BA in Multimedia
communication, design, technology
What is Multimedia?
Multimedia is the combination of text, image, animation, sound, and interaction to convey information; from personal to social; from ubiquity to privacy; from push to pull; from collaboration to alienation; from avatar to aviator; from giga to nano, Multimedia is playing an ever increasing role in our everyday lives.
This exciting new media industry requires multi-skilled designers with a mix of technical competence and creative insight who can master the challenges of technology convergence and end-user needs to build the future of media communication.
The multmedia programme at Asian University encourages students to develop a combination of technical ability and a critical understanding of different modes of communication to become graduates who can make a valuable contribution wherever they choose to work. The multimedia programme takes communication as the common strand underlying the many challenges that await the multimedia practitioner and provides the foundation and focus required to succeed in this exciting new field.
"The medium, or process, of our time - electric technology is reshaping and restructuring patterns of social interdependence and every aspect of our personal life. It is forcing us to reconsider and re-evaluate practically every thought, every action, and every institution formerly taken for granted. Everything is changing: you, your family, your education, your neighborhood, your job, your government, your relation to others. And they're changing dramatically."
The Medium is The Massage, Marshall McLuhan
The B.A. in Multimedia, with a choice of focus electives in Multimedia Communication, Multimedia Design and Multimedia Technology, provides a curriculum for undergraduate students who seek professional careers in interactive multimedia or related industries. This major will prepare students for professional practice and graduate study in creative problem solving for electronic media. Students will learn to think critically. Students will learn to approach problem solving in a flexible and creative way. They will learn how to create multimedia content and how to manage multimedia projects. They will be able to communicate design concepts with fluency and integrity. They will have a working knowledge of industrial standard systems and be able to work efficiently with designers and engineers as well as with clients of the industry.
Three choices of focus:
Multimedia Communication
For the verbally creative who are interested in becoming
editors/publishers/directors/producers
Multimedia Design
For the visually creative who are interested in becoming
information architects/designers/artists/creatives
Multimedia Technology
For the scientifically creative who are interested in becoming
engineers/analysts/managers/programmers
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Programme design
The Multimedia curriculum progresses from introductory courses in principle theory and practice (communication theory, design theory, narrative & film, design history, etc.) to intermediate and advanced courses in design studio research and self development (information design, time-based media, interactive design, personal communications, new media etc.).
The B.A. in Multimedia requires a total of 144 credit hours as follows:
General Education Subjects
Liberal Arts Core Subjects
Major Subjects
Major Electives
Open Electives |
30 credit hours
12 credit hours
54 credit hours
42 credit hours
6 credit hours |
The programme is designed so that students attend the same courses during their first and second year. This provides students with an initial broad spectrum of skills and understanding. After the second year, students choose to focus on Multimedia Communication, Multimedia Design or Multimedia Technology. Students will become more specialized as they progress through the programme, culminating in the final year projects, thesis and portfolio presentation. Students will engage in hands-on practical studio work throughout their four years often collaborating with other students on group projects. Electives and personal projects provide students with opportunities to hone their skills and interests at varying levels of specialization.
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Key skills students will acquire
These are considered to be fundamental to the study and practice of a BA in Art & Design in accordance with the Quality Assurance Association for Higher Education.
Students will demonstrate the ability to:
• generate ideas, concepts, proposals, solutions or arguments independently and/or collaboratively in response to set briefs and/or as self-initiated activity;
• employ both convergent and divergent thinking in the processes of observation, investigation, speculative enquiry, visualisation and/or making;
select, test and make appropriate use of materials, processes and environments;
• develop ideas through to material outcomes, for example images, artefacts, products, systems and processes, or texts;
manage and make appropriate use of the interaction between intention, process, outcome, context, and the methods of dissemination;
• apply resourcefulness and entrepreneurial skills to support their own practice, and/or the practice of others.
Graduates in Multimedia will have developed skills in communication and expression through visual and verbal forms and, typically, will be able to use visual languages to investigate, analyse, interpret, develop and articulate ideas and information. Their work will be informed by professional practice including:
• the critical and contextual dimensions of the student's elected focus in particular, and of multimedia in general, for example the business, cultural, economic, environmental, ethical, global, historical, political, societal, and/or theoretical contexts;
• the practitioner’s relationship with audiences, clients, markets, users, consumers, and/or participants;
• the implications and potential for their elected focus presented by the key developments in current and emerging media and technologies, and in interdisciplinary approaches to contemporary practice in multimedia;
• the relationship between the aesthetic and utilitarian dimensions (form and function);
• the significance of the works of other practitioners.
