The newly formed department of Design, Media, and Technology houses two majors- Digital Communications (digiCOM) and Interaction Design (IxD.). IxD teaches students to design experiences or interactive objects for real people and clients. Students will learn to design and fabricate objects or experiences that bridge the digital and the physical. Inherently interdisciplinary, the curriculum will g
round students in those areas that inform the fields of interaction and experience design- the areas of design, digital media, programming and electronics, human centered design methods, usability testing, and rapid prototyping and fabrication. Students will learn to use technologies and methodologies (3D modelling, technical drawing, CAD, virtual reality and 360 video, videography, projection, physical fabrication, electronics, interaction design, programming) and consumer prototyping tools (e.g. 3d printing, raspberry pi, and Arduino) to design and create those smart networked objects that are known as the Internet of things (IOT) and wearables, or to design experiences for live events and/or exhibition spaces. Students will take part in a distinctive curriculum that relies on current technologies and methods and that will further the collaboration between departments. The major and its classes are designed to provide interdisciplinary collaborative experiences for students majoring in I.EX.D. as well as students in other departments and programs at the college. Finally, this program has been based on building stronger relationships with local/regional external partners who have expressed an interest in collaborating on the curriculum, designing innovative internship and/or apprenticeship programs, and employing the graduates. IxD will work in conjunction with the current digital communications major (digiCOM) to bridge the gap between the digital and physical worlds. Digital communications' innovative, interdisciplinary approach to emerging media and technology will further introduce IxD students to the disciplines of business technology, communications, design, programming, user experience, and videography.
