Digital Media Technology BSc (Hons)

30 credits

On this module you will learn two core aspects of contemporary digital media: one, the software applications that manipulate still and moving imagery as well as audio production using industry standard apps such as the Adobe Suite. Two, how to use professional lights, cameras, audio and editing software to create high quality photos and videos. In addition to the technical skills, you'll also learn the creative process of digital media production, such as generating ideas, develop storyboards, and execute your vision.

30 credits

This module introduces students to professional 3D Computer Graphics and Animation. You will learn how to construct 3D geometric models, apply shaders using assorted textures, illuminate them and render these to create high quality images. You will also acquire underlying knowledge to make efficient use of topology for generating 'clean modelling'. At the end of the module, you will produce a portfolio of 3D CGI assets. The module also introduces the fundamental scientific concepts underpinning digitally generated imagery and animation.

30.00 credits

The goal of the Professional Environments module is to prepare students for professional practice. It will firstly ensure they acquire suitable employability assets and secondly equip them with an understanding of the role of a professional in society and the role of professional bodies.

While the bulk of the taught programme focuses primarily on domain knowledge, the Professional Environments module focuses on developing key skills, personal qualities (e.g. commercial awareness, reliability and punctuality, understanding the centrality of customers and clients), and professional knowledge including the need to engage with continuing professional development. With such assets, students will generate a CV, an employment portfolio, and a professional online presence.

Being a professional also means understanding the key legal, ethical and societal issues pertinent to the domain, and understanding the need for continuing professional development (CPD) especially when technology develops at such a rapid pace. The module is designed to support different domain areas and to integrate experience from other professions. The subject areas being studied demand a global perspective which encourages the inclusion of our diverse of communities and national practices.

Reflecting the fact that team working is ubiquitous in the modern workplace, a significant proportion of the assessment work on the course is based around group work. There is considerable evidence that group work promotes a much deeper engagement with taught content and the Future Skills report shows how it is embedded in working practices. It also encourages the development of diverse learning communities with computer science, cybersecurity and digital media students working in close proximity. This module will therefore introduce students to best practice in group working covering how to approach group work, how to understand yourself, how to deal with different types of people, and methods of selecting and managing groups.

30.00 credits

We designed this module to establish a foundation for key Programming Concepts. We do not assume prior experience of programming, as we know you will all have widely different levels of existing knowledge. The module is designed to be accessible to a beginner while still being exciting for an experienced coder.

We are excited to be able to deliver this module using Kingston's own home-grown learning environment for programming, NoobLab. NoobLab gamifies your learning, making programming enjoyable and accessible for all existing ability levels – no other university offers this platform or unique approach to learning:

You will learn a variety of programming languages. In the first few weeks, we will use visual blocks that will allow you to construct programs and focus on thinking like a programmer rather than getting bogged down in grammar and syntax. Then, with these skills established, you will learn Python, Javascript and optionally Java, solving Code Kata style programming challenges on a weekly basis. This will equip you to build a graphical card game as your capstone project for the module.

30.00 credits

This module builds on the foundations of the Level 4 modules, in particular CI4001 and develops knowledge and skills in creating and manipulating motion graphics assets, managing the editing process and compositing multi layered as well as multi nodal visual effects. This includes still images, video, audio, paint, and video based animation and effects.

These skills are further developed to a high level of appreciation, in particular for the flow of work for digital editing and contemporary composting in 2D and 3D spaces. You will acquire knowledge, develop skills and synthesis media products for self and tutor assessment. Professional level motion graphics, editing and compositing software will be employed. Furthermore studio based green/blue screen filming will be undertaken to create original material for visual effects project work.

30.00 credits

The primary aim of this module is to develop a range of skills in the creation of multimedia products, through the study and production of sophisticated content driven interactive material using industry standard multimedia authoring software. You will also be taught to write computer code (script) to a high level using a scripting language in order to generate interactive content, animation, navigation and data storage/retrieval.

30 credits

This module is designed to encourage you to look outwards to industry and employability, and make you more confident when facing the job market upon graduation. You will develop excellent group working skills, broaden your understanding of industry and its requirements, and enhance your project management skills.

It is always exciting to watch the groups collaborating as they produce their entrepreneurial projects for Kingston University's 'Bright Ideas' scheme; students involved in this have won awards, producing fascinating artefacts for their remaining term and exploring new and different areas within their course field.

The module is an opportunity to work with many different students, working in subject areas that are innovative and unusual. Very often, a student may discover something they did not know that they could achieve. This triggers new learning and an added confidence that was not previously there. Those are the times that the learning is strongest, and our pride in the student, the greatest.

30 credits

Students taking this module will have already developed proficiency in the use of a professional 3D Modelling and Animation software application, and so will understand the principles of modelling, lighting, texturing and rendering. This module will enable them to strengthen these skills and build a portfolio of 3D computer assets and 3D animation. They will acquire additional skills such as the use of 3D sculpting software, rendering using techniques such as global illumination and image-based lighting with a high understanding and skill. Students will be able to show their modelled work as a turntable animation using different rendering techniques.

The principles of animation are introduced and students will learn how to apply these principles to 3D computer animation. This is a practical module where the majority of a student's time is spent working at a computer. Similarly, assessment is practically based with multiple choice tests to show they understand both basic and advanced theoretical techniques. Taught in common with CI5003 and cannot be taken if CI5003 has already been taken.

