BFAInteraction Design
Overview
IxD imagines the future
Design at CCA thrives at the intersection of human experience and the built environment. The work we do—often called experience design, digital product design, and user experience design—impacts everything from vehicle dashboards that help us drive more safely to services that power our thermostats more efficiently. Our students imagine future mobile experiences, social networks, products and services, and complex systems while keeping equity, inclusivity, and sustainability at the forefront of design.
Studios and shops
Core skills for successful design
You’ll combine cognitive science, the history of design, and human-computer interaction techniques to develop a practice that speaks to the issues you care about most. In order to create forward-thinking solutions, you’ll learn to master the following core skills:
- Understand behavior and human systems
- Master technical and visual interactions across multiple touchpoints
- Create, evaluate, and validate physical and digital prototypes
- Demonstrate work and tell stories through presentations and user interfaces
- Identify opportunities and produce original design responses
Connections with industry leaders
We build upon systems thinking and creative prototyping skills during sponsored studios that challenge student groups, often from different disciplines, to investigate a particular project domain. Past sponsors have included major automakers, telecommunication companies, and computer equipment firms. Students also have a chance to explore the professional field of design during required internships. They dive into design research, fieldwork, product development, and more.
Recent sponsored studios
Faculty
Innovators who shape design culture
Our faculty are all practicing designers with deep industry connections. They work for Apple, Microsoft, Facebook, Google, IDEO, and numerous design consultancies in the Bay Area. They leverage their networks and experience to guide students to successful career paths and help shape thoughtful leaders.
Erin Malone, Chair of Interaction Design
Erin Malone is an author, design historian, educator and a recently paused senior level user experience designer and researcher who has spent her career deconstructing complex systems, designing web and software applications, social experiences, and leading experience design teams. Most recently she worked with the Center for Technology and Society at the Anti-Defamation League on a variety of projects including the ADL Social Pattern Library and tools to help educate constituents about the ecosystem of hate in online spaces.
She is the co-author of both editions of the book Designing Social Interfaces for O’Reilly Media and author of the new book from MIT Press In Through the Side Door: Fifty Years of Women in Interaction Design, out in October 2024. In her spare time she is a printmaker and letterpress printer at 8 Paw Press.
Faculty stories
Mapping the untold stories of pioneering women in interaction design
Chair and Associate Professor of Interaction Design Erin Malone discusses uncovers the stories of trailblazing women in a field that touches everyday life.
Meeting tomorrow today
Curriculum
We think with our hands
Make technology more meaningful
Interaction Design at CCA is one of the world’s first undergraduate interaction design programs, and our faculty of expert practitioners are defining the field in the creative capital of Silicon Valley. In their courses, you’ll learn investigative research, systematic thinking, creative prototyping, and hands-on building so you can succeed and lead in this growing profession. View sample course descriptions.
Investigate ideas through every dimension
Before diving into their chosen major, every undergraduate participates in the First Year Experience. Students explore a wide range of materials and tools over the course of two semesters. Faculty from different disciplines guide studio projects, group critiques, and theoretical discussions, setting students up for success throughout their major coursework.
BFA Interaction Design
Foundational Curriculum
- Drawing Studio
- 3.0 units
- 2D Studio
- 3.0 units
- 3D Studio
- 3.0 units
- 4D Studio
- 3.0 units
- Introduction to the Arts
- 3.0 units
- Introduction to the Modern Arts
- 3.0 units
- Writing 1
- 3.0 units
- Writing 2
- 3.0 units
- Foundations in Critical Studies
- 3.0 units
Interaction Design Major Requirements
- Core Studio: Foundations
- 3.0 units
- Core Studio: Systems
- 3.0 units
- Core Studio: Prototyping
- 3.0 units
- Core Studio: Behavior
- 3.0 units
- Core Studio: Visual Interaction
- 3.0 units
- Core Studio: Design Research
- 3.0 units
- History of Interaction Design
- 3.0 units
- Advanced Studio: NUI & Objects
- 3.0 units
- Advanced Studio: Digital Products
- 3.0 units
- Advanced Studio: Service Design or Strategy
- 3.0 units
- Advanced Studio
- 6.0 units
- Professional Practice
- 3.0 units
- Internship
- 0.0 units
- Advanced Studio: Emerging Tech
- 3.0 units
- Senior Thesis 1 and 2
- 6.0 units
- Studio Electives
- 9.0 units
Collegewide Curriculum
- Critical Ethnic Studies Studio
- 3.0 units
- Upper Division Interdisciplinary Studio
- 3.0 units
- Critical Ethnic Studies Seminar (2000 level)
- 3.0 units
- Literary and Performing Arts Studies (2000 level)
- 3.0 units
- Philosophy and Critical Theory (2000 level)
- 3.0 units
- Cognitive Science
- 3.0 units
- Computational Practices
- 3.0 units
- History of Art and Visual Culture (2000 level)
- 3.0 units
- Humanities and Sciences Electives (2000/3000 level)
- 6.0 units
- Humanities and Sciences Electives (3000 level)
- 6.0 units
Total 120.0 units
Careers
Real-world experiences give students an edge
Our interaction designers emerge from the program with hands-on internship experience and a highly valued skill set. With project examples for recognizable brand names and realistic prototypes to share, alumni find success with design consultancies, startups, and product and service companies.
Student success
Five questions with Rachel Poonsiriwong
Graduating from CCA in 2021 with a BFA in Interaction Design and a minor in History of Art and Visual Culture, Rachel Poonsiriwong is now pursuing a Master in Design Studies at the Harvard Graduate School of Design, where she focuses on Mediums.
Three questions with BFA Interaction Design student Colin Chan
The senior in the BFA Interaction Design program discusses what belonging feels like as an international student, holding on to hope in times of rapid change, and grounding his design practice.
Student spotlight: Interior Design’s Moon Lou
How to apply
Designing for the 21st century
Our applicants are often just as interested in compelling visual design as they are in detailed documentation through wireframes and sketches. Whether they’re reinvigorating their careers or approaching interaction design for the very first time, they care deeply about making the world a better place.
Find your creative community at CCA