University of Washington - Interaction Design, Visual Communication Design, Digital Arts and Experimental Media Programs Profile

Degrees Offered: Bachelor of Design (B. D.) Interaction Design, Visual Communication Design; Master of Design (M. Des.) Interaction Design, Visual Communication Design; Ph. D. Digital Arts and Experimental Media

Tuition Information:  Undergraduate residents $10,740, nonresidents $27,561; graduate residents $11,709, nonresidents $24,069 for the 2012 – 2013 school year.  Tuition does not include undergraduate resident fees of $1,623, undergraduate nonresident fees of $2,355, graduate resident fees of $1,191 or graduate nonresident fees of $1,701 per year.

Contact Information:
1410 NE Campus Parkway
Seattle, WA 98195
206.543.2100
www.washington.edu/

Scope of Program:

Undergraduate Design students at the University of Washington complete a design foundation course, then apply to the Design program by successfully completing the Spring Entrance Workshop and passing a portfolio review.  Accepted students then complete six sophomore design studios, including design history, design drawing, typography, color and composition, interaction design and human centered design for visual communication or 3D design foundations.  Students must pass a faculty review in order to be admitted to the Design major and assigned to their Design program.  Interaction Design students focus on information visualization, design innovation and society, case studies in interaction design, professional practices, physical interaction design, art history, visual storytelling and advanced projects in interaction design.  All students create a portfolio and a senior project.  Visual Communication Design students concentrate on visualizations, communication programs, symbol design, publication design, interaction design, information architecture and web design, environmental design, advanced typography and art history.  All students create a senior project and portfolio.

Master's degree candidates in Interaction Design complete coursework in design methods, interface design, fundamentals of interaction design, design propositions, design research, assistive technologies and usability engineering.  All students participate in graduate studios and create a thesis project.  Visual Communication Design students take courses in design methods, design and society, design research and design propositions.  All students complete graduate seminars and studios and create a thesis project.

Doctoral candidates in Digital Arts and Experimental Media focus on digital sound, physical computing, experimental digital video, algorithmic processes in the arts, digital media theory, research techniques in digital arts and research studio work.  All students must pass a qualifying examination and critiques, general exam for doctoral candidacy and oral examinations as well as create a final project.
The University of Washington uses the quarter system instead of the semester system.  A portfolio is required with the application to the Ph. D. program.  Interactive Design students must purchase a laptop computer.  Design, merit and need-based scholarships are available, as are graduate teaching assistantships and research assistantships.  Residents of Washington are encouraged to apply for state-sponsored grants and scholarships.