IDD (Tama Art University Graduate School, Information Design Department) is one of the few graduate schools in the world that offer the possibility to conduct research and creation beyond the borders of art and design. There are two research programs and five distinct research groups, with a Master’s Course and a Doctoral Course.
Our research and creative activities are not limited to the domains of art and design, but explore the expressive possibilities in the intersections with other fields such as engineering, anthropology, sociology, cognitive science, and linguistics as well. We also experiment with leading-edge technologies and discover novel ways to utilize existing technologies in order to open up new vistas for art.
Many of our faculty members are active overseas, and although classes are in principle conducted in Japanese, we also provide support in English and Chinese as necessary.
I-1: Experience Design Research Group
We have been the leaders of Experience Design in Japan for many years. In this research group we consider the users’ and customers’ point of view, and investigate and practice ways of designing products and systems that promote mutual empathy and provide a rich and comfortable experience.
- Main Areas
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- UI
- UX
- HCI
- Information Architecture
- Service Design
- Workshop Design
- Faculty
I-2: Media Design Research Group
We are breaking new ground for designs for support and communication based on technology and information graphics. We also focus on research and construction of next-generation media.
- Main Areas
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- Media Design
- Information Visualization
- Visual Language
- Art Books
- Educational Support
- Gamification
- AR
- VR
- IoT
- AI
- Faculty
I-3: Sound & Media Art Research Group
We are pursuing research and creating works in various forms and using various approaches such as installations, codes and algorithms that combine different types of media. We also explore bio media-based post-interaction, and sound art for the age of generative media.
- Main Areas
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- Media Art
- Sound Art
- Bio Art
- Software Art
- Faculty
I-4: Photography and Video – Memory Creation Research Group
With image anthropology as the foundation and using photography, video, acoustics and other image creation techniques, we study “representations of memory and space” that are not limited to visual expressions.
- Main Areas
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- Photography
- Video
- Audiovisual Installations
- Faculty
I-5: Future Cinema and Installation Research Group
We examine the future of CG, games, anime, manga, installation art and other types of media art in Japan, and explore ways to make the field more mature.
- Main Areas
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- CG
- Animation
- Installation Art
- Light Art
- Faculty
Doctoral Course
Launched in 2001, Tama Art University Graduate School’s doctoral course aims to train talented people with a broad outlook and comprehensive judgment skills, and conducts research and creation across the whole range of the university. Its primary feature is a balance of practical skills and theory to put art creation research and art theory research on a firm footing, unbound by any particular domains. Joint seminars with Master’s students are also held, forming an open space where the students can criticize and inspire each other.
Doctoral Course
For details of the entrance examination, please refer to the Tama Art University website.
Preliminary interview
If you wish to have a preliminary interview, please check the following page and apply using the preliminary interview application form.
Application for preliminary interview