Which is why I do not think you can properly prepare an interaction
designer within the constructs of a bachelors degree. Given what Dan
outlines as a curriculum, and what Jeff has added (which I totally
agree with) it IS a lot. Also factor in that this excludes the well
rounded liberal arts courses as do most design degrees. Skip the
classics of literature? Pass on in-depth wold history, logic or
philosophies? One of the keys to being a successful interaction
designer is being a more than competent human - the ability to
understand people does not come from a psych class. You can not count
on (public or otherwise) high school for this stuff.
This is a difficult job to do well. And yes, I know that there are
people who do it well with out any degree at all. But there is also a
ton of really bad Ixd out there being done everyday by designers with
and without a graduate degree. If you are one of those who do it
well, without the help of college, then congratulations - that is
really something special. But be very careful in prescribing that
same path to others.
The breadth of human understanding, with a very deep design
understanding does not come easy or quickly... no matter how high the
demand or how much we want to grow the profession and this association.
Mark
On Jun 22, 2008, at 1:42 PM, Jeff Howard wrote:
I'd take Dan's list and besides adding much more history, a color
theory course, a photography course, a motion course, a web design
course and a design software course I'd add another year before
everything, just for basics in drawing and experimenting with
two-dimensional and three-dimensional form. Less rigorous than IDF.
Give kids a chance to experiment and decide whether 36 hours a week
of studio work is in their blood or not and weed out the dilatantes.
What is that? Six years?
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