Bachelor of Fine Arts (Sound Design)

Overview

• Learn to produce sound for visual, online and immersive environments.
• Study sound recording, digital audio processing, sound art, contemporary sonic composition techniques and sound for animation.
• Gain industry experience through internships and public presentations, and showcase your work to industry professionals in film, advertising, games and animation.
• Graduates work as sound designers, mixers for film, TV, games and web applications, recording engineers, folio artists, and sound producers.

Details

Imagine watching a film, playing a computer game, or even browsing the web without music or sound to create atmosphere and excitement and drama. Sound is important in these environments, but there is a whole lot more to sound design than this conventional understanding.

Sound design at QUT is much broader than sound for film and caters for the new and emergent creative industries that operate in audio, music, visual, online and immersive environments. It involves design, production and post-production techniques including recording, digital audio processing, project management, computer/electronic sound creation, sound for screen, and immersive soundscapes.

Why choose this course?

There is an emphasis on creativity and collaboration. You will be encouraged to explore new connections between sound design and the creative industries. You will learn how to use technology to creatively manipulate sound, distribute your works and market your talent.

You will develop working relationships with other content creators within the creative industries at QUT. These collaborations will result in real production outcomes such as films, animations, games and multimedia installations.

Your engagement with the studio masterclass program will expose you to mentoring opportunities from a wide range of industry professionals. As the course progresses, you will be given opportunities to launch your career through public presentations including the final-year showcase events attended by professionals from related areas such as film, advertising and animation.

Career outcomes

Graduates work as sound designers, sound editors and mixers for film and television, web applications and computer games. There are pathways available for honours and professional or research postgraduate studies.

Units

Your course

Year 1

You will start by learning about the fundamentals of sound and music technology and how to use them creatively to achieve artistic results. You will also begin to develop an awareness of sound as a storytelling tool. While you do not need to have traditional music skills, you will work alongside Bachelor of Music students, learning how sound is organised musically and about the dynamics of performance and presentation as they apply to sound design.

Year 2

To develop a unique set of ‘crossover’ sound skills you will build on the foundation studies of your first year, having a chance to pursue the pathway that best suits your future needs. You will have options to work in the fields of sound design for visual and interactive media, immersive entertainment and the recording studio.

Year 3

You will deepen your skills in sound design and production, mentored by staff and industry professionals. You will have opportunities to showcase yourself to industry through a series of creative production opportunities. You will learn about both the existing and emerging industry and have the opportunity to undertake practical projects with other talented creative artists and designers both inside and outside the University with real production outcomes.

Entry requirements

2012 registrations have closed.

Registration for 2012 intake was due on the 23 September 2011 and have now closed. If had not registered and you are considering applying to study in 2013 we recommend you read the following information as a guide only as it details requirements for entry in 2012 and these may change prior to the 2013 intake.

Thank you for your interest in Sound Design at the QUT Creative Industries Faculty. To be considered for a place in you must both apply through QTAC and register directly with the Creative Industries Faculty through our Online Registration Form. Please read through the following information carefully to ensure you are prepared to apply at that time.

What is the closing date for additional entry registration with Sound Design at QUT Creative Industries?

• You must register directly with the Creative Industries Faculty by the extended closing date of 14 October 2011 through the Online Registration Form.
• You must also apply through QTAC, where the due date for on-time applications is 30 September. See the QTAC website for more information.

What are the additional entry requirements?

• Academic record
• Photo: a current passport sized photo (for identification purposes only)
• Portfolio of sound works
• Written statement

Portfolio of sound works

Submit a portfolio of music/sound works that you have created. Suitable items include (but are not limited to):

• Sound design for video or websites
• Soundscapes you have recorded/engineered/produced
• Sounds created using computer software

You should include three contrasting pieces - total duration for all pieces 10 minutes maximum.

Acceptable formats are:

• Audio CD (must be able to be played in a standard CD player)
• CD-ROM (must be compatible with Macintosh and PC)
• DVD (must be able to be played in a standard DVD player)
• USB stick
• Printed screenshots of creative planning (if relevant)

Your folio must also be accompanied by written notes (maximum 200 words) that explain your precise role in each of the items (i.e. what your role/s were in the creation of the piece, how you created the piece, your artistic aims in creating the piece).

• All portfolio items should be marked with your name and contact details. Please note that portfolios are not returned.
• Please ensure you test your CDs, CD-ROMs or DVDs on multiple systemsbefore submitting them. Failure of your media to play in the specified equipment may adversely affect your folio result.

Qualities looked for in the portfolio:

• Originality of approach
• Technical skill in design, recording and production
• Clear articulation of creative approach
• General sense of emotional engagement/success in storytelling
• Diversity of material presented

Information on the written statement:

• Your past experiences in sound design or production activities
• What sound design or designers (in movies, games, etc.) inspire you
• Your ambitions during your studies and beyond
• How you think studying Sound Design at QUT will help you achieve your goals

Qualities looked for in the written statement:

• A strong track record in relevant sound design or production activities
• A strong potential for continued growth in your understanding and practice of sound design
• knowledge of the QUT Creative Industries Sound Design course and how it relates to your own personal goals

Note: Submissions cannot be returned to the applicant.

How do I apply?

To apply for this course, you must:

• Complete the online registration and print the confirmation pages;
• Post or deliver the confirmation pages with a passport-style photograph attached; a copy of your academic record; a copy of the QUTpay confirmation page from your online credit card payment (PLEASE NOTE: Q-Step and ATSI applicants are exempt from the service fee); your portfolio;
• Apply for this course through QTAC. Please see the QTAC website for more information.

Please Note: Registering with QUT for assessment of your portfolio is separate and in addition to listing the course as a preference with QTAC. To successfully apply for entry into this course, you are required to do both. The portfolio assessment is managed by QUT Creative Industries; however, all offers for the course will be made through QTAC in the 15 December 2011 offer round.

Course fees

Your actual fees may vary depending on which units you choose. All fees are based on current fixed fee prices. We review fees annually.

HECS-HELP: loans to help you pay your course fees

You may not have to pay anything upfront if you're eligible for a HECS-HELP loan.

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Scholarships and financial support

You can apply for scholarships to help you with study and living costs.

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You may also be eligible for Centrelink payments