Bachelor of Digital Media (Film & Video Design) Information Set

Part-time Blended*

*Blended – face to face on campus plus facilitated online

*Blended – face to face on campus plus facilitated online (no more than 25% online)

For specific dates visit the website

Accelerated: 2 years

Part-time: 6 years maximum

This means tuition fees will be invoiced each trimester and payment is required on or before the due date.

FEE-HELP

FEE-HELP is Australian Government’s loan scheme for higher education degree courses.

Further information within this Course Information Sheet

It can assist you in paying for all, or part of, your course fees. Repayments commence via the tax system once your income rises above a minimum threshold. Just like with any other debt, a FEE-HELP debt is a real debt that impacts your credit rating.

This means tuition fees will be invoiced each trimester and payment is required on or before the due date.

Further information within this Course Information Sheet

·        Admitted solely on the basis of ATAR
(regardless of whether this includes the consideration of
adjustment factors such as equity or subject bonus points)

OR

·       Successful completion of at least 1 EFTSL (equivalent full time student load, or one full year) of an AQF level 6 (Associate Degree) or above, or equivalent, from an Australian University or another accredited higher education provider

OR

·       Successful completion of at least 1 EFTSL (equivalent full time student load, or one full year) of an AQF level 5 (Diploma) or above, or equivalent, at a registered training organisation (RTO)

·       broadly relevant work experience (documented e.g. CV), demonstrating a reasonable prospect of success; OR

·       formal, informal or non-formal study, completed or partially completed, demonstrating a reasonable prospect of success; OR

·       written submission to demonstrate reasonable prospect of success; OR

·       discipline specific portfolio (art and/or design).

(for applicants who will be selected wholly or partly on the basis of ATAR)

(applicable to international students, and in addition to academic or special entry requirements noted above)

[NB: Raw ATAR profile for all students offered a place wholly or partly on the basis of ATAR]

subjects

This introductory subject places design process and practice within the context of a chronological survey of major historical eras of influence. Students are encouraged to engage with the historical socio-political movements influencing design trends of each era through research and reflection. Academic skills (research, referencing, essay writing, and sentence structure) and design software skills are taught in weekly lessons. Students use the academic and software skills to document historical research and generate creative responses to the themes of historical eras

The subject introduces the student to various aspects of the elements of design, e.g. materiality, form and shape, colour, positive and negative space etc. utilised increative problem solving. Initially students are introduced to a design development process, from the tangible to the digital; through paper model making with itsinherent skills development and risk taking, then on to further digital development using newly introduced software. Concurrent, weekly, individual homework tasks focus on understanding and appreciation of materials, their many varied uses, properties and the manufacturing processes related to them. Students will make incremental progress towards choosing a material in which their individual design can be realised. The submission will include a material and colour folio. The final submission will be a model executed in an appropriate material with itsfunction/usage contextualised with all relevant information gleaned throughout thetrimester.

This subject provides an introduction to the fundamental theory and practice ofinteraction design. Key concepts including experience, interface and interaction are explored, along with fundamental technologies, services and platforms pertinent to the design and production of interactive digital media. Students will also investigate the social, cultural and technological frameworks that inform interaction design and identify the relationships between each.

This subject provides an introduction to the fundamental theory and practice of moving image and 3D design and production. Students will be familiarised with a basic set of tools and techniques for creating moving image sequences and 3D visualisations. Fundamental moving image, screen language and spatial design concepts are introduced, and students will use these concepts in conjunction with basic production techniques to communicate and convey narrative. The subject also introduces concept development techniques and materials specific to the development of motion and 3D design outcomes.

Design Studio 2 offers an introduction to the building blocks of creating and developing brands and is designed to give students a broad understanding of the stages and methodologies adopted in the brand development process. The subject draws on the theory and practice that sits behind brand creation. It covers the broad spectrum of brand development, values, trends and branding techniques, as well as fundamentals such as brand positioning and brand architecture. The subject also explores the relationship between branding and audiences, cross-cultural influences and shifts in consumer behaviour. Students must first understand and apply the fundamentals of branding and then go on to use that knowledge as the basis for developing and progressing a brand. This theoretical and practical subject will equip students with the knowledge and insight with which to build their own brandingexpertise.

This subject continues the exploration of the theory and practice of interaction design for digital media. The subject covers core research and concept development methods for interaction design. Students will focus on interpreting and structuring information content for interactive non-linear presentation and delivery, and will also focus on visual aspects of interface design and the ways in which visual design affects end-user experience.

This subject introduces the foundational theory and practice of motion graphic design and live action camera production. The unit introduces basic skills in concept development, asset creation, 2D animation and compositing suitable for motion graphic production.

The process of developing a live action video piece is also introduced, from pre-production through to post-production, and including fundamental sound design principles. Students will gain basic skills in camera-based production including basics of lighting, sound recording and editing.

