Develop expertise in interaction design for a range of contemporary and future-orientated contexts, technologies and platforms.
Interaction design covers design for digital web platforms (desktop, mobile and other devices), app design and product interface design. It can also include design for information systems, wayfinding and navigation, digital dashboards and controls, as well as wearable technologies, augmented and virtual spaces.
You’ll work individually and in teams to combine knowledge of human-centred frameworks, complex problem solving and visual systems to create design solutions to current and future challenges.
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This is part of the Te Tohu Paetahi mō te Hoahoa - Bachelor of Design.
Start date: 2023
Interaction design integrates the principles of visual and other forms of communication, design, creative thinking and user-experience design (UX design) processes, with appropriate media and technologies to design efficient, effective, pleasurable and meaningful interactive experiences.
If you're a full-time student, you normally complete 120 points each year (360 points for the entire degree).
You’re introduced to user experience and interface frameworks and processes including prototyping, idea analysis and user experience research methodologies. You’ll learn about UX and UI principles, information architecture, design systems and technologies.
Alongside courses on interaction design, you’ll take courses from your chosen minor(s) or an additional major, which can complement your major or add some diversity to your study.
You’ll also take two courses from your chosen minor(s) or an additional major.
You’ll work on studio projects and workshops to:
Search for a course (Arion)
Email artbox@aut.ac.nz
Enrolment in courses is subject to meeting all requirements and availability of courses.
You can study the following minors when you are enrolled in AUT’s design or visual arts degree:
Explore the process and materiality of animated drawing as a means for ideation and creative expression.
The minor has a studio lab component where you'll examine different animated drawing practices, including life drawing, and produce short animated films, installations, motion graphics, comics, graphic novels and picture books.
Courses are delivered over one semester for each course and are worth 15 points each. You'll need to complete 60 points for the entire minor. In each year, you study and complete core compulsory courses alongside studio and specialist courses in the minor that you have selected.
Available as a minor only.
60 points from the following courses:
Discover the possibilities of filmmaking through analogue and digital cinematography, sound recording and audio design, editing and post-production, storytelling and industry workflow, to make a short narrative, experimental or documentary film.
Courses are delivered over one semester for each course and are worth 15 points each. You'll need to complete 60 points for the entire minor. In each year, you study and complete core compulsory courses alongside studio and specialist courses in the minor that you have selected.
Available as a minor only.
60 points from the following courses:
Develop your creative practice drawing on contemporary and traditional Pacific concepts, contexts and material culture. Pacific concepts and stories are explored in relation to pattern, movement, and spatial systems.
Courses are delivered over one semester for each course and are worth 15 points each. You'll need to complete 60 points for the entire minor. In each year, you study and complete core compulsory courses alongside studio and specialist courses in the minor that you have selected.
Available as a minor only.
60 points from the following courses:
Build your creative business confidence and capability by combining your creative strengths with business skills and understandings to transform your ideas and concepts for the future.
Courses are delivered over one semester for each course and are worth 15 points each. You'll need to complete 60 points for the entire minor. In each year, you study and complete core compulsory courses alongside studio and specialist courses in the minor that you have selected.
Available as a minor only.
60 points from the courses below, including a Level 7 course or both compulsory core courses ARDN502 and ARDN702, in addition to 30 points from DESN600, DESN601, MKTG501, ENTR501 of which at least one course or 15 points must be at level 6.
Students usually take ARDN502 in their first year, and one of the other two level 5 courses listed above in their second year of study.
Tomorrow's health and wellbeing will be driven by those who can apply creative and practical problem-solving skills to complex problems. This minor offers a fresh perspective through collaborative and cooperative tools, skills and mindsets. You'll design for positive social impact and lead transformative change in health and wellbeing.
Courses are delivered over one semester for each course and are worth 15 points each. You'll need to complete 60 points for the entire minor. In each year, you study and complete core compulsory courses alongside studio and specialist courses in the minor that you have selected.
Available as a minor only.
60 points from the following courses:
Discover how design can make a difference. Explore strategies for social innovation and environmental impact and how these can contribute to towards a more resilient, sustainable and just future.
Courses are delivered over one semester for each course and are worth 15 points each. You'll need to complete 60 points for the entire minor. In each year, you study and complete core compulsory courses alongside studio and specialist courses in the minor that you have selected.
Available as a minor only.
