bachelor thesis ux design

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• Programs : Undergraduate Informatics Program
• Bachelor's Degree in Informatics Curriculum

User Experience (UX) Design

Design of data, information, and technology systems needs to be rooted in the user experience along with a consideration of the broader societal impacts of design..

This Informatics major concentration will prepare students for a career in user experience, interaction design, human factors, and web and mobile app design. Learn the skills you need to design cutting-edge information technologies that will benefit users and society.

Bachelor's Degree in Informatics

A human-centered approach: User experience design is less about technology and more focused on people, who are the technology's users.

Core Competencies

Students in the User Experience (UX) Design Informatics major concentration will learn to:

• Understand the fundamentals of human perception and cognition and their implications for user experience and interaction design.
• Employ a user-centered approach to the design and development of information technologies that are aligned with the needs and values of end users and other stakeholders.
• Apply user-centered research and design methods for interactive technologies.

User Experience (UX) Design - Informatics Major Concentration

Ba/bsi in informatics.

BA in Informatics Degree Plan

BSI in Informatics Degree Plan

Informatics majors learn the skills and knowledge required to collect, manage, and analyze data and information, and prepare for the great ethical responsibility that comes with these societally transformative roles.

Students develop an understanding of the complex social, cultural, and ethical context related to communicating with digital and social media tools, and to apply this understanding to creating digital solutions and technologies that are effective, inclusive, and responsive to the needs, values, and perspectives of people with many different lived experiences.

User Experience Design Informatics major concentration requirements include:

I 301 : introduction to informatics - 3 hrs.

In this introductory course, students will explore the foundational theories, concepts, and challenges in Cultural Heritage Informatics, Health Informatics, Human-Centered Data Science, Social Informatics, Social Justice Informatics, and User Experience Design. View Course Listings

I 310U: Introduction to User Experience Design - 3 HRS

This course introduces students to user experience design foundations. Good understanding of design principles and guidelines and their effective application requires knowledge of their scientific underpinnings, including the psychological theories of human cognition and perception. These theories serve an essential role in generative design, explanatory evaluation, and support the codification of knowledge. View Course Listings

I 310X: Additional Introductory Concentration Course - 3 HRS

In addition to taking the introductory course for their selected Informatics major concentration, students must also complete an introductory course in another Informatics major concentration:

• I 310C - Cultural Heritage Informatics
• I 310D - Human-Centered Data Science
• I 310M - Health Informatics
• I 310S - Social Informatics
• I 310J - Social Justice Informatics

View Course Listings

I 320U: Advanced Topics in User Experience Design - 9 HRS

Students must complete nine credit hours in Advanced Topics in User Experience Design. View Course Listings

I 379C: Capstone - 3 HRS

Students pursuing the School of Information Honors distinction may substitute I 679H: Honors Thesis (6 HRS).  View Course Listings

I Elective - 3 HRS

Students must complete three credit hours of Informatics elective coursework at the School of Information. View Course Listings

iSchool General Education Requirements - 27 HRS

• Informatics 302 -  Academic Success in the Digital University  (3 hours)
• Informatics 372 -  Career Success in the Digital Organization  (3 hours)
• Informatics 303 -  Ethical Foundations for Informatics  or equivalent (3 hours)
• Informatics 304 -  Programming for Informatics  or equivalent (3 hours)
• Informatics 305 -  Research Methods for Informatics  or equivalent (3 hours)
• Informatics 306 -  Statistics for Informatics​  or equivalent (3 hours)
• Foreign Language: Beginning-level proficiency coursework, or the equivalent, in a foreign language (3 hours)
• Additional liberal arts OR science, technology, engineering, and math coursework (6 hours)

Undergraduate Informatics Program

Leverage insights from data and information technology to solve problems.

