The Digital Media Practice programmes at Winchester are designed to accommodate a wide range of specialist interests within the digital media industry. Build your theoretical understanding within the context of honing practical skills in a range of specialist careers. Develop new ideas and theories through your engagement with several live client projects, which may culminate in the real-time release of output through different media platforms.
Your practical work is supported and enhanced through masterclasses, seminars, discussions, workshops, tutorials and self-directed study, and work in professional contexts. Partnerships with professional practitioners and bodies give you the starting point to develop your own network of professional contacts. There is a dedicated, fully equipped digital design studio, with practitioner-based lecturers on hand to support you.
Your course consists of five core modules plus two optional modules, where you undertake individual projects and case studies relevant to your particular area of interest. Core modules include Digital Media Principles, Design Practice, and a project on Emerging Media. MA Digital Media Practice includes your choice of any two optional modules, while on the specialist pathways you choose two optional modules from a more specific selection. Examples of module choices include:
UK, EU, World
Start Dates: September
Teaching takes place: Daytime
Students develop new ideas and theories through their engagement with several live client projects, which may culminate in the real-time release of output through different media platforms. Practical work is supported and enhanced through masterclasses, seminars, discussions, workshops, tutorials and self-directed study, and by undertaking work in professional contexts. There is a dedicated, fully equipped digital design studio, with practitioner-based lecturers on hand during core hours.
Taught elements of the course take place on our King Alfred Campus, Winchester or at our West Downs Campus, Winchester.
Our validated courses may adopt a range of means of assessing your learning. An indicative, and not necessarily comprehensive, list of assessment types you might encounter includes essays, portfolios, supervised independent work, presentations, written exams, or practical performances.
Through the undertaking of projects, students engage with real-world tasks, with assessment reflecting the solutions and outcomes expected in the digital media industry. Assessment takes place throughout the life of a project in order to test and offer feedback on the process and integration of skills. Students are required to complete a final substantial piece of work in the form of either an appropriate digital media project or a written dissertation.
We ensure all students have an equal opportunity to achieve module learning outcomes. As such, where appropriate and necessary, students with recognised disabilities may have alternative assignments set that continue to test how successfully they have met the module's learning outcomes. Further details on assessment types used on the course you are interested in can be found on the course page, by attending an Open Day or Open Evening, or contacting our teaching staff.
We are committed to providing timely and appropriate feedback to you on your academic progress and achievement in order to enable you to reflect on your progress and plan your academic and skills development effectively. You are also encouraged to seek additional feedback from your course tutors.
Graduates pursue careers in the digital media industry as lead designers, design researchers, account directors, content writers and creative producers.
3D visualisation and animation play a role in many areas, and the popularity of these media just keeps growing. Digital animation provides the eye-catching special effects in the 21st century's favourite films and television shows; 3D design is also essential to everyday work in everything from computer games development, online virtual world development and industrial design to marketing, product design and architecture.
GCU's programme in 3D Design for Virtual Environments will help you develop the skills to thrive in a successful career as a visual designer. The programme is practical and career-focused, oriented towards current industry needs, technology and practice. No prior knowledge of 3D design is required.
The curriculum will help you build your creative vision and technical skills as a 3D designer.
At GCU, you'll join a friendly community of smart, talented people who love the work they do. People who love to take on a creative challenge and are just as happy to collaborate as they are to compete. People who look for ways to support the common good and make the world a more beautiful, welcoming place.
Our mission is producing graduates who have the skills to make a positive impact with their work - and the perspective to understand why it matters.
3D design at postgraduate level includes 3D modelling, animation, video and motion graphics. Modules are designed to meet current industrial needs, technology and practice.
The programme offers four specialist pathways; Virtual Environments; Architecture; Computer Games and Visual Effects.
There are six taught modules, each module is taught over a twelve week period. Each week consists offormal lectures, lab work, tutorials and private study. On satisfactory completion of the modules,you proceed to a major project and submit a final dissertation for examination. This is completed overa three month period following the taught modules.
