I think Himanshu's initial question (and Olgu's follow up) reflects a common need within the design community, specifically among experienced / working designers, many of whom got into IxD without formal training. If I look closely at the initial query from Himanshu I see:
- "good" (a rigorous program at an institution with a strong brand) - short (1 year or less, possibly reflecting a need to continue working) Olgu asks for, "an online library or source...[for] articles and ebooks about IntD." I've brought this up before (and was hammered down for it), but I still believe there is a huge opportunity for a one-year "executive" / part-time IxD masters program for the experienced designer, who is seeking to refine their craft and gain some academic credibility without quitting his / her job. As Hugh and others have brought up, many of us cannot realistically take time off from work for financial reasons. Moreover, in some ways part-time education is more effective. I'm 2/3 through a part-time MBA program now, and find the combination of coursework while working to be especially effective from an educational / vocational standpoint, by being able to apply what I learn in the classroom directly to my work. Despite objections that were raised the last time I voiced this opinion -- that design can only be taught properly in a classroom -- I know this type of program is coming, and why not? Many interaction designers work remotely. I envision a one-year IxD masters program for the experienced working professional (designer): distance-learning (e.g., Lynda.com) with in-person crits. As many of us know, CCA has already started something like it for design strategy. These type of programs have taken off in business education (e.g., the Jack Welch MBA, weekend executive MBA programs, etc.) at some very reputable institutions (e.g., Duke, Indiana), and I know it's only a matter of time before the design schools catch on. Ironically, it's the academics in business who have been more innovative and forward thinking in their willingness to accept web-based education than those of us in IxD. Granted, they are possibly more profit-motivated than us.. or are they? Phil ________________________________ From: Dan Saffer <[email protected]> To: IXDA list <[email protected]> Sent: Tue, January 19, 2010 12:59:58 PM Subject: Re: [IxDA Discuss] 1 Year Masters Course in Interaction Design On Jan 19, 2010, at 9:19 AM, Hugh Griffith wrote: > Don't get me wrong, school is great. But, school usually means debt (for > most of us), and debt can really mess up your life and limit your career > options. Especially in this economy! School does mean debt, but it also, in study after study, equates to higher earnings. Just for one example, see last year's Coroflot survey: <http://www.coroflot.com/designersalary/images/education_x_field.gif> Granted, the difference there seems to be slight, but even a 5 or 10k difference means that graduate school would pay for itself after ten years. And some companies won't even look at you without one. But your career path is your career path. Weigh the pros and cons and decide where you want to be in five or ten years, and then figure out how to get the skills you'll need to get there (or once you're there). Dan ________________________________________________________________ Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ....... [email protected] Unsubscribe ................ http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines ............ http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .................. http://www.ixda.org/help ________________________________________________________________ Welcome to the Interaction Design Association (IxDA)! To post to this list ....... [email protected] Unsubscribe ................ http://www.ixda.org/unsubscribe List Guidelines ............ http://www.ixda.org/guidelines List Help .................. http://www.ixda.org/help