Curriculum Admissions

Academic Advising

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Information eXperience Lab

The Information eXperience Lab (IX Lab) is a state-of-the-art research facility dedicated to advancing our understanding of human-computer interaction (HCI), human-information processing, user experience (UX), usability, accessibility, and the interactions between humans and information sources. The lab is dedicated to the science of information studies, the empirically-based design of human-information interaction, and the education of students in the process of both. Learn More

Immersive Human Development Lab

The Immersive Human Development Lab is a space where researchers study people’s psychological and social experiences of technology and media. In particular, they specialize in looking at virtual reality and immersive experiences with special emphasis on how they relate to questions of child and human development. Learn More

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Professorship for Open-Source Software

Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg

Final Thesis: A Theory of Best Practices of User Experience Design in Software Product Lines

Abstract: This paper presents the theory of User Experience (UX) best practices in software product lines. The methodology used to derive the best practices is case study research, which has been applied to two independent software product lines within Siemens AG, the German engineering company. The resulting theory is based on Qualitative Data Analysis and other methods employed within case study research. The proposed theory is presented in the form of best practice patterns regarding the following three categories: UX creation, UX implementation and UX management in software product lines. The resulting patterns are designed to be used as a best practice handbook that can be applied by software product lines dealing with UX-related challenges.

Keywords: User Experience (UX), usability, human-computer interaction (HCI), software product lines, case study, best practice

PDFs: Master Thesis , Work Description

Reference: Nikolay Harutyunyan Theory of User Experience Best Practices in Software Product Lines Master Thesis, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg: 2016.

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Category: 4 Theses , 4.3 Finished Theses

Academic Catalog

2023-2024 Edition

Information Design Strategy, MS UX/UI Specialization

Web design is more than just snazzy messaging and pretty pictures on a webpage. A site that really works fulfills your strategic objectives while meeting the needs of your users. It is essential to understand how to understand strategic objectives and translate them into something that provides a quality user experience. User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI) are integral to understand information design. The UX/UI specialization will link the concepts learned in the core classes and connect them more concretely to the profession of UX/UI. This specialization will focus on ideas rather than tools, giving students the ability to understand the big picture, strategy and requirements, content, and visual design. Students will gain skills in design systems, atomic design models, responsive design, prototyping and feedback loops.

Core Courses (9 units)

Specialization courses (3 units), about the final project.

As their final course, students take either the individual research project in an independent study format (thesis research) or the final project class in which students integrate the knowledge they have gained in the core curriculum in a project presented by the instructor. In both cases, students are guided by faculty in exploring the body of knowledge on information design and strategy while contributing research of practical value to the field. The capstone independent thesis project and capstone class project count as one unit of credit.

Pre-requisite: Students may take one other course simultaneously with MS_IDS 498-DL Capstone Project . All other course requirements must have been completed before the commencement of this course.

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PDF of the 2023-2024 School of Professional Studies Catalog.

UX: Designing the User Experience

A Commission of the International Cartographic Association

• Terms of Reference
• Upcoming Events
• Presentations
• Modules of Training Workshops

PhD & Master Theses

• Bibliography
• Leadership & Contact

SŁOMSKA-PRZECH, Katarzyna, 2021, Wpływ medium publikacji na użyteczność map [ENG: The impact of publication medium on maps’ usability] , PhD Thesis, University of Warsaw.

MARKOWSKA, Anna, 2018, Użyteczność kartograficznych anamorfoz powierzchniowych [ENG: Usability of area cartograms], PhD Thesis, University of Warsaw.

HALL, Andreas, 2016, Reasoning in Spatio-Temporal Analysis – Theory, Provenance, and Applications , PhD Thesis, Aalto University.

YOCHEVA, Zornitza, 2015, User-Centred Design of Smartphone Augmented Reality in Urban Tourism Context , PhD Thesis, Bournemouth University.

DEEB, Rasha, 2015,  Assessing visual variables of cartographic text design , PhD Thesis, Ghent University

KVELADZE, Irma, 2015, Space – time cube design and usability . University of Twente, ITC Dissertation 268, ISBN: 978-90-365-3859-6.

LAAKSO, Mari, 2014,  Improving Accessibility for Pedestrians with Geographic Information , PhD thesis Aalto University.

PUCHER, Alexander, 2013,  Optimierung von Internet-basierten kartographischen Informationssystemen durch Erkenntnisgewinn aus nutzerzentrierter Entwicklung.  Dissertation, University of Vienna.