Digital Media Technology and Development
An introduction to digital media hardware and software tools, and methods of production and organisation. The student will learn 3D visualisation and animation techniques using the latest 3D software applications.
Digital Video and Motion Graphics
Develop skills and practical knowledge of digital video/film productiontechniques and the association of digital motion graphics media production.Application of creative technique will cover elective areas such as short filmproduction, documentary production, 3D animation composition, titlesequence generation and abstract motion graphics effects.
Digital Media Publishing and Commercialisation
Progress the work of the Digital Media Technology and Development module of Trimester A. The intention is to provide a full understanding of the subject material relevant to the development of a broadcast level digital media project.
Digital Portfolio and Industrial Production Techniques
This module will provide practical knowledge of digital media publishing techniques suitable for the production of portfolio media. Students will investigateand demonstrate knowledge of a range of digital media tools and techniques for the promotion of skills within a portfoliopresentation. Critical analysis of various types of digital media delivery platforms,copyright issues, and digital marketingstrategies will be covered. This modulewill also provide an overview of how 3Dmodelling and animation fits within the context of the particular industry sectorwhich is relevant to the students areaof specialisation.
Research and Project Methods
This module aims to provide students with the background knowledge and skills that, in combination with the technical skills acquired in other taught modules, will enable them to carry an MSc dissertation through to a successful conclusion. Students will study all aspects of the processes underlying both capstone projects and research projects, and will relate these to available tools, ethical considerations and professional issues.
MSc Project
The Project acts as a vehicle for extendingthe knowledge and understanding of thestudent and the technical community insome specialist technical area. It serves,through its length, complexity andrigour, as a suitable vehicle for extending,in the student, a range of personal,interpersonal and communication skills.In addition, it serves to develop andextend a range of high-level thinkingskills, including analysing and synthesisingskills and affords the opportunity for thestudent to demonstrate initiative andcreativity in a major piece of technologicalwork. The student has the option of awritten dissertation or a dissertationby film.
Modules are assessed by both examination and coursework (sometimes known as continual assessment) depending on the requirements of individual modules.
As a graduate of the 3D Design for Virtual Environments programme, you'll bring a specialised skill set and needed expertise to any design-related role. A background in 3D design is especially important for a design career in advertising, communication, publishing or online marketing. You'll be a competitive candidate for these design roles and more.
This is a full-time, 180-point Master's programme. You will complete this qualification in three consecutive trimesters over 12 months, delivered at Victoria University's Miramar Creative Centre.
Trimester One
Covers computer graphics techniques that are used as current practice in the film industry through a range of projects ranging from generating special effects to the algorithmic treatment of media.
And one of the following two courses MDDN421 or MDDN422
Learn and practice skills relating to previsualisation, production planning and coordination for creating assets, effects and content for Visual Effects and Motion Graphics.
Covers skills and techniques for creating and working with human, creature and mechanical rigs and controls for digital character animation.
Trimester Two
Engage with toi (Māori creativity) and mātauranga (Māori understanding) in the production of both visual and material cultural design that honours our place and past in Aotearoa New Zealand. Guided by traditional Māori protocols and knowledge, students will learn how to understand and interact with Māori symbols and visual spatial strategies in ways that are culturally sound and appropriate.
Covers advanced investigations into topics relevant to professional practice for design today including branding, marketing, networking, presentation and portfolio.
And one of the following two courses MDDN431 or MDDN432
Learn about traditional applications of lighting such as portraiture, practical studio lighting, and cinematography and engage with digital tools to apply traditional lighting techniques to digital media.
Gain relevant skills for creating compelling and emotive animated sequences of digital characters.
Trimester Three: Research Practicum
This studio consists of a supervised practicum, working on a design studio based research and project, generally as a placement in the visual effects industry.
Graduate with a sought-after combination of technical knowledge and experience appropriate for working in the Visual Effects industry or other creative digital fields.
