Transmedia Design

The program is structured around three projects, supported by classes and workshops, each focusing on different aspects of transmedia design & storytelling. In the first half of the minor, you'll attend lectures and workshops on narratology, transmedia theory, transmedia marketing, and essential tools. These sessions will provide you with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in the projects. The projects all these classes are hung up on are:

• Treatment
• Transmedia production
• Vision document

Assessment is done through submitting a final assessment portfolio in which all projects, plus additional material, are represented to show that the learning goals are met. The minor is graded with one final grade.

This is where you design a transmedia production based on an existing movie or series. You'll analyze the IP, come up with an ambitious transmedia design, and present it on a website. You work in pairs on this project. In terms of workload this represents around 20% of the minor.

This is the main focus of the minor. You'll work in a team for a client or as an independent media team to create a real transmedia production. You'll come up with a story, design an engagement strategy, and choose the platforms for your production. This design will be presented as a production bible. Then, you'll actually create the content: stories, videos, podcasts, websites, live event, whatever you came up with.

Depending on the nature of the client brief, you'll release it to the public and monitor how the audience reacts, or test it in an contained environment.

In this project, you will explore transmedia to define your vision on what transmedia means to you. You can be inspired by guest lectures and field trips and academic discourse. The end work is a personal vision document that can any form you choose: a mind map, an interactive visual document, a game.. it's up to you.

All learning activities, workshops, lessons and coaching sessions, are organized around these projects and include:

Narratology

At the heart of a good transmedia production lies a good story. Narrative design includes knowledge of narratological like Campbell’s “Hero’s journey”. Many story, character‑ and world‑building theories will be addressed.

Transmedia Theory

You will study transmedia theorists, develop a critical view on recent transmedia best practices and theoretical models, and explore design principles. Topics include: media convergence, media theory, spreadability, pop culture & memethics, participatory and fan culture, semiotics, transmedia branding.

Transmedia Strategy & social media platforms

The multi-platform nature of transmedia requires strategic thinking on how to strategically use social media to engage the audience. Successful transmedia branding campaigns and how they transform value propositions into captivating branding are addressed. Topics include: brand storytelling, corporate storytelling , market and target audience analysis, empathy mapping, KPI’s, social media advertising and analytics.

Tools

The minor challenges you to be innovative and to learn new creative tools or expand your existing skills. Workshops will be offered depending on the needs and skill levels of the individual student and the group. You will explore tools such as: Photoshop, InDesign, Premiere, After Effects, Wordpress, Thinglink, Fectar, Unreal Engine, Blender, Figma and many more.

A large part of your week is spent working on the minor’s projects. Mostly the day kicks off with a lecture or workshop, after which you start applying this immediately to your project. You will be coached during this process. Other moments you are expected to work on your own (individually or in a team) on the projects.

To enhance continuous learning and to monitor learning outcomes, you are asked to reflect your developments and ambitions. Coaching on how you are obtaining the learning goals are organized regularly, offering 360‑degree feedback from coaches and fellow students.

Throughout the minor, we take you to inspiring events that highlight alternative ways of storytelling, best practices of conceptual art and VR experiences.

We visit events such as We Are Playgrounds, the Immersive Tech Hackathon, and Dutch Film Festival Storyspaces, where you can explore best practices and discover new creative possibilities.

In the fall semester, you can also opt in for an intensive 3‑day immersive storytelling hackathon.Participation is optional; additional costs may apply for catering and travel.

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.