Level One

Digital Practice

This module is designed to arm students with a basic understanding of new media, technologies and the relevant applications involved in creating visually dynamic, graphic user-interfaces and the principles of animation. The knowledge and skills acquired are largely generic within the contexts of new media and time-based applications, such as good working practices and saving files optimised for web.

Audio Visual

This module focuses on the development of basic image and sound relevant to the practice of Interactive Design. Students will be encouraged to experiment with a range of audio and visual production processes in order to gain a broad understanding of this area of interactivity via a wide range of methods and techniques. Students are encouraged to adopt an experimental and investigative approach to the use of this media. The use of image and sound as a means for generating subject matter for design projects is discussed and developed, and a range of image sound processes is introduced.

Typography

Students are equipped with the necessary practical skills to produce effective design and typographic work via digital technology. Students will undertake a range of design tasks and produce creative practical work, which may include image, sound and text and will serve to build their familiarity and confidence in this medium.

Critical Analysis 1

This module acts as an introduction to key figures and historical events that helped to shape the development of visual culture from the late 19th Century through to the early post-war period. Industrialisation and the rise of Modernism within Europe will form the central focus of study.

Students will gain experience in developing the skills and methods needed to research and present written essays and verbal presentations. Effective research methodologies will be explored through lectures and seminars. In addition, this module will also address personal development planning as an ongoing element of reflection and study.

Level Two

Interactive Design 1

Interactive Design 1 specifically concerns the exploration of human-user interaction. This is encouraged through the analysis and development of various graphical user interfaces, which actively seek to encourage user participation and intuitive navigation.

Interactive Design 2

Students will gain experience of solving real life client-related communication problems (where appropriate), meeting client expectations, and presenting creative and original solutions and findings. This will be through interactive design projects that reference ethical and social issues, reflect students' social responsibility and communicates effectively with a defined audience.

Advanced Digital Practice

The module combines a range of media products including, still imagery, sound, animation, type and moving images (film), for display via PC, television or cinema screen, rather than via print. Students expand on the range of exciting possibilities, for communication for the screen and are encouraged to explore the visual / aesthetic, effects and navigation particular to the individuals creative direction.

Students pay particular attention to sound, movement, research, efficient code and creative thinking. Interaction will be treated as an integral element of all interactive and screen based products, and will be researched and worked upon in the same way as visual material.

Critical Analysis 2

Students explore the contemporary cultural landscape against the backdrop of the post-industrial age, the development of digital technologies, globalisation, brands, subcultures, the cult of celebrity, and the influence of the mass media. The objective of the module is to provide a student-centred framework to support the demonstration of understanding regarding key theoretical issues that surround the production of their own practical work.

Level Three

Interactive Design 3

Projects will promote human interaction and encourage students to research new technologies through installations, physical environments and graphic user interfaces. The module requires that students identify specific problems and encourages active participation in a variety of interactive briefs which are more than just theoretical but realized, as well as engaging in a number of national and international competitions and awards. As part of the necessary preparation for progression to a professional career, students are encouraged to develop their CV’s, create personal promotional material and refine their individual portfolio.

Interactive Design 4

Some students may choose to follow an explicitly personal agenda, whilst others opt for a more commercial emphasis. Students will research, develop and present a substantial body of practical work for public exhibition. Students are actively encouraged to challenge accepted conventions in the pursuit of creative solutions to communication issues, particularly when, as with cutting edge technology, the medium is in a state of permanent evolution.

Independent Study: Dissertation

The module aims to provide a framework for students to work independently, gathering and processing information from a variety of sources and distilling the findings into a substantial project. The selection of a suitable topic is negotiated to ensure relevance to the individual’s academic and/or subject specific interests.

Level One

Level One is designed to provide students with a broad-based intensive course that introduces the basic technical, practical and theoretical skills across the subject of interactive design. This provides the basis for specialist study at Levels Two and Three.

Level Two

It is at Level Two that students undertake more advanced study and begin to conduct their own research and develop a professional attitude towards their own practice. Participation in national / international design competitions, film and animation festivals and the undertaking of live project work is encouraged.

Level Three

At Level Three, students determine the nature and direction of their own work through discussion with academic staff. At this stage students are expected to demonstrate a capacity for in-depth research and original insight, critical judgement, creativity and technical competence. The level concludes with the Final Year End of Year Show that will be open to the public.

Assessment is on the basis of submitting coursework, comprising practical projects and written submissions for the theoretical components of the course. Formative assessment strategies are continually used to ensure knowledge and comprehension of skills and abilities are developed.

Written feedback is provided at the summative assessment stage providing students with a record of their achievement as well as suggesting how improvements might be attained in the future.

Public Exhibition

Over the past three years, the third years have exhibited at the RK Burt Gallery in London.

We have a high profile visiting lecturer programme and maintain strong industrial links with leading designers and agencies including Daljit Singh (Digit agency) and Ben Tomlinson (ICO design consultancy).

The team is continuously working to develop links to encourage the exchange of ideas on an international basis and are currently working with Ecole Superilaire d’Art Aix-en Provence who have exhibited work at the University to share the exploration of research themes.

The course has close links with a number of professional bodies including: ISTD (International Society of Typographic Designers), D&AD (British Design and Art Direction), and YCN (Young Creative’s Network).

Graduates boast a diverse body of work which demonstrates specialist practical skills that can be applied to a broad range of exciting career paths within the creative design and media industries including web design, motion graphics for film and television, ambient media and installation, video journalism and electronic publishing.

Recent graduates have secured employment at London agencies including Bunch Design, 12Foot6, Poke, London, Wieden + Kennedy and Hellicar and Lewis.

Students should be self motivated, enthusiastic and creative individuals with a desire to explore all the possibilities presented by new and traditional media, materials, technology and processes in the communication of complex concepts and ideas via interactive design products.

Applicants will need to have one of the following:

• 280 UCAS points, with a minimum of 100 points (i.e. B or above at A-Level) in a relevant art/design subject
• Foundation Art and Design (Pass)
• Equivalent Scottish, Irish or Overseas qualifications
• An equivalent qualification to those listed above, i.e. Access to Higher Education Certificate.

All applicants will be required to have at least five GCSEs, including a pass in GCSE English Language and evidence of an art/design subject.

Mature students with relevant experience and/or portfolio of work are selected on individual merit.

Applicants will be invited for interview, whereby they will have opportunity to go through their portfolio with a member of the academic team.

A portfolio should contain a range of work which demonstrates:

• Concepts, research and development work
• An awareness of interactive design (i.e. design for web or motion graphics, etc)
• Evidence of self initiated work that reveals engagement and commitment to the subject outside of the course.

"Throughout my time on Interactive Design my skills have developed in the areas of web design and animation, typography and print. The flexibility in which briefs can be approached also allowed me to develop my interest in photography.

"I designed the promotional printed material and website for the 2008 RK Burt Interactive Design print exhibition in Southwark, London, using the title Flux and the theme of transition. I am currently employed within a small yet vibrant design agency in Lincoln."

Ben Gleadell BA (Hons) Interactive Design

For further information and funding your study please see our Fees & Funding pages.

Fees and Funding