Master of Interaction Design and Electronic Arts
The information on this page applies to future students. Current students should refer to their faculty handbooks for course information.
The IDEA program enables you to design for the future, using the emergent technologies of today.
Technology has a profound effect on culture. The printing press enabled today’s literacy and mass communication. The internet is the digital backbone of modern life. These technologies were developed from their beginnings into ubiquitous technologies by people with the vision, drive and determination to design a better world.
The IDEA program trains you in the skills to nurture emergent technologies for successful commercial and cultural applications. You will experiment, evaluate and apply the most recent advances in technology. A studio-based teaching environment challenges you to design new technologies and interactions. You will work closely with leading researchers to embed computational possibilities into our physical world - blending the digital and the real.
This understanding forms the core of the IDEA program’s design philosophy: technology that is designed to delight its users. This cutting-edge program infuses the latest technological innovation with a human-centred design thinking. The result is an understanding of how to design for technologies that will have lasting cultural and commercial importance.
It’s exhilarating but exhausting to keep up with the latest technology. The IDEA program teaches you to predict where the next major innovations will be and position your skills to respond to the changes they bring.
You learn to predict which technologies will disrupt and revolutionise industries. By designing innovative strategies that capitalise on these changes, your work will fuse high-level technologies with a distinct expressiveness. Your best works will reflect your design ethos while exceeding user’s expectations for functionality.
With access to our constantly updated, cutting-edge and experimental technologies, the IDEA program best positions you to interact with the technologies you want, the way you want.
The IDEA program uses an innovative structure of core studios and laboratories. It’s an approach the enables you to combined advanced technical skills with personal projects that best demonstrate your interests.
Laboratory subjects train you in core technical competencies. You will learn skills in programming, application development, electronic engineering and experimental interface design. We extend your proficiency in these areas by encouraging you to use your skills in new and innovative contexts that drive technological development. Once you have these core skills, you are trained to analyse and evaluate their application in a range of design challenges. This evaluative approach is what enables IDEA students to recognise the emergent technologies that will become ubiquitous parts of our everyday life.
Studio units are at the centre of the program. Studio content changes each semester, to keep pace with the latest advances in technology. In studio, you work individually or in teams to design and build new devices and experiences. These studio projects give form to your expression and may form the basis of prototype products, patents or even startup services.
More detail on the Program including course planner, credit request forms and timetable links can be found at the Faculty of Architecture, Design & Planning homepage. http://sydney.edu.au/architecture
Units of study
For full information on Units of Study available in this course, please visit the Sydney Courses website
Unit of Study information on faculty page
Full units of study list
- ARCH9028 - Conservation Methods and Practices
- ARCH9031 - Research Report
- ARCH9039 - General Elective 1
- ARCH9040 - General Elective 2
- ARCH9045 - Dissertation 1
- ARCH9046 - Dissertation 2
- ARCH9058 - General Elective 7
- ARCH9059 - General Elective 8
- ARCH9061 - East Asian Arch and Urbanism (Classical)
- ARCH9062 - Urban Design - Ideas and Methods
- ARCH9063 - Urban Morphology
- ARCH9074 - History and Theory of Conservation
- ARCH9075 - New Design in Old Settings
- ARCH9081 - Heritage Law and Policy
- ARCH9083 - Conservation of Modern Materials
- ARCH9085 - General Elective 9
- ARCH9086 - General Elective 10
- ARCH9087 - General Elective 11
- ARCH9088 - General Elective 12
- DESA9008 - Object Design
- DESA9009 - Public Art
- DESA9011 - Photography 2
- DESA9012 - Screen Printing on Paper
- DESA9013 - Sculpture
- DESA9014 - Ceramics (Handbuilding)
- DESA9015 - Site Specific Art
- DESC9014 - Building Construction Technology
- DESC9015 - Building Energy Analysis
- DESC9040 - Electrical Services
- DESC9047 - Strategic Facility Management
- DESC9048 - Operational Facility Management
- DESC9049 - Financial Decision Making
- DESC9059 - Hydraulic Services
- DESC9067 - Mechanical Services
- DESC9071 - Organisational Analysis and Behaviour
