The MA IxDIA is where creative thinkers, career changers, and emerging technologists come to do work that matters. If you've been asking how design can be more human, more equitable, and more impactful, this program was built for that question. You'll work hands-on in studio and fabrication spaces, explore emerging methods and contemporary theory, and connect with a faculty who are invested in your growth, not just your grade.
What makes this program different is how it connects disciplines that are usually siloed. UX/UI design, interactive art, computer science, psychology, and human-centered design (HCD) don't live in separate boxes here; they inform each other the way they do in the real world. You'll develop the creative instincts of an artist, the research rigor of a designer, and the technical fluency to build what you imagine.
The result isn't just a well-designed experience; it's a perspective on design that stays with you for life.
What to expect
IxDIA students don't wait until after graduation to do meaningful work. They're doing it from day one. Projects from our program have won national and international awards, and our graduates have gone on to careers in UX/UI design, product design, creative technology, research, and interactive art.
This is a two-year, cohort-based STEM program (CIP 09.0702) where you grow alongside the same group of people from start to finish, building not just skills, but a real professional network.
Most coursework is scheduled in the late afternoon, making this program accessible to working professionals and career changers who can't step away from their lives entirely.
In Year 1, you'll build your foundation, developing your voice in interaction design, sharpening your creative practice, and learning to collaborate across disciplines. In Year 2, you and your cohort take on real-world challenges together, producing professional-quality interactive projects that are ready to show the world.
A standout experience during my time at CSUEB was the FAA design challenge. The challenge was to create a design concept to help air traffic managers monitor and control air traffic. Over four months, Professor Pollock dedicated his time and expertise to helping me and my cohort navigate this complex task. Our collective effort was successful, as we were selected as one of the five finalists in the nation, presenting our innovative solution in Washington D.C. - F. Agusta
Curriculum
Our program is cohort based and each cohort starts in the Fall Semester for the two-year program.
More details are available in the Cal State East Bay catalog.
Foundations & Core Principles
Year 1 Semester 1 Fall (10 Units)
- MM 601Seminar in Interactive Art & Design
- MM 621Screen-Based Interaction
- MM 640Forum
- ElectiveMM 632, 665, 666, or 667, as offered
You'll find your footing here, learning to think like a designer, make like an artist, and collaborate like a professional.
Systems & Physical Prototyping
Year 1 Semester 2 Spring (10 Units)
- MM 602Project and Story Development
- MM 622Physical Prototyping
- MM 640Forum
- ElectiveMM 632, 665, 666, or 667, as offered
You'll get your hands on real tools and real problems, bridging the gap between concept and creation.
Advanced Research & Development
Year 2 Semester 1 Fall (8 Units)
- MM 682Individual Multimedia Research and Practice
- MM 680Interactive Content Development
- StudioSpeculative Design
- MM 640Forum
- MM 694Project Documentation
This is where you go deep, developing your own research voice and pushing ideas further than you thought possible.
Capstone & Exhibition
Year 2 Semester 2 Spring (6 Units)
- MM 693Interaction Design Capstone Project
- MM 640Forum
- MM 694Project Documentation
This is your moment, launching work you're proud of and stepping into the world as a designer with a portfolio to prove it.