BA (Hons) Digital Media Design

DAT441
Disruptive Design Strategies 20 credits

This module introduces students to practical and creative processes that encourage experimentation and prepare for HE workflows. Through conceptual understanding of artistic practice combined with technical production skills in a range of areas, such as 2D and 3D design, facilitate by industry standard design software.

DAT442
Digital Cultures 20 credits

This module provides a comprehensive grounding to theoretical and practical contexts for contemporary digital media practice. It explores the history of new media and interactive art, highlighting connections between pre-digital technologies and contemporary media forms. Practical workshops to introduce and induct students to relevant hardware/software for media production, as well as a field trip to a relevant UK-based cultural centre, offer substantial resources to advance students’ work within digital and media culture.

DAT443
Creative Coding 20 credits

This module is an introduction to programming and creative coding for digital artists and designers. The syllabus, topics, examples and style of teaching are designed to support contemporary techniques for the development of engaging interactive media projects, with a focus on interaction, graphics, video, animation, sound, and integration with live data sources. During this module, students are asked to develop a project that demonstrates their creativity and coding skills, and to produce a development journal to show deeper understanding of coding techniques and processes.

DAT444
Digital Making 20 credits

This module covers fundamental topics on digital making and physical computing, providing an opportunity to develop interactive systems with the use of electronics, sensors, and physical outputs – such as lights and speakers. Through a series of practical lab-based sessions, students get hands-on experience in implementing their own digital systems for creative practice and artistic expression. Full access is given to maker space and digital fabrication facilities, which include design and making tools, such as 3D printers, laser-cutters, and CNC routers.

DAT445
Media Design Practice 40 credits

This module focuses on digital media practice with contemporary tools that assist in developing engaging works in 2D, 3D, VFX, and animation formats. Design issues and technical production and distribution processes are investigated, combined with practical work with industry-standard software packages. Topics such as workflows, pipelines, assets, procedural creation, compositing, rendering, and more, are covered, providing rich content for producing professional media animations, 3D environments, and motion graphics.

FAPY100
Stage 1 Placement Preparation 0 credits

If you’re undertaking a company placement in your third year, this module helps you find a suitable placement, and prepares you for the placement itself.

FAPY501
Stage 2 Placement Preparation

This module is aimed at students who may be undertaking an industrial placement in the third year of their programme or are looking for other work opportunities. It is designed build on the Level 1 module (FAPY100) and to assist students in their search and application for a placement and/or other work experience and in their preparation for the placement itself.

DAT551
Programming Audiovisual Experiences 40 credits

The module addresses advanced topics in programming for digital artists and designers. This includes coverage of a range of development practices including generative art, visualization/sonification and interaction techniques, advanced algorithms for animation. The module expects students to engage with programming and media design practices in creating professional interactive audiovisual compositions.

DAT552
Virtuality & Immersion 20 credits

This module provides a firm introduction to virtuality and immersion – augmented reality, virtual reality, and dome environments. During this module, students explore and utilize a range of immersive technologies and design practices on subjects such as scientific simulation, virtual heritage, architectural visualization, and more. Techniques like 3D capture and photogrammetry are also introduced, and a range of resources are provided, such as AR and VR headsets, for developing complete immersive solutions, applications, and artworks. The module is optional, and it is recommended for students that are interested in pursuing specialization on immersive media.

DAT553
Experimental Media Lab 40 credits

This module primarily focuses on production skills in developing digital media artworks for the year exhibition. Students will take a hands-on approach to the production of innovative interactive content in line with the theme of the exhibition. With the guidance of the teaching staff, the students enhance their creative methodologies and critical understanding of their work situated within contemporary art and media contexts.

DAT554
Common Challenge: Creative Industries 20 credits

This module offers a comprehensive analysis of the contemporary creative industries. It explores the dynamic changes in key sectors that are brought about by the impact of new media technologies, quantified by a written response to the given context. Students will also in this module engage through a group research and development project to provide a speculative but achievable solution to a brief. Where possible this will be a live client.

FAPY604
Digital Art and Technology/Internet Design Placement

An extend period of professional training (at least the duration of both teaching semesters - 36 weeks) spent as the third year of a sandwich programme undertaking an approved placement with a suitable company (either a paid placement or unpaid internship). This provides an opportunity for the student to gain relevant industrial experience to consolidate the first two stages of study and to prepare for the final stage and employment after graduation.

ADA600
Common Dissertation: Critical Practices 20 credits

The module engages students in situating practice through research, contextualisation and critical reflection, in relation to their final stage study and post University aspirations. Programmes can offer: a traditional dissertation; preparation for an extended dissertation; situating existing practice; or the construction of a new body of work as practice-based research.

DAT667
Final Year Project: Research 20 credits

This module will introduce students to the principles of organising and carrying out research and planning for the Final Year major project task. The assessed outcome is an extended proposal that includes a review of critical and contextual sources relevant to project, proof on concept through evidence of prototypes/tests, and a plan of work. It is expected that this document will form the basis for your major project.

DAT668
BA Final Year Project and Showcase 40 credits

The project is student led, negotiated through close liaison with an allocated supervisor and developed from a student’s particular interests. The project comprises of a significant digital media production that should be innovative and experimental in its approach and placed within a critical context.

DAT661
Realtime 20 credits

This module develops audio, visual, immersive, and interaction production skills with the specific application to a public exhibition space with a predefined theme. Students will draw from a variety of sources, disciplines and media that they have explore to this point on the course.

DAT662
Everyware 20 credits

Through practical project work the module explores the evolution of the Internet of Things, the emergence of Pervasive Media and the application of Physical Computing. Projects are framed within a critical exploration of space as a cultural, social and technological phenomenon and models of architecture, communities and personal identity.

DAT663
Gameplay 20 credits

This module develops audio, visual, immersive, and interaction production skills with the specific application to video game design. Students will showcase the developed prototypes at a public games showcase event at the end of term.

DAT664
Venture Culture 20 credits

This module introduces students to the concepts of entrepreneurship through the practical exploration of individual, collaborative and organisational creative enterprise. Operating as a pragmatic vehicle for generating new ventures within the creative industries, the formation of prototype companies enables students to rehearse the commercialisation of their practice.