Course content.
Discuss pressing environmental and social issues with renowned guest and mentors. Learn about planet-centred and more-than-human approaches through fieldwork and lab experiments. Work with digital, electronic, biological, material and chemical technologies. Create multisensory interfaces to digital systems, physical environments, whole ecosystems, humans and other species.
The “Experimental Interaction” minor consists of two block studio courses, one theory seminar and mentoring sessions providing technical and conceptual support. Students have access to the following facilities: physical computing lab, biolab, material archive/lab and workshops.

Skills acquired in the course.
–  Critical thinking and discussion on the Anthropocene and more-than-human art and design practices.
–  Practical skills in one or more technologies (digital, electronic, biological, material and/or chemical).
–  Fieldwork methods informed by ethnography, anthropology, biology and earth system science.
–  Teamwork, interdisciplinarity and presentation skills.

Admissions requirements.
“Experimental Interaction” is open to all ZHdK students but is recommended for those with a strong interest in technology and ecology. Students should have gained several technical skills before starting the minor. These skills might be working with materials (e.g. wood, metal or ceramics), digital technology (e.g. programming, motion tracking or audiovisual tools), electronic technologies (e.g. Arduino), or biological technology (e.g. microscopy, microbe cultures, mushroom growth). Ideally, you will have completed at least one workshop introduction (z-tech) before starting the minor, e.g. low-level, wood, metal or ceramics. Specific entry requirements for the minor are demonstrated via self-declaration.

Language skills required.
You need the following languages to take this minor:
–  English: to be able to follow a discussion
–  English: to actively participate in a verbal exchange
–  English: to understand a text
–  English: to write a text

Benefits of studying this minor.
You profit from an extensive international network of Interaction Design team members and guest lecturers in this minor. Their knowledge and experiences working with novel technologies and practice-based research techniques assure that your projects will have strong critical and innovation potential. You also acquire access to lab facilities at the subject area Interaction Design at ZHdK: Physical Computing Lab, Enactive Environments Lab and additional robotic and biodesign technologies.

Time structure.
Autumn Semester:
From calendar week 38, Friday afternoons between 1pm and 5pm until calendar week 51
Minor block during calendar weeks 02–04, Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm

Spring Semester:
Minor block during calendar weeks 08–10, Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm

→ More information about this minor (PDF download)

Minor Coordination

Lecturers

At ZHdK, students choose a Major. In addition to this core subject, they can choose one or two Minors to deepen or expand their major skills and knowledge across various disciplines. This wide choice of courses is unique in Europe and enables students to develop and sharpen their individual profile.