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Transmedia Design

Are you crazy about storytelling? If you want to learn how to tell a powerful story – AND you are a bit of a pixel geek – then this programme definitely suits you.

About the exchange programme

Transmedia Design is the ultimate fit for those who like  stories, film, gaming, have a thing for innovative media but also like to think strategically. You'll engage with the cutting-edge field of transmedia design, blending storytelling across multiple platforms, and learn to create immersive experiences that captivate audiences. Our approach equips you with the skills to innovate in digital media and design.

Why this programme?

  • Master storytelling across diverse platforms to create engaging, immersive experiences.
  • Gain expertise in innovative digital media and design strategies.
  • Develop projects that integrate various forms of media, preparing you for the future of digital storytelling.
 

More about Transmedia Design

We need new stories. Stories that stand out, create impact and evoke emotion. Stories that prompt us to change our way of thinking, and behaving, stories that make us aware of what we did not know. Transmedia is a storytelling technique and it can be used to tell impactful stories, be it for entertainment, marketing or journalism purposes.  

In the minor Transmedia Design you not only think of what story should be told, but also how to tell it. We go find innovative ways of storytelling, and we stir up the conversation making use of multiple platforms. Stories that are interactive and participative.  

At the minor we let you experiment. You will do so by designing a Transmedia experience; one that turns your audience into a fan of your product, your brand or your topic. At the minor we challenge you to explore you’ll learn new media techniques, get acquainted with VR, AR, AI tools and see how these can help tell the story you want. 

At the minor we have you expand your world. You will do so by studying best practices from all kinds of domains, and we take you out on excursions, broadening your horizon and very important: do so in an international classroom, learning about stories from all around the world. 

 
 

 

 

Content of the programme

During the week you will follow lectures on Transmedia Theory, Narratology, Transmedia strategies and Tools. In Transmedia Labs you will follow workshops on creative thinking and concepting, worldbuilding, 360 film making- and editing and project management. Guest lectures and excursions are organized frequently.  

You are also invited to initiate excursions yourself, when related to transmedia. 

NOTE: Tools are addressed intensively, but the minor is NOT a an ADOBE CC course. Some beginner workshops will be offered for students who are new to the area of designing. On request we might offer workshops for advanced students. Coaches will be available to help with specific questions about different Adobe programs.

Narratology

At the heart of a good transmedia production lies a good story. Narrative design includes knowledge of narratological theories and scenography. Campbell’s “Hero’s journey” and Vogler’s “Writers Journey”, among other narratological theorists, serve as a basis for this theory course. Once a good story is found or made, it can be expanded to a transmedia production.  

 

Transmedia Theory

In our digital age, driven by the social web, the customer’s attention can no longer be asked for, it needs to be deserved. Various theorists have studied transmedia, elaborating on conceptual models and designing principles. Students will study these theories and develop a critical view on recent transmedia productions and learn to reflect on these critical views. Includes topics such as: Media convergence , media theory, spreadability, memes,  interactivity and user participation, semiotics, hermeneutics, transmedia activism, transmedia research, transmedia branding. 

 

Transmedia Strategy & social media platforms

While storytelling is the heart of Transmedia Design it is very important to know how to market the transmedia production in a way that the story stays  at the heart. Also successful transmedia branding campaigns and how they made value propositions into brand activations are addressed. Includes topics such as: Brand storytelling, corporate storytelling , market and target audience analysis, empathy mapping, Google Analytics, Social media advertising, social media analytics 

 

Tools

When it comes to producing a transmedia campaign, students need to make good design choices. The minor challenges to be innovative and to individually learn new creative skills or add to existing ones. During the minor, you will get the time to work on your own learning goals when it comes to different tools using tutorials, with a coach available to help. Workshops will be offered depending on the needs and skill levels of the individual student and the group.  Includes topics such as: Design tools: Adobe Suite (Photoshop, Première, After Effects, Unity). Web tools: website design (Wordpress, WIX).  VR (Tilt brush, Blocks) AR (Fectar, Spark). 

 

Transmedia lab

At least 2 days a week, and later on in the minor program practically full time, you will work on the assignments of this minor, the production being the biggest one. Workshops and coaching will be offered to help you meet the requirements of the assignment. 

In a transmedia production various disciplines merge, like making use of diverse media platforms, have them intertwine and let them develop each in their own way, allowing audience interaction and participation. This calls for firm project management that allows iterations. A transmedia producers guide will serve as a basis to learn how to design a transmedia product for a real client or for a self-contained transmedia story.  

