User Experience Design - The Hague University (THUAS)

The programme:
How do experiences, emotions, values and goals integrate with technology? This is the very core of User Experience Design (UXD). At the Hague University you'll be taught how to design useful products and services based on user behaviour. You could be the next bright engineer who creates a fun algebra app for school kids by tapping into the latest virtual reality technology.
Want ideas like these to pop into your head? Year one will encourage you to focus on the user’s interaction with technology. In year two, you’ll get a deeper grasp of the design process by looking at different product stakeholders. Year three takes a closer look at the social impact of technology before you finish off with your internship and graduation project.

Year 1
There’ll be a lot of introductory courses in the first year, but don’t worry, you won’t be buried in books. From day one on UXD you’ll communicate with real companies, like Philips, IKEA and Google to find out how your ground-breaking ideas can change the way people use daily products. You’ll get an understanding of how the user interacts with technology. To add to this professional experience, you’ll learn the basics of communication, prototyping, persuasive experiences, technical designing and programming. Turning simple ideas into experiences across digital and physical platforms. You’ll programme your digital skills looking at web technologies, mobile platforms (Android and iOS), processing, Arduino and sensor technology.

Topics: Fieldtrip to LInz, Ars Electronica and intercultural skills / Introduction to UX Design / Research for design I / Design and Creativity / Skills Lab / Interaction Design I / Research for design II / Psychology of Experience / Project Bespoke Design / Interaction Design II / Building Engaging Prototypes / Project Design for Emotion / Digital playground / Values in Design / Persuasive Experiences / Project Research and Design

Year 2
In year two, you’ll turn serious ideas into viable business plans paying close attention to end users’ technology habits. Understand the social systems at the core of your ideas - the relationship between users and stakeholders that makes technological designs such a success. You’ll come to appreciate that tastes differ - and international tastes differ even more. In our international classroom at UXD you’ll experience how different cultures experience technology and how to cater for the world’s product needs. In the first two modules of year two, you’ll take a minor programme or go on an exchange or internship at a giant like Capgemini, Intel or Apple.

Year 3
In year three, you’ll apply ‘all things UXD’ during your graduation project working closely with a company. You could examine the market potential for one of your ideas at an established company like BOSCH, or offer blueprints of cost efficient tablets to schools in Kenya. But don’t picture yourself next to your digital masterpiece just yet. Year three starts with in-depth courses on the complexities of UXD. You’ll explore the relevance and impact of your ideas on society. You’ll carefully consider the needs of stakeholders and take more responsibility for the design process. That way, you’ll be ready to pack a punch in your new career as a digital pioneer.

Career prospects
After you complete the degree programme and begin working on real assignments, you could for example be a developer and co-create an entirely new shoe franchise for Converse using the feedback of end users.
Other possible jobs: UX researcher / UX designer / Information technology manager / Mobile applications developer