OOMS, Kristien, 2012, Maps, how do users’ see them . PhD thesis Ghent University.

SCHOBESBERGER, David, 2012, Towards a Framework for Improving the Usability of Web-mapping Products . Dissertation, University of Vienna.

BLEISCH, Susanne, 2011, Evaluating the appropriateness of visually combining abstract quantitative data representations with 3D desktop virtual environments using mixed methods . PhD Thesis. London: City University London. http://phd.sbleis.ch/

DELIKOSTIDIS, Ioannis, 2011, Improving the usability of pedestrian navigation systems . PhD thesis University of Twente. ITC Dissertation 181, ISBN: 978-90-6164-303-6.

ROTH, Robert, 2011, Interacting with Maps: The science and practice of cartographic interaction. PhD dissertation Pennsylvania State University.

NIVALA, Annu-Maaria, 2007, Usability Perspectives for the Design of Interactive Maps , Publications of the Finnish Geodetic Institute, PhD thesis.

User Experience Design and Content Creation

• Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
• 7 Semesters
• No foundation year necessary
• In accreditation
• university cooperations

After completing your B.A. User Experience Design studies in Leipzig, you will have the ability to impact people using design and technology, visualize messages, narrate stories, expand realities, and make a sustainable impact on the environment.

• 1st intake: October 2024 | SRH Gera collaboration

Interaction Design, Usability & User Research...

Through your UX Design studies, you acquire the expertise to analyze user needs in digital product development and derive usability requirements. You master the professional evaluation and management of the complex development process of digital products in all phases.

Simultaneously, our User Experience Design program turns you into an expert in Content Strategy, ensuring long-term success in the digital marketing mix. In addition to in-depth knowledge of user-centered design of digital experiences, you develop the skills to plan and create high-quality content.

Furthermore, you sharpen your soft skills through projects and broaden your horizons while deepening your expertise during an internship or semester abroad.

UI/UX-Designer, Digital Artist and more

The "User Experience Design and Content Creation" program prepares you for the demands of product and self-development, usability, and content production, particularly in the context of values, emotional digital design, and cultural differences.

With a B.A. in User Experience Design, you can pursue various career paths, including:

• UI/UX Designer
• Art Director
• Digital Artist
• Video and Creative Producer
• Content Creator

Additional career opportunities are available in areas such as:

• Motion Design
• 2D/3D Technical Artistry
• Multimedia and Video Editing.

Alex Schmidt, Former Student and UX Designer

"The thrilling topic of UX design has finally arrived in Germany and is more important than ever in today's digital world. Without a user-centered design, a company is currently no longer competitive. For this reason, companies are constantly looking for new creative minds in the UX field. A UX designer is involved in the creative development process from the beginning and accompanies the product all the way to the customer.""

Study programme brochure and more ...

When you are thinking about studying in Germany, there are many questions you may have. We are here to help you answer them!

Get to know SRH Campus Leipzig and our new study programmes in Leipzig!

B.A. User Experience Design and Content Creation

Foundations of Design I

Foundations of Design II

Project Management UX

Communication Sciences

Project I | Principles of human-machine interaction

Design elective

Human-Machine Interaction Technology I

Service Design + Information Psychology

Usability Engineering + Testing

Media Sciences

Project II | Creative Strategies and Digital Story Telling

Market Research + Media Management

Digital Brand Design I

Digital Brand Design II

Consumer Experience Design (CX) Workshop

Project III | Brand Experience

Content Creation I (Social Media)

Content Creation II (Video, Audio, Podcast)

Personal Branding + Self Management

Lab Project

Project IV | Human Experience Design (Free Project)

Internship or Study Abroad semester

Free Project | User Experience Design

Human-Machine Interaction Technology II

Game Design I

Interactive Enviroment / Spatial Design I for VR / AR / MR

Interactive Enviroment / Spatial Design II for VR / AR / MR

Implications of Artificial Intelligence + Future Studies

Business Intelligence

Entrepreneurship & Media Law - Design

Preparation B.A. Thesis / Next Generation Development

Scientific Colloquium

BA Thesis | User Experience Design

Our requirements

• General higher education entrance qualification (Abitur) or university of applied sciences entrance qualification (Fachhochschulreife). In case you have not graduated yet, please apply with your existing transcripts or your latest interim certificate. However, we need your final degree certificate before you can start your studies.
• Proof of English language proficiency
• Copy of your identity card or passport

Find out if you are eligible Submit your application directly through our online platform to see if you qualify for our Bachelor's programmes. Our admissions experts will review your documents and directly inform you of your eligibility, or if further education is required. Apply now!

