Industrial Design, Interaction 30 credits

About the course package

The exchange semester at Interaction Design Programme deals with the relation between people and Information Technology with particular focus on the interaction between product and user. We see the discipline of Interaction Design as the ability to design both the cognitive and physical interface and integrate them into a successful whole. Our aim is to enable designers to create sustainable, comprehensible and pleasurable information based products, services and environments.

5ID242 Skills and Techniques, IxD 7,5 credits The course provides an introduction to Umeå Institute of Design and its educational resources. It also provides knowledge and practice of core artistic skills required in the field of interaction design.

Module 1: Introductory week (1.5 credits) A series of lectures, activities and assignments give all new students basic information about culture, routines, resources and opportunities that exist at Umeå Institute of Design.

Module 2: Express your personal attitude (1.5 credits) An exercise where the students interview each other and then individually reflect and create a graphic work that expresses the student's personal and initial attitude to the subject of interaction design.

Module 3: Methods in Interaction Design (3 credits) This module introduces basic concepts and principles that have been instrumental in the emergence of the subject of interaction design. Students are introduced to different and complementary perspectives, such as: (a) human-machine interaction, human-computer interaction, and user-centered design; (b) critical design and service design

Module 4: Basic Skills (1.5 credits) This module introduces the techniques and safety measures that must be observed when utilising the workshops at Umeå Institute of Design.

5ID236 Graphic Designs and Expression 7,5 credits The course provides practical training in applying graphic design and brand aesthetics for application in graphical user interfaces.

Module 1: Basic Design of Graphic User Interfaces (3 credits) An individual project where students start from a given brand with distinctive graphic aesthetics, and apply it to an innovative digital product in a different format.

Module 2: Software Prototypes (1.5 credits) This module provides an overview of current tools for software prototypes and provides the opportunity for training in these through practical exercises.

Module 3: Graphic brand manual for interactive media (3 credits) Here, students are given the opportunity to explore graphic design, typography and other graphic elements to create a graphic brand profile program for digital media for a fictional organization, based on its core values that must be clearly reflected in the final brand expression.

5ID237 Project 1: Specialized Product 15 credits The course provides practical experience of designing a complex product or system, with a focus on specialized use. It is usually carried out in collaboration with a company, an organization or other relevant partner.

Module 1: Foundations (3 credits) During the first module, students will explore different perspectives that explain how specialized work and activities are organized and transformed through design, as well as different methods of research and design for a particular practice. It will focus on reading, presenting and discussing literature, and short activities.

Module 2: Project (9 credits) The user-centered design project has three overlapping phases: in a non-linear design process that allows for synergy between research, design, and prototype development.

Module 3: Sensemaking (3 credits) This module is about understanding the project in relation to interaction design for contemporary professional practices and includes training in academic writing.

Courses in the course package

Starts 31 August 2026

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This course is only included in the course package.
Starts 30 September 2026

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This course is only included in the course package.
Starts 2 November 2026

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This course is only included in the course package.

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Autumn 2026
- Industrial Design, Interaction
  
  HT26 / Umeå / English / On site
  
  Show more Show less
  
  Starts
  31 August 2026
  
  Ends
  17 January 2027
  
  Number of credits
  30 credits
  
  Type of studies
  On site
  
  Study pace
  100%
  
  Teaching hours
  Daytime
  
  Study location
  Umeå
  
  Language
  English
  
  Application code
  UMU-A5219
  
  Eligibility
  
  A Bachelor's degree or equivalent first-cycle qualification comprising of at least 180 ECTS or a corresponding qualification from an internationally recognized university. Specific entry requirements are: 60 ECTS credits in the field of Design + Portfolio. Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary course English 6/level 2.
  
  Selection
  
  For acceptance artistic talent and design aptitude is essential. Selection among qualified applicants is based upon submitted portfolio material and motivation letter.
  
  Students applying for courses within a double degree exchange agreement, within the departments own agreements will be given first priority. Then will - in turn - candidates within the departments own agreements, faculty agreements, central exchange agreements and other departmental agreements be selected.
  
  Application
  Application deadline was 18 April 2026. The application period is closed.
  
  Application and tuition fees
  As a citizen of a country outside the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, you are required to pay application and tuition fees for studies at Umeå University.
  
  Application fee: SEK 900
  
  Tuition fee, first instalment: SEK 160,650
  
  Total fee: SEK 160,650
  
  Details about tuition, fees and funding

Exchange students only

Once your home university has submitted your nomination, you will receive application instructions and a link to the course application portal. Use that link to choose your courses and upload the required documents.

To submit a complete application, follow the instructions on the application page carefully: Application instructions

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