Joshua, MA in Creative Direction

Congratulations on your successful Master’s thesis. Please tell us briefly what your thesis was about and why you chose this topic.

The project for my Master’s thesis involved comparing two embodiment strategies within an XR rowing machine app that I developed, and examining how the virtual distortion of the movement of certain body parts affects the user. The project allowed me to do both: on the one hand, to engage technically with a previously developed mechanism over the long term, and on the other, to develop an actual app based on that framework.

What are your career plans after completing your studies? Which aspect of your future job excites you the most?

I completed my degree whilst working as a software developer and will continue in this role. One thing I particularly like about extended reality technologies is that, in this still very young field, it is actually possible to find new and better solutions to existing problems.

Did you envisage this kind of role for yourself when you started your degree?

I already had quite a bit of professional experience in this field beforehand. Nevertheless, I always found that the modules on the course provided me with a great deal of valuable insight for my professional work.

What were your expectations of the degree programme, and were they met?

My expectations were fully met. The degree programme offers a brilliant overview and takes you through topics from the entire app development lifecycle in a practical way.

In your opinion, what makes this degree programme special?

One advantage of the degree programme is that you can bring your own practical projects into your studies and the modules. It’s a brilliant starting point, particularly for quickly grasping theoretical topics and seeing how you can apply them to your own project, as well as later on in your working life.

What has been the most valuable experience from your time as a student?

The interaction with various experts and lecturers from the industry and the long-term guidance they provided throughout the courses.

What did you enjoy most – which moments have stayed with you?

I particularly enjoyed having my Master’s thesis project tested by users at the end and seeing how all the work from the courses had paid off.

Note: Joshua started on the Games & XR Management Master’s programme. This was merged with the Master’s in Creative Direction in 2026.