Diploma in Visual Communication (Multimedia)
Intakes: January, April, July, October
Memories are made sweeter through multimedia design. Enjoy the alluring experience of narrating a story through the combined use of 2D and 3D animation!
Level - Fundamentals
Ideal for those looking to pursue a career as a creative and to fast track their learning experience in becoming an industry-ready graphic designer!
Programme Outcome
Acquire all the necessary skill sets to conceptualise and execute design works across various range of mediums and design softwares.
About the Programme
Make A Better Story Through Animation!
Infuse your creative designs with a high level of emotion. Portray your ideas through the medium of storytelling using 2D and 3D Animation.
At the end of the programme, you will be able to integrate the lessons taught in this programme and produce a series of animated and graphic designs for an advertising campaign.
Fundamentals of Design
Understand the key elements and principles of design
Animation Film and Multimedia Interfaces
Develop creative animation and multimedia interfaces
Animation Film and Multimedia Interfaces 3D Modelling and Animation
Learn the full process of 3D modelling, from conceptual sketches to the finished product
What will you learn?
Module 1: Design Fundamentals
Principles of Design and Idea Generation
Synopsis: To introduce students to the creative process and the processes and techniques involved in idea generation such as brainstorming and mind mapping. Students will also be exposed to issues relating to copyright and intellectual property. They will also learn to interpret and write design briefs, taught design principles in the context of graphic design.
Learning Objectives:
- Produce sound ideas using the creative process and idea generation techniques
- Write his/ her own design briefs and also interpret design briefs given to them
- Produce works to demonstrate a good understanding of design principles and intellectual property rights
Creative Communication
Synopsis: This unit is about developing an appreciation for art and type in visual communication. Students will explore the interplay of art and type in producing a variety of outcomes. They will also experiment with art and type by manipulating or juxtaposing images and words to communicate messages effectively
Learning Objectives:
- Identify art and type in visual communication
- Examine and analyse the interplay of art and type in various graphic design works
- Produce works that demonstrate effective experimentation and manipulation of art and type in communicating messages effectively
Digital Graphic Design
Synopsis: This unit is about developing and providing students with the relevant knowledge and skills in interpreting their creative ideas digitally in two-dimensional form, with the help of graphic design software(s). Students will learn colour correction and manipulation to achieve desired results, and will also be requires to use what they have learnt in colour theory and colour psychology to digitally produce graphic design works that meet specific objectives.
Learning Objectives
- Apply relevant tools and functions of the software(s) to achieve desired results
- Produce two dimensional graphic design pieces to demonstrate understanding of the graphic design software(s) taught
- Construct graphic illustrations/ drawings/ typography/ etc in basic two-dimensional form
Module 2: Design Studies
Art Direction
Synopsis: To help students develop strategies for interpretation and analysis, as well as helping them explore new trends for the analysis of images, learning how to identify relationship between culture and image and, as a consequence, come to understand the complex activities of constructing and interpreting culturally relevant images.
Learning Objectives:
- Be able to analyse images and relate them to historical, cultural and commercial programmes
- Work with images to evoke emotion and deepen conceptual understanding
- Work effectively in a group to exchange ideas and create and describe collections of visual images
Mixed Media Drawing and Rendering
Synopsis: To expose students to various drawing and rendering techniques using mixed media. Students will learn colour theory and experiment with various media to communicate ideas and/or messages effectively. They will hone their observation skills through a series of activities and projects.
Learning Objectives:
- Develop observational skills that will help communicate ideas and/or messages effectively
- Produce a series of work that demonstrate clear understanding of colour schemes
- Produce a series of work that demonstrate drawing and rendering skills in different media forms
- Show experimentation of various drawing and rendering styles their development of various ideas
Design Theory
Synopsis: This unit provides students with the knowledge of history of art and introduce them to various art movements that influenced design over centuries. Students will develop and understanding and appreciation of social and cultural influences that affect design. They will also examine major events, trends, new technologies and globalisation that impact design.
Learning Objectives
- Identify and describe key art movements and relate them to contemporary design
- Discuss critical historical, social, cultural events, trends and new technologies that influenced the way design are presented
- Write a paper to investigate, analyse and discuss significant incidents that influenced the development in design
Module 3: Principles of Design
Principles of Layout
Synopsis: To develop an understanding and appreciation for basic principles of layout such as balance, contrast, rhythm, repetition, proportion, etc. Students will be able to effectively use these principles in any aspect of graphic design.