Compositor
Combine footage and CG assets together to produce visual effects for film and media.
3D Animator
Bring digital characters to life with expressive movement and emotions.
Motion Graphics
Animate typography, graphical elements and imagery to produce compelling animations.
The Digital Media Practice programmes at Winchester are designed to accommodate a wide range of specialist interests within the digital media industry. Build your theoretical understanding within the context of honing practical skills in a range of specialist careers. Develop new ideas and theories through your engagement with several live client projects, which may culminate in the real-time release of output through different media platforms.
Your practical work is supported and enhanced through masterclasses, seminars, discussions, workshops, tutorials and self-directed study, and work in professional contexts. Partnerships with professional practitioners and bodies give you the starting point to develop your own network of professional contacts. There is a dedicated, fully equipped digital design studio, with practitioner-based lecturers on hand to support you.
Your course consists of five core modules plus two optional modules, where you undertake individual projects and case studies relevant to your particular area of interest. Core modules include Digital Media Principles, Design Practice, and a project on Emerging Media. MA Digital Media Practice includes your choice of any two optional modules, while on the specialist pathways you choose two optional modules from a more specific selection. Examples of module choices include:
Digital Media Practice
Choose from any of the modules available on the specialist pathways
Advertising, Marketing and Branding Design
Design Thinking
Interaction Design
Motion Graphics
Visualisation
Graduates pursue careers in the digital media industry as lead designers, design researchers, account directors, content writers and creative producers.
Graduates pursue careers in the digital media industry as lead designers, design researchers, account directors, content writers and creative producers.
UK, EU, World
Start Date: September
Teaching takes place: Daytime
Students develop new ideas and theories through their engagement with several live client projects, which may culminate in the real-time release of output through different media platforms. Practical work is supported and enhanced through masterclasses, seminars, discussions, workshops, tutorials and self-directed study, and by undertaking work in professional contexts. There is a dedicated, fully equipped Digital Design Studio, with practitioner-based lecturers on hand during core hours.
Taught elements of the course take place on our King Alfred Campus (Winchester) or at our West Downs Campus (Winchester)
Our validated courses may adopt a range of means of assessing your learning. An indicative, and not necessarily comprehensive, list of assessment types you might encounter includes essays, portfolios, supervised independent work, presentations, written exams, or practical performances.
We ensure all students have an equal opportunity to achieve module learning outcomes. As such, where appropriate and necessary, students with recognised disabilities may have alternative assignments set that continue to test how successfully they have met the module's learning outcomes. Further details on assessment types used on the course you are interested in can be found on the course page, by attending an Open Day or Open Evening, or contacting our teaching staff.Feedback
We are committed to providing timely and appropriate feedback to you on your academic progress and achievement in order to enable you to reflect on your progress and plan your academic and skills development effectively. You are also encouraged to seek additional feedback from your course tutors.
For more information about our regulations for this course, please see our Academic Regulations, Policies and Procedures.
You are special, and we know you have thought hard about this decision. We have created a course we are proud to offer graduates like yourself who feel they need more time to develop their specialist portfolio, or to direct ‘that’ film. But most of all, we know that when you graduated from your BA you felt like it was the beginning… not the end.
When designing our animation courses we spent a lot of time in the development stages discussing our ideas with industry creatives, graduates and students. As a result, the Animation team has developed a unique and ground-breaking philosophy that affects everything we do: ‘CREATIVE EMPLOYABLE THINKERS’: The idea is simple, everything you do on this course will be aimed at you becoming a Creative Employable Thinker. Every module you study, every grade you receive, all the feedback you get will be based around the central aim of you becoming a Creative Employable Thinker.
This MA in Animation will help you advance the skills you already have and develop the skills you aspire to gain.
