Course Structure for Higher National Diploma in Interactive Media

The Higher National Diploma course comprises sixteen subject units of study and six areas of common skills.  

The subject units are as follows:

Level 1
Core Units:
Computer Applications in Art and Design
The aim of this unit is to introduce learners to the creative potential of the computer in the context of the 2D design. It will provide the opportunity to explore software and its relevance to the area of study. It aims to provide an overview of a variety of painting, drawing, typographic and desktop publishing software. It encourages the combination of traditional and digital design practices, leading to innovative presentations.

Computing Fundamentals
This unit gives an overview and introduction to systems hardware and software. The unit looks at systems, their operational characteristics and appropriateness for different applications. The unit also examines programming languages and the development of programs using a high-level language.

Interactive Media Design and Authoring
Through this unit learners will design and evaluate a prototype interactive media system using an iterative approach. Through research and practice learners will identify users' needs and content. Learners will design the structure, interaction and components of the interface. A psychological understanding will be encouraged to give learners a broad understanding of the use of colour, metaphors and navigational systems. Prototypes will be designed through exploration of software prototyping tools and techniques.

Historical and Contextual Referencing
This unit introduces learners to the cultural history which informs current thought and debate about design. Emphasis is on research and study skills and on learners acquiring source material and knowledge. Presentation skills will also be applied in a practical context.

Special Units:
Interactive Media Principles
The aim of this unit is to introduce learners to the potential of interactive media, and to widen appreciation of the genre for communication purposes. The unit involves studying the use and production of interactive media products. This unit will help learners assess the possible career opportunities in the fields of leisure, business and industry. The importance of the design process in the creation of interactive media products will also be highlighted.

Animation Techniques
This unit aims to provide the learner with an introduction to a variety of animation techniques used in interactive media and video. The unit will equip the learner with the knowledge and skills needed to select the technique most suitable for meeting production requirements.

Computer Programming Principles
In this unit learners will be introduced to the concepts of the programming environment. The learner should, after completing the unit, be able to produce well-defined, accurate design and code completed in an appropriate medium.

Network and Operating Systems
This unit will enable learners to comprehend the principles of both network and operating systems and identify the need for differing types of each and how they interrelate. It will also enable learners to design and set up various types of systems and assess the performance of networked systems under a variety of conditions.

Object Oriented Design and Programming
This unit will provide learners with an understanding of object oriented programming. It will explore the advantages of using an object oriented approach to programming as opposed to a traditional programming language, in particular for coding software to be used in a graphical environment.

Sound Production and Editing Using Interactive Media
This unit aims to highlight the importance of the sound component in interactive media and introduces learners to the basics of digital sound recording, editing and processing. An understanding of the close relationship and interdependence of sound and other media is developed. The unit aims to raise learners' awareness of sound-related issues such as genre, forms and audio cohesion.

2D, 3D and 4D Digital Applications
The aim of this unit is to broaden the learner's knowledge of a range of software applications through the use of digital drawing and painting. It will enable learners to draw and paint using bitmap and vector graphic applications. 3D objects will be modeled and animated using 3D software applications. Outcomes will be presented using 4D time-based digital technology.

Level 2
Core Units:
Interactive Media Web Authoring
The aim of this unit is to enable learners to produce interactive web pages that have interactive media content. The unit will cover the creation of HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) code through to the inclusion of Java Applets to enhance web page design and production.

Interactive Media Professional Practice
The aim of this unit is to broaden learners' knowledge of professional production and the delivery of interactive media systems within copyright licensing laws. It offers learners the opportunity to practise interview techniques in a 'safe' environment. This unit will prepare learners for future interviews giving them the skills to assemble and present a high quality portfolio. This unit will encourage learners to tailor their portfolios to different career paths.

Cultural Interpretation
In this unit learners are encouraged to explore the idea that visual communication is often about reconciling personal aesthetic ambitions with commercial considerations. Learners are encouraged to produce visual material that is free of the restraints of a defined communications task. The aim of this is to explore the design process in reverse.

