Unlike most students in China, who "go to school first and then specialize," foreign students generally follow the principle of "major first and then college."
In the final analysis, it is because the choice of major often determines the direction of future career development, which is of great significance.
Among the many art and design majors, there is one major that has become more and more popular in recent years, and has even been repeatedly named by national policies/reports!
It is a digital media that integrates various art forms and crosses art and technology.
#1
What is digital media
M50 Winland Art
As the name suggests, digital media is the recording, processing and dissemination of information through digital forms (such as graphics, images, sounds, animations, etc.).
Compared with traditional media, digital media has the characteristics of diversified forms, quantitative content, personalized audiences, and precise communication;
The topic of digital media research is "how to make use of these characteristics to achieve efficient dissemination of information in different fields".
Speaking of which, you may still think that this major is more like a media major than an art major, which is to mention the two major directions of digital media -
Digital Media Technology and Digital Media Arts.
Digital media technology is essentially an engineering major, based on computer and communication technology, and the training direction includes computer programming, web development, game special effects, film and television post-production, etc.;
The core of digital media art is art design, but it will be supplemented by computer and new media technology courses;
In other words, as long as the current popular technology is combined with any artistic direction, it can form a field in the field of digital media art.
There are many research directions, but they can be broadly divided into three directions:
Interactive digital media
With the rise of artificial intelligence and the concept of the metaverse, interactive digital media art represented by AR/VR/MR/XR (i.e., augmented reality/virtual reality/mixed reality/extended reality) is becoming a popular field for countless students.
Because interactive digital media needs to integrate 3D modeling, interaction design, dynamic image capture, animation visual effects, page design and other contents to build a virtual space that can carry out human-computer interaction behavior.
Therefore, the learning content of interactive digital media includes: 3D projection, user experience, human-computer interaction, sound art and other courses.
Immersive digital media
Although immersive digital media also attaches great importance to "allowing the audience to interact with the work", compared with AR/VR, which focuses more on behavioral interactions, immersive digital media pays more attention to the multi-dimensional facial feelings of participants.
In order to achieve an "immersive" experience in a true sense, artists often set up many interactive installations in the space, linking them with "sound, light, and electricity", so as to stimulate people's senses and obtain a "surreal" experience.
Compared with interactive digital media, immersive digital media focuses more on pure art, space design, visual communication and other directions.
Image-based digital media
Video digital media mainly refers to the production of visual works using computer-generated content as the medium, and the final forms of expression include experimental photography, digital illustration, animation design, game special effects, graphic design, video editing, stage effects, etc.
Compared with interactive and immersive digital media, the cross-border scope of image digital media is broader, and it only adds digital means to other art and design disciplines, whether it is fashion, graphics, space, products... can cross borders with it.
Scan the code to learn more about the employment and development prospects of art majors▼
#2
Learn the advantages of digital media
M50 Winland Art
Now that we've figured out what digital media does, let's take a look at why digital media is becoming more and more popular.
Since 2018, when it was rated as a "green card major" with the highest employment rate, salary, and satisfaction, digital media has always been a key discipline that colleges and universities are scrambling to offer.
According to the Ministry of Education, during the three-year period from 2021 to 2023 alone, as many as 57 colleges and universities specializing in digital media will be newly established in mainland China, ranking first in the "number of new professional universities".
In recent years, the importance of the digital industry has been emphasized in the documents on "encouraging the development of digital creative industries", and the "13th Five-Year Plan" has included the digital creative industry in the national strategic emerging industry development plan for the first time.
In the 2023 "Opinions on Building a Cross-Strait Integrated Development Demonstration Zone", it is once again mentioned that "promoting the digital, networked, and intelligent transformation of Fujian and Taiwan enterprises" is once again mentioned.
These are all signals of support for the industry released at the national level!
Secondly, although applications for digital media majors in art colleges generally require the submission of portfolios,
However, in comprehensive universities, this major generally focuses on web design, visualization, digital culture, network technology, etc., and is more inclined to humanities and social sciences.
Such majors generally do not require applicants to have high artistic attainments, so many do not require the submission of portfolios, so it is also friendly to students who do not have an art major background to apply across disciplines.
Finally, and perhaps the most relevant to the individual, the salary level of digital media majors is very impressive among art majors:
According to Max Research statistics, the monthly income of digital media graduates has been rising in the past three years, and they have even ranked among the top 10 high-paying majors, leading the art majors.
The mainland is in the golden stage of the development of the digital media industry, and the shortage of digital media art talents is about 150,000 per year.
Digital media itself is a typical interdisciplinary major, and in terms of employment, graduates can work in a wide range of positions: motion graphics designers, new media content creative specialists, interaction designers, post-production, 2D/3D animators, concept designers, visual effects artists, etc.
Probably because of this reason, Wenlan Art has also accepted more and more students who choose digital media in recent years, and successfully got offers from prestigious schools!
(Exhibit only)
Although many people apply for digital media majors at the postgraduate level, digital media-related courses have been offered since the A-Level level!
So what will you learn in the A-Level Digital Media course?
Live lectures
Winland
At 14:00 on October 13th (Sunday), Wenlan Art invited Ying, a background senior sister of Glasgow School of Art,
Share with you:
- Why study Digital Media during A-level?
- What are the test contents and scoring criteria for digital media?
- CIE Digital Media High Score Case Dismantling Analysis!
- How to plan for the 25 A-level exam in advance?
Scan the code to occupy a seat in advance▼
#3
Recommended by digital media colleges
M50 Winland Art
Royal Academy of Art
Huangyi's digital media major focuses more on narrative, teaching students how to use VR, AR and other digital means to explore and disseminate the stories of the times.
It is worth mentioning that there are no restrictions on the professional background of the applicant, as long as you are willing to actively explore new narrative methods, then you can apply whether you are a former art practitioner, a journalist, a writer, a musician, etc.!
Therefore, it is also recommended for those "big friends" with work experience to apply.
New York University
NYU-Tisch's Digital Media program is part of the university's Interaction Design, which stands for Integrated Digital Media.
The course is more science-oriented, emphasizing the application of science and technology in art research and practice, especially the cross-border application of interaction design and digital media.
IDM's curriculum integrates common topics in the art environment, such as interactive media, signal processing, human-computer interaction, etc., so that students can have more access to the most professional and high-end teaching facilities, such as audio labs, VR labs, motion capture labs, maker spaces, etc.
Goldsmiths, University of London
The Digital Media programme at Goldsmiths, University of London (Goldsmiths' College) combines practical and theoretical approaches to contemporary media and technology.
It aims to provide students with an understanding of the digital transformation of media, culture and society, and to apply this understanding to practice, media and creative industries, and further research.
The program equips students with skills that can be applied to current and future developments in digital media, social media, computing, and other technologies, enabling students to learn to reflect and be critical in a structured and stimulating learning environment.
Goldsmiths, who have always been known for their critical nature, also left students with enough freedom of choice when it came to digital media.
The program is divided into three different research directions, namely: Digital Media Theory Course, Video Production, and Critical Algorithms, which students can choose according to their interests.
Rhode Island School of Design
The Digital Media program at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) is designed to lead students in research and creation using a variety of advanced digital tools, such as electron microscopes and sound research installations.
Focusing on hot topics such as decolonization theory, environmental science, sound studies, immersive space, digital activism, and more, the course provides students with the opportunity for independent research and practice to challenge the social structures that generate and implement new technologies.
What other colleges and universities are recommending digital media majors? Which is better, comprehensive university or art school? Do I need to submit a portfolio to apply? Scan the QR code to add WeChat, filter the most suitable colleges for you, and get the offer!
👉 Study Abroad Application / Portfolio Tutoring / Art Internship 👉 Alevel/EPQ/GCSE course score improvement
🍁 Please "star" to follow
Don't forget to "share" 🍂 and "watch"
👇