PROJECT RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT - 2021/2

Module Overview

A significant element of this final stage of the Digital Media Arts degree programme is the development and production of a substantial final practical project output. This module marks the first phase of this process, during which students are tasked to research, develop, define and formulate the content and form of the creative work they choose to undertake. Depending on the nature of the work, students will be supported in their use of relevant tools and techniques for project planning and specification, including research, material gathering, scriptwriting, design, proposal formulation and project pitching.

The outputs of the module include a creative specification in the form of a project proposal (which can comprises of scripts, story outline, storyboards, design documentation and technical specification); plus a creative portfolio which can include pilot audiovisual material and/or prototypes which serve to act as a proofs of concept for the proposed work.

Students will be encouraged to pitch and share their ideas with their tutors and peers, and to offer and respond to feedback in a collaborative constructive and positive manner. Collaboration with other departments and specialists is encouraged wherever possible.

Module provider

Music and Media

Module Leader

O'DELL Matthew (Music & Med)

Number of Credits: 30

ECTS Credits: 15

Framework: FHEQ Level 6

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 1

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

N/A

Module content

Indicative content includes:

• Creative and Critical Approaches


• Forms and Formats


• Preproduction Techniques


• Project specification, script/storyboard/proposal/prototype


• Teams, Crews, Casting


• Production/Project Planning

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

N/A

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate their ability to generate ideas, concepts and proposals, plan and exectute a complex project drawing on an array of skills and techniques learned over the previous 2 years.

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:

• Project Proposal and Creative Portfolio

• Continuous assessment is given through timetabled group critiques and individual tutorials. Immediate oral feedback is given on works-in-progress presented during class and in tutorials. 


• The timing and format of proposals and work-in-progress portfolio work is dependent on the individual details and circumstances of each project.


• Specific formative feedback is provided at an appropriate point approximately midway through the module, dependent on the nature, form and format of the project/proposal in development.

Module aims

• Conceive and develop a creative project
• Identify original sources and subjects with a view to creating a distinctive style and approach through practical exercises and the creation of a test or pilot project.
• Aid students in the development of the tools required to conceptually frame their practice and help them communicate clearly and critically.
• Explore media projects in a variety of media and to consider the implications of those projects for their own work.
• Study and discuss a number of different methods for the critical appraisal and theorization of digital media arts projects across genres
• Undertaking a wide range of research to help students develop their ideas and skills (viewing, listening, reading, observing, testing of techniques, etc.).
• Research a potential subject for a project in depth and use that research in writing a project proposal

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to support students in the independent creation of an extended digital media project making use of the critical and production skills which have been developed over the previous two years.

Students will be assisted in their exploration of relevant artworks and existing media from a range of forms, formats and genres to situate and contextualise their own work. Presentation and moderated peer review will be developed as an essential tool for project development.

The course is taught through a combination of presentations by the course tutors, peer review, group critiques, and one-to-one tutorial sessions. This incorporates:

• Lectures


• Seminars


• Group critique & presentations


• One-to-one tutorials

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: DMA3002

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2021/2 academic year.