Special Units:
Interactive Media Professional Team Brief
The aim of this unit is to enable learners to undertake a professional project, assemble a team and interact professionally with a client. This unit will require learners to meet clients' requirements within the resources available. Learners will have the opportunity to demonstrate many skills and abilities, including directing a development team and motivating others. Learners should be able to track resources, competently manage a production schedule and interact professionally with clients. It is envisaged that learners will produce both an interactive media artefact and a final project report for assessment.

3D Computer Modeling and Animation
This unit aims to give the learner an understanding of the principles and practical applications of 3D modeling and animation on screen. The unit will enable learners to visualise and design three dimensional space and will give them a working knowledge of 3D computer modeling and animation software. It will provide opportunities to review the work of 3D computer artists.

Computer Interface Design Principles
The aim of this unit is to enable learners to investigate the design elements of user interfaces for interactive systems. The problems of human computer interface design are inextricably linked with graphic design for both interactive media presentations and online documentation. Learners will learn appropriate use of colour, animation, screen metaphor, navigational devices, visual and audio feedback. Through this unit learners should gain a broader understanding of the psychology, the principles and the practice of user interface design.

Computer Systems Requirements Analysis
This unit is intended to enable learners to analyse the requirements of an organisation when developing interactive media applications. It will introduce learners to the procedures involved in assessing an organisation's present system, through to developing designs in order to create new applications.

Website Creation and Management
This unit enables learners to create and manage web-based applications. The focus is on the server and the mechanisms to link web pages to databases. Although intended for the internet, it could be taught with reference to an intranet, and the unit will deal with intranet issues.

New Technology in Interactive Media
This unit is intended to provide learners with an insight into new developments in interactive media-related technologies. Technology is constantly evolving, changing and re-defining the way that we use it. It is important to keep abreast of new developments and view them in the context of previous releases. Learners are encouraged to work in a limited way with some aspect of emergent technologies. Their work should be outside the usual areas of existing practise.

Marketing Development using Interactive Media
Business success requires effective marketing of products and services. The media play an important role in most marketing plans and interactive media technologies have enhanced the vitality and immediacy of such marketing plans. Producers of digital media goods and services have to market themselves to gain audiences and clients. Traditional physical distribution channels are being replaced, particularly for services and entertainment, by digital distribution channels such as the internet.

Project Management for Learning using Interactive Media
This unit aims to develop learners' ability to manage and organise their personal attributes and qualities in preparation for management. It aims to give interactive media learners practice and insight into the management of a range of possible client projects. The unit also considers the learning demands implicit in meeting a client's needs.

Common Skills

Lectures/Tutorials
The course is mainly conducted in the classroom via face-to-face learning which encourages student-teacher interaction. Students are encouraged to attend field trips and bazaars organised by the school to encourage experiential learning.

Assessment
This course is assessed by outcome-based coursework which involves doing a report, presentation or project work.

Entry Requirements for Edexcel BTEC Level 5 HND Diploma in Interactive Media

 *Those without IELTS 5.5 are required to attend an English Course at a fee.

Certification
Candidates who successfully complete all 16 units of this programme will be given the internationally recognised Edexcel BTEC Level 5 HND Diploma in Interactive Media awarded by Edexcel International (UK).

Edexcel BTEC Level 5 HND Diploma in Interactive Media : Course Schedule

This Edexcel BTEC Level 5 HND Diploma in Interactive Media award takes approximately 960 hours excluding the development and implementation of coursework.

Full-time
3 - 4 units per semester
Recommended Duration : 1½ years (Fast Track)
Recommended Duration : 2 years (Normal Track)

Part-time
2 units per semester
Recommended Duration: 2 years 8 months

Class Size
Class size: Maximum 25 pax per class for practical and tutorial lessons
                 Maximum 35 pax for lecture

Upon completion of the course, the student should be able to demonstrate the following skills: