Digital Arts with a Year in Industry - MArt

Course structure

Duration: 5 years full-time

The course structure below gives a flavour of the modules available to you and provides details of the content of this programme. This listing is based on the current curriculum and may change year to year in response to new curriculum developments and innovation.  Most programmes require you to study a combination of compulsory and optional modules. You may also have the option to take ‘elective’ modules from other programmes offered by the University in order that you may customise your programme and explore other subject areas of interest to you or that may further enhance your employability.

For the first four years, you follow the course structure of the BA in Digital Arts with a Year in Industry.

Most modules consist of a mix of lectures, seminars, studio work, computer sessions and private study. The workstations in our computer suites are equipped with current industry-standard software.

In the fifth year (stage 4), you take seven 15-credit modules based on our existing MSc provision, with the opportunity to specialise by taking optional modules from our Computer Animation or Digital Visual Effects MSc programmes. An additional 15-credit project module runs in the spring term. 

• Year in industry

Teaching and assessment

Most modules consist of a mix of lectures, seminars, studio work, computer sessions and private study. The workstations in our computer suites are equipped with current industry-standard software.

All modules contain design and project work, and are continuously assessed. The specialist project at Stage 3 is assessed by a written report, a critique and, of course, the outcome of the project itself. Both Stage 2 and 3 marks count towards your degree result.

The industrial placement year is assessed by a written report and an interview that together count as 10% of your overall degree result.

Our students have 24-hour access to our extensive air-conditioned computer suites and are able to take advantage of dedicated photographic and production studios, with green-screen, motion-capture and 3D scanning facilities.

Contact hours

For a student studying full time, each academic year of the programme will comprise 1200 learning hours which include both direct contact hours and private study hours.  The precise breakdown of hours will be subject dependent and will vary according to modules.  Please refer to the individual module details under Course Structure.

Methods of assessment will vary according to subject specialism and individual modules.  Please refer to the individual module details under Course Structure.

Programme aims

This programme aims to:

• provide a multidisciplinary education for students who seek professional careers in the field of digital arts
• produce graduates who have an informed, critical and creative approach to understanding communication through digital media design in contemporary society
• prepare students to meet the challenges of a broad and rapidly changing field while providing them with a wide choice of careers
• provide proper academic guidance and welfare support for all students
• create an atmosphere of co-operation and partnership between staff and students, and offer the students an environment where they can develop their potential
• give an opportunity to gain experience as a digital media practitioner working in a professional environment
• develop employment-related skills, including an understanding of how you relate to the structure and function in an organisation, via a year in industry
• produce high-calibre professional specialists in computer generated imagery (CGI) who are highly skilled in using state-of-the-art 3D modelling and visual effects software.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding

You gain knowledge and understanding of:

• the audio, visual and verbal conventions through which sounds, images and words take meaning
• fundamental concepts of IT and software engineering
• the creative processes involved in visual design
• the contextual, historical and conceptual dimensions of the discipline
• audio, video and film technology, including digital television and DVD
• the multimedia authoring process
• fundamentals of 3D modelling and animation
• key production processes and professional practices relevant to the multimedia industry
• the legal, ethical and regulatory frameworks, which affect the development of multimedia applications
• the role of technology in terms of multimedia production, access and use
• aspects of the core subject areas from the perspective of a commercial or industrial organisation
• the computer animation production process and pipeline roles
• the principles and practices of animated film development
• the technical terms and methods used in film editing
• the fundamental concepts of digital motion art
• current developments in the visual effects industry and related market sectors
• the relevance of visual effects within the contemporary television and film industries
• contemporary business practice in the visual effects industry.

Intellectual skills

You gain the following intellectual skills:

• ability to examine multimedia applications critically with appropriate reference to their social and cultural contexts and diversity of contemporary society
• awareness that technologies are rapidly changing and that students should expect to update their knowledge throughout their working life
• awareness of the objectives, constraints and conditions of a commercial environment, including financial and time constraints
• ability to design and develop software based on an analysis of system requirements
• ability to carry out research and integrate information and data from a variety of sources for essays, projects and multimedia applications
• ability to analyse a problem and develop a solution based on technical, aesthetic and economic factors
• consider and evaluate their own work in a reflexive manner with reference to academic and professional issues
• analyse, interpret and exercise critical judgement in the understanding and evaluation of multimedia applications
• apply some of the intellectual skills specified for the programme from the perspective of a commercial or industrial organisation
• analysis and interpretation of animation issues
• ability to work within an animation process and to contribute to this
• ability to identify ideas for enhancing a production’s aesthetic quality by the use of CGI
• ability to undertake constructive research and development of character performance in animation
• ability to demonstrate independence and creative and critical thinking.

Subject-specific skills

You gain the following subject-specific skills:

• ability to use scripting and programming languages in the implementation of interactive applications
• ability to demonstrate creative and technical skills in drawing and design
• ability to develop specific proficiencies in utilising a range of multimedia design tools including 3D modelling, animation, video editing, image manipulating and multimedia authoring
• ability to integrate text, graphics and time-based elements to produce effective websites. ability to initiate, develop and realise distinctive and creative applications which demonstrate the effective manipulation of multimedia assets
• ability to utilise a range of research skills, for example, research into potential audiences and markets, as a production tool
• ability to prepare technical reports and presentations
• ability to prepare storyboards as part of the multimedia project development cycle
• ability to apply management techniques to the planning, resource allocations and execution of a design project
• ability to apply some of the subject-specific skills specified for the programme from the perspective of a commercial or industrial organisation
• use of appropriate software tools, techniques and packages to produce and develop CGI
• ability to use drawing as a way of planning, visualising and explaining work in a time-based 3D medium
• ability to read and make storyboards and animatics at a professional level
• ability to apply management techniques to the planning, resource allocation and execution of a visual effects project
• ability to prepare reports and presentations relevant to the design and production of CGI

Transferable skills

You gain the following transferable skills:

• ability to generate, analyse, present and interpret data
• use of information and communications technology
• personal and interpersonal skills; work as a member of a team
• communicate effectively (in writing, verbally and in a variety of media)
• learn effectively for the purpose of continuing professional development
• ability for working in flexible, creative and independent ways and for critical thinking, reasoning and reflection
• ability to organise and manage time and resources within an individual project and a group project.

Careers

Graduate destinations

Digital Arts prepares you for careers in areas such as: 

• web design
• film
• games design
• animation
• internet publishing.

Some graduates choose to go on to postgraduate study, for example our MSc programmes in Computer Animation or Digital Visual Effects.

Help finding a job

The additional experience you gain in your fourth year of working in a simulated studio environment shows employers that you understand how the production process works and are comfortable working in a professional environment.

The School of Engineering and Digital Arts holds an annual Employability and Careers Day where you can meet local and national employers and discuss career opportunities. Ongoing support is provided by the School’s dedicated Employability Officer.

The University also has a friendly Careers and Employability Service which can give you advice on how to:

• apply for jobs
• write a good CV
• perform well in interviews.

Career-enhancing skills

Studying on this degree not only equips you with an in-depth understanding of some of the most exciting technologies of the 21st century, it also helps you to develop useful workplace skills such as:

• planning and organisation
• leadership
• effective communication. 

You can gain extra skills by signing up for one of our Kent Extra activities, such as learning a language or volunteering.