Creative Media Production (Visual Effects) HNC

You will need one of the following:

• 32-48 UCAS points that involve Art, Design, and/or Media
• Level 3 Art & Design Diploma
• Art & Design Foundation Diploma (Pre-Degree)

Entry is subject to a successful interview, where you will be asked to bring along a portfolio of your existing work. Applicants from A-Level courses displaying high levels of creativity will also be considered. We welcome applications from mature students who will be considered individually based on experience, rather than qualifications.

This course will cover a range of units which have been developed into a range of projects that cover both the creative process and also the development of a professional portfolio.

The units that will be covered within this year are as follows:

• Unit 1 – Pearson set individual project
• Unit 2 – Contextual Studies
• Unit 3 – Professional Practice
• Unit 17 – Visual Effects & Motion Graphics Cultures
• Unit 19 – Visual Effects Practices
• Unit 20 – 3D Modelling
• Unit 30 – Principles of Animation
• Unit 31 – Art Development

The majority of projects will be fully covered through a creative process that results in an independently-led set of final outputs. These will be supported through some academic writing to help provide and develop contextual understanding into the subject matter and industry.

The year is rounded off with an exhibition hosted by Bedford College Group, where students will be assisted in developing a showcase of work for both a private and public display. This provides an opportunity to display the year’s hard work to family, friends, and peers. Professionals within the industry will also be invited to view the exhibition.

You’ll be supported throughout the course by a range of lecturers who are proficient within their fields, and be providing both academic and pastoral support through 1-1 tutorials.

You will achieve at the end of the year the following qualification at either a Pass, Merit, or a Distinction:

Pearson BTEC Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Creative Media Production (Visual Effects)

You will be graded throughout the academic year based upon the completion of marking criteria that are outlined within the briefs that accompany each project. These criteria are sorted into Pass, Merit, and Distinction categories with all the tasks set out in the lower tiers needing to be completed fully to meet the higher grades.

On successful completion of this course, you will be granted access to the Level 5 qualification –  the next qualification tier above this one.

Beyond continuing in education, this course provides the necessary skills to pursue a career within creative media and digital design fields such as an animator, modeller, VFX artist, character artist, or environment artist. These fields can be on a range of bases, from freelancing to direct contractual employment.

Throughout the course you’ll be exposed to a range of industry professionals, ranging from the lectures of the course to external artists who will come in to provide talks and discussions about the field.

The course there will be a range of trips that can be engaged with, to develop your cultural understanding of the industry. The costs of these may be covered or subsidised by the College, but transport within the country will need to be arranged and covered by the student.

The college provides a range of resources on campus, including a range of industry-standard softwares including:

• The full Adobe Creative Suite
• Adobe Substance Painter and Designer
• Autodesk Maya
• Autodesk Mudbox
• Blender