Interaction Design

Design Impact | Lecture (VO) | Coursecode: M260374101

Language of instruction English

Design Processes & Methodologies

2.00

ECTS

2.00

SWS

• Understanding Design: Understanding design as an interdisciplinary, cultural, and strategic practice. • Design Processes and Models: Understanding and applying approaches in the design process. • Levels of Design Impact: Analyzing and classifying design at the micro, meso, and macro levels. • Design History & Societal Trends: Reflecting on historical design trends and applying them to current contexts. • Ideation & Creativity: Developing and communicating ideas in a structured way. • Media Theory & Communication: Understanding the fundamentals of media communication and its significance for design. • Human Factors & Ergonomics: User-centered design, usability, physical and cognitive ergonomics. • Design Ethics & Responsibility: Reflecting on ethical issues and the societal impact of design. • Role Reflection: Critically examining and positioning one’s own role and attitude as a designer.

Design Impact | Seminar (SE) | Coursecode: M260374102

Language of instruction English

Individual Skills Lab

3.00

ECTS

1.00

SWS

• Individual analysis of existing design skills and tool knowledge. • In-depth study of design fundamentals in selected focus areas. • Application of technical and digital tools. • Methods for targeted self-development and portfolio expansion. • Reflection on work processes and learning experiences. • Documentation of individual development.

Design Research: Foundation | Seminar (SE) | Coursecode: M260374104

Language of instruction English

Design Discourse: Exploration

1.00

ECTS

1.00

SWS

• Designing within a social, cultural, and political context. • Exploring responsibility, ethics, and design as a contribution to the design discourse. • Reflecting on own design mindset and position within the design field. • Exploring research-based, speculative, and discursive design approaches. • Analyzing current topics and debates. • Exploring the regional creative landscape and activities. • Networking students with key partners in the creative industries. • Conducting independent exploratory research.

Design Research: Foundation | Seminar (SE) | Coursecode: M260374103

Language of instruction English

Design Research Lab: Foundations

2.00

ECTS

1.00

SWS

• Introduction to research in design and fundamental concepts of creative research. • Formulating creative research questions vs. artistic research. • Research philosophies: ontology, epistemology, axiology, etc. • Paradigms: positivism, interpretivism, pragmatism. • Research design and decision-making. • Introduction to contemporary critical design practices. • Fundamentals: academic writing, citation, research (literature & visual media), prototyping (low-fi focus).

Design Research: Foundation | Seminar (SE) | Coursecode: M260374105

Language of instruction English

Independent Design Research: Frame

2.00

ECTS

1.00

SWS

• Identifying and defining own research interests. • Recognizing societal, ethical, and interdisciplinary relevance. • Formulating initial research questions, objectives, and methodological approaches. • Using low-fidelity prototypes as tools for reserach and communication. • Positioning within the research and design field. • Utilizing critical contemporary design approaches for ideation.

Digital Product Creation | Seminar (SE) | Coursecode: M260374110

Language of instruction English

Digital Production Tools

3.00

ECTS

2.00

SWS

• Application of digital design and prototyping environments for creating interactive user interfaces. • Development of responsive layouts incorporating design grids, visual hierarchy, typography, and color concepts for various devices and usage scenarios. • Development of modular design systems with reusable design elements. • Modeling interactive processes, states, and transitions in prototypes. • Communication and presentation of design concepts within an interdisciplinary team context. • Structured handover of prototypes for further development in technical environments.

Digital Product Creation | Seminar (SE) | Coursecode: M260374111

Language of instruction English

Interactive Media Authoring

2.00

ECTS

2.00

SWS

• Introduction to visual development environments for interactive, real-time applications. • Designing dynamic scenes incorporating space, movement, sound, and image. • Developing interactive processes using visually modeled logic systems. • Integrating reactive systems to design event behavior and feedback. • Designing context-sensitive interfaces and user interfaces in real-time environments. • Implementing and reflecting on prototypical formats for exploratory, narrative, or gamified applications.

Project Work – Interfaces | Project Thesis (PA) | Coursecode: M260374113

Language of instruction English

Project Work: Interaction Prototyping

2.00

ECTS

1.00

SWS

• Experimental exploration of interaction beyond traditional screen interfaces. • Exploration of alternative, sensory-physical interface formats in space, on objects, or in social contexts. • Integration of real-time media, sensors, and unconventional input structures. • Use of visual development environments to create interactive artifacts. • Development of speculative, performative, or installation-based prototypes. • Reflection on design, technological, and conceptual issues related to emergent interface practices. • Presentation, communication, and discussion of experimental work within a peer group.

