Assessment 1. A portfolio of information relating to the use of a new media product or resource: to include such areas as market research, target markets, relevant strategic planning documents, and competition, with a 1600 word (or equivalent) associated reflective and evaluative commentary explaining the purpose of market research. (40%) [LO 1, 4]

Assessment 2. A response to a new media brief; to include research, indication of a range of possible responses and leading to a selected approach and justification for choices made (60%) [LO 2, 3]

Formative assessment. Contribution to group discussion(s) on the purpose and challenges of market research and how it relates to creative design briefs.

This module takes the form of an introduction to professional practice in the creation of new media products. Live work will be a major aspect of this module, and you will be expected to gain some of the evidence for assessment through a work-related brief.

You will gain an insight into audiences and markets, and how this informs your strategy when creating new media products. The skills you have learned in other modules will be applied in a professional context. You will be encouraged to work innovatively and creatively to meet agreed work outcomes, such as creating and promoting products for specific clients or target audiences.

You will be looking at skills relating to entrepreneurship in the working environment - such as promoting creative new media work and ideas to attract new markets, communicating with clients, and presenting your work professionally. The importance of working with consideration for your own and others' health & safety will be included as an important aspect of the module.

You will be expected to carry out independent research to inform your work, such as demographics, competition and similar products and services, and demonstrate that you understand why investigating these areas is so important.

Introductory briefing at onset of module
Interim briefings
Seminars, lectures and group tutorials considering design, target audiences, and Health and Safety
Media workshops and studio tutorials
Group tutorials with formative feedback
Work related tutorials
Group critiques

A media base room, video edit suites, DV cameras, DVD Authoring kit, image manipulation software, 3D digital manipulation software and digital still cameras.
Students will have access to studio space and college library and computer resources.
University learning resources are available on campus at Stafford and Stoke-on-Trent, and online via the partner Need to Know pages of the university website.
http://www.staffs.ac.uk/courses_and_study/partnerships/current_students/email/index.jsp

Popper F. (1997) The Art of Electronic Age. Thames and Hudson
Thimberly H. (1991) User Interface Design. Addison Wesley
Weinman L. (1999) Designing Web Graphics: How to Prepare Images and Media for the Web. New Riders
Harri-Augstein S & Webb I M. (1995) Learning to Change. McGraw-Hill
Schuyler N. (1995) The Business of Multimedia. Allworth Press
Siegel D S. (1997) Secrets of Successful Web Sites: Project Management on the World Wide Web. Hayden Books
Straus R. (1997) Managing Multimedia Projects. Focal Press

Dell Computer Corporation (http://www.del.com/)
Gorgeous Sites - Photshop resources - www.elated.com/gorgeous/gallery
The Pixelfoundry Graphics Forum - disc.server.com/indices/2695.html
Computer Arts Online -www.futurenet.com/arts/
The Action Xchange - www.actionxchange.com