Media Informatics & Media Design (B.A.)

Program Overview

The Fachhochschule Dresden's Bachelor of Arts program in Media Informatics & Media Design combines design and technology, equipping students with professional skills in interactive and linear media (gaming, film, animation). The program is practice-oriented, with modern facilities, and fosters individual specialization through interdisciplinary options. Graduates pursue careers in diverse media industry roles or further their education with a master's degree.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Fachhochschule Dresden (FHD) offers a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) program in Media Informatics & Media Design at its Faculty of Design. This modern and interdisciplinary program bridges design and technology. Students actively participate in the digitalization process by designing both linear and interactive media. The curriculum is practice-oriented, incorporating new technologies and creatively combining different methods and approaches. Interdisciplinary options allow for individual specialization. The program boasts modern equipment including a film studio (motion capture, volumetric capture space, live streaming, green screen, real-time keying), and a New Work Design Lab with mixed reality workstations. The program's goal is to equip students with professional, methodological, and social skills, training them to be independent thinkers, team players, and graduates with scientific, technical, and design skills. Sensitization to social changes is also emphasized as a prerequisite for success in the creative industry. A high proportion of project-oriented work is a defining feature, including cooperation projects with business, science, and cultural partners. The program focuses on interactive (game/web/app design) and linear media (film/video/animation), with students completing various design projects in these areas. Interdisciplinary options with the graphic design program support individual focus, fostering creative and personal development. Small group sizes and intensive supervision support this process.

Outline:

The program is structured as a modularized learning system combining various teaching contents into thematic blocks. Specific study contents include:

• Design basics
• Presentation in media design (storyboard, graphic design)
• Media design basics (storytelling, image editing, media technology, editing, compositing)
• Basics of software application (HTML, CSS, CMS, introduction to 3D software, screen, animation)
• Specialization in interactive media (interactive programming, game design, game/app development)
• Media design specialization (animated film, short film, studio technology)
The program lasts 7 semesters and typically involves classes 4 days per week.

Teaching:

The program uses a practice-oriented, interdisciplinary approach. Lecturers from the field are involved, and many practice-related projects are integrated into the curriculum. The program emphasizes project-based learning, with a high proportion of project-oriented work completed during the course. Cooperation projects with partners from business, science, and culture are characteristic of the teaching approach. The program is taught in small groups with intensive study supervision.

Careers:

Graduates receive an internationally recognized Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Media Informatics / Media Design. Career options include continuing education with a master's degree, starting one's own company, or working in various media industry professions. Graduates work in media companies or agencies or as self-employed freelancers. Possible fields of activity include:

• Design and implementation of mobile applications and interactive web applications
• Design of graphical user interfaces
• Collaboration in audio and video studios
• 3D visualization/virtual design and animations for film productions, architecture offices, game development companies, product design offices, and general product design within the industry
• Game design and game development
• Video production and video content creation (e.g., social media)
• Video production or animation for advertising and marketing
Specific examples of employment settings include editorial offices, web and app design agencies, editing rooms, compositing and post-production departments, film production companies, animation studios, and game design offices.

Other:

• Student final projects have received the Dresden Excellence Award and various film works have won festival awards.
• The program has an extensive cooperation network with partners from business, culture, and research.
These partnerships ensure practical relevance and high scientific standards. Examples of partners include Balancefilm, Easyclipr, and Intolight.
• The program is NC-free (meaning it doesn't have a numerus clausus, or restricted admission based on grades).