Project Work – Interfaces | Project Thesis (PA) | Coursecode: M260374112

Language of instruction English

Project Work: Interface Design

3.00

ECTS

2.00

SWS

• Planning and implementation of an application-oriented interface project. • Independent application of concepts from screen design, prototyping, usability, and user experience. • User-centered methods for analyzing, evaluating, and iterating designs. • Documentation of the design process, including visual, functional, and contextual aspects. • Presentation and critical reflection of project results.

User Experience Design | Seminar (SE) | Coursecode: M260374108

Language of instruction English

User Experience Design

3.00

ECTS

2.00

SWS

• Introduction to User Experience as a strategic design approach. • The importance of user needs, usage contexts, and expectations for design decisions. • Collection, analysis, and evaluation of user behavior and usage situations as a basis for UX concepts. • Development of user-centered interaction and content structures. • Design of early prototypes to investigate usage scenarios and interaction behavior. • Conducting and evaluating user tests and usability assessments and user satisfaction. • Consideration of accessibility and inclusion. • The importance of mental models and perceptual psychology for solution development. • Iterative improvement of user experiences through feedback. • Defining and measuring quantitative and qualitative UX goals. • Communication and collaboration in interdisciplinary UX teams.

User Experience Design | Seminar (SE) | Coursecode: M260374109

Language of instruction English

User Experience Prototyping

2.00

ECTS

1.00

SWS

• Fundamentals of prototype development as an integral part of the user-centered design process. • Differentiation and use of prototypes to represent functional, visual, and interactive aspects. • Application of prototypical representations to investigate user logic, comprehensibility, and usage context. • Iterative development of prototypes as a means of concept refinement and problem identification. • Reflection on the relationship between design intention, user feedback, and technical feasibility. • Use of prototypes as a communication tool in the interdisciplinary development process.

User Interface Design | Seminar (SE) | Coursecode: M260374107

Language of instruction English

Interface Design

2.00

ECTS

1.00

SWS

• Advanced fundamentals of human-computer interaction and user-centered design. • Usability, ergonomics, and perceptual psychology. • Analysis of existing interfaces in everyday life and industry. • Design of physical and hybrid user interfaces. • Interaction logic, feedback systems, and user interface structure. • Design of tactile and hybrid UI elements. • Integration of digital displays into physical interfaces. • Development of low-fidelity prototypes of physical interfaces. • Design of accessible and inclusive interfaces.

User Interface Design | Seminar (SE) | Coursecode: M260374106

Language of instruction English

Screen Design

3.00

ECTS

2.00

SWS

• Fundamentals of screen design: Layout, grids, visual hierarchy, style guides. • Color schemes and typography for screens. • Image editing and integration using common software tools. • Design principles of responsive visual design for web, mobile, and other platforms. • Integration of visual and interactive elements to increase user engagement. • Consideration of usability and accessibility standards. • From concept to hand-off: Workflows in screen design.

Design Professional | Lecture/Practical (IL) | Coursecode: M260374201

Language of instruction English

Leadership & Project Management

3.00

ECTS

2.00

SWS

• Fundamentals of project management: Introduction to classic and agile methodologies. • Leadership in design: Leadership styles, team dynamics, and motivational strategies in a creative context. • Project planning and control: Goal setting, time and resource management, prioritization, and deadlines. • Communication and stakeholder management: Effective communication with teams, clients, and other stakeholders. • Risk management: Identifying and assessing risks and developing strategies for risk mitigation. • Tools and technologies: Introduction to digital tools for project management and teamwork. • Feedback and reflection: Methods for analyzing and evaluating project results. • Sustainability in project management: Considering ecological, social, and economic aspects in project planning.

Design Professional | Lecture/Practical (IL) | Coursecode: M260374202

Language of instruction English

Media Law

2.00

ECTS

1.50

SWS

• Fundamentals of media law and their relevance to design practice. • Copyright and licensing: Handling creative works. • Trademark and design protection: Protecting logos, designs, and brand identities. • Personal rights and data protection: GDPR-compliant media design and handling sensitive data. • Legal aspects of digitalization: Using digital tools from a legal perspective. • Contract law in design: Drafting and understanding project contracts, work agreements, and licenses. • Accessibility: Legal requirements for inclusive design in the analog and digital realms. • Practical examples: Analyzing real-world legal cases and their implications for everyday design practice. • Ethical responsibility: Legal decisions at the intersection of ethics and social impact. • Subject-specific legal issues corresponding to the chosen study track.

