Diploma in Interactive & Digital Media

Here's the BIG Picture

Expand your creative potential through a combination of theoretical and practical work in various aspects of new media. This programme will cover the conceptual development and production of media, which will equip students with the skills, knowledge, and mindset required to provide quality graphic designs and interactive solutions.

The programme also helps students to acquire the skills necessary to communicate ideas and stories over different forms of media. Graduates of the programme will be qualified to excel in entry-level positions in the digital media industry.

With this Course You Will:

• Utilise your creativity in the field of digital arts and technology.
• Learn how to create digital media, and how to make existing digital media more interactive. 
• Build connections and real-life industry experience through projects mentored by industry leaders.
• Get up to 6 months of internships to gain practical skills, workplace experience, and greater industry knowledge. 
• Improve employability skills, which have been embedded into the curriculum to prepare students for the work life. 

COURSE MODULES

Year 1 

Introduction to Computing 

This introductory module takes a hands-on approach to nurture an understanding of how information technology can be used to increase productivity. A variety of popular and commonly used software packages are used during the practical work, including document preparation, spreadsheets, databases, graphics, electronic mail and groupware software. Students are also taught the proper usage of common computer hardware.

Problem Solving and Programming 

This module covers problem solving skills, writing algorithms, basic programming syntax, control structures, functions and arrays. This is designed to give students the ability to write simple console programs and to be able to understand such programs written by others programmer. 

History of Arts 

This module aims to develop foundational knowledge and skills in our students to engage with, speak about, and analyse all forms of art, with an understanding of context and use of appropriate vocabulary. 

Introduction to Arts and Design 

Explore the Principles of Design (Contrast, Emphasis, Unity, and Harmony), by looking at the ways artists and designers utilise these principles to make their work more impactful. Through observational studies and creative exercises, students will engage in a process of exploration, analysis, discussion, practice, and critique, which will enable them to analyse the work of others with a critical eye, to understand how these principles are used in the design process, and to develop a process for effectively applying these principles in their own work. 

Introduction to Drawing 

This module focuses on the development of observational skills and drawing techniques, employing a wide range of drawing media.  Students in this course will develop both technical abilities and creative responses to material and subject matter. No prior experience with drawing is required or expected. Additionally, students will learn how to critique drawings and receive criticism and advice from fellow students and the instructor.  Learning to articulate artistic concepts and processes using discipline-specific vocabulary is a fundamental part of arts education.  This course will focus heavily on this practice. 

Introduction to Creative Thinking 

This module aims to introduce students’ to the psychological study of creativity, which includes theories of creativity, the processes of creativity, characteristics of creative people, blocks to creativity, the motivation to create, and creative (lateral) thinking tools for solving problems.

Pengajian Malaysia II 

This unit focuses on applying the values ​​of unity and integration of Malaysians as well as fostering the spirit of patriotism and nationalism in addition to fostering a sense of goodwill among the Malaysian community.

Cognitive Process and Problem Solving 

An introductory level exploration of human cognitive functions from an information-processing perspective. The module will allow students to explore issues of knowledge, critical issues related to education, along with making sense on a personal and social level. Students will also be introduced to various heuristic frameworks, and how to apply appropriate strategies for learning, thinking and problem-solving.    

Object-Oriented Programming Fundamentals 

This module is designed to enable students to identify solutions to computational problems using object-oriented concepts, capture reusable patterns of design, and write programs using object oriented programming languages. This module will be have an in-depth coverage of high-level abstraction of objects, Abstract Data Types, Object Oriented Programming (OOP) concepts, and programming methodology. 

Cyberpreneurship 

Learn how to become a cyberpreneur: tech-based entrepreneurs of the future, with this class. The module comprises of two parts: product development and, commercialising the product. Students will be exposed to the principles of e-commerce, the internet and the web infrastructure for e-commerce, web-based tools for e-commerce, current trends in the use of e-commerce, and much more. 

Visual Studies 

The study of visual culture merges the evaluation of popular and "low" cultural forms (media and communications) and "high" cultural forms (fine art, design, and architecture). Course activities include the production of art, active discussions and interpretations of images, lectures on art and media, as well as working on site to capture, study, and manipulate the visual culture that we see around us. The expected outcome is for all students is to develop a broad understanding of the power of visual images, and the many different ways we can manipulate and utilize visual culture in our daily lives. 

Audio Design 

This module introduces students to the field of creative sound design. Students will explore representative techniques and approaches using audio technology, to develop and implement sound design for standalone audio projects, or in conjunction with other media. Through engagement in creative project work, students will learn about studio operations, field sound acquisition, synthesis, sampling, digital signal processing, routing, and software instruments.  

2D and 3D Animation 

Computer animation is one of the most stimulating and important aspects of the digital content creation industry. This subject teaches both the “know-why” and the “know-how” of designing and choreographing animation, using computer animation technology. Students will learn how to use appropriate techniques and principles to design for movement, gesture, weight, action, reaction, behaviour, and characteristics, important for computer animation. 

Issues in the Malaysian Economy 

The focus of this module is on the problems and issues that affect individuals, firms and governments. It is to relate the content of economics to the economic problems and issues experienced by individuals and society. The key issues consist of economic growth and quality of life, unemployment, inflation, external stability, distribution of income and environmental sustainability.

Year 2

Human-Computer Interaction 

Human Computer Interactions (HCI) is a study of how people interact with computers. This module will introduce the fundamental aspects of HCI. Students will learn and put into practice, approaches of design, and the implementation of usable human-computer interactions, taking into account the Malaysian context. Students will also evaluate interfaces, which incorporate design, administration, analysis, and reporting of usability evaluation. 

Database Management Systems 

This module explores the fundamental concepts necessary for the design, use, and implementation of database and document management systems, for example, the relational database model. 

Digital Media Technologies 

This module provides students with an understanding of the technology which drives the profound changes that have taken place since the proliferation of digital content. The module will look into how technology has impacted the ways we interact with one another, through verbal communication, music, art or literature. Within this context, the term “digital media” will be used to describe the range of media that can be represented digitally, and the creation, manipulation, storage, management, and distribution of digital information. 

3D Graphics and Animation 

This module is an introduction to 3D design concepts, and provides practical experience in the design and evaluation of 3D graphics. Students gain practical experience by storyboarding, designing, animating, and rendering 3D graphic objects, characters, and environments. 

Digital Video 

This introduction to digital video employs the principles and elements of art and design, introducing students to image capture and manipulation. Students will also learn how incorporate sound and movement, and principles of line, colour, perspective and composition. Students are encouraged to explore ideas and produce video compositions using basic techniques and software. 

Web Applications Development 

This module offers students the basic of web programming. Students will learn the concept of designing and creating web pages, using HTML (hypertext markup language), XHTML, CSS and more. Students will also learn how to use Macromedia Dreamweaver to organise, access, and disseminate information, as well as how to utilise them in the web development process to create dynamic HTML and JavaScript.   

Digital Compositing 

Digital compositing and visual effects techniques are important but challenging components of 3D animation. In this module, students will learn digital compositing and visual effects techniques such as keying, tracking, and camera matching that will allow them to match or merge 3D animation with live footage. Students will also explore the state-of-the-art processes used for creating convincing photorealistic visual effects. 

Motion Graphics 

This is an introductory module in motion graphics utilizing digital video and various graphics file formats. The module includes lectures, screenings, critiques and lab studio. Projects will cover best practices in animation and visual effects in broadcast design, film titles video design and effects. The module will utilize industry standard visual effects software including After Effects. 

Digital Design and Pre-Print Workflow 

This course introduces students to the digitised design workflow to ensure trouble-free, high-quality printing for generating product proofs. Students will learn how to calibrate images (colour and black and white), adjust trapping levels in all the major software applications, and mix colours. It explains scanning and resolution, and discusses good and bad image formats, describing techniques to make images look good in print - even if they have been downloaded from the internet. 

