Course name: Interactive Entertainment
Course Length: 1 year, full time
Course description
This ground-breaking course blends the principles of immersion and engagement as evolved by the global games industry over the last twenty years with practical storytelling and script development strategies from Film, TV, Radio and Theatre.
You will explore applications across a wide range of digital media rather than computer games alone and aim to develop valuable content and intellectual properties for Entertainment, Life, Health and Educational applications - or any other where interactive storytelling strategies are deployed.
Saw this course and thought it looked interesting. Besides from games it doesn't have much linked to what I am currently doing but it quotes 'programmers with an eye for innovation' could I be that person? I want to escape the boundaries of web design and look for courses that not only do web design but give you a taste of everything.
Maybe something that would link to my prp project would be more interesting. I like the description of the course however I would not pursue this as its in Edinburgh and I want to move back down to the south if I ever did plan to pursue a postgraduate degree, still at least its giving me an idea.
Saturday, 30 January 2010
Friday, 29 January 2010
SPP - Postgraduate course University of Glamorgan 2
I came across this course and wanted to post it purely because of this reason, its a course that I should be looking at but I am just not finding it appealing. The course title is Multimedia computing. The main modules/content consists of:
* Multimedia and the Web: the principles of multimedia and web development and critical application to website creation and usage
* E-learning: the theory and practice of educational software development
* Principles of Computing: the fundamental principles and practices associated with ICT technology, computer programming and systems modelling
* Information Architecture and Hypermedia Systems: theory and practice of developing and evaluating hypermedia applications and aspects of current research
* Project Management and Research Methodology
* Independent Study
* Project: design, implement and evaluate a multimedia system/ application of your own choice
Looking at this has just convinced me that I do need a career change. I still really enjoy web designing but I enjoy learning more of the front end designing rather then the coding.
I need to look for a course that has more of a design modules as opposed to the theory and coding.
* Multimedia and the Web: the principles of multimedia and web development and critical application to website creation and usage
* E-learning: the theory and practice of educational software development
* Principles of Computing: the fundamental principles and practices associated with ICT technology, computer programming and systems modelling
* Information Architecture and Hypermedia Systems: theory and practice of developing and evaluating hypermedia applications and aspects of current research
* Project Management and Research Methodology
* Independent Study
* Project: design, implement and evaluate a multimedia system/ application of your own choice
Looking at this has just convinced me that I do need a career change. I still really enjoy web designing but I enjoy learning more of the front end designing rather then the coding.
I need to look for a course that has more of a design modules as opposed to the theory and coding.
Sunday, 24 January 2010
SPP - Aquent
I came across Aquent and wondered what it was. Its actually a temping agency for designers. This includes web, graphics, typography etc it looks really interesting and whats good...its located in London yay!!!
Below is a job that I found them advertising:
*
o Company: Aquent
o Location: Central London
o Salary/rate: £25,000 to 27,000
o Contract: temp to perm
o Job posted on: 11 January 2010
o Job start date: 01/02/10
o Closing date: 08 February 2010
*
PRINT (60%):
Creating layouts for books/brochures/leaflets with existing house style in Quark XPress and InDesign.
Immediate position will require importing text and photos into Quark Xpress templates
with set Style Sheets for a new edition of a nuclear book.
Creating and updating cutting edge graphs
* Building an image library
WEB (40%):
Updating web pages in HTML (Dreamweaver) and in Content Management System
Making new web pages from scratch, linking and applying existing CSS
Working with CSS
Preparing illustrations and photographs for web
SKILLS:
Information Design, Typography, Layouts for print and web, Exhibition design, Following existing house style, Ability to work and communicate with various people from different backgrounds, Persevere and Perfection is a must.
PROGRAMMES:
This will be PC BASED. Must have: Good working knowledge of HTML, CSS and Dreamweaver, QuarkXPress, Photoshop, Illustrator, Microsoft Word, Powerpoint.
It is essential for the applicant to enjoy working in information design; they must be able to present significant data to very high standard. Accuracy and attention to detail are crucial. It is very important that the applicant enjoys working in nuclear energy environment and has a positive attitude.
I think the main reason why I chose this job was because there was a variety of work available. When thinking about the future now it makes me think; do I really want to spend the rest of my career in web design? And I am not sure that I am. I really enjoy web designing however I miss drawing which is something that I loved before uni.
I would like to go back into that hobbie and if a job includes that then I say great, where do I reply.
Below is a job that I found them advertising:
*
o Company: Aquent
o Location: Central London
o Salary/rate: £25,000 to 27,000
o Contract: temp to perm
o Job posted on: 11 January 2010
o Job start date: 01/02/10
o Closing date: 08 February 2010
*
PRINT (60%):
Creating layouts for books/brochures/leaflets with existing house style in Quark XPress and InDesign.
Immediate position will require importing text and photos into Quark Xpress templates
with set Style Sheets for a new edition of a nuclear book.
