On our Digital Design degree, you take a practical and theoretical approach to design. You will develop the technical skills you need to showcase your creativity. Using the latest technology, you can work with a broad range of design assets and immersive technologies including audio, still and moving image, 3D, and interactive interfaces, to create new experiences for audiences, setting yourself up for an exciting and fulfilling career in the creative industries.
Teaching in the School of Engineering has been rated as excellent. It is taught by a team of experts and industry professionals in the areas of 3D production, online design immersive experiences and interactive applications, and human-computer interaction. Most modules consist of a mixture of lectures, seminars, practical workshops and computer sessions. All modules are continuously assessed.
Our degree programme
In your first year, you are given a broad grounding in digital design, including content creation, 3D design, virtual environments, and design thinking.
In the following years, you go on to explore 3D production and simulation, online design, virtual and mixed realities, and interactive environments.
You also complete a final-year project based on your own interests. This could be an interactive or immersive experience, 3D project, or web-based application. We often also have a range of briefs for projects students can undertake in association with an industrial partner.
Year in industry
Your year in industry takes place between your second and final years. You can apply to companies offering either design or technology-oriented placements, depending on your own interests. As well as gaining invaluable workplace experience, you also have the chance to evaluate a particular career path, and, if your placement goes well, you may be offered a job by that employer after graduation.
You can also take this course as a three-year degree without a year in industry. For details, see Digital Design.
Year abroad
it is possible to take this programme with a Year abroad. For details, see Digital Design a Year Abroad.
Student work
Four final-year students from the School of Engineering worked with the BBC to produce a five-minute animation documenting mental health treatment as part of Mental Health Awareness Week. It tells the story of Sophie, who suffers from Borderline Personality Disorder, and details her experiences with mental health services in the UK.
In May 2018, the animation won a BBC Ruby Award. The Ruby Awards celebrate outstanding programming from across the country and span a range of categories from news coverage and best programme to awards for individual journalists.
Find out more: Students work with BBC to produce animation for Mental Health Awareness Week Video by Kent students on mental health failings leads to NHS apology
Study resources
You have access to industry standard equipment, such as 4 high-end computer suites Engineering laboratoryProduction studio (including photography, video and green screen facilities) VR suite Makerspace Large teaching and design studio Nikon and Canon DSLRs 3D printers.
Extra Activities
There are a number of student-led societies at Kent which you may want to join. These include UKC Digital MediaTinkerSoc – Kent’s Maker Society Women in STEM
Professional networks
We have close links with those working in the creative industries and have worked with industry practitioners including: the BBC Warner Bros. Disney the Moving Picture Company (MPC) BAFTA award-winning filmmakers.
Most modules consist of a mix of lectures, seminars, practical work, computer sessions and private study. The workstations in our computer suites are equipped with current industry-standard software.
All modules contain design and project work, and are continuously assessed. The specialist project at Stage 3 is assessed by a written report, poster, a critique and, of course, the outcome of the project itself. Both Stage 2 and 3 marks count towards your degree result.
The industrial placement year is assessed by a written report, poster, and industrial assessment that together count as 10% of your overall degree result.
The year abroad is assessed on a pass or fail basis.
Our students have 24-hour access to our extensive air-conditioned computer suites and are able to take advantage of a dedicated production studio, with green-screen, VR suite and makerspace.
Knowledge and understanding
You gain knowledge and understanding of:
- the audio, visual and verbal conventions through which sounds, images and words take meaning
- fundamental concepts of IT and software engineering
- the creative processes involved in visual design
- the contextual, historical and conceptual dimensions of the discipline
- audio and video technology
- the multimedia authoring process
- fundamentals of 3D modelling and animation
- key production processes and professional practices relevant to the design industry
- the legal, ethical and regulatory frameworks which affect the development of multimedia applications
- the role of technology in terms of mixed media production, access and use
- aspects of the core subject areas from the perspective of a commercial or industrial organisation.
Intellectual Skills
You develop the following intellectutal skills:
- examining multimedia applications critically with appropriate reference to their social and cultural contexts and diversity of contemporary society
- awareness that technologies are rapidly changing and that you should expect to update your knowledge throughout your working life
- awareness of the objectives, constraints and conditions of a commercial environment, including financial and time constraints
- designing and developing software-based on an analysis of system requirements
- researching and integrating information and data from a variety of sources for essays, projects and multimedia applications
- analysis of a problem and development of a solution based on technical, aesthetic and economic factors
- consideration and evaluatation of your own work in a reflexive manner with reference to academic and professional issues
- analysis, interpretation and exercising critical judgement in the understanding and evaluation of multimedia applications
- applying some of the intellectual skills specified for the course from the perspective of a commercial or industrial organization.
Subject-specific skills
You develop the following subject-specific skills:
- ability to use scripting and programming languages in the implementation of interactive applications
- ability to demonstrate creative and technical skills in design
- ability to develop specific proficiencies in utilising a range of multimedia design tools including 3D modelling, video editing, image manipulating and multimedia authoring
- ability to integrate text, graphics and time-based elements to produce effective design solutions
- ability to initiate, develop and realise distinctive and creative applications which demonstrate the effective manipulation of digital assets
- ability to utilise a range of research skills, for example, research into potential audiences and markets, as a production tool
- ability to prepare technical reports and presentations
- ability to apply management techniques to the planning, resource allocations and execution of a design project
- apply some of the subject-specific skills specified for the programme from the perspective of a commercial or industrial organisation.
Transferable skills
You develop the following transferable skills:
- ability to generate, analyse, present and interpret data
- use of information and communications technology
- personal and interpersonal skills, teamworking
- ability to communicate effectively to a variety of audiences and/or using a variety of methods
- ability for working in flexible, creative and independent ways and for critical thinking, reasoning and reflection
- ability to organise and manage time and resources within an individual project and a group project.
The course aims to:
- provide a multidisciplinary education for students who seek professional careers in the field of digital design
- produce graduates who have an informed, critical and creative approach to understanding digital design and its applications in contemporary society
- prepare students to meet the challenges of a broad and rapidly changing field while providing them with a wide choice of careers
- provide proper academic guidance and welfare support for all students
- create an atmosphere of co-operation and partnership between staff and students, and offer the students an environment where they can develop their potential
- give an opportunity to gain experience as a digital media practitioner working in a professional environment
- develop employment-related skills, including an understanding of how you relate to the structure and function in an organisation, via a year in industry.
