APU Diploma in Design and Media

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APU Diploma in Design Media aims to provide a program that includes both the academic and vocational aspects of Design and Media and Prepare students for professions in the Design and Media fields.

Students will become more involved in working with technological resources and establishing creative and strategic communication to promote their ideas as the program advances. Students who complete this diploma program benefit in a variety of ways. They have the opportunity to develop themselves through a practical, interdisciplinary, and creative approach. Many programs provide not only a planned curriculum but also the opportunity to work with real agencies and businesses during the term.

Program Outline

APU Diploma in Design Media is specifically designed to teach students:

• Provide a program that focuses on both the academic and vocational sides of Design and Media.
• Prepare students for jobs in the field of design and media.
• Provide students with the academic and professional abilities needed to create solutions in Design Studies that require an integrated approach.
• Provide students with critical, independent, and cooperative learning abilities to help them adjust to future international change.
• Improve students’ mental skills, communication skills, and teamwork abilities.
• Provide students with options for advancement into relevant degree programs in design and media.

Semester 1

Students develop fundamental skills for their academic route during the first semester. They will learn about basic design and media concepts such as drawing techniques, idea development, trend analysis, visual thinking, graphic design history, and the basics of software such as Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator.

Semester 2

Students will improve their communication skills and gain an understanding of key art ideas and practices in the creative business. They are going to learn about advertising principles and how to communicate effectively. They will improve their technical hand-drawing skills through marker renderings, while collaborative group work will develop creative solutions related to specified project requirements.

Semester 3

Students will learn about project management theories and various data collection research methodologies, as well as how to create effective design solutions in larger groups. They will study advanced sketching techniques for character and environment conceptual art, as well as complex tools such as Maya and Toon Boom for theoretical and practical insights into 2D animation and 3D imaging.

Semester 4

Students will learn how to create animated graphics by combining visuals and motion to create fascinating narratives. They will use digital illustration tools to produce creative graphics, while film analysis will improve their understanding of visual language, narrative frameworks, and film’s cultural background. The introduction to entrepreneurship provides students with critical insights into the business aspects of the creative industry, fostering innovation. They will offer ideas and concepts for their Final Project based on their selected design pathway.

Semester 5

In the last semester, students will learn how to use 3D animation methods to make objects come to life through motion. They will also learn about how media is changing and how communication theories can help them understand how messages are sent today. Students will proudly display their chosen design pathway and demonstrate their mastery and creativity talents from their Major Project in a public presentation at the end of the semester. This will provide them the opportunity to meet and demonstrate their resumes to a panel of industry experts.

Elective Courses

In order to strengthen their foundations in technical specialization and creative exploration within the area, students will have the opportunity to choose their elective courses in semesters 4 and 5, based on their chosen pathway.

Route A: Directs To The Digital Advertising Pathway

Students are going to acquire a broad knowledge of the advertising industry by investigating client brief analysis, brand placement, and identity in order to craft design briefs informed by market research. They will explore into fundamental marketing ideas and customer behavior challenges, broadening their knowledge of the industry.

Route B: Directs To The Animation Pathway

Students will explore further into advanced technical applications in 2D animation and 3D methods. Students can choose between art history and industrial design, or they can move into the area of public relations for a broader viewpoint.

Route C: Directs To The Visual Effects Pathway

Students will go further into the workflow of Visual Effects using compositing techniques and improve their 3D skills. Students can choose between art history and industrial design, or they can travel into the area of public relations for a broader viewpoint.

Route D: Directs To The Industrial Design Pathway

Students will get experience using various workshop tools and working with raw materials such as foam and wood through hands-on practical workshops. They will additionally explore 3D programs like as Solid works or Rhino to convert their 2D designs into 3D models appropriate for 3D printing.

Route E: Directs To The Media and Communication Pathway

Students will study public relations ideas and concepts as they involve themselves in the world of media and communication. They will explore into core marketing ideas and consumer behavior concerns, broadening their knowledge of the area.

Additional Studies

After successfully completing APU Diploma in Design Media with a CGPA of 2.5 or above and fulfilling the credit transfer requirements, students will be able to continue to Level 2 of the following APU degree programs.

• Bachelor of Arts  in Industrial Design
• Bachelor of Arts  in Visual Effects
• Bachelor of Arts  in Animation
• Bachelor of Arts in Digital Advertising
• Bachelor of Arts in Media and Communication Studies

APU-DMU Dual Degree

Students of APU Diploma in Design Media enrolled in the Bachelor’s Degree Program are presented with the opportunity to join the APU-DMU Dual Degree Scheme. By choosing this pathway, upon graduation, students will be awarded two Degree Certificates & Transcripts: one from Asia Pacific University (APU) in Malaysia and another from De Montfort University (DMU) in the UK.

Duration	Intakes
+2 Years (5 Semesters)	25 Apr 2024 | 04 Jul 2024 19 Sep 2024

Admission Requirements

General Requirement
SPM	3 Credits in at least 3 subjects at SPM level including Mathematics, with a minimum of a pass in Bahasa Malaysia and Sejarah (History)
IGCSE/O-LEVELS	3 Credits (Grade C & above) in at least 3 subjects at IGCSE/O-Levels including Mathematics
UEC	3 Credits (Grade B & above) in at least 3 subjects in UEC including Mathematics
CERTIFICATE	Pass relevant Certificate Program or its equivalent

English Requirements for International Students

• IELTS : 4.5
• TOEFL IBT : 33
• Pearson (PTE) : 43
• MUET : Band 3

Courses Fees

Malaysian Students	International Students
RM 43,900	RM 48,800 (USD 11,900)