Digital Design

Module overview:

Bring your creative ideas to life, designing assets for animation and games while mastering workflows used by top studios. Through practical briefs you will build a diverse, industry-oriented portfolio. Topics include 3D modelling, texturing, and rigging. You will use industry-standard software and workflows to create assets such as characters, environments, and props.  

How you'll learn: 

This module is taught in seminars and workshops. 

Module overview:

Working with real-time engines, 2D graphic user interfaces and 3D user environments, ‘User Experience’ blends usability and interaction design with systems integration, game design and seamless navigation. Applying both node-based, visual programming and creative coding concepts, you'll will develop your own rule-based systems applications through prototyping.

How you'll learn:

This module is taught in practical workshops. 

Module overview:

In this module, you will explore how to transform complex data into meaningful and engaging narratives. You will develop the skills to interpret, visualise, and communicate data effectively using storytelling principles and data visualisation techniques. 

You will learn how to apply key visual communication principles to enhance the impact of data-driven messages. Through a combination of theoretical study and hands-on practice, you will create your own data visualisations and infographics, tailoring them to specific audiences. You will gain experience in selecting, organising, and analysing real-world datasets to uncover insights and present them through compelling visual stories. 

As you progress, you will work with industry-standard tools such as Tableau, Excel, and Adobe Illustrator, learning best practices in infographic design, interactive storytelling, and ethical data representation. You will also explore the role of generative AI in data visualisation, considering its applications, limitations, and ethical implications. 

By the end of this module, you will have developed a professional portfolio of data storytelling projects, equipping you with the knowledge and skills to communicate complex information clearly and persuasively in both academic and professional settings.  

How you'll learn:

This module will be delivered in the Spring term and will consist of lectures, workshops, and asynchronous learning activities to support you in developing both theoretical and practical skills in data storytelling. 

Module overview:

Develop deeper insights into networked environments, design solutions for the internet of things, and novel online interfaces. With an emphasis on data transfer, data manipulation and user interaction design, this module balances theory and practice with a focus on interaction design for diverse platforms such as AR, VR, Mixed reality.

How you'll learn:

This module is taught in practical labs. Labs will cover the core principles of interaction design and its practice through in-class discussions and hands-on work using real world examples.

Module overview: 

Design for Change challenges you to explore how graphic design can address urgent societal issues. Through a blend of theoretical knowledge and hands-on practice, this module encourages you to use you design skills to communicate, influence, and drive positive transformation across social, environmental, political, and cultural contexts. The course also examines design evolution within historical contexts, sustainable materials, and future-proofing strategies.

You will be introduced to design thinking approaches that prioritise empathy, human-centered design, and ethical practice. You will examine systems design, and develop innovative design solutions for specific challenges, while learning the power of effective communication strategy  will help them inform, persuade, and mobilise communities for social good.

How you'll learn:

This module will be taught in seminars, lectures and workshops. Seminars will consist of lab-based practical work, Group Critical Reviews, field trips, technical workshops.

Module overview:

Plan and lead creative projects from start to finish. Master project lifecycles, team collaboration, and budgeting while navigating real-world challenges in the creative industries. Equip yourself with tools and techniques to manage successful productions from idea to delivery.

This module focuses on project management principles and practices tailored to creative industries. Topics include creative project lifecycle management, resourcing, stakeholder engagement, intellectual property considerations, budgeting for creative endeavors, leadership and managing creativity within constraints. 

Real-world case studies from diverse creative industries will anchor the curriculum in professional practice. 

How you'll learn: 

This module is taught in seminars and workshops. Seminars will cover project management theory and practice through in-class discussions, real world case studies and the examination of theoretical texts. Guest lectures from industry professionals will provide insights into current practices.   

The purpose of the project module is to allow you to complete an individual project which draws upon interests developed over the course of your degree. You can work to your strengths to complete a final project in which the emphasis is placed on research, innovation, and execution to a professional standard.

Alternatively, you may secure and undertake a consultancy project relevant to your programme of study, for which the output should be a portfolio documenting the consultancy and its outputs.

The Project should fit one of the following frameworks:

• Practical: Develop an idea for a practice-based project (e.g., audiovisual, digital, creative, interactive output), research, plan and produce the work to a professional standard.
• Consultancy: Work experience or defined project conducted with an external business or organisation in the role of a client. With the provider, the student will:
  • Formulate a working brief specifying deliverables, agreed with the client.
  • Deliver the agreed outputs to a professional standard.

Module overview:

Develop innovative projects, refine your creative identity, and build a professional portfolio. 

This module focuses on the development and realisation of research briefs and creative challenges, with the aim of honing technical skills, showcasing and exhibiting your work across platforms, and preparing a professional portfolio. You'll explore and refine your individual creative identities while responding to briefs that align with professional practice.  

Through a combination of research, experimentation, and hands-on practice, you will tackle real-world briefs, showcase your work across platforms, and prepare for a dynamic career in the creative industries.

How you'll learn: 

In practical workshops you'll cover the core skills and knowledge necessary to progress from a student to a graduate working in the creative industries.