BIM112 – Design Perspectives and Applications explores the past, present and future of design in an historical and theoretical context. In this subject, students learn about design concepts and theoretical constructs. Students are presented with a range of design applications and techniques and develop an understanding of design processes. Students acquire skills in design applications and the effective use of art materials, and later, computer assisted drawing programs and techniques to create design outputs.

BIM114 ­­– Programming Fundamentals This subject provides basic skills in C# programming and software design, with no assumed knowledge of programming. It covers the topics of object-oriented (OO) programming concepts, data flow, control flow, arrays, and the basics of sorting and searching algorithms. The subject teaches and demonstrates the software development design process utilising a set of design notations and design guidelines. It demonstrates how to develop correct, accurate, readable and reusable solutions from a problem specification.

BIM113 – Animation: Traditional Techniques is a foundation subject. Students are guided in the development and application of skills in planning, drawing, storyboarding and basic animation. Students are actively supervised as they undertake animation exercises informed by Animation Principles theory presented in lectures and the application of theory discussed in tutorials. The animation projects will demonstrate that students have engaged in theoretical ideas and creative practices.

BIM123 – Video Production provides students with a practical introduction to develop and integrate their understanding of video production techniques and their application. Students will learn skills in pre-production, production and post-production processes and technologies such as directing, cinematography, editing, lighting, sound recording, sound design, and producing.

BIM122 – UXI Design This subject is focused on the understanding and application of design processes and principles as they relate to user interfaces. Students use software such as Adobe Indesign and Illustrator as tools in the digital design process. Creative outputs include design of a website as well as work with interactive applications.

BIM212 – Constructing Narrative explores the concepts and techniques in narrative construction for interactive media. Students will be introduced to a variety of structures and forms and will apply these in the development of screen narratives. Student will focus on the interplay between visual, aural, haptic and kinaesthetic narrative forms and their application in digital screen environments.

BIM111 – Aesthetics of Screen introduces students to the history and development of screen narrative through the analysis of film style and genre. Through critical and textual analysis students learn the characteristics of film language: the elements of film form and narrative, film style, and genre (horror, science fiction, western, experimental film, etc.). Films are placed within the context of film history to explore developments, trends and innovation in filmmaking practice. Students develop their critical skills and vocabulary via screenings, writing, a practical film-making project, and discussion.

ICT111 – ICT Fundamentals This unit will focus on those information and communications technology (ICT) assets – both physical and intangible – that medium-sized or large organisations purchase, install and/or configure, operate and maintain so that they can do business. The term ‘ICT infrastructure’ is also used, referring to all the computer hardware and software components necessary for organisations to generate, input, store, retrieve, manipulate, produce and share either data, information or knowledge with their employees or with other organisations. Current developments of ICT infrastructure such as enterprise and cloud computing are also discussed. This unit will also look at the product produced from the organisation’s ICT infrastructure (data inputted and manipulated through their business intelligence and analytics activities).
BIM124 – Introduction to Motion Graphics introduces students to the design and production of motion graphics. Students will explore the creative potential of the relationship between graphic elements, time and motion and the concepts of image development, typographic design, visual composition and editing. Students engage in experimental productions using appropriate computing technologies and motion graphics applications.

ANI211 – 3D Modelling and Texturing provides students with knowledge and understanding of the concepts and techniques in the application of 3D art as applied using Maya software. Students are presented with advanced techniques including systems such as polygonal, NURBS (non-uniform rational basis spline) and Patch. Students learn how to apply and describe more complex modelling techniques that include the advanced use of texture and shading.

ITS113 – Database Design Today the amount of data (either structured or unstructured) that is either generated or shared around the world is measured in exabytes (or billions of gigabytes) per day. Given this ocean of data (most of which is unstructured, and so is out of scope for this subject), there needs to be an ability to manage and utilize it; especially data that can be structured and so stored in a database. This subject looks at designing, implementing and using relational databases as the organisation’s main data management facility in order to either insert new data, or edit, delete or retrieve existing data. Prior to building a database, data modelling and normalization of the data model should occur to ensure that the implemented database schema is well-designed. This subject applies these activities to implementing well-designed databases using the MySQL database management system. Finally, the subject considers the effective administration and management of operational databases and their security given the enormous value of this vital information asset to the organisation.

