Year 1
Introduction to Digital Animation
You will be introduced to the traditional principles of animation. Learning skills with 2D animation software you will create a short animation on a specified theme whilst learning the different processes involved in the production of a short animation.
Introduction to Scripting
This module primarily covers scripting for web sites, and includes technical training for database management and intermediate CSS for layout and design. These are applied to a website you will design and publish.
Visual Communications
You will research examples of best practice and compile a record of findings, before creating a package of products in miniature that represent a creative and technically capable approach to visual communications using digital media technologies.
Introduction to Digital Creative Practice
You will study essential digital multimedia production skills in this module including html and CSS, digital photography, and sound editing.
Creativity and New Media
This module links your theoretical learning and practice together by allowing you to consider theoretical questions in a practical way. You will learn practical skills including video composition and photo manipulation. Your project will involve the creation of a poster and a video which are linked together to produce some augmented reality.
Introduction to Digital Media
In this module you will study the historical developments of theories and concepts that have led to the widespread use of digital media today. In particular you will examine the relationships between analogue and digital media and how this impacts on the control and distribution of information.
Year 2
Core module
Digital Aesthetics
This module introduces a range of critical concepts and approaches to digital aesthetics and creativity. You will study what constitutes a digital aesthetic, and develop understanding of the significance and distinct properties of digital aesthetics through analysis and discussion of contemporary creative practice such as internet art, photography, cinema, and games design.
Likely optional modules
This is an illustrative sample of some of the options we offer. Please note that not all optional modules will run each year.
Web design
Developing the skills gained at Year 1 you will learn about methods for designing and building a responsive website, on a theme negotiated with your tutors.
Digital Imaging
Working with a theme or concept you will learn intermediate to advanced digital imaging editing and compositing skills. This module offers you the chance to refine and develop a specialist knowledge of this aspect of digital media image editing and production.
Digital Multimedia
This module combines a variety of different forms to create a practical answer to a theoretical question. Using Adobe After Effects, you will learn a variety of different techniques including motion graphics to create a moving image product. You have the choice to include photography, animation or video alongside vector graphics and sound to create your project.
Mobile Aesthetics
This module will equip you with the skills to shoot, edit, and exhibit a video production produced in some part on a mobile device. You will be shown effective camera techniques, sound recording, and editing relevant to a mobile production, and have an opportunity to experiment with producing different mobile forms.
You will also be able to make connections between your work and the broader context of contemporary digital mobile video productions by analysing a number of case studies.
3D Computer Animation
Through a series of workshops you will learn the basics of 3D computer animation, modelling, texturing and rigging. Once you have the relevant skills, you will create a short 3D animation set on a particular theme.
2D Computer Animation
This module explores frame by frame rotoscoping and other computer animation techniques using a variety of software. Workshops will cover areas including lip synching and walk cycles as well as focusing on the principles of animation. The techniques that you learn will be used to create a short 2D animation on a specified theme.
Year 3
Core Module
Individual Study
You will define an area of research within the field of digital media and develop a piece of academic writing. The module is taught through a combination of seminars, research workshops, lectures, and individual tutorials.
Likely optional modules
During each year of the course, a range of optional modules are available, offering you the opportunity to develop skills around your areas of interest.
Individual Creative Practice
You are encouraged to design and develop a sustained individual project employing one of the three key areas of digital media covered by the course, digital imaging, web design, and moving image. The practical project you submit at the end of the year may showcase your achievements, be related to a product, service, or idea, and may also demonstrate your unique approach to digital media and project development.
Digital Entrepreneurship
You will work in groups, and define a project that borrows properties from the spirit of entrepreneurship. The final production will include a combination of outputs demonstrating the unique properties of digital media production. Social media and networking using digital media are key aspects of this module.
Professional Creative Practice
This module uses a ‘live’ project, and you will be working with an outside business or service, to create a business identity. You will develop some the following: short videos, animations, posters, leaflets and banners.
Mixed Media dissertation (taught in association with the Film, Radio and Television Studies course)
This module permits you to choose a method of presenting your ideas and concepts on a topic defined through lectures, group discussions and individual tutorials. The actual output format you choose for the dissertation may include film, animation, painting, drawing, print, and/or online content. This module offers you the opportunity for your projects to be overseen and taught by lecturers across two of the school’s courses.
Specialised study by project (taught in association with the Film, Radio and Television Course)
Combining both digital media skills for film production and post production, and applying the distinctive properties of digital media, you will work with lecturers from the Digital Media and Film, Radio and Television courses, to produce a creative project on a theme or concept of your choice. This module will be relevant if you wish to specialise in digital compositing and image generation, and digital animation. This module offers you the opportunity for your projects to be overseen and taught by lecturers across two of the School’s courses.