Hyper Island Launches Interactive Art Director Program

Swedish design school Hyper Island has launched an interesting new 32-week Interactive Art Director Program.

While the objectives and assignments are built around interactive projects, the interesting bit is Hyper Island’s decidedly forward-thinking attitude about decompartmentalizing the learning process. Instead of asking students to piegonhole themselves as motion or interactive or graphic designers, the program basically throws everything at students and allows them to develop their interests and strengths over time.

By rooting all the projects in online experience, HI grads should be well prepared for the reality of shrinking broadcast and print budgets. As with any program like this, everything hinges on the students (not, as is often believed, the teachers or facilities). If HI has attracted the right kids with the right drive, everything else will fall into place.

Four students built the IAD site itself, proving that HI at least is willing to stand behind their pupils. Let’s see what the rest of them can do.