Effective Communication – Workplace and Persuasive Presentation 

Build important soft skills with this module, such as communication skills and techniques at workplace, and persuasive presentation. Effective communication is the key to success in professional and personal endeavors. The right strategy, carefully chosen words, and respect extended through communication can be the making of a team or an individual. This module outlines different paradigms for communication, explores interpersonal communication and its applications in the workplace, and much more. Students are assessed through a series of activities, including role-plays, oral presentations, and written reports and examinations.

Fundamentals for Creative Professionals 

It is essential for professionals in any field to have an understanding of the ethical problems and principles in their field. But anyone, no matter what their job, must deal with many other professions as well. Part of professional ethics is the understanding of the ethics of other professions: how they interact and what can be expected from them as correct ethical behaviour. In turn, any professional will benefit from a critical scrutiny of their own ethics by those from other professions. The general principles of professional ethics will be examined, as well as the distinctive problems of the different fields. Students will be introduced to key ethical and legal concepts and institutions through case studies relevant to creative and professional practice, and will then apply this knowledge to a range of relevant scenarios as well as to their own practice.

Year 3

Animation and Visual Effects Automation 

This course introduces the easy to learn open-source Processing programming language to teach students on animation production and how to use it in a creative approach to automate 3D modelling and animation. They will learn how to draw with code, and from there move to animating in 2D and 3D. These basics will then open up a whole world of graphics and computer entertainment. 

Practical Training 

This course is designed to prepare students to be involved in the gaming field in real world setting. It will also give the organization the opportunity to train talented students to cater for the industry demands upon the student’s graduation.

3D Animation Production 

This course provides students with the fundamental knowledge and technical capability to create a 3D animation production. The proliferation of digital technology in film, the World Wide Web, computer games and graphics design demands special skills such as critical and creative thinking, expertise and knowledge in the area of 3D animation production. Students will have the opportunity to give form and meaning to their ideas, thoughts and feelings through the use of 3D animation production techniques taught in this course.

Final Year Project 

This project is a capstone design experience which involves system design specification, system implementation, and system evaluation. Assessment will be based on a written report, demonstration and oral presentation. Students will be encouraged to apply their knowledge to a specific topic, and develop their organisational, theoretical, and applied skills. 

ELECTIVE MODULES

Networking Fundamentals 

The course is an introductory course on Networks and Computer Communications. Data communications and networking concerns the transportation of data between computers. In this course, you will learn the theoretical and practical aspects of data communications and networking. 

Project Management Fundamentals 

This module will expose students to project management experience for them to use as a guideline to complete their final year projects. Topic of focus include the systems and procedures in the areas of planning, organizing, scheduling, and budgeting. The module will also involve building valuable soft skills such as good communication, trust, and teamwork. Project managers from industry will be invited to share their experiences. 

Basic Concepts of Marketing 

This course covers key marketing concepts, marketing process and factors that influence marketing strategies. Discussion includes major environmental forces that affect marketing and elements of the marketing mix and difference between the buying behaviors of final consumers and business customers is discussed. It also includes issues related to international marketing such as the global marketing environment as well as product and promotion strategies. 

Game Programming I 

This course will introduce object-oriented programming using DirectX in the field of game programming. Students will learn the importance of game design, modular coding and using the APIs of graphics engines and DirectX to draw and display images, manipulate 3D meshes and objects, play Sounds and Audio files, use scripts and templates. Students will learn how to use an existing framework and how to apply it to future applications in an object-oriented manner. 

Game Programming II 

This course will further develop the student’s knowledge of Object-Oriented Programming (OOP), enabling the student to write well- structured game programs. The student will study OOP concepts such as objects, classes, abstraction, inheritance, encapsulation, and polymorphism along with basic concepts, such as pointers. The students are also introduced to additional libraries, which will be used to increase their understanding of the basic concepts of graphics and game programming.