Interaction Design Institute Ivrea
The Interaction Design Institute Ivrea (IDII) where I was teaching as an Associate Professor was one of the most interesting institutions for interaction design. What made this international organisation so special was the cosmopolitan character in combination with an almost monastic working method due to the remote location in the Italian Alps.
Interaction design
Maybe interaction design is the creation and design of interactions among humans and between them and their environment. At present the efforts are also focused on the influence of current technological and media developments.
2 years
The master course at IDII took two years. The participating studentes came from all parts of the world and added their different cultural and professional backgrounds to the IDII community. The first year was a concentrated education by an interdisciplinary faculty and consisted of four "investigation workshops" and two short projects with partners from the industry. In their second year the students worked on a "Thesis project" about a project of their choice. This was compound of a scientific thesis paper and a practical design work.
Ivrea
The small town Ivrea was not only special because of its geographic seclusion and the spectular scenery of the Piemontese Alps but also because it was the home of one of Italy's most important corporations. Olivetti enriched the town with cultural and social initiatives. Thus the Interaction Design Institute Ivrea was located in the building of the former Olivetti design center and our students lived in "Talponia", a former residency for visitors and temporary employees.
Exit
After the closure of Interaction Ivrea the program is now continued at Domus Academy in Milan.
Images - Impressions
Workshops
