practitioners.

The tuition fee displayed above is for the full course. If the full course is more than one year in duration, the fee will be divided into annual payments which will then be rounded. This may mean the total fee you pay is slightly higher than the fee stated above. If you take a break in study or have to re-take part of the course, you may also be charged an additional fee and will be notified of this at the time. If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. The tuition fee displayed above is for the full course. If the full course is more than one year in duration, the fee will be divided into annual payments which will then be rounded. This may mean the total fee you pay is slightly higher than the fee stated above. If you take a break in study or have to re-take part of the course, you may also be charged an additional fee and will be notified of this at the time.