ANI212 – Emergent Forms of Interactive Media explores the influx of new and evolving interactive environments that form a significant part of our culture and daily lives. These take many forms, including entertainment, communications, business and interactive art. This presents exciting new opportunities for future designers and artists to explore this uncharted territory. This course examines the underlying features of interactivity combining philosophies and theories of emergent media, systems of learning, transmedia narrative, reality television, video game discourse and interacting with an audience. Students will produce interactive works that distinguish between aspects of the Internet that are consumer-controlled and those that are advertiser-controlled.

ANI221 – Animation: Concept to Character In this subject, students will be encouraged to develop innovative and explorative projects individually or as a member of a team that that reflect the student’s developing conceptualisation and expertise in animation. This subject aims to develop your understanding of the character production pipeline, focusing on character design, organic polygon modelling, digital sculpting and texturing.

ANI222 – 3D Lighting and Rendering provides students with knowledge and understanding of the concepts and techniques in 3D lighting and rendering using Maya. Students will explore advanced techniques in lighting and rendering and will apply them to complex objects. The subject provides students with the key concepts and practices of a lighting and rendering practitioner.

BIM211 – Games Design examines the social, emotional, psychological, technical and theoretical issues relating to the design and development of interactive games. Students will explore a range of topics including: the history of games and the anthropology of play; games analysis; game design process; level design; sound design; graphical design; character design; interface design; game balance; and interactive storytelling. Students will become familiar with the ways in which the user interacts with games through visual, auditory, haptic and kinaesthetic experiences. In addition, students will build on skills acquired in first year and develop 2D interactive games and educational interactive media.

ANM314 – Visual Effects In this subject, students will acquire advanced knowledge and understanding of the application of concepts and techniques in particles and fluid effects to a scene. In addition, students will explore emerging technologies and demonstrate the application of complex techniques appropriate to visual effects.

ANI311 – 3D Rigging and Animation helps students to acquire advanced knowledge and understanding of rigging and animation and apply appropriate strategies to the development of an object or character. In addition, students will explore emerging technologies and demonstrate the application of complex techniques appropriate to rigging and animation.

STU208 – Animation Project Design assists students in creating and producing the project conceptually developed in the previous semester. Projects may be created individually or as a member of a team that involves a project that reflects the student’s expertise in animation, interactive media, video projects and graphic design. As this is an integrated project, students will be guided through the production and post-production phases of their work. Students will develop skills in setting up a group project, managing personnel, budgeting, scheduling and pathways, production managing, professional practices and professional communication. Studio concepts are integral to the development of interactive media products which will contribute to the students’ developing understanding of working with clients. The student will develop proposals for major works or contribute to major collaborative projects based on their developing area of specialisation.

BIM222 – Developing Virtual Communities assists students in observing and analysing a wide range of virtual communication practices beyond the construction of simple on-line presence, to interactive and immersive possibilities such as cloud computing, telecommunications and e-learning applications. Applying a range of communication technologies and techniques (including blogging, tweeting and social networking) students will explore the psycho-social, political and economic impact of those practices on the individual and the wider community. Students will discuss and evaluate ethical issues as well as advanced principles and practices involved in communications and the language of virtual sub-cultures. Students will apply a range of theoretical and practical skills in the development of community projects.

BIM321 – Cloud Publishing and Deployment Students focus on contemporary online publication and page layout design. They will learn core theories in developing, designing and applying typography in cloud publication. Students will create a text-based publication (website) and learning systematic approaches to conceptual design and management. Using InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator and WordPress, students will experience a wide range of design and print processes as well as creating and deploying a cloud publication.