Reflection and coaching: To enhance continuous learning and to monitor learning outcomes, you are  asked to reflect your developments and ambitions. Coaching sessions  on individual learning goals are organized on a regular base in which 360 feedback is provided by coaches and fellow students. 

The deliverables form a coherent whole and as such do not represent separate ECTS. However, to get an idea of the workload and size of the deliverables we  

To successfully complete the minor all deliverables have to be passed (grading is from 0-10). The deliverables are: 


  • 25TDTPA The transmedia design and production (group) (20 ECTS)
  • 25TDTAA Treatment assignment (couple) (5 ECTS)
  • 25TDTTPA Case study assignment (individual) (5 ECTS)

After successfully concluding this minor you will be able to:

  • Create an adequate and innovative transmedia strategy as a basis for an engaging experience.
  • Apply storytelling techniques in order to engage an audience.
  • Create interactive innovative media content to obtain a high participation level.
  • Work in an international and interdisciplinary team and show accountability for the results.
  • Reflect and report on transmedia practices and theory. 

 

Your teachers provide intensive coaching during the programme. Furthermore, all exchange students will be placed in buddy groups, led by a full-time Fontys student. He or she will introduce you to Dutch culture, the city of Tilburg and the campus. With questions about practical matters and social engagements you can go to your buddy. Lastly, our International Office can also help you with study- and practical matters.  

For all matters more complicated or personal you can also go to the International Office or the study coach dedicated to our international exchange group. This study coach can help you with several personal or study related matters and can forward you to study psychologists or a dean if needed. 

 

 

Admission requirements

Target audience: Undergraduate. When attending the minor it is assumed that students have some basic knowledge and skills in either (market)research and/or ideation and concepting  and/or media design. 

It is important that we make a “good match”. Therefore after enrolling in the minor programme you will receive an invite to an intake session in which your level of English and motivation will be assessed. The enrolment is official when you receive an acceptance letter via e-mail.


We expect attendance and commitment, enthusiasm and an open mind.

Once you have chosen to enroll for this minor, you commit to it fulltime for a whole semester. `As mentioned before: classes are not one on one related to the deliverables: you are expected to follow classes in order to improve your transmedia knowledge and learn by doing. The exam results will be better if you prove you have learned more. The minor class  is considered a learning community and shares knowledge, skills and insights. Receives and gives feedback. Showing progress, offering, and receiving feedback, as well as improving the work are an important aspect of the minor.

You are expected to show ownership over your learning goals and monitor them yourself.

 

 

How to apply as an exchange student

Applications should always be submitted via the International Exchange (or Erasmus) Officer at the home university. If several versions of the programme are offered, please indicate for which version you would like to apply to (Programme I, Programme II, Programme III, etc.) This officer will send your application request (nomination) to Fontys. Once Fontys has accepted the application, your Fontys study department will send you a link to a web application called Mobility Online.

Deadline for application

Fall semester: 15 May
Spring semester: 15 November

Note: Not all exchange programmes are available every semester. To find out when this programme is offered, please check its specific details.

 

How will your course programme be recognised by your home university?

Fontys will provide you with a so-called ‘Transcript of Records’, which will clarify the results that you have achieved. Depending on your results, you will receive a maximum of 30 ECTS credits. ECTS credits are recognised throughout Europe. The agreement between your home university and Fontys University of Applied Sciences will usually include a condition whereby the credits that you obtain will be recognised and transferred into the records kept by your home university.

 

Practical information

Start moment(s)
September, February
Location
Tilburg
ECTs
30
Language
English
Duration
20 weeks

Fontys Academy for  the Creative Economy  is a 'bring your own device'-academy, meaning you need to have a proper working laptop preferably containing the full Adobe CC software. In case you do not have ADOBE CC installed you can obtain a student license (€150,- for 2 devices for 1 year) or work on campus on some available desktops. ADOBE CC is not compulsory.  

The minor uses various literature sources that are all free available digitally. You are welcome to purchase the literature yourself but it is not compulsory. The complete literature list is published in the syllabus that will be handed to you upon definite enrolment. 

Fontys does not provide scholarships for its exchange students.

For more detailed information about practical matters, such as financial matters, residence permit, health insurance and accommodation, please click on the button below.