Faculty-led, student-driven UX consulting and academic research.
At the Center for Digital Experiences, we connect academic rigor with real-world applications by facilitating course-based and extracurricular UX consulting projects for students and conducting research at the intersection of UX design, HCI, and higher education. Founded in 2019 by professors Craig M. MacDonald and Elena Villaespesa, the Center provides students with hands-on learning through real-world projects while also contributing valuable research insights to the broader UX community.
Our Mission
We aim to shape the future of digital experiences by combining rigorous academic research with practical, hands-on learning opportunities.
To that end, our UX consulting services are integrated into the School of Information’s UX curriculum, which includes the 36-credit M.S. in Information Experience Design and the 12-credit Advanced Certificate in User Experience .
Courses incorporating DX Center projects include:- INFO-642 Content Strategy
- INFO-644 Usability Theory & Practice
- INFO-645 Advanced Usability & UX Evaluation
- INFO-649 Practical Ethnography for User Experience
- INFO-682 Projects in Information Experience Design
- INFO-685 Digital Analytics: Web, Mobile, & Social Media
Our Goals
Our primary goals are to enhance and support the School of Information’s UX curriculum through the following activities:
Securing external partners
We connect with external organizations so students can work on innovative design and research projects that address real-world UX challenges.
Showcasing UX work
Our website and social media channels promote the UX expertise of SI faculty and highlight top student UX work to enhance their job prospects and attract new partners.
Coordinating UX resources
We coordinate SI’s UX-related teaching and research activities, allowing us to combine existing resources and secure new resources to support faculty and students better.
Our Facilities
Our facilities are on the 6th floor of the Pratt Manhattan Center, Pratt Institute’s Manhattan Campus. Our classrooms and labs are equipped with state-of-the-art technology for research and design, including usability testing and eye-tracking software.
As we support a creative and collaborative environment, clients and research partners can meet with students and faculty virtually or in-person in our conference-style classrooms or design studio, and are encouraged to participate actively in students’ projects.
Let's Create Together
Are you interested in collaborating with us? We welcome partnerships with organizations looking to innovate in the digital space. Contact us at info@prattdx.org to learn more about how you can get involved or submit your proposal directly by clicking the button below.