- DESC9074 - Project Management
- DESC9090 - Audio Systems and Measurement
- DESC9111 - Energy Management in Buildings
- DESC9117 - Sound Design for New Media
- DESC9133 - Architectural Acoustics Practice
- DESC9134 - Audio and Acoustics Seminar
- DESC9137 - Spatial Audio
- DESC9138 - Architectural and Audio Acoustics
- DESC9147 - Sustainable Building Design Principles
- DESC9148 - Sustainable Building Design Practice
- DESC9150 - Sustainability Research Project
- DESC9153 - Graduate Internship
- DESC9154 - Lighting Design Software
- DESC9161 - Entertainment Lighting
- DESC9164 - Lighting Technologies
- DESC9166 - Photometry and Colorimetry
- DESC9167 - Light and Vision
- DESC9169 - Daylight in Buildings
- DESC9172 - Building Asset Management
- DESC9183 - Risk Management
- DESC9192 - Energy Code Compliance in Buildings
- DESC9200 - Introduction to Architectural Science
- DESC9201 - Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ)
- DESC9660 - Graduate Exchange Core A
- DESC9661 - Graduate Exchange Core B
- DESC9662 - Graduate Exchange Core C
- DESC9663 - Graduate Exchange Core D
- DESC9664 - Graduate Exchange Optional A
- DESC9665 - Graduate Exchange Optional B
- DESC9666 - Graduate Exchange Optional C
- DESC9667 - Graduate Exchange Optional D
- DESC9668 - Graduate Exchange Elective A
- DESC9669 - Graduate Exchange Elective B
- DESC9670 - Graduate Exchange Elective C
- DESC9671 - Graduate Exchange Elective D
- DESC9672 - Graduate Exchange Core E
- IDEA9101 - IDEA Laboratory 1
- IDEA9102 - IDEA Studio 1
- IDEA9106 - Design Thinking
- IDEA9201 - IDEA Laboratory 2
- IDEA9202 - IDEA Studio 2
- IDEA9302 - IDEA Research Project
- IDEA9303 - IDEA Dissertation
- IDEA9311 - IDEA Research Internship
- PLAN9045 - Economics for Planners
- PLAN9049 - International Urban Development Planning
- PLAN9061 - Planning Principles,Systems & Practice
- PLAN9062 - Planning Law
- PLAN9063 - Strategic Planning and Design
- PLAN9064 - Land Use and Infrastructure Planning
- PLAN9068 - History & Theory of Planning & Design
- PLAN9071 - Housing & Urban and Regional Development
- PLAN9073 - GIS Based Planning Policy and Analysis
- PLAN9074 - Public & Community Finance for Planners
Embedded courses
Further course information
Study plan
Candidates for the Master of Interaction Design and Electronic Arts complete 54 credit points (cp) made up of at least five core units of study (54cp) including four 12cp studio units, two optional units (12cp) from within the course, and one elective unit (6cp) offered by the faculty, subject to meeting prior learning requirements and timetabling. Areas of study include the four studios within the course: installation, device, screen and virtual. You will also complete core labratory based units in areas of experimental interfaces, physical computing, virtual worlds, and time-based media.
Progression rules
The Faculty of Architecture, Design and Planning will monitor students for satisfactory progress towards the completion of their award course. In addition to the common triggers used to identify students not meeting academic progression requirements, students must pass any unit of study identified in the course resolutions as being critical to progression through the course.
Capstone experience
A capstone experience comprises one or more units of study designed by the faculty to provide you with an opportunity to draw together the learning that has taken place during the award, synthesise this with your prior learning and experience, and draw conclusions that will form the basis for further investigation, and intellectual and/or professional growth. For the Master of Interaction Design and Electronic Arts students complete a graduation studio for the capstone experience. This requires the development of a graduation design project based on the theme from the concurrent studio. Alternatives to the graduation studio include enrolment in IDEA9311 Research Internship or participation in an approved international exchange.
Course outcomes and further study
Graduate opportunities
Graduates of the Master of Interaction Design and Electronic Arts will become proficient in the creative use of new technologies which they can then utilise in a practical way in a wide range of professional and artistic settings. Areas studied in this course will prepare them to perform in roles such as interaction designer, usability engineer, new media artist or creative director.
Further study
The Faculty of Architecture, Design and Planning places a high emphasis on its research activity. We have a vibrantly diverse community of scholars and practitioners, many of whom have taken national and international leadership roles in their fields. The faculty offers the opportunity to pursue research degrees, both MPhil and PhD in four disciplines: architecture and allied arts; architectural and design science; design lab; and urban and regional planning and policy.
