SPP3 - education - MA in Interactive Media

This Interactive Media Masters course seems to be more focused upon the management side of things, something I've always thought I would suit well. This is good, as it is a little different from what I expected that I would be doing in the future.

London College of Communication

Phase 1

You will be introduced you to the technologies that will underlie the practice of interactive media.

Phase 2

This phase concentrates on the management and intellectual skills that help you work innovatively and rigorously. You will select two electives from the following:

• Futurecasting
• Animation
• Content Management
• Multimedia Coding
• TV Studio Practice.

Phase 3

In the final stage (the MA) you will be required to undertake a group major project and write an individual thesis related to your project work.

Although not an entry requirement, you should know enough HTML, Dreamweaver and Flash to be able to communicate complex ideas with colleagues online. This is not a course that teaches software skills, or superficial styling tricks. We expect you to know or to teach yourself whatever software skills you need.

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Advantages:

• Since being at Uni I have never really considered a managerial role, instead finding real interest in web design. Nonetheless, the opportunities the course suggests for career prospects are inviting - managerial positions in departments, or creative directorships. Obviously it would take time to qualify yourself for such roles, but I think I would be well suited, with recent experience of managing a team for a group client project.
• Being one of the longest running MAs for this type of course, it shows that the course has some credibility, and should challenge me to progress further, shown by the calibre of graduates who have previously attended and gone into commendable roles

Disadvantages:

• I might miss being away from first hand experience of creativity, as this course seems to infer that it is less about exploring styles, and more about considering the design process, strategizing, and being more innovative - in general, theorising. Nonetheless, this is of importance for for the world of work.
• A thesis forms the final phase of the course, which I currently don't feel compelled to want to write. I am much more about vocational implementation or practice now, less so research and documentation.