30.00 credits

This is an optional module intended for undergraduate students who are studying computing-related subjects. HCI is the core academic discipline that examines the relationship and interface between human and computer. It informs and provides the theoretical and methodological foundation for user experience, the professional discipline which is practically applied. Although this module forms part of the user experience guided pathway it can be taken as a standalone module.

You will explore major themes in HCI from both a theoretical and a practical perspective. The module will establish an understanding of key concepts within HCI theory and methods, and examines techniques for HCI design and evaluation. It offers students a practical domain in which to apply knowledge and skills, including those gained from other modules, to the design, implementation and analysis of interfaces between people and computer systems. You will undertake practical exercises in which you will evaluate real-world problems to identify user experience issues. You will utilise the synthesis of data from methods which explore user needs and requirements and also users' cognitive models to build a suite of artefacts e.g. personas, user journeys, empathy maps etc which will inform a prototyping phase. This process involves iteratively building on low, medium and high-fidelity prototypes of increasing complexity and levels of iteration. Thus you will synthesise theory and empirical data to build prototypes of a redesign solution to usability issues. These artefacts will iteratively and incrementally inform a user centred design.

60 credits

This module is an essential course programme component for students on the sandwich route of an honours degree with professional placement. It is a key element in providing an extended period in industry gaining real world employability skills. Students are supported both before and through their placement by the Placement Team. Students that successfully complete their placement year will graduate with a four-year sandwich degree.

30 credits

You will learn to build on your skills and knowledge to make detailed and exciting visual effects. Through interpreting client and student generated briefs you will design VFX pipeline for pre-production, production and post-production. You will also implement this through your chosen combination of 2D, 3D CGI, animation, film/video, audio and compositing tools and techniques to produce group-based work you can show to potential employers. The module also reviews the professional working practices of the film, television, visual effects, post-production and computer graphics industries and the various roles students can expect to undertake upon graduation.

30.00 credits

The Individual Project is an opportunity for you to demonstrate your skills in project management, research, analysis, critical thinking, technical skills and creativity, in relation to contemporary Media Technology.

There are a range of genres to choose from: film, motion graphics, CGI, interactive…etc. So, the Individual Project offers an ideal chance to specialize and develop in-depth knowledge and experience of a particular genre that excites you, building on your previous years of learning on the various core modules on our Media course.

The Individual Project is the capstone of your degree. Therefore, a good project will showcase your ability and aptitude for a chosen sector of the Media industry. It should form a significant part of your portfolio to impress future employers.

30.00 credits

In this module you will create computer games using industry-standard production and management techniques to a professional standard. Programmers and media students work together using agile team-working to collaboratively design, develop and test games with the potential to be published on app stores and game distribution platforms such as itch.io. The games will be developed using commercial game engines such as Unity and Unreal, with the artists using tools such as Maya and Photoshop.

As part of the module, industry speakers will provide unique insights into current practices and net-working opportunities and also advise on portfolio building to support your future games career.

30 credits

This is an optional module intended for undergraduate students who are studying Computing-related subjects. Although it forms part of the User Experience guided pathway it can be taken as a standalone module and previous experience of UX is not assumed. This module will focus upon the skills, methods and tools required in careers such as UX Architect, UX Designer, Service Designer, Information Architect or Digital Product Designer. The curriculum is finely balanced between theory and practice. Students are directly immersed in organisational practices and skills used in industry and will make use of academic theory in this practical context. Students will learn to develop investigative, analytical, technical, communication and advocacy skills to help them shape interactive technologies that augment people's abilities, enhance their creativity, connect them to others and protect their interests. They will also become aware of the impact of levels of digital literacy, availability of and access to technology, economic and business drivers, regulations, and regional/cultural norms. The module will also develop methods and skills required to understand current users, to investigate non-use, and to imagine future users.

30 credits

Entrepreneurship is a major driving force in creating economic growth and this module illustrates how to work in an entrepreneurial fashion. At the heart of entrepreneurship is innovation, which can come in many forms. Sometimes this can be an incremental but generally gives significant improvement to the customer. Alternatively it is a new breakthrough or transformational innovation. Incremental innovation is aimed at increasing the value of a product or service, to add more value and thereby creating new and superior value chains. Breakthrough innovation often creates new categories of product, or transforms the historical ways of doing things.

From this foundation, the module proceeds to explain how to develop a strategy, not only to satisfy the critical needs that organisations have, but also to explore the application and use of improved value chains using the concepts of corporate venturing (spin-out/intrapreneurship) and entrepreneurship (new venture creation).

However it is not simple to start a new company. Especially the tech branch is characterised by fast developments, shifts of focus and low barriers to entry, where holding back from bleeding edge is essential and is one of the important differentiating factors between Tech Entrepreneurship and other forms of entrepreneurship. This means that one can no longer count on 'good luck', and insight, understanding, knowledge and a systematic approach all have to be learnt.

This module will convey the concepts needed for roles in analysis, consultancy and management in technology environments, plus the necessary knowledge to work successfully in an innovative company, as well as providing a good background for new venture creation (Entrepreneurship) for those considering self-employment or founding new technology firms.