Design Research: Application | Seminar (SE) | Coursecode: M260374204

Language of instruction English

Design Discourse: Excursion

1.00

ECTS

1.00

SWS

• Visiting and analyzing professional fields of practice (e.g., agencies, studios, museums, companies, research institutions). • Engaging with contemporary design positions, working methods, and strategies. • Exchanging ideas with stakeholders from design, culture, and the creative industries. • Observing and reflecting on the social, cultural, and economic contexts of design. • Discussing interdisciplinary connections and institutional frameworks. • Documenting and analyzing the content of field trips within a design and theoretical context.

Design Research: Application | Seminar (SE) | Coursecode: M260374203

Language of instruction English

Design Research Lab: Inquiry

2.00

ECTS

1.00

SWS

• In-depth exploration of applied research paradigms. • Mixed methods, practice-based and practice-led research. • Literature and contextual analysis as part of creative research. • Overview of methods and their alignment with paradigms and analytical approaches. • Visual and multisensory methods for data collection. • Research through making: documentation and interpretation of design processes. • Planning research projects: objectives, scope, feasibility. • Validity and reliability in design-related research contexts. • Application of the research matrix: research questions, objectives, methods, outputs, and outcomes.

Design Research: Application | Seminar (SE) | Coursecode: M260374205

Language of instruction English

Independent Design Research: Field

2.00

ECTS

1.00

SWS

• Defining own research interests and applying initial methods for gaining knowledge. • Methodical data collection and interpretation within a design context. • Developing a preliminary research concept for two ideas (objectives, methods, feasibility).

Interactive Environments | Seminar (SE) | Coursecode: M260374208

Language of instruction English

Digital World Building

3.00

ECTS

2.00

SWS

• Development process of interactive experiential spaces. • Narration and dramaturgy for structuring immersive interaction processes. • Visual, spatial, and atmospheric design to support intuitive orientation and emotional impact. • Design and analysis of interactive scenarios in virtual, augmented, or hybrid environments. • Application of design principles from spatial, interface, and interaction design in an immersive context. • Reflection on design and societal issues related to virtual presence and immersion. • Conception, development, and presentation of an interactive spatial project with a narrative structure.

Interactive Environments | Seminar (SE) | Coursecode: M260374209

Language of instruction English

Gamification

2.00

ECTS

1.00

SWS

• Use of gamification as a strategic tool to promote motivation, engagement, and goal-oriented behavior in interactive systems. • Analysis and examples of game mechanics for structuring and designing user-centered experiences. • Design of narrative elements for the emotional design of interactive user experiences. • Methods for designing gamified interfaces and systemic game logics. • Introduction to serious games as formats with learning, behavioral, or educational goals. • Iterative development, prototyping, and evaluation of user-oriented game systems. • Reflection on social, cultural, and ethical issues in the design of game-based interactions.

Interactive Systems | Seminar (SE) | Coursecode: M260374207

Language of instruction English

Digital Product Design

2.00

ECTS

2.00

SWS

• Conceptualization and design of digital products with a focus on web, app, and mobile interfaces. • Potential of modular design systems with reusable components. • Iterative development of digital designs, taking into account functional and aesthetic requirements. • Consideration of technical and platform-specific constraints in interface design. • Presentation, documentation, and further development of digital design solutions in an interdisciplinary context.

Interactive Systems | Seminar (SE) | Coursecode: M260374206

Language of instruction English

Interactive Infosystems

3.00

ECTS

2.00

SWS

• Fundamentals of interactive information systems and their applications. • Analysis, structuring, and visualization of data-driven content. • Development of user-centered information architectures and navigation models. • Responsive design for interactive information systems. • Integration options for interactive elements such as animations, micro-interactions, and data visualizations. • Ethical and legal considerations in the design process. • Conducting user-centered testing and iterative development. • Implementation of a practical information system project from conception to presentation.

Interdisciplinary Project Work: Interactive Products | Project Thesis (PA) | Coursecode: M260374213

Language of instruction English

Project Work: Cross Media Lab

2.00

ECTS

1.00

SWS

• Interdisciplinary collaboration in media design across all specializations. • Creative workshops with international partners. • Presentation techniques for interactive media projects: pitching and showcasing. • Networking and industry contacts: guest lectures by international media professionals. • Practical project: development of a collaborative design experiment as a team.