Important : Applicants with foreign degrees who can access a state-accredited university in their home country (or country of their studies), and meet the SRH subject and GPA requirements, are typically eligible to start our Bachelor's programmes directly. Our team will meticulously evaluate your application and provide feedback on your eligibility. 

• If our admissions team determines that a Foundation year is necessary, we are pleased to offer a specialised foundation course at the SRH International College .
• For students deemed to require additional preparation who would prefer a year of university in Berlin, we recommend our partner, Touro University, and their International Year One programme .

Here are the English requirements that you should bring along:

• TOEFL 87 ibt (direct entry)
• TOEFL 79 - 86 ibt (with additional agreement)
• TOEIC 785 (Listening/Reading 785, Speaking 160, Writing 150)
• IELTS (academic) 6.5 on average - please see Language Centre guidelines if results differ
• CAE (grade A, B, or C)
• CPE (grade A, B or C)
• Pearson English Test Academic (PTE-A) 59 points
• Linguaskill: 176 - 184 (CES) - all four skills required
• Duolingo 110 points

Your tuition fees

Tuition fees

Citizenship | EU/EEA (incl. Switzerland, Western Balkans and Ukraine)

• EUR 620 / month

Citizenship | Non-EU/EEA

• EUR 4,500 / semester

Application process and deadlines

We are happy to welcome you to our university. This is our application process:

• You submit your online application via the SRH application portal
• If you meet the admission requirements, we will invite you to a personal/phone interview
• If the interview is successful, you will receive an acceptance letter and the study contract
• You sign the study contract and send it back to us
• You pay the enrolment fee
• You receive your letter of admission
• You take part in our Welcome Week and then you are good to go!
• You will take part in a step-by-step learning experience
• You will study in practice-oriented tasks in small teams
• You can concentrate on what's important in 5-week-blocks
• You will receive individual support from your lecturers

• more THI pages
• semester dates
• PRIMUSS Application portal
• PRIMUSS student's portal
• Student Council website

User Experience Design (B. Sc.)

Nowadays, the success of a product mainly depends on how well it can be used or handled. Manufacturers attach increasing importance to product design and arousing the right emotions in buyers. The degree course in UXD provides precisely this much sought-after qualification. The aim is to make the man-machine interface as effective as possible for a particular user by means of user centred design. The focus is on the user experience with the product in terms of technology (programming), design and conception (usability).

With a standard study period of seven semesters, the programme was developed to address changing requirements in the area of product development, usability and marketing – also with regard to aspects such as values, emotions, cultural differences/problems, etc. The term ‘user experience’ includes all aspects of what the user experiences when using a product or when interacting with a product, computer programme or service. This term has grown in importance enormously since the internet and smartphones (with apps) have become more widespread. The job profile of a ‘User Experience Designer’ is geared towards making the use of a product (often software, IT systems or websites) as pleasing and as straightforward as possible based on a user-centred approach, thereby achieving a positive impact on the user. The UX designer considers visual design on the one hand but also information architecture (What information am I looking for? How do I find the information? What is the optimum path through a website?) and information design (How do I present the information?). A UX designer provides the link between product development, IT/implementation, visual and audio design, ergonomics, marketing/branding, trends etc.

The diverse fields of application of UX design has led to a need for university graduates who have a basic knowledge of design as well as the ability to create IT user interfaces. The course in User Experience Design gives students precisely this background, while also allowing them to acquire interdisciplinary knowledge in the fields of IT, design, psychology, business administration, communication studies and the social sciences. The standard period of study for the bachelor’s degree course is seven semesters. The course breaks down into two degree phases. The first phase comprises two theoretical study semesters while the second phase builds on this basis over an additional fourth semester (both theory and practical work) as well as a practical fifth semester.

