Design Informatics MSc

Design Informatics combines data science with design thinking in a context of critical enquiry to create compelling and meaningful new data-driven experiences, products and services. <br/><br/>The central premise of design informatics is that data is a medium for design: by shaping data, we shape the world around us. Data science provides the groundwork for this, with design thinking underpinning reflective research through design. <br/><br/>Our programme focuses on providing foundational skills on the integration of design thinking and data science with an emphasis on exploring the role of data-driven technologies in society and the potential of such technologies to be a social good. Students are supported to develop an ethically aware, critically reflective technical practice at the interface between data and society by combining theory and research with an open-ended process of making and hacking. <br/><br/>**What will I learn?**<br/><br/>The programme will provide foundational and advanced knowledge in:<br/><br/><br/>* Fundamentals of data science and its integration into design processes <br/><br/><br/>* Case studies of the role of user research, co-design and speculative design in data-driven system design <br/><br/><br/>* Programming for data visualisation, data physicalisation, physical computing and responsive materials <br/><br/><br/>* Responsible design and ethics and its application in research and practice <br/><br/><br/>You will connect data-driven technology with contexts and domains, such as:<br/><br/><br/>* Societal challenges and sustainable development goals<br/><br/><br/>* Health and care<br/><br/><br/>* Fashion<br/><br/><br/>* Finance<br/><br/><br/>* Urban spaces and smart cities<br/><br/><br/>You will also look at a host of other real-world contexts through case studies as well as individual and collaborative projects. <br/><br/>You will also touch on the ways in which emergent developments in artificial intelligence impact design processes and the ways in which we experience new products and services.