Interdisciplinary Project Work: Interactive Products | Project Thesis (PA) | Coursecode: M260374212

Language of instruction English

Project Work: Digital Products

3.00

ECTS

2.00

SWS

• Project-based development of digital products based on real-world briefs from business, culture, or society. • Application of user-centered methods in the conception, design, and evaluation of interactive interfaces. • Strategic integration of design systems, responsiveness, and user guidance in digital applications. • Collaboration in interdisciplinary teams to implement functionally and aesthetically consistent solutions. • Professional presentation, documentation, and reflection of the design process in external and internal contexts.

Project Work: Interactive Environments | Project Thesis (PA) | Coursecode: M260374210

Language of instruction English

Project Work: Immersive Media

3.00

ECTS

2.00

SWS

• Conceptualization and design of immersive virtual reality experiences within the context of interactive systems. • Application of narrative, dramaturgical, and visual principles in virtual environments. • Development of spatial interaction with a focus on user guidance, orientation, and engagement. • Implementation of prototypical VR scenarios based on specific tasks or thematic requirements. • Reflection on design, conceptual, and interaction-related aspects of immersive formats.

Project Work: Interactive Environments | Project Thesis (PA) | Coursecode: M260374211

Language of instruction English

Project Work: Responsive Environments

2.00

ECTS

1.00

SWS

• Design of interactive media environments and scenographies that respond to user behavior or contextual factors. • Development of dynamic systems that interplay space, object, media, sound, and movement. • Analysis and application of sensory, spatial, and time-based interaction in physical and hybrid spaces. • Conceptualization and implementation of installations or spatial interfaces based on practical tasks. • Reflection on design principles of interactive systems that are user-centered and context-sensitive.

Design Business | Lecture/Practical (IL) | Coursecode: M260374301

Language of instruction English

Design Business & Entrepreneurship

3.00

ECTS

2.00

SWS

• Career paths in design: freelance work, in-house design, studio work, start-up work, agency work. • Proposal development: structure, formulation, pricing. • Fundamentals of project costs, time expenditure, usage rights, fee structures. • Client communication: briefing, expectations, negotiation. • Business thinking in design: target groups, customer benefits, value proposition. • Legal & organizational aspects: types of contracts, freelance work, commercial work, collaborations. • Personal positioning, competitiveness, and entrepreneurial self-reflection. • Sustainability and responsibility in the economic context of design.

Design Business | Seminar (SE) | Coursecode: M260374302

Language of instruction English

Design Ethics & Intercultural Aspects

2.00

ECTS

1.00

SWS

• Fundamental concepts of design ethics: responsibility, impact, transparency, power. • Social justice, inclusion, and accessibility in design. • Design in the context of current social issues. • Critical examination of normative design traditions. • Design as a cultural practice: conveying values, symbolism, narratives. • Sustainability and ethical positioning in the ecological and social context. • Reflection on own attitude, impact, and responsibility as a designer.

Design Research: Creation | Lecture/Practical (IL) | Coursecode: M260374303

Language of instruction English

Design Research Lab: Thesis Proposal

3.00

ECTS

2.00

SWS

• Reflexivity and positionality in research. • Axiological foundations and ethical research practices. • Structural models for designing master’s theses. • Developing arguments through design-oriented research. • Integrating theory, findings, and iterative design processes. • Strategies for documenting creative research. • Formats of dissemination: academic papers, design artifacts, exhibitions. • Reflection on the knowledge gained and its contribution to design practice. • Introduction to relevant research journals and conferences.

Design Research: Creation | Seminar (SE) | Coursecode: M260374304

Language of instruction English

Independent Design Research: Focus

2.00

ECTS

1.00

SWS

• Development of a complete research proposal. • Integration of theoretical, design, and methodological components. • Reflection on the scientific and societal relevance of a chosen topic. • Scientific communication: abstract, paper, poster.

Advanced Interactions | Seminar (SE) | Coursecode: M260374308

Language of instruction English

Advanced Interfaces

2.00

ECTS

1.00

SWS

• Analysis and design of advanced user interfaces for complex, networked, and adaptive systems. • Integration of sensors, computer vision, identification technologies, and contextual data usage into interface architectures. • Development of multimodal interactions incorporating gestures, speech, gaze behavior, and tactile feedback. • Application of iterative design methods—from user research and ideation to prototyping and evaluation. • Experimental exploration of new interaction patterns at the intersection of humans, technology, and systems. • Reflection on usability, accessibility, and ethical and social issues in interface design.

