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
This course focuses on how data changes our way of thinking and how we interact with each other (yet leaves basic principles intact).
Human
In the course New Media Psychology, participants learn to critically assess human interaction with media and (communication) technology via adopting such a psychological lens.
Technology
The fundamentals of data science prepares you to unlock the power of data through code.
Concept
This course will deal with all aspects of engaging users, using all possible tools that psychologiy, and user experience design have to offer, including devising metrics to monitor and hopefully influence a user's engagement.
Human
You will acquire knowledge and experience on user experience design and interaction design. This course will specifically focus on designing smart interfaces.
Technology
The Fundamentals of Machine Learning courses focuses on learning from the data generated by the interaction between user and interface.
Concept
This course is about how to initiate and deal with the scalability and digital transformation of organizations (business organizations but also ngos), and, of the people in organizations.
Human
This course is a genuine preparation for your graduation work. We will examine various research paradigms, such a critical making, empiricism, the computational turn in science including the tools that are prevalent in these paradigms.
Technology
The course State of the Art of Technology focuses on new technological innovations and how to quickly master them for your research. During this course students will master one technology whilst playing, experimenting, searching for the edges of the possibilities and pushing the limits of technology.
If all went well, you have a graduation proposal ready (produced at the end of the previous block). You should know what you want to research and you have a general idea of what you want to build. Now, following the procedures of critical thinking it is time to start building a prototype.
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.