1. Semester

Introductory Project

Software Development 1

Mathematics

Principles of Design 1

Typography and Sketching

2. Semester

Fundamentals of Computer Science

Software Development 2

Principles of Design 2

Information Psychology

3. Semester

Web Technologies

Software Engineering

Design of Human-Machine Interfaces

Human-Machine Interaction Technologies

Fundamentals of Business Administration and Entrepreneurship

4. Semester

Web Design and Web Usability

Product Design

Computer Graphics / 3D-Design

Principles of Human-Machine Interaction

Project Management

5. Semester

Preparatory Seminar for the Internship

Wrap-Up Seminar of the Internship

Information and Media Competence

6. Semester

Virtual and Augmented Reality

Experimental Design and UX Testing

Security of Mobile and Web-based Applications

Subject-specific Seminar

7. Semester

Seminar Bachelor's Thesis

Bachelor's Thesis

• Applying for a degree course Students may only begin their degree in the winter semester.
• Registration dates Applications for this degree may be submitted through the online application system from 2 May to 15 July, 2024.
• Admission requirements Please find all information on admission and application on our Bachelor application pages

Admission requirements for international students If you wish to study at a German University, you need a so-called Hochschulzugangsberechtigung (HZB), or higher education entrance qualification. This is a secondary school-leaving certificate that corresponds to the German Abitur and entitles you to study. Students from abroad must apply for admission from the university of their choice. For your application, you will require for a Bachelor's degree:

• a school-leaving certificate (also known as "university entrance qualification", e.g. High School Diploma, Matura, A-Levels, Bachillerato, Atestat, baccalauréat) or
• proof that you have passed the university entrance examination (if required in your home country)

(Source: German Academic Exchange Service, DAAD, July 2016)

The area of user experience design is very exciting and highly dynamic. In order to be successful, a UX designer has to be active in the community and make a name for themselves. We recommend that students should write about their degree assignments and other projects during their degree course, for example in the relevant online media, in a blog or on Twitter: this will enable them to build up a “portfolio” (rather like an application dossier) for later job applications. This of course also includes networking with like-minded individuals at UX events such as BarCamps, local UX meet-ups and LinkedIn groups, as well as commenting on blog posts. The best way to break into this area is by means of interaction, discussion and dialogue.

The dual studies programme enables a combination of practical training elements in a company with the theoretical education provided by the university. There is a choice of either the joint model (academic study + vocational training) or the degree course with vocational experience (academic study + intense practical phases). There is an obvious advantage to students here: practically oriented academic study generally enables a particularly smooth transition from university to the world of work. What is more, the student usually receives financial remuneration from the company concerned.

In the joint model, students may start working at the company several months before the start of the first semester, depending on the company concerned. At the start of the course there is an alternation between theory (during the semester) and practical experience (between semesters and during the practical semesters). In order to embark on a dual studies programme, students have to apply to both a company and to THI (be sure to take note of company application deadlines!).

More info on our  dual studies -pages, or check dual cooperation partner companies . Even if no partner company is currently active in this degree programme, you are welcome to contact us.

The course enables students to embark on a career in software development (programmer), design or usability engineering in medium-sized and large companies, as well as in design agencies and other organisations.

The course allows students to acquire the following job skills:  Design of IT-based interactions with individual product perception (definition of requirements, layout drafting, user guidance, specification and product integration) Development of IT-based interactions with individual product perception (project management, system design, implementation, software testing, software verification) Sales of IT-based interactions with individual product perception (market analysis, product conception, development of sales strategies, training and start-up) Evaluation of IT-based interactions with individual product perception (ergonomic evaluation, volunteer trials, acceptance analyses and assessment). A UX designer provides the link between product development, IT, design, ergonomics and marketing. As such, the job can involve the following (word cloud): programming, implementation, system design, prototyping, usability testing, user interface design, interaction design, web design, usability engineering, research, requirements analysis, user insights, surveys, evaluation, ergonomics assessment, acceptance tests, product conception, project management, etc.