An honours degree in Multimedia confirms that the holder has acquired relevant technical knowledge and practical skills, and will be able to:
• employ materials, media, techniques, methods, technologies and tools associated with multimedia with skill and imagination whilst observing good working practices.
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Typical sequence of courses
This schedule indicates the distribution of courses needed to complete the degree in Multimedia with Multimedia Design as the Elective Focus within eight semesters. Listed courses where the term 'Elective' is used are given as 'typical examples' of what a student might choose to study. Students are also offered a choice of Humanities and Social Science Subjects.
Semester 1 |
EIT103 |
Communication Skills 1 |
EIT101 |
Introduction to Computing |
BUS101 |
Principles of Business [Core] |
LMM101 |
Principles of Communication Design |
LMM102 |
Principles of web site design [Workshop] |
LMM110 |
Studio Projects |
Semester 2 |
GSM102 |
Communication Skills 2 |
EIT102 |
Introduction to Information Technology |
IEC103 |
Principles of Communication [Core] |
LMM103 |
History of Visual Communication |
LMM104 |
Basic Digital Animation [Workshop] |
LMM120 |
Studio Projects |
Semester 3 |
EES201 |
Environmental Studies / Mathematics |
BUS201 |
Business Communication [Core] |
LMM201 |
Time-based media History and Theory |
LMM202 |
Narrative and Storyboarding [Workshop] |
LMM210 |
Studio Projects |
IEC204 |
Advertising [Elective] |
Semester 4 |
LMM203 |
Game Theory |
LMM204 |
Building Interactive Media [Workshop] |
LMM220 |
Studio Projects |
BMK201 |
Principles of Marketing [Core] |
GHU103 |
History of Science & Technology [Humanities Subject] |
BIS201 |
Introduction to Management Information Systems [Elective] |
LMM205 |
Multimedia in the real world [Visiting Speakers] |
Semester 5 |
GSS104 |
Culture & Society [Social Science Subject] |
LMM305 |
Interaction Design Theory & Practice [Focus Required] |
LMM308 |
Typography, Motion Graphics and Titling [Elective] |
LMM301 |
Media and Popular Culture |
LMM302 |
Making Documentaries [Workshop] |
LMM310 |
Focus Projects |
Semester 6 |
GHU104 |
Ideas & Appreciation of Music [Humanities Subject] |
LMM306 |
Collaborative Environments [Focus Required] |
LMM309 |
Advanced Animation Design [Elective] |
LMM303 |
Art Theory |
LMM304 |
Sound Theory and Practice [Workshop] |
LMM320 |
Focus Projects |
Summer Break |
LMM305 |
Practicum [Internship] |
Semester 7 |
GSS103 |
People, Organization & Society [Social Science Subject] |
IEC203 |
Composition Writing [Elective] |
LMM402 |
People, Places and Things [Focus Required] |
GLA102 |
Japanese [Free Elective] |
LMM401 |
Dissertation |
LMM410 |
Independent Focus Project |
Semester 8 |
LMM404 |
Introduction to East Asian Studies [Humanities Subject] |
GPD401 |
Professional Development [Free Elective] |
IEC410 |
Introduction to Cybernetics [Elective] |
LMM420 |
Group Focus Project |
LMM430 |
Final Display of Work |
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Career opportunities
The programmes will prepare students for careers in different sections of the communications, entertainment and technology industries such as
– web development and maintenance
– corporate communications
– software design and development
– games creation
– product design and development
– market research
– advertising
– education and training
– publishing
– broadcasting
– journalism
There are a huge range of exciting opportunities, including in: multimedia departments of advertising, publishing, and telecommunications companies; television companies; games companies; specialist interactive design and multimedia companies; research and development.
Graduate Jobs
– Web site administrator/designer/engineer
– Freelance/self-employed web designer
– Interactive media producer/ consultant
– 2D/3D animator/ compositor
– Digital video specialist
– Digital publishing producer/ consultant
– Production assistant
– Instructional multimedia designer
– New Media Designer
– Interactive Designer
– Game Artist
– Programmer
– Digital Effects Animator
– Effects Programmer
– Visual Effects Producer
– Art Director
– Multimedia project manager
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