There are many careers within the Animation industries, so we have designed a curriculum that allows you to mould your experience to suit your needs. We will encourage you to explore and develop in the creative areas you are most passionate about, allowing you to specialise in single production area such as (but not limited to): storyboarding, directing, concept art, character design, script writing etc.
We believe that no two creative people are the same, so we encourage you to follow your instincts and identify your personal creative potential.
Modules and Assessment
You will take part in both formative and summative assessments. Formative assessments provide feedback on work in progress; this is done during in weekly sessions, as well as in writing throughout the course.
You will use blogging to document your research, progress, learning, reflections and thinking. The blogs are a useful tool within the formative and summative assessment processes and will help you develop your professional voice.
Summative assessment is given as the final grade which a rigorous procedure often involving two or more members of staff, students work is examined in accordance to the Module Learning Outcomes and Assessment Criteria which is stipulated on the Assessment Brief (given at the beginning of each Semester).
The resources and equipment in Animation fully support the aspiration for high end productions to be created. You are encouraged to work to industry standard and aspire to award winning animations.
Facilities include:
Typical career opportunities open to graduates include:
Motion graphics artist, character animator, character designers, concept artists, art directors, feature/shorts/commercial directors, 2D digital animator, 2D drawn animator, 3D digital animator, stop motion animator, animation supervisor, animation producer, production manager, production assistant, CG modeller, compositor, digital painter, rigger (2D or 3D), editor, model maker, set builder, layout artist (digital or analogue), lighter, match move artist, rotoscope artist, VFX artist, SFX artist, storyboard artist, scriptwriter.
Staff at Wolverhampton are always happy to advise on and discuss your career ambitions.
This MA gives practitioners and theorists the opportunity to research and develop the new boundaries of image-making made possible by technological change within the context of post-industrial culture.
This programme joins theory and practice, equipping you to develop and achieve highly effectively in the new image media culture. Practice uses both digital and analogue technology, still and durational as well as the study and production of interactivity.
The programme allows for specialisation in photography and/or electronic arts – which, in addition to still photography, can include interactive, durational and internet work – but encompasses a broader interpretation of practice.
You'll look at the meaning, production and distribution of images, and the relationship between theory and practice in the context of debates about post-modernism and beyond.
You also participate in enabling sessions in photography:
and/or in electronic arts:
There is an MRes which follows the MA into a second year, in order to develop your work/voice. This will count as the first year of a PhD. Find out more about the MRes.
This programme uniquely joins theory and practice in a way that will equip you with the tools and the vision to develop and achieve highly effectively in the new image media culture. Practice uses both digital and analogue technology, still and durational as well as the study and production of interactivity.
You will study
The programme draws on a broad range of cultural references and technical practices. It offers the opportunity to take stock of evolving practices and developments in image media culture, and is structured to develop the intellectual imagination within each individual student. This is achieved through a combined study of practice and theory, with extensive instruction through ‘enabling sessions’ which engage technical familiarity; core tutorials; secondary tutorials; Issues in Media and Culture and additional theory course options.
Recognising the rapidly changing definitions and context of these practice areas,and the value/positioning of traditional practices, these categories may also be understood through a variety of practices which involve image construction and presentation both still and durational, including: film/video, animation, interactivity, installations, motion graphics, and hyperspace constructs, as well as evolving new exploratory categories.
The programme provides an opportunity to develop and/or research aspects of visual style, and draw on a broad range of cultural references as well as aesthetic and technical approaches engaged through ‘Practice Theory Sessions’, visiting lectures and the Issues in Media and Culture course. Fundamental to the programme is the space that it creates to make it possible for you to explore, question, change and consolidate your work and your ideas.
Original portfolio submission; coursework and essays.
Tutorials
This course is interested in the development of the individual voice. To this end, there are two types of tutorial:
You'll develop specific practice skills to a high level, and the articulation/understanding of the pleasures of media consumption.
Graduates from the programme are extremely successful, with finalists working commercially, developing as artists or continuing to enlarge their academic knowledge. During the course particular attention is given to the development of the individual voice. This, plus students' exposure to a range of technologies, means that our graduates can step into the arena of their choice, or sometimes of their making.