As of winter semester 2024/25, THI charges service fees of 500 euros per semester for students from third countries (outside the EU and the EAA (European Economic Area)) . If you have any questions, please go to Contact for prospective students

Please note: No service fees for exchange students, visiting students, participants of summer school!

The UXD degree program prepares you for a variety of career paths. Graduates can work as UX designers, UI designers, interaction designers, usability analysts, UX researchers or in related roles in product development, service development and customer experience. The skills are in demand by all companies and organizations that value an outstanding customer and user experience.

The course offers the opportunity to design products and services creatively and technically to improve people's daily lives. It combines artistic design with technical know-how and psychological understanding to create useful and aesthetically pleasing solutions. The demand for UX experts is high. This opens up career prospects.

No. No prior knowledge of programming or design is required. The course is designed to provide basic knowledge in both areas so that you can develop the necessary skills and knowledge over the course of your studies.

The course is a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) with a corresponding focus on technical aspects. You need technical skills in order to be able to implement the design solutions. You will learn these in the course of your studies along with design, psychology, conception, usability and economic principles.

The number of study places is limited. This means that the admission requirements can change from year to year. You can find up-to-date information on the application process on our website.

If you have a passion for creative design, enjoy solving problems, want to improve people's lives and are interested in how people interact with technology, the User Experience Design course is right for you. The course is ideal for designing innovative and user-friendly solutions that provide real added value for people.

The basic concepts of programming and software development are learned using the Java programming language. HTML, CSS and JavaScript are added for web development. In the further course of the degree course, there may be other programming languages depending on the project and focus.

Absolutely. You can spend the practical semester in a foreign company or even study semesters abroad. Our network of more than 160 partner universities worldwide already offers a wide selection. You will be supported by our International Office . The intercultural experience and new professional perspectives are valuable additions to your academic and personal development.

Yes, you can also complete a Master's degree in User Experience Design with us. It follows on seamlessly from the Bachelor's degree and offers ideal conditions for further specialization in the field. The Master's course is taught in English and therefore also offers a good opportunity to come into contact with many international students.

Contact options for prospective students

Apply online

Program director

More contact options

Module Handbook

The module handbook contains information on prerequisites, contents, learning outcomes, ECTS points, duration, work load, literature, references of the offered modules and lectures.

Module handbook Bachelor User Experience Design

Study and Examination Regulations

Study and examination regulations (SPO) deal with judicial matters concerning your study course. Please turn to the pages of the legal department for Statutes of this course.

For any questions on requirements, exams regulations and more, please turn to the Service Center Study Affairs .

Semester dates

Accreditation

Lab Virtual Reality and Simulation (G006)

Digital help for dementia: IU Diversity Award honours bachelor thesis in UX design

Matthia leyendecker wins the iu diversity award for her innovative prototype that independently activates the memory of dementia patients.

IU graduate Matthia Leyendecker from the UX Design programme has developed a prototype that enables those affected to independently stimulate their cognitive performance by playfully exploring different media formats.

Erfurt, Germany, 11 January 2024.  Curing dementia is almost impossible. Those affected, relatives and caretakers are exposed to an enormous burden. Matthia Leyendecker has developed a novel approach that can give dementia sufferers more independence and relieve the burden on caretakers in her bachelor's thesis at IU International University of Applied Sciences (IU). The 28-year-old from Coburg was honoured with the IU Diversity Award 2023 for her innovative solutions. Within eight weeks, the IU student on the User Experience Design (UX Design) programme developed a prototype that enables those affected to independently stimulate their cognitive performance by playfully exploring different media formats.

Flexible adaptation to the needs, life stories and mental states of dementia patients

Specifically, the prototype developed plays audio, video and photo formats. For example, those affected can call up personal pictures from their early youth or from their current family circle, listen to audio formats such as pieces of music or voice messages from grandchildren and watch documentary films about their own homeland or videos from the last summer party at the nursing home. The variety of available media is very flexible and can be customised to the needs, life stories and mental states of dementia sufferers. Those affected are playfully empowered to select and play media themselves. The aim is to arouse positive emotions and strengthen the memory and identity of those affected. Self-determined exploration can also promote dialogue processes and facilitate exchanges with caretakers and relatives. The prototype developed is to be used in nursing homes – in particular to improve psychological and social support services and strengthen active participation in the lives of dementia sufferers.