This subject develops foundational skills in 3D design and animation. Students will undertake character and set design and development exercises, and will generate animated 3D graphic elements. In this way students will develop foundational skills in the principles and techniques of modelling, texturing, lighting and animation required to produce digital 3D characters, environments and props. The subject also explores key concept development stages typical to common 3D design briefs andprojects.

This subject develops foundational skills in drawing, visual perception and exploration. Students engage with the practice and theory of various drawing modes, including life and environmental drawing, in order to enrich the concept development process. In addition to developing general visualisation skills students will also work in concept development forms specific to specialist areas of digital media practice.

The subject introduces business practices such as costing, time management, value engineering and general models of monetising and valuing output typical of a variety of design industries. Case study analyses’ of a typical design industry business practices, domestic and international, acquaint students with the differences and similarities that exist. Students learn about contractual agreements, and where appropriate become familiar with international shipping and distribution terms as well as an introduction to design copyright laws. Initial overview of time allocation practices and the creation and understanding costing terms such as: Bill Of Material (BOM) /Scope of Work / Deliverables used in typical projects is followed by application. Students plan a project from start to finish through to the development of an appropriate project management plan for their particular industry such as time management charts with typical dependencies highlighted andcosted.

This subject explores the theory and practice of live action camera-based moving image production. The subject introduces an expanded set of production planning concepts and techniques for video production. Creative and technical aspects of working with cameras, lighting and sound are explored in greater detail. The investigation of film, TV and media theory and history is continued with an emphasis on enrichment of the idea generation and concept development process. Students will also explore the use of video editing and post-production techniques to communicate mood, narrative and information.

This subject explores the theory and practice of motion graphic design. Idea generation and concept development techniques for motion graphic sequences are explored and practical and conceptual skills in asset creation, kinetic typography, 2D animation and compositing are developed. The history of motion graphic traditions such as broadcast and film title design are investigated as a means of enriching the designprocess.

Problem-based learning (PBL) is a pedagogical approach that enables students to learn while engaging actively with meaningful problems. Students are given the opportunities to problem-solve in a collaborative setting, create mental models for learning, and form self-directed learning habits through practice and reflection. The underpinning philosophy of PBL is that learning can be considered a “constructive, self-directed, collaborative and contextual” activity. The principle of construct positions students as active knowledge seekers and co-creators who organise new relevant experiences into personal mental representations with the help of prior knowledge. This is further reinforced by social theories of learning that advance the merits of social interaction in cognitive development.

The aim of this subject is to trigger student learning with a problem which needs resolution. Students make connections to the challenge by activating their individual and collective prior knowledge and finding resources to make sense of the phenomenon; they also engage in peer learning through small-group discussions and consolidate their learning through reflective writing. Beyond enabling students to make sense of the concepts and subject matter, this learning experience will also help students develop an understanding of themselves and their contexts, and the ways and situations in which they learn effectively.

The myth of innovation is that brilliant ideas leap fully resolved from the minds of geniuses. The reality is that most innovation comes from a process of rigorous examination through which great ideas are identified and developed before being realised as new offerings and capabilities.

This subject introduces Problem Based Learning (PBL), mapped out as the ‘Double Diamond’, the collaborative process by which the designer’s sensibilities and methods are employed to integrate the needs of people, the possibility of technology and the requirement for business success. In short, Double Diamond approach converts need into demand. It’s a human-centred approach to problem-solving that focuses thinking about meanings instead of features, searching for radical changes instead of improvements and proposing visions instead of satisfying existing needs.

Today, designers across many disciplines share some similar approaches to the creative process. Every design specialist has a different approach and way of working, but there are some commonalities in their creative process. Divided into four distinct phases – Discover, Define, Develop and Deliver – the Double Diamond is a simple visual map which illustrates the PBL approach.

In this subject, students examine a range of possible ideas – divergent thinking; before refining and narrowing down to the best idea – convergent thinking. To discover which ideas are best, the creative process is iterative. Ideas are developed, tested and refined many times, with weak ideas dropped in the process. This cycle is an essential part of a good design strategy.

Students are introduced to practical design methods – like user journeys, empathy mapping, character profiles – and how they can be used to move a project through the four phases of the Double Diamond.

Discover – The first quarter of the Double Diamond model covers the start of the project. Students look at the world from a fresh perspective; notice new things and gather insights.

Define – The second quarter represents the definition stage, in which students analyse and synthesise all of the possibilities identified in the Discover phase. Which matters most? Which should we act upon first? What is feasible? The goal here is to develop a clear creative brief that frames the fundamental design challenge.

Develop – The third quarter marks a period of development where solutions or concepts are created, prototyped, tested and iterated. This process of trial and error helps students to improve and refine their ideas.