Here are just some examples of the sorts of careers graduates have gone onto:
Find out more about employability at Goldsmiths.
Within the creative and media industries, small groups of people with strong individual talent often evolve into innovative companies. On this course, you will develop your own area of expertise and hone your ability to work creatively with like-minded professionals.
Option modules and the flexible nature of this course will enable you to develop a broad overview of creative technology while also specialising in an area of your choice. You might choose to investigate emerging 3D computer animation techniques, work on post-production special visual effects or explore innovative photographic visual effects technologies.
You will develop your specialist skills and knowledge of digital technology through the use of digital tools in our inspiring learning environments, which include a chroma-key and motion capture studio and a suite of high-quality professional music studios. These facilities combined with regular visiting speakers from the music and film industries and a range of links with local and national music, arts and festival organisations and also animation, games and visual effects companies, will ensure you get the most from your course.
Research Excellence Framework 2014
Research Excellence Framework 2014: our University demonstrated strength in five emerging areas of research which it entered into the assessment for the first time, including computer science.
Creative technology is a unique combination of technical innovation and visual creativity. Delivered by a skilled group of artists, musicians, designers and technologists, we pride ourselves on the diversity of our delivery.
We have excellent equipment and resources including a motion capture studio, a suite of high quality professional music studios and a highly experienced and skilled teaching team. This, combined with regular visiting speakers from the music and film industries and a range of links with local and national music, arts, and festival organisations, plus animation, games and visual effects companies, ensures that you get the most from your course.
We offer a route into a rapidly growing industry with career opportunities in film, television, music, games, advertising, design and visualisation. As this industry continues to expand, it will require more highly skilled practitioners, and this course will help you develop the skills needed in your specific area of interest.
Challenge your audio-visual practice and strive for originality through experimentation with concepts, issues and materials relating to moving image and/or sound design.
As a postgraduate student at NUA you’ll join a community of practitioners and researchers with diverse specialisms, giving you valuable opportunities to work collaboratively as well as individually.
Through intensive study and comprehensive technical workshops, you’ll develop the practical and conceptual skills required to create original and innovative work to exacting professional standards.
Depending on your specialism, you’ll have the chance to engage with a wide range of audio-visual methods. These include: 2D Digital; CGI and stop motion animation film and moving image production; motion graphics; scripting and narrative; pre-production and post-production skills and techniques; sound design.
However you choose to shape your study, you’ll graduate with a deeper understanding of your own practise and a broader appreciation of how to apply your skillset in a variety of professional settings.
The MCGD provides an opportunity for you to plan, develop and carry out a large scale design research project. This will enable you to collaborate with other students and academics, and to work with members of the professional design industry. The MCGD research is represented by both a written thesis and an exhibited design realisation.
Research topics are tailored to suit your interests, providing an opportunity for you to hone a particular aspect of graphic design further, which could be a pathway to your chosen career. You will also have the full support, guidance and expertise of your supervisor during your research project.
For students with an undergraduate degree, the MCGD requires a total of 180 points at 500 level. Students with an honours degree or a postgraduate diploma are required to take 120 points at 500 level.
Students will normally complete a 90 or 120 points research-focused Thesis and Realisation that requires both original research and design exhibition. It is also possible for students to alternatively complete a 30 point or 60 point Dissertation and Exhibition.
Students work closely with a supervisor to select a research topic.
Students enrolled in a 180 point MCGD will include CGRD581 – Report of an Investigation to prepare them for Thesis and Realisation or Dissertation and Exhibition. The remaining points for the degree will be made up of relevant taught papers.
MCGD Papers
The University of Waikato offers students 24-hour computer lab access with all the latest computer software, and several labs fully equipped with Mac computers, commonly used in professional design environments. Graduate students have a dedicated lab space and access to all undergraduate facilities.
