M.F.A. in Interactive Media

The University of Miami’s MFA in Interactive Media is a STEM program that focuses on the intersection between technology, design, and human behavior. It brings together students and faculty interested in different aspects of the human-computer relationship, including…

  • UX Research: focuses on understanding user behaviors, needs, and motivations through observation techniques, task analysis, and other feedback methodologies.
  • UI Design: refers to the ability to conceive user interfaces for machines and software with the focus on maximizing the user experience.
  • Game Design: refers to the ability to facilitate playful interaction for entertainment or for medical, educational, or experimental purposes.
  • Data Visualization: refers to the ability to visually summarize large quantities of data into a succinct story.
  • Social Impact Design: refers to the practice of design for the public good, especially in disadvantaged communities.

Our students are exposed to all of these disciplines — formal methods to getting niche edits, studio courses, computer programming, and empirical research — with the aim of being able to apply the appropriate tool(s) to their chosen profession. After taking the required courses they craft their own curriculum with supervision from an advisor, who helps them to focus on acquiring new skills for their future career. Our alumni end up working in various sectors such as the entertainment industry, ad agencies, journalism, non-profits, and corporations.

Social Impact Design

Socially responsible design is at the core of our teaching philosophy. It’s an overarching term for design that is socially, environmentally, and economically sustainable. Designers, as professional problem solvers, are in the position of being able to apply their skill set to better the situation of underserved communities. Design students are redefining the purpose of their education and are finding value in humanitarian work. We seek out students who have a desire to shape the world around them.