During the programme
The MDDD curriculum is built around three learning tracks: Concept, Technology and Human, each covering various aspects of data driven design. They are mixed in a programme of three themed blocks.
The curriculum is largely based on real companies' demands and problems. This means you will have plenty of opportunity to work with real businesses on solutions for their problems, using their actual data. In this setting, you will quickly develop a good sense of what you get to offer as a digital creative, and how to position yourself within a multidisciplinary team of professionals.
Curriculum
In the learning track ‘Concept’, you learn how to take the multidisciplinary point of view that is the core of your work as a digital creative. The learning track ‘Technology’ is all about data; you learn different data science techniques for collecting, cleaning, transforming, analysing and visualising data. The learning track ‘Human’ is about understanding people, the way media and communication technologies are part of their lives, and how to build opportunities around this.
Concept
How data changes our ways of thinking, yet leaves basic principles intact.
Technology
How to use data produced by a digital society.
Human
How human beings within a digital society select, use and experience various media and communication technologies.
Concept
How the user interface is at the heart of all creative concepts.
Technology
How to use data to (re)design creative concepts.
Human
How to use data to engage users at every touchpoint of the user experience lifecycle.
Concept
How data connects everything to everything and opportunities that are created as a result.
Technology
How to use data to make the machine learn from interaction.
Human
How data changes organisations and business models.
Additional information
Students and lecturers form an active learning community in which we aim to develop strong social cohesion. You will be expected at HU for an average of three days a week. You will attend lectures and do a substantial amount of lab work and workshops. At times, you will participate in design sprints and pressure cookers, during which you work in a team on design processes.
We expect you to shape your own learning process. An important tool is our digital learning environment (DLE). The DLE enables you to prepare for classes, alone or in groups. Not only does this grant you a lot of flexibility as to when and where you study - face-to-face teaching time is much more valuable when you come into class well prepared.
Important parts of the curriculum are about interacting with professionals from the creative field. You work with them on a variety of actual problems that businesses encounter or that are happening in society at large. In each module, we invite at least two inspiring guest lecturers from the field and from other universities.
Lecturers
Bob Cruijsberg
Senior lecturer
Bob is senior lecturer and coordinator at the Communication and Multimedia Design program (B), as well as at the master Data Driven Design. He is specialized in User Experience Design and Interaction Design and curriculum design, with a lot of experience in coaching students who work on projects for clients.
Bob has been committed to the HU since 1996 and has helped designing the curriculum of several programs, including International Communication and Media (currently called Creative Business), and Communication and Multimedia Design. For the latter he received the ‘HUgenotenprijs’ of 2010, an award for outstanding performances by staff members and students of the HU.
Aletta Smits
Lecturer
Aletta is one of the coordinators and developers of the master Data Driven Design and a real all-round teacher (and student). Since 2011, she has had different positions within the HU. She is currently acting Head of Research (lector) in the research group Human Experience and Media Design and specializes in Data Mining and Engagement Metrics.
Next to that, she teaches data science, machine learning, user experience design and psychology. In her spare time, she studies Cultural Sciences at the Open University and gives presentations on the development of the adolescent brain.
Erik Hekman
Lecturer
After his master's in Media Technology, Erik developed and taught different technology related courses at the HU. He has been a lecturer at the programs Communication and Multimedia Design, Digital Media and Communication and International Communication and Media (currently called Creative Business).
Currently, he is developer of the master Data-driven Design and his activities consist of supervising students and coordinating the technology track. Erik is also a researcher at the research group Human Experience & Media Design. His research focuses on how technology shapes public value.
Dennis Nguyen PhD
Lecturer
Dennis Nguyen received his PhD in media and communications from the University of Hull, UK. His thesis discusses online public spheres and political communication, with emphasis placed on transnational political discourses.
Since 2015 he works as a senior lecturer, researcher, and graduation coordinator for the Creative Business program (B, formerly International Communication and Media) and the Data-Driven Design program at the HU. His current research focuses on the impact of digital media and datafication on public discourses and data ecologies.
Further fields of interest and expertise include media convergences, citizen journalism, conflict research, and empirical methods for media analysis. Aside from his academic endeavors, he was able to gather practical experience in journalism, public relations, online marketing, and academic research projects. You can read more on his ideas and publications at www.dennis-nguyen.com.