Game Technology and Multimedia Entertainment
“Have you always dreamed of working in the Game Industry but didn’t know where to start?”
Introduction
The Game Design industry is far more versatile than most people imagine, and is booming, having surpassed the Movie and Music industries since 2009 in terms of generating revenue. Many organisations out there are producing games of some nature, be it for computers or consoles. The industry is evolving at an incredible rate and, with each new technology that becomes available to the public, new possibilities arise. Social networks, interactive presentations, education, augmented reality – these are only a few future markets that are emerging right now, and every one of these types of organisations will require graphic artists or programmers with game technology know-how for many of their future projects.
There is a huge gap in the South African market for a Game Design Course, and at the moment, there is no educational institution offering a course of this kind. Friends of Design – Academy of Digital Arts, has designed and developed a Full Time Afternoon Course tailored around the various aspects of Game Production, its systems and design processes. Starting February 2012, this one year course will prepare and equip you for a career in the Game Industry thereby giving you the opportunity to begin the exciting career in this field.
Above: Game engine interface
Course infos
Please visit the Enrolments & infos page or download the full time course information brochure and enrolment form.
1 year Full time Game Technology & Multimedia Entertainment
Download Info Brochure: PDF
Download Enrolment Form: PDF
Prerequisites:
General:
18 years of age or older
Matric Certificate
Fluent in spoken and written English
Additional:
The course is not suitable for absolute novices as it builds on existing skills. Therefore a formal qualification in one or more of the following areas is a prerequisite:
Graphic Design
IT & Programming
Web Design
3D Animation
Illustration and Fine Art
Should a formal qualification not be available, relevant work experience will also qualify a candidate for the course.
What to expect from your studies
You will learn the essentials of game design, how to plan, conceptualise and create content for various types of games and how to participate in a team during a game production.
You will become thoroughly comfortable with the many different types of games and their markets, and be able to develop a game pitch, conceptualise and plan your games, apply your ideas commercially, work with other artists in their fields and, above all, produce real games by the end of the course. Furthermore, you will be instructed by industry experts, who will train and nurture your talents.
Your new skills will not only make you more marketable in the industry but provide you, and future employers, with invaluable tools for working with emerging technologies such as mobile platforms, augmented reality and social networks. The study program provides you with foundational skills to conceptualise and create content for interactive applications such as game-based learning, mobile games, interactive storytelling and more.
Among others, your modules will include The Basics of Game Production | Game Engine | Unity 3D, Game Theory | Level Design | 3D Modeling & Animation and more.
Career Opportunities
The technical and conceptual training on this program will provide you with additional, and much sought-after, industry skills. Further career opportunities will become available to you, in other creative industries such as Event Organising, Marketing, Advertising and Web Design.
You can concentrate on these specialist areas, among many others, after graduating from the Game Course :
Game Designer
Concept Artist
3D Modeler
2D Artist & Animator
Level Designer
Game Scripter
Above: Students working on projects
How to Apply
A portfolio of relevant work must be submitted with the application forms and enrolment deposits.
The portfolio can be submitted in digital or printed form. If digital, either a web link to online work or a DVD/CD enclosed with your application form and cover letter will suffice. If your portfolio is online, please provide a functional link to the work in your cover letter.
If digital please submit and post your application to Friends of Design – Academy of Digital Arts, PO Box 967, Green Point, 8051.
1 year Full time Game Technology & Multimedia Entertainment
Download Info Brochure: PDF
Download Enrolment Form: PDF
Semester dates for 2012
Semester 1: Tues 7th Feb – Fri 29th Jun
Semester 2: Tues 31st Jul – Fri 30th Nov
Times
Classes are daily from Mon – Fri, 1.00pm – 5.00pm.
1 Year Higher Certificate in Print Design & Publishing 2012
Enrol on our exciting 1 Year Full Time Print Design & Publishing course, commencing in early February 2012.
Daily, industry-compliant and focused.
Intro
Our accredited one-year, practical print programme is designed to give you a thorough grounding in print media environment. You will master the tools, practices and terminology required to produce professional print media. You will emerge confident enough to apply your skills from pre-press to post-press: receiving a brief, conceptualizing a visual solution; presenting the ideas professionally; executing a concept digitally through the use of a wide range of industry standard application programs such as Adobe InDesign®, Illustrator®, Photoshop® and Flash ® and applying finishing art techniques to take your documents to press, and, finally, presenting the final body of work in a professional manner.
Course infos
Please visit the Enrolments & infos page to download the full time courses Information brochure and enrolment form.
Prerequisites:
Prerequisites: You must be 18 years of age or older, you must have obtained a Matric Certificate and you must be fluent in spoken and written English please.
Previous Art or Design training at a school level is an advantage but not a prerequsite.
Read more about Digital Design, in general, here.
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM YOUR STUDIES
The first year is packed with theoretical & practical training that includes:
Freestyle Drawing Scamping and Story boarding techniques | History of Desktop Publishing & Typography | Conceptualisation Techniques | Raster Image Editing / Manipulation | Electronic Portfolio & Presentation Techniques | Layout Design Principles & Techniques | Brochure & Editorial Design | Vector Illustration Principles & Techniques | Corporate Identity Design | Interactive Presentation Techniques & Electronic Publishing | Cross Media Publishing | Final Printed A3 Book & Flash Portfolio Project
Software: Adobe® Photoshop®, Adobe® InDesign®, Adobe® Illustrator®, Adobe® Acrobat®, Adobe® Flash®.
ON COMPLETION OF THIS COURSE, YOU WILL HAVE THE KNOWLEDGE & ABILITY TO DO THE FOLLOWING:
- Scamp creative ideas on paper using various mediums such as pencil, ink.
- Render drawings with increased speed & proficiency.
- Create professional-looking storyboards to express your conceptual ideas.
- Apply colour confidently in a designs and layouts.
- Apply the essentials of typography
- Apply the principles and elements of design to your creative work
- Hand-draw simple, original illustrations for your projects
- Produce a variety of printed media, including brochures, editorials, CD covers, product packaging, wine labels and posters
- Produce interactive PDF presentations, cross media campaigns, online banners and flash micro-sites, including a mini digital Flash portfolio for online display.
Semester dates for 2012/2013
2012
Semester 1: Tues 7th Feb – Fri 29th Jun
Semester 2: Tues 31st Jul – Fri 30th Nov
2013
Semester 1: Tues 4th Feb – Fri 28th Jun
Semester 2: Tues 30th Jul – Fri 29th Nov
Times
Classes are daily from Mon – Fri, 8:30am – 12:30pm.
Note: Friends of Design reserves the right to alter the topics and modules of any advertised courses to meet or maintain industry standards.
Friends of Design is provisionally registered as a private higher education institution in terms of section 54(3) of the Higher Education Act, 1997 (Act No 101 of 1997), and Regulation 16(4)(b) of the Regulations for the Registration of Private Higher Education Institutions, 2002, to offer the Higher Certificate in Print and Publishing course, until 31 December 2013.
Study Abroad Semester
If you are a foreign undergraduate design student in digital/graphic or new media design – then this is for you!
Friends of Design offers 4th Semester students an amazing opportunity to spend 3 months in Cape Town, at our Academy, on a program that fits into your current graphic design study program.
3 month programs:
2012 – Program A – 7 February – 27 April
2012 – Program B – 4 September – 30 November
Program details
Part of your week will be spent in our studios, engaged in digital training and exciting, conceptually rich “live” projects in both print and new media design. Have a look at our student gallery for samples of work done by previous students from Hamburg & Berlin.
Our centrally located studios are equipped with the best and latest design software and equipment. Our lecturers are industry experienced trainers, designers and commercial artists. With us you will get excellent software training, inclusive of essential production techniques and conceptual work. By the end of it you will have up to 6 great new design pieces to add to your portfolio.
The remainder of your week will be filled with formal English lessons, time to research and work on your projects – and time to enjoy the city and surrounding areas.
So, why do it?
Here are the facts, in a nutshell:
* You will experience the culture of an exciting, different multi-cultural country with the most progressive and modern constitution in the world.
* You will boost your portfolio with many more practical advertising projects for your final portfolio.
* You will receive quality training – delivered in a funky, creative environment.
* You will continue your normal studies and even further enhance your portfolio as you are influenced by the impressions and experiences of studying abroad and let’s face it – in Africa!
* You get to improve your English – vastly.
* You will enjoy (on a daily basis) the beautifully hip city of Cape Town. Its gorgeous beaches and mountain landscapes, the famous wine-lands and the friendly South African hospitality that makes Cape Town such a popular travel destination amongst Europeans, and Germans in particular.
What our past students have to say
“I liked how easy it was to get in touch with Friends of Design and that each of my mails was responded to immediately. Right from the beginning the correspondence felt uncomplicated and very friendly” – Linda, 2011 Program B student
“Nice school, good and friendly teachers, nice projects, learned a lot about how to practice graphic design in SA, and got a short overview how to work in another country with another language. I had a great time, thanks for the help, answering my questions and especially a wonderful and great time in this beautiful country and town!” – Dorte, 2011 Program B student
“Friends of Design offers a personal environment with great learning experiences where students are not just a number and lecturers do an amazing job to share their knowledge” – Linda, 2011 Program B student
How do you enrol or get more info?
It’s easy.
Just contact us via email and tell us that you are interested and we will take it from there. You will receive the following:
* English test
* Enrollment form
* Checklist
* FAQ’s document
Don’t be afraid of the English test! It’s for your own good. It allows us to assess your English skills to give you the best experience in Cape Town.
We will advise you on where to live, how to rent out your place in Germany, your costs in getting there and your monthly expenses, how to get around the city and how your studies will tie in with your current study curriculum.
So what are you waiting for?
Student Exhibition 2012
Friends of Design Exhibition
You are invited to attend the public viewing of our annual student exhibition, showcasing the best Print Design, Web Design and Interactive Media works for 2011.
Public viewing dates & times
- Dates: Every day from 9 September 2011 – end January 2012
- Venue: Friends of Design – Academy of Arts
- Address: 2nd Floor HAK House | 186 Bree Street | Cape Town
- Times: 9:00am until 5:00pm
No RSVP required, viewing is open to the public.
Please contact us for more info.
What is Digital Design?
Digital design is an evolving and exciting multi-disciplinary field that underlies many of today’s fast-growing industries: from advertising to entertainment to print to web-based communication. Digital design can be seen everywhere in the pixel landscapes around you – in movies and on television, in video games, in magazine ads, in expos and trade show and even museum exhibits, and of course, the internet. It involves everything from the virtual sets created for a game to the special effects in movies to the design of online advertising campaigns.
What is a Digital Designer?
A Digital Designer is many things:
- A creative thinker with a broad knowledge base and skill set.
- An artist exploring aesthetic solutions through form, colour, motion and time.
- A person comfortable working collaboratively and individually in a technologically rich environment.
- An entrepreneur observing market trends, exploiting innovation and creating intellectual property.
What do you need to be a Digital Designer?
If you can answer a resounding “Yes!” to many or all of the points below, then you are right for this field – and you are possibly making the best decision of your life to study here:
- • Your passion is design, creativity and the art of design.
- • Shapes, forms, and colours are music to your eyes.
- • You are imaginative and creative.
- • You can paint, draw, visualize, and conceptualize.
- • Ideas come to you easily and you can communicate your ideas through images and layouts.
- • You want to work in advertising, print, web design, multimedia production design or graphic design.
- • You want to be the best you can be, nothing less will do.
- • You’re a self-motivated and creative spirit.
- • You have the will and discipline to succeed.
- • You take pride in your work and you are meticulous.
- • You have an open mind and can work with other creative people.
- • You can give 100% to realize the vision of a client, which often means working and reworking a design.
- • You produce your finest work under pressure, and you don’t mind crazy hours.
What can you do with these studies?
Friends of Design offers a 2 year full time course in digital design that will prepare you to work in the industry. The study programme consist of two 1 year courses consisting of many exciting modules that equip you with the knowledge and technical skills to be a success in your chosen genre of digital design, be it Print design & Publishing, Web Publishing and Interactive Media.
Depending on your individual flair and talent, and dedicated hard work, you could end up in a variety of exciting fields including:
- Conceptual Game Design
- Web site Design
- Graphic Design
- Digital Video Pre or Post-Production
- 2D Animation and Motion Design
- Digital Special Effects
- Virtual Exhibit Design
- Exhibit Design
- Communication Design
- Advertising
- Medical Imaging
- Corporate Presentations & Roadshows
- Educational Software Design
- Educational Installations
- Interactive Art Installations
So, Why study with us?
- We have industry experienced, Adobe and Apple Certified Training staff.
- We have International lecturers and students.
- We integrate interesting live projects into your curriculum.
- We focus on your developing a comprehensive portfolio of work.
- We teach you work skills and the confidence to sell your ideas.
- We work with state of the art equipment and facilities.
- We offer you the experience of working with our visiting European students, tutors and interns.
READ MORE ABOUT OUR FULL TIME COURSES HERE:
2 year Digital Design consisting of 1 Year Higher Certificate in Print Design & Publishing and 1 Year Higher Certificate in Web Publishing and Interactive Media.
And, for more information, contact us on 021 402 0303 or email us.
Enrolment & Info for 2012
As seats are limited, please ensure that your applications for 2012 reach us timeously.
Info Brochures
Download a PDF on the 2 Year Digital Design full time course here.
Download a PDF on the 1 Year Higher Certificate in Print and Publishing course here.
Download a PDF on the 1 Year Higher Certificate in Web Publishing and Interactive Media course here.
Download a PDF on the 1 Year Game Technology & Multimedia Entertainment full time course here.
HERE IS OUR SIMPLE 7 STEP ENROLMENT PROCESS:
- Take the following steps to enrol on our exciting Full time Digital Design courses:
- Get the relevant course application forms:
Download one of the enrolment forms below, pertaining to the course you are interested in. If you have problems, please call our Student Liason officer, Margarita Stoffberg, on (021) 402 0303. for assistance.2 Year Full time Digital Design
Download Enrolment Form: PDF Normal
- Fill out the details required on the Enrolment form:
Provide us with your personal details plus the details and signatures of those of the person/s responsible for the payment of your fees. - Select your preferred payment option. (Info on Scholarships & Bursaries for 2012)
Option 1 – Full payment upfront. (This can qualify you for a discounted course fee, but conditions apply, so please contact us for more details).
Option 2 – Two bi-annual payments.
Option 3 – 11 equal monthly payments. - Provide us with a certified copy of your Grade 12 Senior (Matric) Certificate, or an equivalent qualification.
- Include a certified copy of your Identity Document:
to prove that you are 18 years or older. - Two black/white or colour ID or passport size photos:
One is for our student records and one for your student card. - Hand deliver or post your application to:
Friends of Design Academy of Digital Arts,
P.O. Box 961, Green Point, Cape Town, 8051.
1 Year Higher Certificate in Print and Publishing
Download Enrolment Form: PDF Normal | PDF International
1 Year Higher Certificate in Web Publishing and Interactive Media
Download Enrolment Form: PDF Normal | PDF International
1 Year Full time Game Technology & Multimedia Entertainment
Download Enrolment Form: PDF Normal
You will be contacted for a interview as soon as your application is processed.
Expect a call within a few working days from our Student Liaison officer, Margarita Stoffberg.
Semester dates for 2012/2013
2012
Semester 1: Tues 7th Feb – Fri 29th Jun
Semester 2: Tues 31st Jul – Fri 30th Nov
2013
Semester 1: Tues 4th Feb – Fri 28th Jun
Semester 2: Tues 30th Jul – Fri 29th Nov
Times
Classes are daily from Mon – Fri, 8:30am – 12:30pm.
For more information, contact us on 021 402 0303 or email us
Daily Student Life
The daily student life at Friends of Design is fun. Aside from the fact that you are in lovely Cape Town, mixing with like-minded and creative people who hail from near and far – you are also are challenged daily to develop your innate inventiveness and creativity by trainers who are industry pro’s. Add to that – access to the regular speakers and live projects, plus top of the range technology, and you got a fun, intense and rewarding experience ahead of you.
No day is ever the same and it’s up to you to make it happen!
Here are some snaps showing our students in action:
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The "Distinguished Talent" Bursary 2013
IMPRESS US. WOW US. SHOW US WHAT YOU GOT!
Email us links to your best work (online) and stand a chance of winning a full 2 year study scholarship at our academy. But, the clock is ticking – this window of opportunity closes on Wednesday 12th December 2012 at 4pm.
If you are a creative, talented and imaginative, and colour, imagery and typography are all music to your ears, you’re in luck!
By applying for our 2 year scholarship, you will have the chance to win the financial aid you need to afford an education in this field. With such immense talent to nurture, the last thing you need to worry about is funding—let us deal with that!
To assist talented young people with the potential to shine as visual communicators, the Friends of Design Academy of Digital Arts has launched a scholarship to provide free tuition* on our two-year digital course – for one talented, local, individual per year.
Career Opportunities
Training in digital design can open up a new world of career possibilities, apart from the established paths such as working on creative teams in advertising or web agencies, or as freelance designers or consultants. The rapid evolvement in this field has led to completely new job descriptions being created, such as mobile graphic designer, game developer and ring-tone developer, with many crossing the boundaries between visual, interface, multimedia and sound design.
We believe it is critical for all visual designers to remain on the cutting-edge of new technology to maximise their creativity and expose their clients to new media. They must blend artistic creativity with problem diagnosis, strategising and implementing various skills, to produce work that will inform, persuade and entertain their target audiences.
The school’s two-year programme comprises training in all areas of digital design: print, web design, and motion graphics. The focus is primarily on the print medium during the first year, with you developing a solid technical ability in the software programs commonly used in the design industry, including a host of Apple and Adobe applications to complement your theoretical and practical training.
Towards the end of the first year, you will move onto web studies, and during the next year build upon your newly learned skills with each new project and module undertaken. You will also engage with real clients, right from the start, as industry-experienced lecturers guide you through live projects, and train you to work to realistic deadlines and present your ideas professionally.
In the second year, you will be challenged with web design, two-dimensional animation, motion graphics and video. By the time you graduate, you will be confident in your ability to tackle most design challenges in a real world scenario. In addition, you will have a portfolio of conceptually rich, technically sound and well presented work.
What to Submit
1. The “Distinguished Talent” Scholarship 2012 Application form, with your name and contact details. (See the application form below.)
2. 8-12 Artworks created in any medium and that you consider to be your best work. Only electronic versions of your work will be admissable. Pieces may be submitted as high quality photographs burnt onto DVD or CD-ROM or published in an online gallery on the world wide web. (Simply email us the link with your motivational essays and application form.)
3. Motivational Essay, incorporating answers to The Five Questions.
4. Contact Details
Deadline for Applications
Wednesday 12th December 2012 at 4pm.
For further information, email us.
If youre ready to apply then download the Scholarship Application Form 2012.
*The Scholarship covers your monthly tuition fee only and excludes additional costs for materials required for drawing modules, presentations and printing.
Student graduation 2008
Friends of Design Cape Town
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1 Year Higher Certificate in Web Publishing and Interactive Media
Daily, industry-compliant and focused.
Enrol on our exciting 1 Year Higher Certificate in Web Publishing and Interactive Media course, commencing in February 2012.
Intro
This one year, full time, practical programme engages you in a fixed curriculum around standards-compliant web design and publishing, video production and post production techniques, 2D animation, compositing and visual effects, game design theory and community supported open source content management systems. The programme emphasizes technical training, interactive screen design in context and conceptual thinking.
NOTE: This course is not suitable for absolute beginners. You will need either basic skills in Photoshop, Illustrator or Flash or relevant work experience to cope with the design pressures of the web and motion graphics modules.
Course infos
Please visit the Enrolments & infos page to download the full time courses Information brochure and enrolment form.
Prerequisites:
You will require the 1 year Print Design & Publishing programme or equivalent study/work experience in order to enrol on this programme. (You must be comfortable creating all types of imagery using industry standard programs, namely Adobe Photoshop®, Adobe Illustrator®, as well as have a basic working knowledge of timeline-based animation in Adobe Flash, any version.)
Read more about Digital Design, in general, here.
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM YOUR STUDIES
The second year is packed with theoretical & practical training that includes:
Conceptualisation Techniques | Interactive Screen Design Theory | 2D Animation & Motion Theory | Web Technologies 1: XHTML/CSS | Game Design Theory | Interactive Programming Techniques | Web Technologies 2: WordPress | Motion Graphics 1: Animation, Compositing and VFX | Motion Graphics 2: Video Production & Post Production | Interactive Digital Portfolio
Software: Adobe® Flash®, Adobe® Photoshop®, Adobe® Illustrator®, Adobe® Dreamweaver®, WordPress. Adobe After Effects®, Apple Final Cut Pro®, Apple Compressor®, Adobe Encore®
Languages: XHTML, CSS, XML, Actionscript 2.0, 3.0
ON COMPLETION OF THIS COURSE, YOU WILL HAVE THE KNOWLEDGE & ABILITY TO DO THE FOLLOWING:
- Produce engaging web interfaces using current web technologies such as XHTML, Cascading Style Sheets and WordPress.
- Integrate various elements such as text, graphics, animations, video and sound for online, DVD or television usage.
- Output your final works using the correct compressions, formats and media for effective viewing.
- Include interactivity in a number of different genres of screen mediums through Actionscript.
- Create engaging 2D animations, visual effects and compositions for online and television use.
- Conceptualise, produce and professionally pitch a game design concept and visuals for an online campaign.
Semester dates for 2012/2013
2012
Semester 1: Tues 7th Feb – Fri 29th Jun
Semester 2: Tues 31st Jul – Fri 30th Nov
2013
Semester 1: Tues 4th Feb – Fri 28th Jun
Semester 2: Tues 30th Jul – Fri 29th Nov
Times
Classes are daily from Mon – Fri, 8:30am – 12:30pm.
Note: Friends of Design reserves the right to alter the topics and modules of any advertised courses to meet or maintain what we feel the industry requires of graduates.
Friends of Design is provisionally registered as a private higher education institution in terms of section 54(3) of the Higher Education Act, 1997 (Act No 101 of 1997), and Regulation 16(4)(b) of the Regulations for the Registration of Private Higher Education Institutions, 2002, to offer the Higher Certificate in Print and Publishing course, until 31 December 2013.
