You should really check out some of the up and coming (and highly supported) Interactive Design degrees being developed and offered up at some of the top design schools. Interactive Design is the greater study of how both product, UX, and visual communications design all factor into the development of technologically based products. One of the ones that has been getting a lot of attention recently is the Interactive Design undergraduate major being newly offered at California College of the Arts (CCA) - great school. Some info:
About the Interaction Design Program
CCA’s Interaction Design Program will prepare students to create meaningful and innovative designed experiences in the realms of work, lifestyle, and play—from computers and mobile devices to interactive physical spaces, games, and social networks.
By learning investigative research, systemic thinking, creative prototyping, and hands-on building, Interaction Design students will be prepared to succeed and lead in this exciting field. Students develop technical skills (wireframes, flows, visuals, motion) for interactive canvases such as mobile, desktop, car, game console, film, sculpture, clothes, and buildings. The possible applications extend to numerous industries, from business to entertainment, education, and health.
Program Leadership
Dr. Kristian Simsarian, cofounder of the Software Experiences Practice at IDEO and adjunct professor in CCA’s Graduate Program in Design, has been tapped to chair the new program. He commented, “Surprisingly, there is not yet a consistent source for talent in this field. CCA, with its interdisciplinary environment, impressive facilities, and great location at the hub of the digital world, is the ideal place to build a world-class interaction design program. I am thrilled to be leading this effort. My passion in education is to be a guide for students to create the future from their own insightful, well-informed, and personally inspired visions.”
Silicon Valley Connections
CCA’s Interaction Design Program was created with input from thinkers at Google, YouTube, Apple, Intel, Nokia, and IDEO. Such companies, as well as nonprofit organizations, will take part in vibrant exchanges with students through sponsored studios and other project-based courses. Students will also have internship opportunities, enabling them to gain professional work experience and contacts, and to define their individual pathways to their future careers.
True that design cannot be "made" with a degree, but I hope by saying that you're referring to having "the eye." There is a great deal of philosophy, conceptual thinking, and larger design research that goes into successfully completing a design degree and being a good designer. Yes, you might be able to find it on your own -- but going to a good design school will really strengthen your ability to form your perspective.
i think there are a lot of new areas for something like a tablet -- take for instance, a lot of designers these days are using iPads/tablets as portfolio devices in interviews or with clients. Instead of clunky paper portfolios or simply throwing someone your website and asking them to check it out later or after the interview, you can bring in your tablet, show off some nice high res images, zoom in and out. It adds interactivity to the interviewing experience, especially if you can bring up a website design you might have done and show exactly how it works.
About the Interaction Design Program CCA’s Interaction Design Program will prepare students to create meaningful and innovative designed experiences in the realms of work, lifestyle, and play—from computers and mobile devices to interactive physical spaces, games, and social networks.
By learning investigative research, systemic thinking, creative prototyping, and hands-on building, Interaction Design students will be prepared to succeed and lead in this exciting field. Students develop technical skills (wireframes, flows, visuals, motion) for interactive canvases such as mobile, desktop, car, game console, film, sculpture, clothes, and buildings. The possible applications extend to numerous industries, from business to entertainment, education, and health.
Program Leadership Dr. Kristian Simsarian, cofounder of the Software Experiences Practice at IDEO and adjunct professor in CCA’s Graduate Program in Design, has been tapped to chair the new program. He commented, “Surprisingly, there is not yet a consistent source for talent in this field. CCA, with its interdisciplinary environment, impressive facilities, and great location at the hub of the digital world, is the ideal place to build a world-class interaction design program. I am thrilled to be leading this effort. My passion in education is to be a guide for students to create the future from their own insightful, well-informed, and personally inspired visions.”
Silicon Valley Connections CCA’s Interaction Design Program was created with input from thinkers at Google, YouTube, Apple, Intel, Nokia, and IDEO. Such companies, as well as nonprofit organizations, will take part in vibrant exchanges with students through sponsored studios and other project-based courses. Students will also have internship opportunities, enabling them to gain professional work experience and contacts, and to define their individual pathways to their future careers.