MA-Postgraduate Diploma Media (Interactive Arts)

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University of the West of England

Comments about MA-Postgraduate Diploma Media (Interactive Arts) - At the institution - Bristol City - Bristol

• Objectives
  This programme helps students to develop the critical, creative and technical skills necessary to work either professionally or to undertake further study in the rapidly evolving world of interactive media. The programme focuses on the development and prototyping of interactive artefacts and enhances a critical understanding of contemporary media production. It teaches core concepts of interaction design that can be applied enabling students to produce work across a range of contexts and delivery formats incorporating websites, DVDs, installation and live performance. The programme is 'modular' allowing the choice, time and flexibility to develop new skills and ambitions. This means that you can adapt your programme of study to best suit your needs. For example, if you already have some experience in interactive media you may choose to take the introductory module in Screenwriting or Animation, before continuing studying the remaining interactive modules. You can also change whether you study full or part-time by changing the number of modules you study each year.
• Entry requirements
  We are looking for highly motivated creative students from a range of art, media and design backgrounds. Usually applicants will have a first degree in the Visual Arts but those with other academic qualifications or professional experience are also encouraged to apply. Candidates are usually invited to interview. You will be expected to articulate a clear vision of the potential role of interactive media in the development of your own creative practice and will be expected to make a short presentation of previous work alongside examples of your written work.
• Academic title
  MA/Postgraduate Diploma Media (Interactive Arts)
• Course description
  Content
  
  The programme is made up of five modules:
  
  1. Introduction to Interactive Media - 30 credits
  
  This module introduces a series of key topics and issues in the development and distribution of interactive digital work. It focuses on developing core knowledge and understanding of interaction design through a series of lectures, seminars and practical projects. It also includes the raising of individual skills in a range of interactive authoring programmes and programming environments (such as Director, Flash, HTML, PD and PHP) while asking you to reflect on your role as a artist/ designer/producer.
  
  2. Option Module – 30 credits
  
  At this stage in the course you are able to take one of a series of option modules, each of which have specific sets of concerns related to the practice and theory of art, media and design. These options provide you with an opportunity to work with students across other MA programmes. The options currently available are:
  
  -Research Methodologies in Visual Culture
  -Enterprise in the Creative Industries
  -Research Methods
  -New Media, Culture and Technology
  -Cyberculture and Technological Change
  
  3. Practice Through Critical Analysis - 30 credits
  
  In this module you engage with your fellow students in research and debate in order to develop ideas for an interactive project. You are expected to consider issues relating to content, development, production, realisation and dissemination as part of this process. You will attend a series of lectures and seminars to gain skills in the analysis and critique of digital artefacts and their antecedents. These seminars help to provide you with the critical context to your practice which is essential for the development of innovative work at this level.
  
  4. Developing Practice - 30 credits
  
  This module continues on from 'Practice through Critical Analysis' in order to develop and prototype an interactive artefact. Collaboration is encouraged to reveal the dynamics and strengths of creative individuals working in a group. Ongoing critical analysis of contemporary media and its antecedents forms a core component of the module. You are expected to contribute to regular contextual seminars as your work progresses, with critical reflection on this module preparing the ground for the final module's work.
  
  5. Extended Practice in Interactive Media - 60 credits
  
  You can choose between two options here:
  
  Produce individually or collaboratively an interactive artefact, the development of which is supported through regular seminars and tutorials. The work produced will evidence critical and creative independence and be fully contextualised against other practice within its field. You produce a 6,000 word evaluation, which critiques your work and positions you as an interactive media practitioner.
  
  Write a critical analysis (15,000 to 20,000 words) of existing interactive works and their implication for the future of communication media.
  
  Teaching and learning
  You are taught through a series of lectures, seminars, practical workshops and projects.
  
  Study facilities
  You are based in the School's Postgraduate Digital Media Laboratory, which is equipped with high-end Apple Mackintosh PC computers with industry standard software and DVD authoring facilities. You also have access to the School's Media Centre, EPI Centre, 3D Centre, Print Centre and library

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