[vet-mm] re: 2006 exam

[Jane Fischer]

Thanks for the 2 cents worth matt, definitely the type of thought we all need to be hearing more of!
 
 
 
Jane Fischer
Education Programs Teacher
 
lab.3000 - leading by design
RMIT University
 
Level 3, 257 Collins Street
Melbourne VIC 3000 Australia 
Phone: +61 (0)3 9654 6970
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www.lab.3000.com.au 
 
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>>> "Matt Ward" <ezine at youthcentral.vic.gov.au> 15/11/2006 2:52 pm >>>

I never had the chance to study multimedia in high school, nor am I a teacher teaching multimedia, so this years exam does not affect me personally, but I wanted to share my thoughts on some good points Peter raised. 
 
I completed my adv diploma in interactive multimedia a couple of years ago at Victoria University. I commenced the course not having any prior knowledge of design or programming ability other than what I had taught myself over countless nights in front of the computer at home. What was surprising was the level of expectation of already acquired design skills elsewhere. The design part (all aspects of good design and visual aesthetics) was really not touched on throughout the entire course. Well, aspects were covered, but no where near enough that I felt qualified & confident enough to apply for a job afterward under the title of a designer. 
 
Incidentally, I am now doing Computer Science at RMIT, because while I felt that my while my design skills weren’t bad, my programming was certainly my strength.
 
Design should never be under-estimated. It is an area that is essential to multimedia. Without design knowledge, you will always be stuck in the rut of producing run of the mill - ordinary work, regardless of how polished the back-end may be. I have seen it many times now, that the people who make excellent multimedia artists and those who have a solid understanding of design (coming from graphic/visual arts background) and can also adapt to the programmatic side as well.
 
So to hear that only 1/5 of assessable material is design related is a bit disappointing. I not having any design theory on the exam is even more of a shame. It sends the message that design isn’t important, which is wrong.
 
My 2 cents worth anyway
 
Matt Ward
Interactive Designer
Youthcentral, Department for Victorian Government
 
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