Interaction Design

BA(Hons) Interaction Design explores technology within art and design practice as a tool for production and as a medium in itself. The programme is characterised by the creative opportunities offered by creative coding and working with data, significantly expanding the palette of traditional art and design practices through the language of ‘new media’ including computer vision; sensors and interfaces; sound; real-time 3D and motion graphics; networks and related processes. These media offer new and compelling expressive possibilities through generative design, responsive environments, interactive audio-visual media, physical computing and data visualisation. In parallel with this broad practical enquiry, students develop deep criticality around the subject area informed through research and development.

The programme progresses in clear stages of study over 4 years:

Stage 1: FOUNDATION introductory methods, concepts and contexts
Stage 2: ITERATION exploring further, augmenting craft and deepening enquiry
Stage 3: CONNECTION connecting concepts, technologies and enquiries
Stage 4: EXPRESSION consolidating this knowledge to realise a personal project

Scaffolded learning and teaching across the four Stages of study include independent, collaborative, and self-initiated activities. Students acquire transferable and interpersonal skills that enable them to operate effectively within interdisciplinary teams.

Within the programme, Studio courses provide a series of project-based experiences with opportunities to reflect upon learning and incrementally build a critical practice. Design History and Theory courses explore critical and contextual perspectives, and courses shared with other programmes, including Co-Lab and Design Domain, offer cross-disciplinary and collaborative learning, connecting broader domains of learning and knowledge. Opportunities for student international exchanges, collaborative learning, and external partnership and industry projects help support how students develop graduate skills and attributes.

Interaction Design graduates are assured creative practitioners with the necessary range of making, thinking and communication skills to help enable their move into industry or continue their educational journeys, embodying the personal, critical and professional attributes expected as a graduate from Glasgow School of Art.

Founded in 1845, the Glasgow School of Art is one of the few remaining independent art schools in the UK. With a proven history of producing some of the world’s most influential and successful artists, designers and architects, the GSA’s studio-based specialist, practice-led education draws talented individuals with a shared passion and concern for visual culture from all over the world. The GSA has produced nine Turner Prize winners and world-renowned alumni, including Jasleen Kaur, Jenny Saville, Douglas Gordon and Alberta Whittle.

In 2026, the GSA was ranked 3rd in the UK and 8th in the world in the QS World University Subject Rankings.