Combined Major in Interactive Design
As an interactive design major at Merrimack College, you will develop a significant portfolio of interactive projects while learning the best practices for design, marketing, and development.
What is Interactive Design?
Interactive design is the study of design between users and products. When speaking about interaction design, the products are often software products like apps or websites, though they can intersect with industrial design. The goal of interaction design is to design products that best serve the users’ needs and intentions.
You can learn to design and develop effective and useful products that can change peoples’ lives. You will improve your professional skills such as collaboration, writing, oral presentations and project management.
What You’ll Learn
Learn from professors in both the Computer Science department and the Graphic Design program. Our interactive design major provides each student with the perfect intersection of graphic design and computer science.
Interactive design internships will expose you to the professional environment of product design and software development.
As an interactive design major, you will:
- Understand and perform various types of industry-related research
- Write for a broad range of applications
- Develop the capacity to collaborate successfully, both online and in-person
- Motivate yourself and manage interactive projects
- Develop ideas that stand the test of critical analysis
- Deliver effective oral presentations to students, professors and outside clients
- Develop skills in computer programming, UX/UI design, web and mobile application development, software design, and interactive product development
- Brand and market yourself by creating a professional identity and portfolio
- Become proficient in relevant industry software, hardware and social media
- Be accountable, responsible and ethical in your work
Technology Requirements
Interactive Design majors are required to have an Adobe Creative Cloud subscription and a professional level laptop at the start of their freshmen year. Inquiries about technical requirements are always welcome; contact the Director of the Graphic Design program, by email: [email protected]
Transfer Students
If you’re transferring into the program, the transfer of studio courses and level of placement in the Interactive Design program will be determined by the Graphic Design faculty. Upon application to Merrimack College, you’re required to submit a portfolio to the Department of Visual and Performing Arts for review. During the portfolio review, the Graphic Design faculty will assess your studio skills, as well as the courses to be transferred toward the degree requirements. Faculty will compare your level of accomplishment with the Graphic Design Program’s expectations to determine where you’re qualified for placement into the program.
Portfolios can be submitted in-person or digitally.
Career Options
What can you do with a major in interactive design? Earning this degree at Merrimack will provide you with the preparation to enter the workforce immediately after graduation. While some students choose to pursue a master’s degree in graphic design or computer science, others will enter the workforce working for private companies.
Employment of web developers and digital designers is projected to grow 16 percent from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Potential career paths for interactive design majors upon graduation include:
Web Designer/Developer
Mobile Application Developer
Graphic Designer
UX/UI Designer
SFX Artist
Scientific Graphic Designer
Product Designer
Commerce Designer
Courses You’ll Take
Graphic Design Major Curriculum
Graphic Design Major Requirements
General Education Requirements
In addition to the major requirements below, you will also need to complete Merrimack’s general education requirements.
To see more details about the major, please visit catalog.merrimack.edu.
More Information
Nancy Wynn
Associate Professor and Chair
Visual and Performing Arts
Graphic Design Program Director
978-837-3433 | email
Combined Major Benefits
Dedicated Advising
You can expect to work with a dedicated advisor for both your academic and career needs throughout your college experience at Merrimack.
Combined Skills
By pursuing a combined major, students will have the opportunity to build multiple skill sets across a range of in-demand disciplines throughout their experience.
Affinity Group Status
Combined major students are given affinity group status, so you get access to specific resources across campus.
Guaranteed Internships
The O’Brien Center for Career Development and your career advisor will work to place you in a guaranteed internship, typically during junior year.