Creating and updating cutting edge graphs
* Building an image library
WEB (40%):
Updating web pages in HTML (Dreamweaver) and in Content Management System
Making new web pages from scratch, linking and applying existing CSS
Working with CSS
Preparing illustrations and photographs for web
SKILLS:
Information Design, Typography, Layouts for print and web, Exhibition design, Following existing house style, Ability to work and communicate with various people from different backgrounds, Persevere and Perfection is a must.
PROGRAMMES:
This will be PC BASED. Must have: Good working knowledge of HTML, CSS and Dreamweaver, QuarkXPress, Photoshop, Illustrator, Microsoft Word, Powerpoint.
It is essential for the applicant to enjoy working in information design; they must be able to present significant data to very high standard. Accuracy and attention to detail are crucial. It is very important that the applicant enjoys working in nuclear energy environment and has a positive attitude.
I think the main reason why I chose this job was because there was a variety of work available. When thinking about the future now it makes me think; do I really want to spend the rest of my career in web design? And I am not sure that I am. I really enjoy web designing however I miss drawing which is something that I loved before uni.
I would like to go back into that hobbie and if a job includes that then I say great, where do I reply.
PRP - Artefact Evaluation
Creating a questionnaire as my first artefact worked to my advantage. My chosen research subject in my opinion was still very broad and I needed to narrow my research by gaining a more thorough idea on what the teachers thought. With the questionnaire I managed to do this. By sending out a simple multiple-choice questionnaire via email I was able to get a quick response and given the time that we had I am satisfied with the amount of feedback received.
Looking back at the questionnaire I should have reworded some of my questions. When looking at the comments I think that some of the participants thought that I was insinuating that infant/primary schools had no ICT facilities, this was not the case. My aim was to try and reconfirm my theory and see how educators felt about computer games assisting their teaching methods. If I could go back and redo the survey this is something I would change as I feel that the participants did not completely understand my aim.
From doing the questionnaire it showed me that educators are already highly aware of the benefits when using computer games. The majority of the questionnaire participants have knowledge on computer games, this including knowing the different types of games that could/are being used. Overall the results were not what I expected. Before conducting this survey I believed that educators were not well aware of the benefits of computer games but I was wrong. Games are becoming recognised as a strong learning tool and becoming more widely used in schools at all levels.
Looking at the results from artefact 1 I feel that a change in direction for my research is needed. Now that I am aware that educators understand the benefits of games in education my next step is to see what the children think about games. Hopefully gaining information from both educators and pupils will give me a view from both sides and thus maybe find a connection that suits everyone and improve computer game based learning.
Looking back at the questionnaire I should have reworded some of my questions. When looking at the comments I think that some of the participants thought that I was insinuating that infant/primary schools had no ICT facilities, this was not the case. My aim was to try and reconfirm my theory and see how educators felt about computer games assisting their teaching methods. If I could go back and redo the survey this is something I would change as I feel that the participants did not completely understand my aim.
From doing the questionnaire it showed me that educators are already highly aware of the benefits when using computer games. The majority of the questionnaire participants have knowledge on computer games, this including knowing the different types of games that could/are being used. Overall the results were not what I expected. Before conducting this survey I believed that educators were not well aware of the benefits of computer games but I was wrong. Games are becoming recognised as a strong learning tool and becoming more widely used in schools at all levels.
Looking at the results from artefact 1 I feel that a change in direction for my research is needed. Now that I am aware that educators understand the benefits of games in education my next step is to see what the children think about games. Hopefully gaining information from both educators and pupils will give me a view from both sides and thus maybe find a connection that suits everyone and improve computer game based learning.
Saturday, 23 January 2010
SPP - Job Nakama 3
After having a talk to Jools it was clear that I was searching jobs in the wrong way, or to be correct I need to start narrowing my choices down because this could potentially be the chance for me to get a job.
Going back on the creative pool website it is now clear to me that I would be applying for junior level because even though I have the skills of some jobs, they are looking for someone with experience and this is something that I have very little experience in. Bearing in mind I intend/am moving to London when I graduate so I have now narrowed the job search down to 'junior' and 'London' making it more clear to me what jobs are out there for me.
One job that I came across is Nakama. With there main target industry Digital, Marketing and print and integrated industry the company seems interesting. The job they are advertising is briefly stated below:
* Company: Nakama Global
* Location: Central London
* Salary/rate: £20,000 to 25,000
* Contract: perm, temp to perm
* Duration: Ongoing
* Job posted on: 20 January 2010
* Job start date: URGENT!