60 points from the following courses:
Design thinking is a mindset and set of creative methods that can be used to interrogate, understand and solve real-life business, social and environmental problems. You'll develop an understanding of the needs of the people you're designing for, experiment and explore creative ideas, and create design solutions.
Courses are delivered over one semester for each course and are worth 15 points each. You'll need to complete 60 points for the entire minor. In each year, you study and complete core compulsory courses alongside studio and specialist courses in the minor that you have selected.
This minor is aimed at students who are interested in developing design thinking expertise to support their major discipline area.
60 points from courses listed below including DESN501 with at least 15 points at level 7
Explore how digital fabrication can facilitate art and design creative practices, through the utilisation
and application of a range of current and emergent technologies.
Courses are delivered over one semester for each course and are worth 15 points each. You'll need to complete 60 points for the entire minor. In each year, you study and complete core compulsory courses alongside studio and specialist courses in the minor that you have selected.
Enrolment in this minor is subject to approval from the Art & Design Minors, Head of Department.
Available as a minor only.
60 points from the following courses:
Get involved in the experimental development of surface practice across a range of disciplines and potential applications. This minor emphasises the importance of learning through making and the relationship between the maker, the materials, the process of making and the work.
Students develop conceptual and technical surface design knowledge through applied materials practice.
Courses are delivered over one semester for each course and are worth 15 points each. You'll need to complete 60 points for the entire minor. In each year, you'll study and complete core compulsory courses alongside studio and specialist courses in the minor that you have selected.
Enrolment in this minor is subject to approval from the Art & Design Minors, Head of Department.
Available as a minor only.
60 points from the following courses:
Explore extended reality technologies - XR, VR, AR and MR - as tools for design and ideation for creating immersive user experiences across a range of design and creative practices.
Courses are delivered over one semester for each course and are worth 15 points each. You'll need to complete 60 points for the entire minor. In each year, you study and complete core compulsory courses alongside studio and specialist courses in the minor that you have selected.
Available as a minor only.
60 points from the following courses:
Experiment with traditional and contemporary publishing practices using a range of media, conventions and technologies. Explore and design with text and image to develop personal, professional and community voices through the published artefact.
Courses are delivered over one semester for each course and are worth 15 points each. You'll need to complete 60 points for the entire minor. In each year, you study and complete core compulsory courses alongside studio and specialist courses in the minor that you have selected.
Available as a minor only.
60 points from the following courses:
Explore motion capture (mocap) technology that records human movement as 3D data for use in a range of design and creative disciplines.
Courses are delivered over one semester for each course and are worth 15 points each. You'll need to complete 60 points for the entire minor. In each year, you study and complete core compulsory courses alongside studio and specialist courses in the minor that you have selected.
Enrolment in this minor is subject to approval from the Art & Design Minors, Head of Department.
Available as a minor only.
60 points from the following courses:
Discover visual conventions and develop technical competencies to include DSLR camera fundamentals, exposure and lighting control, composition principles and image making strategies for project outcomes.
Courses are delivered over one semester for each course and are worth 15 points each. You'll need to complete 60 points for the entire minor. In each year, you study and complete core compulsory courses alongside studio and specialist courses in the minor that you have selected.
Enrolment in this minor is subject to approval from the Art & Design Minors, Head of Department.
Available as a minor only.
60 points from the following courses:
As artists and designers, we are interested in practising by making – doing projects that have currency and real-world capacity. We work through ideas of site, collaboration and publication in order to create events. Temporary Practices is an experimental, creative field of making. This minor supports the development of work across a range of disciplines and potential applications by using AUT facilities (3D Lab, WetLab, Bindery, Risograph printer).
Courses are delivered over one semester for each course and are worth 15 points each. You will need to complete 60 points for the entire minor. In each year, you will study and complete core compulsory courses alongside studio and specialist courses in the minor that you have selected.
Enrolment in this minor is subject to approval from the Art & Design Minors, Head of Department.
Available as a minor only.
60 points from the following courses:
Add an additional major or a minor to your bachelor’s degree and study another area that interests you. You can choose from a wide range of additional majors or minors.
Interaction designers work collaboratively with a range of other professionals, including software engineers, industrial designers and product managers.
The information on this page was correct at time of publication. For a comprehensive overview of AUT qualifications, please refer to the Academic Calendar.