The Media School

BU students weave web of interactive design

2 June 2009

The innovative projects of nine Bournemouth University (BU) media students are featured in the May issue of Web Designer magazine.

Over a quarter of the publication's 15-page 'Creative Careers 2009' student showcase is devoted to the work of students on the University's BA (Hons) in Interactive Media Production.

The article provides an excellent opportunity for the students to get their projects noticed ahead of their final year show which is entitled 'ScreenGrab' and will take place in London's Old Truman Brewery from 28 May - 1 June. The interactive exhibition is part of this year's 'Free Range' event, Europe 's largest graduate art and design show.

The Interactive Media Production degree programme at BU helps students to develop their multimedia skills as they prepare for careers within the interactive media industries. These include the development of computer games, web-based resources and material for mobile devices and technologies.

During our Interactive Media Production course at BU, students make a range of interactive media projects, combining sound, video, graphics, words and animation, said Mik Parsons, Senior Lecturer in Interactive Media Production in BU's world-renowned Media School . They create projects that you don't just sit and watch but ones you have to actively 'play' or 'use' in some way.

The students featured in Web Designer and exhibiting at 'ScreenGrab' have all of the qualities we're looking for in future students who may be considering a career in this field, he continued. We are looking for students who are flexible, creative and organised and who would enjoy the challenge of working in the constantly changing environment of interactive media.

BU student Ben McClellan is amongst the students whose work is featured in Web Designer. In the future he hopes to work on children's cartoons or within the computer games industry developing programme concepts and designs,. His Good & Evil' creation is an online interactive narrative for children aged 4-7. The project is based around two characters - Good & Evil - who are trying to find their way back home after being lost in a new and dynamic world full of creatures and interesting locations.

The course at Bournemouth allows you to be yourself, be creative and expressive, says Ben. You can learn a lot of both practical and academic skills that support entry into industry.

Joelle Butler's Flash-based interactive solution 'This is not a game' is also featured in Web Designer . Joelle is hopeful of raising awareness of global issues via the project which is designed to promote climate change issues, encouraging individuals to gain a more positive attitude to learning and find ways to make a difference.

The best thing about studying Interactive Media Production at Bournemouth is the enthusiasm everyone in the Media School has for their course, she enthused. The lecturers are really inspirational, channelling our thoughts and creativity into exciting and innovative projects.

For further information about the 'Free Range' event and BU's own 'ScreenGrab' end of year show, please visit: www.screengrab09.com