You may elect to study in any of these fields, or to pursue interdisciplinary studies in a combination of fields with the faculty or between the faculty and elsewhere in the University. The University and the faculty have formal links, including exchange agreements and memoranda of understanding, with institutions throughout Asia, Europe, Scandinavia and North America. These translate into research opportunities for students as well as staff.
These degrees are supported through a wide range of resources, including extensively equipped laboratories and comprehensive workshop facilities.
Other study options
The Faculty of Architecture, Design & Planning runs continuing professional development short courses, including an online program, which provide a valuable opportunity for professionals to update their knowledge to enhance career pathways or for personal interest. All of our courses qualify for CPD points with AIA, SBSE/EA and AIRAH members.
If you are considering further study it is also an opportunity to try a subject from a course to gauge its suitability. You have the choice to either complete the assessment work or not. If you do successfully complete the assessment work you will be eligible to receive 6 credit points per subject towards a future degree. For more information please see the faculty website [hyperlink: http://sydney.edu.au/architecture/programs_of_study/continuing_professional_development.shtml].
Admission
Admission requirements
A successful applicant for admission to the Master of Interaction Design and Electronic Arts will have a bachelor's degree with a credit average.
How to apply
Domestic students
How to apply
Applications are made directly to the University and assessed by the Faculty.
International students
How to apply
Overseas applicants may apply (i) directly to the University, or (ii) through a University overseas representative (education agent).
Fee disclaimer
Domestic students
Indicative postgraduate student contribution amount
Indicative postgraduate student contribution amount not available for Master of Interaction Design and Electronic Arts.
Annual review for postgraduate student contribution amount
Annual review for postgraduate student contribution amount not available for Master of Interaction Design and Electronic Arts.
Postgraduate Domestic Tuition Fee
This 2013, tuition fee for a domestic postgraduate student represents the fee that is payable by you in the calendar year you commence your course, commencing in 2012 for a standard annual full time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). If your study load is more or less than the 1.0 EFTSL your fee will differ.
Annual review for postgraduate domestic tuition fee
Importantly, tuition fees are subject to annual review by the University, and are likely to increase each year of your period of study, effective at the start of each calendar year.
Additional incidental fees
For some courses there are incidental fees additional to the student contribution and/or course fee. Some of those fees are significant, for example, faculty-specific materials, tools, protected clothing and equipment. For further information about these additional incidental fees, please visit the University's Future Students' website.
Potential for inaccuracy
Whilst every reasonable effort has been made to include correct and up to date information in this prospectus, you are also advised to consult directly with the Student Centre for domestic students or the International Office for international students so that they can provide you with specific and up to date information about those fees.
The academic requirements that are displayed are applicable to currently available courses only, and are updated annually in October and may be changed without notice. The Faculty Handbook and the University of Sydney Calendar are the official legal source of information relating to study at the University of Sydney, and you are referred to those documents
Please note that if you are classified by the University as a Research Training Scheme student in accordance with the Other Grants Guidelines (Research) 2010, you will be exempt from the payment of any SCA or tuition fees for courses undertaken as part of a Research Masters degree and Research Doctoral degree. More information about your eligibility for this Scheme is available here.
International students
International tuition fees for postgraduate students
This 2013, tuition fee for international postgraduate students represents the fees that are payable by you in the calendar year you commence your course, commencing in 2013, for a standard annual full time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). If your study load is more or less than the 1.0 EFTSL your fee will differ.
Annual review
Importantly, tuition fees are subject to annual review, and are likely to increase each year of your period of study, effective at the start of each calendar year.
Additional incidental fees and health insurance
For some courses there are incidental fees additional to the tuition fees. Some of those fees are significant, for example, faculty-specific materials, tools, protected clothing, and equipment. The University's Future Students' webpage has further information about these additional incidental fees for postgraduate coursework students and postgraduate research students.
In addition to the fees indicated here for the course of study, International Students studying on an Australian Student Visa must have appropriate health insurance for the duration of their studies on a Student Visa through an approved provider of the Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) scheme. This is a requirement of the Australian Government, unless otherwise exempted by the Government.
Potential for inaccuracy
Whilst every reasonable effort has been made to include correct and up to date information here, you are also advised to consult directly with the Student Centre for domestic students or the International Office for international students so that they can provide you with specific and up to date information about those fees.