www.gsa.ac.uk4243Digital CultureUCAS InformationInstitution Name: GSAInstitution Code: G43UCAS Code: W280AwardBDes (Hons) Digital CultureCross-Schoolwww.gsa.ac.uk/cross-schoolWatch Inga Paterson on Digital Culture at the GSAInga Paterson, Senior Lecturer and programme leader of the new Digital Culture programme is excited about establishing a unique programme across the specialist schools of design, architecture and fine art.She believes it will add a new dimension to the creative melting pot of the School. "It's a great opportunity for GSA - students from other programmes will have exposure to more technology and the Digital Culture students will benefit from debate, dialogue and contextual practice from the different disciplines." At the time of writing there is no other programme like this in Scotland, and few in the UK. Digital Culture is the art and craft of applying technology. Like textiles, or jewellery making, it is the foundation skills that allow students to explore, experiment and challenge technologies. Inga is keen to point out that whilst the roots of the programme lie in creative use of technology, the emphasis is not on computer programming by any means "It's about teaching a range of building blocks from the base up that are needed to explore, experiment and create using technology. Students will produce interactive visual content as well as learn about connectivity and introductory levels of coding."Education goes beyond the needs of industry. Students will develop abilities in public speaking, creative problem solving, team -work and research. Primarily the programme is about the creative use of technology and becoming a creative developer, which requires a hybrid of skills, an understanding of art and technology and the consequent impact on globally networked society.  It's about revealing the invisible connections between hardware and software, audience and creator, content and coding, real and virtual worlds. We look at three core themes: Computation - basic electronics and programming, Connectivity - networking, both technology and social, and Content - audio visual - the stuff we look at and listen to, the form it takes and the meaning we take from it." Team working will form an important part of the programme. There are built in opportunities for 'distributed teamwork' using technology to help students collaborate. Other times, collaboration will be deliberately face-to face, working without technology. Learning software is part of the programme, and while it is not the main event, it is a core part of the digital creative process but not the only one. "Being creatively resourceful makes sense, so drawing, sketching and visualising concepts is important. If it's sensible, quick and cost-effective - storyboarding a first edit before a film, for example  - then let's use it. It's important to develop a specialist mindset - a creative approach to problem solving. Let's experiment, does technology work here (or not), there are lots of ways in which technology can be used in the creative process, but it's not the only route." We're looking for students who have a deeper curiosity about technology and how it can be used creatively so if you have a strong visual sense and a fascination with the growing range of media platforms and their creative possibilities we'd like to hear from you.Inga worked at the University of Abertay, Dundee for ten years, there establishing the BA (Hons) in Computer Arts, she joined GSA in June 2010 and began the process of developing the BDes (Hons) Digital Culture." Let's experiment, does technology work here (or not), there are lots of ways in which technology can be used in the creative process, but it's not the only route."Apply Now

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