Interdisciplinary Design courses allow students to explore a diverse range of design concerns from an interdisciplinary approach. These courses cover a wide area, including Visual Communication and Illustration, Product, Spatial and Interaction Design.

Visual Communication Design
Visual communication is the visual presentation and communication of ideas. Courses in this discipline involve semiotics, graphic design, typography, illustration and photography.

Interaction DesignCourses in interaction design enable students to explore and manipulate visual forms in the digital environment.

Product Design
Product design courses focus on the design methodologies and technologies around the production of physical artifacts.

Spatial DesignSpatial design is concerned with the design of space between and within exterior and interior environments.

Interdisciplinary Design in Action

In the Summer and Fall semesters 2010, Assistant Professor Christopher Kaltenbach worked with students in the Master of Design and Bachelor of Design programs on a project hosted by Parks Canada to investigate options for public access to Georges Island, a National Historic Site. Early in 2011 NSCAD students presented some of their projects to Parks Canada. Here is the list of presenters, their program, and the titles of their projects:

1. Kayla Paloheimo [Bachelor of Design, Major in Interdisciplinary Design]. Escape from Georges Island: A proposal for a wayfinding, scavenger hunt game
2. Erin Martin [Bachelor of Design, Major in Interdisciplinary Design]. Exploring Nature on Georges Island: A proposal for a nature activity book
3. Mariel Vandeloo [Bachelor of Design, Major in Interdisciplinary Design]. Island Portal into Time: A proposal for an interactive, augmented reality application for the Blackberry phone
4. Patrick Foster [Master of Design]. A portable personal experience guide