Design and Interaction, MA

The world of design and interaction is constantly evolving, with the boundaries between individual disciplines becoming increasingly blurred. Few fields are changing as rapidly through new media, tools and emerging technologies. After graduation, you’ll be ready to work on innovative products, services and new forms of interaction, developing into a creative specialist in user experience.

To prepare you for this fast-moving field, the programme helps you build a broad and versatile skill set while developing your own professional profile. You’ll learn to approach challenges with confidence and critical thinking, preparing you for a wide range of career paths – whether freelance or employed, in an agency or a company.

The design, conceptual, methodological and technological skills you gain throughout your studies will prepare you for roles at the intersection of design, technology and creative thinking – exactly where new ideas, tools and forms of communication emerge.

Your Master’s degree takes three semesters to complete. Right from the start, you’ll take part in intensive workshops where you can assess and reflect on your current skills and get a clear overview of what to expect throughout the programme.

The first two semesters focus on project-based seminars. You’ll work on projects suggested by the programme or choose your own topics. Along the way, you’ll learn how to understand the wider context, develop concepts and solutions, present your ideas clearly and turn them into prototypes – both creatively and technically. Additional modules will help you build key skills in design, methodology and technology. In your second semester, you’ll also receive intensive support as you take the first steps towards your Master’s thesis. You can also choose two elective modules from other subject areas. This gives you the specialist knowledge you need for your projects, lets you explore your own interests in greater depth and helps you work towards your career goals.

These modules are available during the first two semesters:

• Advanced Design
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Digital Culture and Ethics
• Creative Computing
• Workshop Thesis Development
• Electives

In your third semester, you’ll focus on your Master’s thesis. This usually combines the practical development of a prototype with a design and/or technical focus and a written component. Alternatively, you can choose to complete a research-based theoretical thesis without a practical component.

One of the key advantages of studying Design and Interaction in English is the programme’s international focus.

Design and digital technologies are globally connected – users, tools, trends and challenges cross borders and languages. Studying in English prepares you for international projects, multicultural teams and a global working environment. Working with fellow students from different countries and backgrounds will broaden your professional perspective and strengthen your intercultural skills.

In fields such as user experience, interface design, creative computing and human-computer interaction, English is not only the language of the workplace but also the standard language of research, professional practice and development. Throughout your studies, you’ll naturally build the confidence to communicate and work effectively in an international environment.

Why do I have to submit a project idea?
The project idea helps us to assess whether you – for example, with a design background – have an interest in and skills relating to digital media or human-centred technologies. Conversely, applicants with a technical background can demonstrate whether they have creative potential or an interest in design processes.

I’m a design professional, proficient in Photoshop and perhaps another programme, but I’ve had little to do with digital media or technologies. Is that enough?
No. Your application should demonstrate that you actively engage with concepts and the development of digital media and interactive technologies – whether in practice or in theory.

Does the description of my project idea have to include images?
No, images are not compulsory – but they can help to illustrate your ideas more clearly.

Do I have to implement my project idea later in the Master’s programme?
Not necessarily. The idea should, in principle, be feasible within the Master’s programme, but you are not bound by this. Your interests may evolve over the course of your studies.

What are examples of good or less convincing project ideas?
An unsuitable example would be a technically extremely complex idea that you are unlikely to be able to realise. If, on the other hand, you have experience with AI, for example, you could combine an exciting design question or an innovative interaction approach with AI – what matters is feasibility and creative potential.

How many project examples should I submit?
Enough to give a clear picture of your design skills – at least three, but no more than ten projects.

Are the layout, language and design of the documents also assessed?
Yes. The design, linguistic expression and visual presentation of your project ideas are taken into account in the assessment.

I studied a subject without any design content, but have done a lot of design work in my spare time. Can I still apply?
Unfortunately not. Although we welcome a diverse range of backgrounds, you must be able to demonstrate that you have already successfully completed academic modules with a design component.

I studied architecture – can I apply?
Yes, you can apply. It is important that you can demonstrate a particular interest and skills in the field of digital media.

I studied Media Informatics – is that sufficient?
The Media Informatics curriculum at HSRW contains sufficient design elements – your degree is therefore suitable. Other curricula are assessed on a case-by-case basis, but usually meet the requirements as well.

Can I submit my documents via uni-assist?
No. The correct email address for submission is MDI-FKU-Aptitude(at)hochschule-rhein-waal.de

Admission is determined through an application process.

To be eligible for the Master’s programme in “Design and Interaction”, you must meet the following requirements:

• A first professional degree (e.g. B.Sc., B.A., Diplom or equivalent) from a relevant Degree programme comprising at least 210 ECTS credits or seven standard full-time semesters in a design-related subject. Alternatively, you may also be admitted with a degree in Computer Science or related subjects, provided your studies included design-related content. If you have only studied for six semesters (at least 180 ECTS), you must provide evidence of additional coursework or complete it during your Master’s programme – in consultation with the programme.
• If you do not yet have a final grade certificate, a provisional final grade certificate and/or a current transcript of records or other relevant documentation will suffice.
• You must also provide evidence of sufficient English language proficiency at level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEF) or equivalent.
• You must also demonstrate your artistic and creative aptitude relevant to the programme. Further information on the aptitude assessment can be found here.

Detailed information on the admission requirements can be found in the Examination regulations and the aptitude assessment regulations for the degree programme.