Creative Media BA (Hons)

Design and Creative Thinking

The ability to respond creatively to problems and challenges is the central key skill that defines the work of any designer. This module will introduce the fundamental principles that underpin successful design, and explore the nature, and development of creative thought, and practice.

Design and Visual Narratives

The module aims to provide students with a basic understanding of the theory, practice and use of text and images across a range of media productions. Key issues and practices relating to the acquisition, generation, manipulation, production and presentation of digital still images will be explored, and students will be introduced to a range of appropriate digital software and develop experience of the basic tools and the processes of layout and design.

Digital Cultures

This module considers the role of digital and social media in 21st-century life.

The module examines some ways of viewing digital media in terms of technological developments; the politics and economy of media; social media, participation and online communities; as well as the ‘remediation’ of previous media forms through digital platforms. It also engages students with the ethical and political issues involved in contemporary media production and consumption.

Digital Production

This module will introduce a range of concepts relating to the creation, production and editing of digital short films. Students taking this module will begin to explore filmmaking both as a technical endeavour, and as a creative discipline.

Every step of the process of taking a script idea to the end result of a completed film will be discussed, performed and reflected upon within the lectures and workshops, and in the practical production and the development portfolio.

Media History

This module will examine media products and institutions in light of technological and historical developments. By studying the origins of film and broadcasting industries, the module will examine how cinema and visual culture has developed historically. This module will examine key areas of media production and practice and how this might be understood commercially as well as culturally and politically. It will also case study significant mediated forms of popular entertainment and their historical and social context, such as sport and the media, television comedy and popular music. The module will develop student understanding of public and private broadcasting, film standardisation, TV scheduling, press regulation, and the commercial imperatives of film and television production, distribution and exhibition.

Cult Media and Identity

Film and media's role in representing various identities will be applied to aspects such as costume, the body, and the consumption and reception of media texts, with a particular focus on film and television examples. A particular focus will be on the differing theoretical approaches to identity and the concept of ‘self’. In addition, a focus on participatory cultures, fandom and cult media will be highlighted.

Digital Illustration

An advanced understanding of the intersection between digital and hand-drawn artwork is a key skill for modern designers. This module will require students to explore the integration of digital imaging skills with older, traditional art and design practices such as drawing, collage and montage in order to develop an advanced understanding of how images can be constructed to represent and give meaning to concepts and feelings.  

Magazine Design

The ability to effectively create pages that combine large quantities of copy, with well proportioned, and sensitively handled images, is a core skill for any successful graphic designer. This module will build upon the fundamental principles covered in Layout and Design at Level 4. It will consider a variety of areas of magazine publishing and provide a conceptual overview of important theoretical concerns in order to analyse issues such as the construction of contemporary gender, class and ethnicity, and how these issues intersect with design concepts.

Motion Graphics One

The ability to quickly and effectively convey information through titles and other onscreen graphics is an important, specialist skill that underpins the success of a wide range of  online, and time based media. From the title cards of early cinema to the motion masterpieces of Saul Bass through extravagant digital title sequences and viral ad campaigns the art of motion graphics has played a vital role in the development of contemporary visual media. This module will provide a grounding in many of the principles and techniques associated with motion graphics.

Multimedia Production

This module will build upon ideas discussed at Level 4 to further the students’ understanding of a range of concepts and practical skills relating to the creation, production and editing of a short media product. They will operationalise this enhanced comprehension of the necessary skill set required by key personnel within a production team. They will focus upon areas of pre-production, shooting, editing and finishing to deliver a media product in a timely and budget-conscious manner.

20 Credits

Web Design

Traditional print media companies are now required by readers of different audiences to produce multi-platform content and smaller independent publishers have gained access to the same market by making their material available through the web. Students on this module will be introduced to this dynamic field, by studying the principles of information design and how to produce immersive content for divergent audience needs. This module will follow on, and adapt content from the semester one Magazine Design module.

Entrepreneurship and Professionalism

(Core)

On this module, students will gain the necessary knowledge and practical skills to enter the world of work (e.g. freelancing, self-employment and small business start-ups in the creative industries). This will include: the legal processes of setting up a small production company; preparing business plans and financial forecasts for investors; bidding for creative projects; resource management and developing entrepreneurial skills. By the end of the module, students will have gained valuable commercial awareness and experience in business management, both of which are vital for employability.

20 Credits

Popular Culture and Business

(Core)

This module explores the relationship between popular culture and the business world. It will examine the cultural industries that are responsible for producing, distributing and exhibiting media texts. Different conceptual approaches to popular culture are considered in order to critically evaluate media representations of business and commerce and how the business world shapes popular culture.

20 Credits

Advanced Digital Imaging

The aim of this module is to enable students to extend their understanding of the theory and practice of Digital Imaging. The diversity of current digital art practices will be examined within the context of art, history and cultural theory. A series of linked lectures, presentations and workshops will explore how images and meanings are constructed. Theoretical approaches to image analysis, representation, identity and audience will be explored in the context of the impact of digital technologies on cultural consumption.

The pre-dominantly practical nature of this module means that emphasis will be placed on the development of individual art practices. Students through regular practice and a creative engagement with ideas will be encouraged to explore how images can be constructed to represent and give meaning to concepts and feelings. Students will be expected to explore the integration of digital imaging skills with older, traditional art and design practices. Drawing, collage and montage, scanning and digital photography will be used to generate images and promote an enquiring and creative approach to diverse art production.

Disney and Animation

The module will begin with an insight into the Disney theme parks and their relationship with the ‘real’ America that surrounds them. Students will then develop a thorough understanding of the historical evolution of animation, including the centrality of Disney to narrative and technological innovations in this mode of moving image, as well as an understanding of the varying aesthetic and formal qualities at play in other animation products.

Dissertation

The final year dissertation is an opportunity for students either to research and write an in depth assignment about a topic of their own choice or produce a body of work that is practiced-based with specified outcomes. This module will help develop a student’s communication skills, their intellectual skills, logical thinking, their ability to synthesise material, problem solve and make decisions independently. 

Motion Graphics Two

This module will build upon the techniques and concepts covered in Motion Graphics I and further develop the student’s capability to create animated content that is capable of taking advantage of a range of complex objects and behaviours in both 2d and 3d space. Students will learn to master all aspects of the virtual multiple camera and lighting setups, understand the nature and use of parameter behaviours and use a variety of native and imported assets to visually communicate using image, sound and narrative.

Paradox of Horror

This module investigates ‘the paradox of horror’ - why audiences of horror cinema find films which are designed to shock, disgust and frighten so entertaining, enjoyable and appealing. The module will also focus on marketing strategies and the ways that horror filmmakers and distributors use online social media channels to engage audiences.

Sound Design

This module is designed to underscore the importance of sound design and sound editing for film, drawing on elementary skills developed in Digital Production and Multimedia Production.