Senior year in Drexel’s UXID program is the culmination of everything learned
over the past three years. It’s a time to refine expertise, prepare for the
job market, and, most importantly, complete and present the
Senior Project at the
Drexel Digital Media Showcase. This final year challenges
students to apply their skills in a high-stakes, real-world setting, ensuring
they graduate ready for careers in UX design.
Core Classes
Senior-year coursework focuses on specialization and professional
preparation, with classes that guide students through their senior projects
and advanced UX concepts:
-
Digital Media Senior Project (DIGM490): The three-term
senior project where students research, design, and develop a UX solution
to present at the Drexel Digital Media Showcase. Create professional media
assets for a team-based senior project in a simulated real-world
production environment. This course integrates academic and practical
knowledge, emphasizing digital media production, best practices, and
effective presentation skills through collaboration and teamwork. -
Professional Practices in IDM (IDM401): This course will
provide a broad overview of the practices of all areas included in the
fields related to interactive digital media, including organizational
structure and roles, client communication and creative process, needs
assessment, brief writing, brainstorming, concept development, pitches,
pricing, proposals and presentations. -
Electives: Many students explore course electives to
focus on building their skills in the area of UXID that they want to
pursue after graduation. Some of these courses include Validating Product
Ideas, SwiftUI, and Javascript Frameworks (Svelte, ReactJS). Students also
take this time to explore electives that interest them. Pave your own
path!
Skills You’ll Master
By senior year, UXID students fine-tune their skills, focusing on
industry-level expertise:
- Project Management & UX Strategy
-
Work through a full design cycle, from research to high-fidelity
prototypes. - Collaboration & Stakeholder Communication
- Present work to clients, faculty, and potential employers.
- Usability Testing & Iteration
-
Conduct multiple rounds of user testing to refine the final senior
project. - Showcasing & Pitching Work
-
Prepare for the
Drexel Digital Media Showcase, a key event where senior
projects are presented to industry professionals.
Preparing for the Drexel Digital Media Showcase
The Digital Media Showcase is the highlight of senior year,
giving students the opportunity to present their senior projects to faculty,
industry professionals, and peers. Preparation includes:
-
Refining the Final Product: Ensuring designs are
polished, user-tested, and ready for real-world application. -
Crafting a Strong Presentation: Communicating the
problem, research process, and final design solution clearly and
effectively. -
Building a Portfolio-Ready Case Study: Documenting the
senior project for job applications and interviews. -
Networking & Job Hunting: The showcase often attracts
recruiters, making it an excellent opportunity to make professional
connections.
Tips for Success in Senior Year
-
Stay organized. Senior projects require months of
research, iteration, and refinement—plan accordingly. -
Seek feedback early and often. Use professors, peers, and
industry mentors to improve your work. -
Practice presenting. Strong presentation skills make a
huge impact during the showcase and job interviews. -
Apply for jobs early. Start networking and applying to UX
roles before graduation to stay ahead.
Looking Ahead
With the senior project completed and graduation approaching, seniors enter
the UX job market with a solid portfolio, professional experience, and
industry connections. Whether heading into UX design, research, or strategy,
the skills developed in the UXID program prepare students for the next step
in their careers.