BA (Hons) Digital Media Design

• Year 1

• In your first year, you get a grounding in the digital media, software, technologies and production techniques needed throughout the course. You also gain a critical understanding of the theory behind digital media and the social, cultural and industrial contexts in which they operate. You are introduced to contemporary graphic and motion graphic tools, web design and web programming technologies, along with the coding skills and creative design strategies that underpin them. 

  Core modules

  • Disruptive Design Strategies (DAT441)

    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.

  • Digital Cultures (DAT442)

    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.

  • Creative Coding (DAT443)

    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.

  • Digital Making (DAT444)

    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.

  • Media Design Practice (DAT445)

    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.

  • Stage 1 Placement Preparation (FAPY100)

    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.

• Year 2

• In your second year, you build on your creative profile and improve your technical and critical skills. If you plan to choose the placement year, you get a chance to build your CV and portfolio. You are introduced to industrial-strength project management and planning, helping you develop your individual creative practice. Professional collaborations with industry will give you insights into the benefits of both individual and group ways of working. 

  Core modules

  • Stage 2 Placement Preparation (FAPY501)

    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.

  • Programming Audiovisual Experiences (DAT551)

    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.

  • Virtuality & Immersion (DAT552)

    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.

  • Experimental Media Lab (DAT553)

    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.

  • Common Challenge: Creative Industries (DAT554)

    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.

• Placement year

• You have the opportunity to take an optional paid 48-week work placement that offers invaluable practical work experience. We recommend it because it not only enhances your final year of study but you’re also more likely to receive project sponsorship and immediate employment with your placement company after you graduate. You'll typically earn around £15,000–£20,000 pa (or more) during your placement year. 

  Core modules

  • Digital Art and Technology/Internet Design Placement (FAPY604)

    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.

• Final year

• In your final year, you focus on your own particular areas of interest, with a creative bias, by following one of our exit pathways in game design, information design, or interaction design. This allows you to develop the skills relevant to industry and enhance your employability. You also undertake a final year dissertation on a topic of your choice with the guidance of your personal supervisor. 

  Core modules

  • Common Dissertation: Critical Practices (ADA600)

    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.

  • Final Year Project: Research (DAT667)

    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.

  • BA Final Year Project and Showcase (DAT668)

    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.

  Optional modules

  • Realtime (DAT661)

    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.

  • Everyware (DAT662)

    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.

  • Gameplay (DAT663)

    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.

  • Venture Culture (DAT664)

    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.

  • Netscapes (INDE601)

    This module prepares students for the future of web and internet systems by introducing them to late state of the art and currently emerging technologies in this area. Important issues of application level security will also be addressed. Students will also be introduced to physical design (including rapid prototyping tools) and the resources of the Brunel labs.

Every undergraduate taught course has a detailed programme specification document describing the course aims, the course structure, the teaching and learning methods, the learning outcomes and the rules of assessment.

The following programme specification represents the latest course structure and may be subject to change:

BA (Hons) Digital Media Design programme specification_5928