UXD in Theory and in Practice
Through a mix of theoretical and hands-on approaches, UXD students work collaboratively and intensively on a variety of design problems ranging from widespread digital systems (e.g., desktop, website, mobile) to emerging HCI paradigms (e.g., 3D user interfaces, wearables, tangible interfaces, virtual and augmented reality). The concentration emphasizes interdisciplinary design thinking and knowledge translation through a User-Centred Design (UCD) approach.
Project-based design-oriented classes allow students to gain transferable insights into complex problems, to work with experts in other fields, and to learn how to communicate across disciplines. Students engage with each stage of the UXD process – ideation, data gathering, analysis, designing, prototyping, and evaluation – as they prepare to design new products, publish research papers, write theses, win competitions, work for industry leaders, or start their own businesses.
UXD Graduates: Where are they now?
Tiffany Lee (MI, Class of 2023)
Tiffany did a double concentration in UXD and HCDS. She valued the close-knit cohort, interactive discussions and practical assignments examining real-world ethical dilemmas. She credits the iSchool with not only equipping her with design and coding skills, but encouraging her and her peers to transform the information ecosystem into a more humane and inclusive space. She is now a UX designer at Rainforest Connection.
Abigael Pamintuan (MI, Class of 2021)
Abigael, who specialized in UXD, did her co-op at Autodesk and then accepted a permanent job there as a UX designer. Based in Toronto, Abigael is part of a geographically scattered team who work on ShotGrid, a production management and pipeline tool used in television and gaming.
Academic Concentration Requirements
MI students enrolled in 2024 and later
- Students must successfully complete a total of 8.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:
- Note: of the total 8.0 FCEs for this option, 0.5 FCE must come from each of the following four Professional Requirements areas: Technical, Managerial, Professional Values, and Critical Perspectives. This requirement can be fulfilled by required and elective courses for each concentration.
- Students must successfully complete a total of 8.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:
- Thesis (2.0 FCEs)
- 2.5 required FCEs:
- Research Methods course (0.5 FCE)
- Reading course (0.5 FCE)
- 2.5 elective FCEs
- Note: of the total 8.0 FCEs for this option, 0.5 FCE must come from each of the following four Professional Requirements areas: Technical, Managerial, Professional Values, and Critical Perspectives. This requirement can be fulfilled by required and elective courses for each concentration.
- Students must successfully complete a total of 8.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:
- Co-op (1.0 FCE), plus the Co-op Independent Modules (0.0 FCE)
- 2.5 required FCEs:
- 4.5 elective FCEs
- Note: of the total 8.0 FCEs for this option, 0.5 FCE must come from each of the following four Professional Requirements areas: Technical, Managerial, Professional Values, and Critical Perspectives. This requirement can be fulfilled by required and elective courses for each concentration.
Year 1 required courses
In Year 1, students are recommended to complete the following mandatory UXD courses, as well as 2.0 FCEs in elective courses.
INF1602H Fundamentals of User Experience 0.5 Credits
INF2169H User-Centred Information Systems Development 0.5 Credits
INF2170H Information Architecture 0.5 Credits
INF2191H User Interface Design 0.5 Credits
Fulfills the “Technical” Professional Requirement
Successful completion of INF1602 and INF2170 is a pre-requisite
Year 2 required courses
In Year 2, students are recommended to complete 3.5 FCEs in elective courses. We understand that part-time and CDP students may be in a higher year of study when they enrol in year 2 required courses.
INF2192H Representing UX 0.5 Credits
Fulfills the “Professional Values” Professional Requirement
2nd year MI students only, successful completion of INF2169 and INF2191 is a pre-requisite
MI students enrolled in 2023 and earlier
Year 1 required courses
While it is not obligatory, it is recommended that students complete all Year 1 required courses in Year 1, because these courses provide foundational knowledge.
For students considering the Co-op option, all Year 1 required courses should be completed in Year 1.
INF1005H Information Workshops I 0.25 Credits
INF1006H Information Workshops II 0.25 Credits
INF1602H Fundamentals of User Experience 0.5 Credits
INF2169H User-Centred Information Systems Development 0.5 Credits
INF2170H Information Architecture 0.5 Credits
INF2191H User Interface Design 0.5 Credits
Year 2 required courses
If all required courses are completed in Year 1, students may complete their remaining 5.0 credit requirements by taking a combination of:
INF2192H Representing UX 0.5 Credits
Suggested electives
Relevant to all UXD students, good for expanding core UXD skills
INF2165H Accessibility and Inclusive Design 0.5 Credits
Fulfills the “Critical Perspectives” Professional Requirement
INF2171H Usability Assessment: Concepts, Methods and Tools 0.5 Credits
INF2200H UX Leadership and Influence 0.5 Credits
Fulfills the “Managerial” Professional Requirement
Relevant to specific interests, good for specialising in narrower UXD domains
INF2164H UX Research and Design for Video Games 0.5 Credits
INF2201H Information and Communication Technologies, Design, and Marginality 0.5 Credits
Fulfills the “Critical Perspectives” Professional Requirement
INF2208H User-Centred Systems for Communication 0.5 Credits
INF2260H Speculative Design 0.5 Credits
Courses suitable for broadening perspectives and cross-concentration learning
INF1344H Introduction to Statistics for Data Science 0.5 Credits
Fulfills the “Technical” Professional Requirement
INF2040H Project Management 0.5 Credits
Fulfills the “Managerial” Professional Requirement
INF2224H Service Design 0.5 Credits
INF2241H Critical Making: Information Studies, Social Values, and Physical Computing 0.5 Credits
Fulfills the “Technical” OR the “Critical Perspectives” Professional Requirement
INF2314H Program Evaluation 0.5 Credits
Fulfills the “Managerial” Professional Requirement
Work Integrated Learning for UXD Students
The Faculty of Information offers a variety of work-integrated learning including the MI Co-op option and practicum courses. The Careers Services team helps students find suitable placements.
Who Hires UXD Graduates?
The 2022 LinkedIn Jobs on the Rise list included User Experience Researcher as number 13 among the 20 fastest-growing job titles over the past five years and the trends defining the future world of work. Given the newness of the field, job titles vary from one organization to the next and include UX analyst, UX manager and UX specialist. Other roles filled by UXD graduates include UX designer, digital project manager, human-centered design manager, product manager, information architect (IA), interaction designer, Solutions Developer and more.
Faculty of Information alumni work in a wide range of organizations and industries, including marketing and communications, digital media, advertising, financial services, technology, government, non-profit and more.
Professional Networks
Many students, alumni and faculty are members of key UXD professional associations. The strong ties with these organizations, forged over many years, keep the Faculty of Information abreast of the latest UXD trends. In addition, many instructors are active UXD professionals. UXD professional associations include:
