Department of Digital Arts

The proliferation of images in their multitude of forms affects all aspects of our day-to-day interactions. The visual media pervade our culture and are the primary vehicle of communication. Supported by digital technology as a tool, human experience is increasingly becoming more visualized and interactive than ever before.

Building on a rich and colourful legacy, both practice-based and theoretical research in the visual, design and media arts have provided an indispensable foundation for the burgeoning of today’s creative industries, imparting research outputs that have reflected on, enhanced and influenced culture and society at large. Such research has not only helped to enrich our daily experience, but has also contributed in no small way to the broader context of our knowledge culture.

The Department of Digital Arts works together with the Electronic and Digital Art Unit of the University of Preston, UK and also collaborates on research projects with the Unit for Contemporary Art Practice of the University of Leeds in the UK.  Teaming up with the IT University of Copenhagen, Denmark, the Department is preparing to offer a Master’s Degree in Digital Games production to start in February 2012.

Leading foreign academics in the area of digital arts, together with local faculty and practitioners will deliver a practice-led MFA starting in October 2011, with routes in digital fine art, lens-based media and graphic communication. This award combines digital art practice with art and visual theory and focuses on conceptual articulation within a creative and experimental research environment.  The Department also offers a Master’s by Research in areas of Digital Media Art.

The Department of Digital Arts currently collaborates with the Faculty for the Built Environment and the Faculty of Information and Communication Technology to offer a Foundation Diploma in Art and Design.  The Diploma provides the necessary foundation for visual expression, communication and theory in preparation for today’s design led cultures. The Department also collaborates with the Faculty of Education in undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in Art Education.