Learning Objectives
- Identify and explain various principles of layout
- Examine and critique the effectiveness of layout principles in various types of graphic design and advertising works
- Create and design various graphic design work to demonstrate clear understanding of layout principles
Typography for Design
Synopsis: To introduce students to various elements of typographic design and appreciate the use of typography in design. Students will explore the application of two-dimensional and three-dimensional type designs and the influence of colour on typography design. Students will also be taught factors that affect readability and visual appeal.
Learning Objectives
- Appreciate the use of old-English calligraphy in typographic design
- Appreciate other styles of calligraphy in typographic design
- Produce original typographic designs and render using appropriate applications
Web Design
Synopsis: To introduce students to basic skills and techniques in designing a website. Students will be taught how to analyse a websites’ content and style, and identify elements of a good website design. They will learn basic coding language and styles that will enable them to produce a simple, visually appealing and functional website.
Learning Objectives
- Identify elements of a good website design
- Analyse a website’s content and style
- Use a simple coding language and styles to create a website
- Produce a website that is functional and usable
Module 4: Animation, Film and Multimedia Interfaces
Animation and Multimedia Interfaces
Synopsis: This unit will take students through conceptual and technical concepts in creating animation and multimedia interfaces. The focus and emphasis of the unit will be to create dynamic visuals with appropriate animation for feedback and screen transitions. Although most of the competencies will be demonstrated through an interface, the animation ideas and techniques can be carried trough most 2-dimensional projects. This will provide very real skills for multimedia professionals going into web, interface, and animation industries.
Learning Objectives
- Competently use and apply both vector and raster graphics in an interface design
- Animate rich visuals through time-based applications
- Understand and use basic scripting commands to control interface elements
- Develop a creative interface assessed against suitability, set communication objectives, and target audience groups
Short Film Production
Synopsis: In this subject, students will be learning the art of narrative short film, including dramatic and visual elements, theme and focus, acting directional style. This will involve the materials and methods of film making, which introduces the technical and aesthetical aspects of short filmmaking, as well as the major styles and genres of film. Students will direct, shoot, and edit short films, which will be eventually screened, reviewed and critiqued. By competing this unit, they will possess highly valuable skills for professional employment in the filmmaking industries.
Learning Objectives
- Understand the art of filmmaking
- Understand what makes the form and content of a short film unique and important
- Develop a short film script from conception to production
- Utilise video cameras and equipment in film style shooting technically and aesthetically
- Show an understanding of the various video formats and use it to their advantage
- Develop skills in the use of computer software podt-production video editing process
Sound for Screen and Multimedia
Synopsis: Sound design is an element that cannot be ignored or underestimated. A great movie can be easily destroyed by bad audio. In animation, voice overs are recorded first, and music edited before 2D or 3D synchronisation occurs. In this unit, students will experience digital multi-track recording practices for various outcomes like television, radio, interactive content and animation. They will produce soundtracks that can be used copyright free, and also record and manipulate sound effects required for contextual and environmental purposes.
Learning Objectives
- Analyse audio content for balance, optimum gain and flow
- Demonstrate an understanding of audio equipment in a mixing desk and audio setup
- Use stereo and multi-track applications competently
- Understand music sequencing in theory and practice
Module 5: 3D Modelling and Animation for Designers
3D Modelling Concepts and Visualisation
Synopsis: In this unit, students will be taken through the full process of 3D modelling, from conceptual sketches to finished product. These techniques can be used for architectural visualisation, product design, CG for television and motion graphics, print, and other multimedia outcomes. Students will not only learn how to model organic and inorganic forms, they will also be learning how to texture the objects with primary and secondary source material. The focus of this unit is in the modelling, and achieving realistic results
Learning Objectives
- Apply observational skills in the modelling techniques
- Use point, polygonal, and NURBS based modelling techniques competently for realistic results
- Apply textures through primary and secondary sources
- Apply lighting in 3D artwork for professional results
- Understand technical considerations for advance rendering output images for print, digital media and television
- Demonstrate competent use of 3D applications in creative work and conceptually strong work
3D Animation for Designers
Synopsis: To really take advantage the different motion graphic applications in the industry, students must master the use of different digitally rendered graphic components creatively. This unit will add powerful animation techniques to students enrolled onto the subject. They will be able to generate richly animated visuals for television, the internet, and other screen based outcomes. The concepts and hard skills required can be carried through to other media projects requiring animated 3D components.