Delivery – The final quarter of the Double Diamond model is the delivery stage, where the resulting project (a product, service or environment, for example) is finalised, produced and launched.

Thinking like a designer can transform the way you develop products, services, processes – and even strategy.

This subject develops and extends skills in live action camera-based video production, with a focus on storytelling and cinematography. Concept development and preproduction techniques such as scriptwriting and storyboarding are emphasised as crucial components of moving image story development. At the same time students develop skills in pitch preparation and presentation for video projects. Cinematography principles and techniques including moving camera shots are explored, along with lighting and sound design, in order to enrich students’ moving image storytelling vocabulary.

This subject introduces the theory and practice of compositing and visual effects (VFX). A history of visual and special effects in film and TV production is covered as a means of exploring both the technical developments in this field and the new storytelling possibilities accompanying these developments. Students develop practical skills in fundamental compositing techniques such as chromakeying, rotoscoping, tracking, stabilisation and matchmoving. Students are also introduced to the challenges of balancing the creative and technical aspects of visual effects work by undertaking a project in response to a brief.

Social Enterprise is an exciting theoretically-based subject that is driven by the desire to create positive changethrough entrepreneurial activities. These activities harness design thinking and problem-solving processes in the realisation of pragmatic, viable project proposals from initiation to client presentation.

By providing students with a framework to understand business model generation and the skills to source, evaluate, and measure opportunities through systematic research and competitor analysis, Social Enterprise empowers students to conceptualise, develop and propose new ventures and products that focus primarily upon social change for good. In addition, this subject will help students understand and address the practical challenges of working within this environment; to analyse different entrepreneurial business strategies, to explore diverse funding strategies, as well as incorporate theoretical discussions on major trends and issues in the social economy. Social Enterprise enables students to appreciate the power of creativity in problem-solving and the importance of the designer’s role in making a difference and precipitating change.

This subject develops further practical and conceptual skills in motion graphics, reinforcing and extending skills in idea generation, asset creation, kinetic typography, animation, compositing and sound integration for motion graphic design. The subject also focuses on the design and development of 3D assets and animation for motion graphics, and the integration of motion graphics elements with live action footage, as a means ofexpanding students’ motion design vocabulary.

This subject develops practical and conceptual skills in compositing and visual effects. The subject focuses on managing and working within a small visual effects production team. Students are required to design and manage the production of their own original effects sequence, and also to contribute as a team member to a project led by another student. The subject also expands on compositing methodologies suitable for the integration of live action and computer-generated 3D imagery.

This subject is designed to provide students with professional experience in an area related to their field of study or the career they are working towards. The aim of providing industry-specific opportunities is to enable students to develop skills that will enhance their prospects of gaining meaningful employment and building their career for the future.

Much of the benefit of work integrated learning comes from observation, practicing under supervision and reflection. Work Integrated Learning is an excellent way to broaden the students learning environment while they are studying. It allows them to see first-hand how what they are learning in their degree translates into practice, as well as how ‘real world’ practice relates to what they are learning at University.

This subject will develop work ready skills and boost students’ employability while they are  studying.

There are two work integrated learning options available to students:

Option 1: Internship

Students are offered the opportunity to work within a professional design environment for an extended period of time. It encourages students to build long-term relationships with the design industry and exposes them to the rigour of applied design practice while building their confidence in adapting to new environments. It also provides a context in which to enhance their communication skills and work collaboratively in a professional arena. Students will undertake a series of research tasks, conducting interviews and gathering data in order to understand the key concepts in managing a professional design practice with emphasis placed on the operation of the professional design environment.

Option 2: Industry Live Brief

This subject requires students to respond to criteria set within the context of an Industry Live Project. An understanding of research methodologies appropriate to professional practice and the documentation of personal creative investigation will be explored. Students will also further investigate and examine entrepreneurial and commercial opportunities through collaborative work practice. The subject is delivered from a cross discipline perspective and draws on both discipline specific and common design practices.

Students are required to work both independently or as part of a collaborative team in order to conduct research, analyse and define project parameters and deliver innovative solutions that expand the notion of an industry live brief.

In this subject students will research and develop self-promotion materials in preparation for employment. Students will be expected in this unit to review, revise and edit their existing body of design work. They will be expected to frame and deliver this work with an emphasis on self-reflection and identification of a personal brand and value proposition in relation to a chosen design industry sector.

This subject addresses new and emerging technologies, methods and practice within the motion design field. Students investigate specific current examples of emerging practice within the field, assess their potential applications and appraise their creative and commercial potential. Students gain practical experience in theadoption of new concepts, processes and techniques through the completion of a research project. The subject also requires students to critically reflect on, document and communicate a research process and findings to a motion design community of practice.

The elective subject can be taken from levels 200 or 300.

The elective subject can be taken from level or 300 only.