Advanced Interactions | Seminar (SE) | Coursecode: M260374307

Language of instruction English

Phygital Spaces

3.00

ECTS

2.00

SWS

• Exploring cross-reality formats (XR, AR, mixed environments) as an expanded design space for interaction. • Developing immersive scenarios incorporating space, narration, interface design, and physical movement. • Analyzing contextual, sensory, and spatial factors influencing user experience. • Designing multisensory interaction methods and spatial-digital interface structures. • Reflecting on accessibility, presence, and embodiment in the design of immersive experience systems. • Applying iterative design processes, including prototyping, testing, and critical evaluation.

Experience Design | Seminar (SE) | Coursecode: M260374306

Language of instruction English

Advanced Service Design

2.00

ECTS

1.00

SWS

• Designing services as structured, interactive systems in digital and physical contexts. • Analyzing societal, organizational, and individual requirements for service processes. • Developing integrated design concepts that combine interaction, communication, and infrastructure. • Applying reflective, method-driven approaches to eliciting, structuring, and translating needs and requirements. • Iteratively developing and evaluating service models with a focus on accessibility, impact, and context. • Considering ethical, social, and environmental frameworks in the service sector.

Experience Design | Seminar (SE) | Coursecode: M260374305

Language of instruction English

Strategic Experience Design

3.00

ECTS

2.00

SWS

• User-centered design as a strategic tool for differentiating brands, products, and services. • Analysis of market environments, target groups, and competitors to develop experience-oriented positioning. • Development of experience strategies that strategically link user engagement, brand experience, and functionality. • Application of systemic thinking to integrate design, communication, and service architecture. • Coherent design principles across physical and digital touchpoints. • Consideration of economic, cultural, and social factors influencing experience design.

Interdisciplinary Project Work – Immersive Spaces | Project Thesis (PA) | Coursecode: M260374310

Language of instruction English

Project Work: Interactive Immersive Spaces

5.00

ECTS

3.00

SWS

• Conceptualization and implementation of interactive, immersive spatial installations in public or institutional contexts. • Experimental exploration of space, interface, and interaction in conjunction with light, sound, projection, and movement. • Design of multimedia scenarios that combine physical, digital, and sensory layers to create immersive experiences. • Iterative design process focusing on prototyping, user observation, and evaluation of space-based interactions. • Engagement with spatial narration, materiality, accessibility, and situational perception. • Collaborative project work in interdisciplinary teams to develop context-specific design solutions. • Reflection on the aesthetic, social, and technological dimensions of interactive environments.

Interdisciplinary Project Work – Product Showcase | Project Thesis (PA) | Coursecode: M260374309

Language of instruction English

Project Work: Interactive Product Showcase

5.00

ECTS

3.00

SWS

• Development of interactive product concepts for conveying functional, narrative, and emotional content in business, cultural, or public contexts. • Design of digital, physical, and hybrid interfaces for communicating complex product features to target groups. • Integration of interaction, space, storytelling, visual language, and data to create immersive user experiences. • Use of diverse media formats to realize exhibits and spatial-digital experiences. • Iterative development and prototyping of multimedia concepts with a focus on usability, user-centeredness, and feedback processes. • Project work in interdisciplinary teams for the conception, implementation, and presentation of high-impact, evaluable product presentations. • Application of planning, presentation, and coordination methods for the implementation of product showcases and interactive media projects.

Master Coaching | Seminar (SE) | Coursecode: M260374401

Language of instruction English

Portfolio Coaching

2.00

ECTS

1.50

SWS

• Independent analysis and development of an individual portfolio to professionally showcase design competence and mindset. • Selection, curation, and preparation of relevant projects in suitable media formats. • Reflection on personal interests, values, and position within the interdisciplinary design context. • Creation of consistent visual and content-related communication. • Preparation for job applications or presentations through feedback and peer coaching. • Independent technical and content-related development.

Master Coaching | Seminar (SE) | Coursecode: M260374402

Language of instruction English

Thesis Seminar

3.00

ECTS

1.50

SWS

• Process of writing a master’s thesis. • Deepening discipline-specific competencies and scientific skills.

Master Thesis | Modul/Final Examination (FA) | Coursecode: M260374404

Language of instruction English

Master's Examination

1.00

ECTS

0.00

SWS

• Presentation and defense of the master’s thesis. • Oral examination on curriculum-relevant topics.

Master Thesis | Master's Thesis (MA) | Coursecode: M260374403

Language of instruction English

Master's Thesis

24.00

ECTS

0.50

SWS

• Independent execution of a research project. • Independent writing of a master’s thesis.