Digital media products have moved beyond the use of standard graphical interface. Buttons and display screens will not be sufficient to cater for the ubiquitous and mobile usage. Moreover, contemporary interactive artworks often embed the interfaces into a spatial environment or custom made artefacts. Both cases demand a revisit of the existing desktop metaphor and the graphical user interface. These interfaces are the subject of the studies. The course aims to investigate the creative use of physical interfaces for digital media artworks and products.

Because digital technologies are incorporated into our daily life, there is a crucial need to strengthen the communication between these systems and their users. The interaction between the digital and the physical world is a field with increasing meaning for designers and artists. This course will explore the history of interface design–related to time and space–with regards to usability and cultural issues. The development of interfaces has always been driven by technical progress along with the needs of human beings. By analysing users' interaction with machines, and adopting knowledge on basic electronics and computer programming, students will research on interaction design, digital media content and create new concepts for interfaces that enhance users' experience.