"This outstanding bachelor's thesis combines UX design with the diversity dimensions of "age" and "impairment" in a unique way. The thesis shows how versatile and relevant the UX Design degree programme is and how it can contribute to improving the lives of people in a wide variety of life situations. We were deeply impressed by Matthias' close connection to the field and her innovative spirit," says Nicola Schmidt-Geheb, Equality and Diversity Officer at IU. 

Her grandpa with dementia was her greatest inspiration

Matthia Leyendecker's motivation was a very personal one, as she herself reveals: "It took several weeks to find a topic for my bachelor's thesis. I wanted to do something meaningful, a tangible result was important to me. My grandad gave me the inspiration for it. We bought him a tablet and a senior mobile phone so that he could participate even more in family life. I was responsible for setting up the messaging services and the technical issues. I wrote operating instructions for him and realised how inaccessible mobile phones and tablets are for senior citizens. This gave rise to the idea of simplifying the whole thing technologically for the first time. When my grandad eventually developed dementia, it became increasingly difficult for him to use the technical devices. I then went in search of alternatives, but was unsuccessful. So, I came up with the idea of developing something for dementia sufferers myself, to give them something they could play with to activate their memory. It was also important to me to create something that people could use independently, i.e. without someone sitting next to them and having to guide them."

From carpentry intern to UX designer

Matthia Leyendecker's extraordinary educational path took her from a carpentry internship to a bachelor's degree in wood engineering to a master's degree in future design. At the same time, she began her distance learning programme in UX Design at IU, demonstrating her enormous versatility and commitment to innovative solutions. 

The award winner does not rule out the possibility of further developing her prototype and has already submitted several scientific papers to various conferences. In the meantime, she has accepted a job offer as a user researcher. "For now, I've studied enough, although I've always enjoyed studying. The IU degree programme particularly inspired me because of the practical work in the Creative Labs. There we had the opportunity to apply design techniques and theoretical knowledge in a three-month project and, for example, to carry out usability tests with real users. This phase was incredibly valuable for me, as it allows you to build up your own personal portfolio. Now I'm looking forward to applying the knowledge I've learnt and the skills I've acquired in the UX field in practice," says Matthia.

About the IU Diversity Award

IU International University of Applied Sciences, Germany’s largest university of applied sciences, has presented the IU Diversity Award twice a year since 2018. The jury consists of a ten-member team of employees from teaching, the examination office, equal opportunities office and other departments. IU students from Germany and abroad have the opportunity to submit their bachelor's or master's thesis. The IU Diversity Award is intended to contribute to raising public awareness of the research field of diversity and is endowed with a prize of 500 euros. For more information on diversity and inclusion measures at IU, please visit: iu.de/en/university/diversity/.

With over 130,000 students, IU International University of Applied Sciences (IU) is the largest university in Germany. The private, state-recognised educational institution with its headquarters in Erfurt began operations in 2000 and is now represented in more than 35 German cities. Students from over 190 nations design their studies according to their needs: whether practice-integrated dual studies, flexible distance learning or individual “myStudium”, which combines online self-study and campus life. IU wants to give people worldwide access to personalised education for a fulfilled and self-determined life. In more than 250 bachelor's, master's and MBA programmes, including over 50 in English, IU teaches students key skills relevant to the future. A digitally supported learning environment and the use of AI solutions help students to achieve optimal learning results and experiences. IU is one of the first universities in the world to have developed and deployed its own AI-supported learning buddy. IU cooperates with over 15,000 companies and supports them in the academic training of professionals. Partners include Motel One, Vodafone, AWO and Deutsche Bahn. Further information at: iu.org

The AI-supported learning buddy "Syntea" is now available as a public demo version in the ChatGPT store at the following link: https://chat.openai.com/g/g-P5olqoCPc-syntea  

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