BIM311 – Advanced Motion Graphics builds on skills learned in Introduction to Motion Graphics to create complex title sequences and infographics through the use of advanced visual effects. Using renowned film and television title sequences and viral videos for inspiration along with exercises in advanced image construction and compositing, students create informative, themed and engaging projects.

STU318 – Interactive Media Engaged Project assists students to actively engage in a team-based approach to project management and the creative application of knowledge, skills and technological expertise to a project, be that in animation, interactive media, video and/or graphic design. Students focus on learning strategies for self-reflective practice that will equip them for life-long learning. Students will be engaged in a supervised pre-production phase in the development of a core project. This subject aims to build upon and further develop the skills, knowledge and abilities mastered in previous years and to explore ways in which students might continue further professional development when out in the work force. Students will learn business theory and professional practice skills, and be expected to demonstrate advanced conceptualisation, planning, project management, production management, producing, pitching and presentation skills. The teaching methodology employed will aim to instil a commitment to life-long learning and a deep awareness of broader social, legal and ethical issues involved in the interactive media and information technology fields.

BIM332 –­ Application Programming This subject further explores the art of writing efficient, effective coding algorithms and programs. Students will complete a piece of software that is to be deployed into an organisation’s ICT production environment. This will be accessed by end-users or by ICT software. This subject will apply object-oriented extensions such as inheritance and polymorphism within C# programs, and develop sophisticated programs that use both console, stream input and output features. They will develop programs that use string and event handling, and create elegant interfaces through using Abstract Window Toolkits.

ICT321 –­ ICT Engaged project assists students to actively engage in a team-based approach to project management and the creative application of knowledge, skills and technological expertise to an ICT major project. Students focus on learning strategies for self-reflective practice that will equip them for life-long learning. Students will be engaged in a supervised pre-production phase in the development of a core project. This subject aims to build upon and further develop the skills, knowledge and abilities mastered in previous years and to explore ways in which students might continue further professional development when out in the work force. Students will learn business theory and professional practice skills, and be expected to demonstrate advanced, planning, project management, production management, and presentation skills. The teaching methodology will aim to instil a commitment to life-long learning and a deep awareness of broader social, legal and ethical issues involved in the ICT field.

BIM221 – Visual Revolution provides students with a theoretical and applied framework for understanding the evolution and development of art in its historical and contemporary perspective. The subject includes a range of art periods and incorporates practical skill development in the use of art materials and training in software such as Photoshop. Students will begin the process that continues throughout the course, of reflecting on creative practice and the artist’s ethical responsibilities. The theoretical and practical components of this subject combine to provide the student with a unique opportunity to broaden their understanding of art and visual communication.

BIM121 – Exploring Media Landscapes In this subject, students explore and analyse forms of media with a view to achieving a better understanding of how to communicate with audiences. The subject explores various media genres, including news genres, and examines the communication conventions employed. Students discuss and analyse key theoretical concepts associated with the construction of meaning including semiotics, ideology, discourse and narrative.

HTC221 – Representation and Meaning explores the historical development and contemporary applications of pictographic, iconographic and ideographic symbols and their representation. Students will use subject-specific vocabulary and concepts to describe and evaluate the value of symbolic and metaphoric imagery, grouping, framing, hierarchy and narrative sequence as visual systems. Students will engage in cultural, ethical and theoretical debates, explore and deconstruct images, develop and implement research skills, and apply theoretical knowledge to practical projects. The Bachelor of Interactive Media provides a comprehensive foundation for the understanding and application of communication and design principles in multimedia in its variety of formats, from the traditional to the contemporary. It explores the history and development of communication as it exists today through conventional media such as print publications, film, television and video, to more contemporary and emergent technologies such as the internet with its multiple social communication and web application options. It also encompasses the learning and application of 2D and 3D software, and offers the exciting opportunity for cross-disciplinary study in areas such as Business and IT.
The course aims to enhance and actualise creative potential by refining the students’ skills in critical and analytical thinking and by cultivating an understanding of the underpinnings of the professional applications of design principles in multimedia environments.