Visual Interaction Designers

High School

In high school, take as many computer science classes as possible. Smaller high schools might only offer introductory courses in computer science, but larger schools provide classes in programming (including specific languages), gaming and app development, Web development, and computer security. If you’re seriously interested in a career as a software developer, try to attend a high school that offers a wide range of computer science classes. Other recommended courses include mathematics, English, speech, business, and social studies.

Postsecondary Education

Most visual interaction designers have a bachelor’s degree in interaction design, human-computer interaction, graphic design, new media, or an equivalent degree, although it is technically possible to enter the field with an associate’s degree or even a high school diploma and extensive on-the-job experience in interaction design. A designer who is interested in advancing to managerial positions should take classes in business management or information technology management or even consider earning a certificate or master’s degree in one of these majors. As part of their training, students also participate in internships or cooperative education experiences at tech companies.

Some aspiring software developers receive their training in the U.S. military. But because interaction design is a software development specialty, designers will need to augment their education with classes or certificates in this area. Visit TodaysMilitary.com to learn more about careers in the armed forces.

Certification

Colleges and universities do not offer certificates in interaction design, but many have certificate programs in the related fields of user experience design and user interface design. Online, in-person, and hybrid programs are available. Contact schools in your area for information on available programs. Tech companies such as Google also offer user experience design certificate programs.

The online learning platform (OLP) Coursera offers an interaction design specialization. Students who complete the following classes earn a certificate: Human-Centered Design: An Introduction; Design Principles: An Introduction; Social Computing; Input and Interaction; User Experience: Research & Prototyping; Information Design; Designing, Running, and Analyzing Experiments; and Interaction Design Capstone Project. Coursera estimates that it will take most students about 10 months to complete the program. Visit https://www.coursera.org/specializations/interaction-design for more information.

The Interaction Design Foundation (https://www.interaction-design.org) offers certificates of completion to students who complete its classes. The foundation says that these certificates are recognized by companies such as IBM, Adobe, GE, Accenture, and HP.

Other Education or Training

It’s important that interaction designers keep their skills up to date throughout their careers. To do so, they participate in workshops, webinars, seminars, and classes that are provided by professional associations, OLPs (e.g., edX, Udemy, Interaction Design Foundation), colleges and universities, and tech companies.