Learning Objectives
- Apply observational skills in the modelling techniques
- Understand and apply animation concepts to 3D objects creatively
- Create synchronised animated outcomes with created objects according to brief specification
- Demonstrate competent understanding of 3D space in motion graphics applications
- Demonstrate competent use of 3D applications in creative work for different media
Motion Graphic and Editing for Television
Synopsis: With the rapid increase in broadcast channels on cable TV and digital cable around the world, the demand for motion graphic designers has risen steadily and professionals are needed to fill this demand. The unit, Motion Graphics for television focuses on generating specific skills involved in the creation of animated titles, program trailers, cinematic sequences, and TV commercials. Students will be introduced to colour correction for television, synchronised moving type elements, special effects, and industry format and resolutions.
Learning Objectives
- Analyse industry work and influence for creative outcomes
- Understand and articulate industry terminology in practical applications
- Visually communicate objectives to fixed target age groups with motion graphics and type elements
- Render outcomes to correct resolutions and specifications for international broadcast standards
Module 6: Design Major
Major Project
Synopsis: To provide students with the opportunity to integrate the lessons taught in this course by producing a set of designs for an advertising campaign. Students will be required to identify a real and local company and propose a design and promotional campaign to promote the company’s product and brand image.
Learning Objectives
- Conduct research on the chosen company’s background, brand, product, competition, target audience, current advertising and branding efforts etc
- Identify key elements from the research and propose an appropriate campaign theme
- Identify and propose a series of 10 design items for the campaign
Programme Fees
SGD $12,095 (Inclusive of GST)
Intakes
January, April, July, October
Programme Duration
Full Time: 18 months, 5 days a week
Part Time: 18 months, 3 days a week
Intakes Yearly
Teacher to Student Ratio
Career Opportunities
- Multimedia Designer
- Animation Artist
- Freelance Animation and Multimedia Designer
- Content Creator
Entry Requirements
Diploma Level
Direct Entry
- Applicants will be enrolled directly into Advanced Diploma programmes if they meet the following criteria:
- Singaporean and Singapore PR applicants: 3 GCE ‘O’ Level subjects, NITEC or HNITEC certificate
- 18 years old and above
- Foreign applicants: Completed a Grade 10 taught in English or completion of Diploma not taught in English with minimum IELTS score of 5 or minimum TOEFL score of 55, or equivalent
Conditional Entry
- Applicants will be given conditional entry into Advanced Diploma programmes based on the following criteria:
- Submission of a design portfolio subjected to assessment by FMDS Academic Team AND
- Submission of resume and Letter(s) of Identity from employer(s) for matured candidates of minimum 25 years of age with a minimum of 2 years of working experience in a related field AND
- Completion of an FMDS Diploma with a minimum Credit grade
Useful Information
Graduation Requirements
For the successful graduation from any FMDS qualification, students are required to pass all modules. For Specialist Diploma, Diploma and Advanced Diploma students, they are additionally required to successfully complete their Final Major Projects as well.
Assessment and Examination Methods
Assessments for each of the modules under each qualification is based on a student project to be completed by the student. It will be conducted by a qualified examiner to be appointed by the school. Students will be given ample time to prepare their deliverables for assessment and the assessment date will be informed in advance. The appointed examiner will grade student assessments based on a standardised gradesheet given by the school. Students are also entitled to appeal the grades they receive should they feel that there was either a procedural error, evidence of a failure of supervision or other extenuating circumstances.
Requirements of Industry Attachments
Students which sign up for the Advanced Diplomas will be required to undergo an industrial attachment programme at the tail end of their studies. Students will be matched up with a participating partner to undergo this industrial attachment where they will receive on-the-job training in the following: design and management, human relations, computer applications, cost implications, safety measures, quality control, productivity and marketing.
Financing Info
- Installment and financing plans available.
- Do reach out to our admissions team to find out more about financing your education!
- Course fees are subjected to 7% GST.
- First Media reserves the right to change, modify course fees without prior notice.