* Closing date: 17 February 2010
This lovely small to medium sized creative agency in the West End are looking for a junior to join their team. You will be working with the senior developer and senior designer in digital on all aspects of digital marketing campaigns. This is an ideal opportunity to take your AS2.0 and AS3.0 skills into some lovely creative and give you a good grounding to digital advertising from a creative and technical point of view. The work will include rich media advertising (banners), viral executions, website build, microsites and games. A well-known set of clients and a team you can really learn from this is a great opportunity to build a nice portfolio from the start. You’ll ideally have some commercial experience but we will consider fresh graduates with the right skills and attitude! Immediate start, temp to permanent salary £20-24k.
It sounds ideal and whats better they are welcome to graduates. Having a look at the website the job looks interesting, the deadline is 17th February so I may pursue with this application.
PRP - First Artefact Results
Well I've finished my questionnaire and after sending out over 400 emails and receiving 40 replies I feel that for the short amount of time given I have done pretty well as the majority of schools will not even look at the email.
Below I have summarised each of the questions up to give you an idea about what I found out.
What I learnt from the artefact.
Q1) Received a mixture of educators, all at different levels, from Nursery to Secondary.
Q2) Educators have an open mind and that gaming can be used in education as well as a form of entertainment.
Q3) The amount of knowledge educators have on computer games is very varied, with the majority of the answers being at number ‘3’ it suggests that the educators are aware of the gaming concept but are not aware of the full benefits. The majority of the answers were more on the side of having a stronger knowledge of computer games.
Q4) The majority of educators felt that if more information was provided on computer gaming then there would be more enthusiasm. However a couple had no opinion, this could appear as having no interest on the subject or they already have a strong knowledge on games.
Q5) It is clear that the majority of the educators understand the different types of games, but I should have included a question asking about which type of game teaches which subject.
Q6) Educators have a mixed opinion on this question. With the majority feel that it will boost pupils confidence, a few feel that it won’t make any difference. Perhaps educators are still unaware that pupils teach themselves how to play computer games and hence gain more confidence. Some comments made think that it won’t effect the pupils confidence.
Q7) Educators support the fact that games could support teaching, in the others comments it states that games are already used in schooling. Perhaps need to change my research aim.
Q8) It is very clear that my research was correct and teachers are aware about teaching them skills asides from the National Curriculum. In fact in the early years it seems that social skills are of more importance then teaching. If creating a good learning environment then the pupils will perceive learning as more enjoyable experience in the future.
Q9) Educators support the fact that games could support teaching, in the others comments it states that games are already used in schooling. Perhaps need to change my research aim.
Q10) As some educators agree with this reason some disagree. From reading the ‘other’ replies it has comes to my attention that the implications noted have been seen and security has been put in place.
The results are not what I expected but I suppose this is a good thing because it has shown me that teachers and schooling have taken games into consideration and that they are successful. So my next artefact could maybe focus on which games the children prefer to help enhance the learning experience.
Below I have summarised each of the questions up to give you an idea about what I found out.
What I learnt from the artefact.
Q1) Received a mixture of educators, all at different levels, from Nursery to Secondary.
Q2) Educators have an open mind and that gaming can be used in education as well as a form of entertainment.
Q3) The amount of knowledge educators have on computer games is very varied, with the majority of the answers being at number ‘3’ it suggests that the educators are aware of the gaming concept but are not aware of the full benefits. The majority of the answers were more on the side of having a stronger knowledge of computer games.
Q4) The majority of educators felt that if more information was provided on computer gaming then there would be more enthusiasm. However a couple had no opinion, this could appear as having no interest on the subject or they already have a strong knowledge on games.
Q5) It is clear that the majority of the educators understand the different types of games, but I should have included a question asking about which type of game teaches which subject.
Q6) Educators have a mixed opinion on this question. With the majority feel that it will boost pupils confidence, a few feel that it won’t make any difference. Perhaps educators are still unaware that pupils teach themselves how to play computer games and hence gain more confidence. Some comments made think that it won’t effect the pupils confidence.
Q7) Educators support the fact that games could support teaching, in the others comments it states that games are already used in schooling. Perhaps need to change my research aim.
Q8) It is very clear that my research was correct and teachers are aware about teaching them skills asides from the National Curriculum. In fact in the early years it seems that social skills are of more importance then teaching. If creating a good learning environment then the pupils will perceive learning as more enjoyable experience in the future.
Q9) Educators support the fact that games could support teaching, in the others comments it states that games are already used in schooling. Perhaps need to change my research aim.
Q10) As some educators agree with this reason some disagree. From reading the ‘other’ replies it has comes to my attention that the implications noted have been seen and security has been put in place.
The results are not what I expected but I suppose this is a good thing because it has shown me that teachers and schooling have taken games into consideration and that they are successful. So my next artefact could maybe focus on which games the children prefer to help enhance the learning experience.
Thursday, 21 January 2010
Client project - Designs mixed up
As I like both designs as have others I thought I'd mixed them together to tone down the reds but make it more keep the dancers. I will be emailing all of these designs to Jess and will hopefuly get a final choice that I can use in my proposal.
