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.

QTAC course code	421532
QUT course code	KK34
Attendance	Full-time
Course duration	3 years full-time
Start month	2013 February
Deferment	You can't defer your offer in this course. You must start in the semester you apply for.
Delivery	On campus Kelvin Grove
Faculty	Creative Industries Faculty
Course contact	Student Business Services (SBS) Admissions: Email: askqut@qut.edu.au Telephone: +61 7 3138 2000
CRICOS code	060810B
Careers	Artist Film Composer Mastering Engineer Multimedia Designer Music Technologist Musical Director Post-production specialist Project Manager Recording Engineer Sound and Music Producer Sound Designer Sound/Audio Engineer Theatre Professionals

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

2013 registrations have closed

Registrations for the 2013 intake were due on the 14 September 2012 and are now closed. If you had not registered and you are considering applying to study in 2014 we recommend you read the following information as a guide only as it details requirements for entry in 2013 and these may change prior to the 2014 intake.

Prerequisites

Successful portfolio

Closing date

Register online and submit your portfolio and additional supporting documentation with QUT by Friday, 14 September 2012.

Additional entry requirements

In addition to applying through QTAC and you must also before the closing date:

1. Complete the Online Registration Form and print the confirmation page.
2. Post or submit the following documentation to the Creative Industries Faculty:

• Online registration confirmation page
• A current passport sized photograph
• A copy of your most recent school report and/or results of previous tertiary studies
• A portfolio of sound works
• A written statement
• A copy of the QUTpay confirmation page from your online credit card payment for the $33 service charge (PLEASE NOTE: Q-Step and ATSI applicants are exempt from the service fee)

Please Note: Registering plus submitting your supporting documentation with QUT is separate 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 process is managed by Creative Industries Faculty; however, all offers for the course will be made through QTAC in December.

Delivery details

In person

Creative Industries Faculty Additional Entry
Z6, Level 1 The Hub-foyer delivery slots
Creative Industries Precinct
Musk Avenue
Kelvin Grove, QLD, 4059
(opening hours from 8am to 6pm)
 

Post

QUT Creative Industries Faculty
O Block, B Wing
Victoria Park Road
Kelvin Grove, QLD, 4059

Service fee

A $33 service fee applies to all applicants, excluding applicants who seeking admission assistance via QUT’s Q-Step and/or Oodgeroo schemes. This payment is to be made via QUTPay and please ensure you print the confirmation page as you will need to attach it to your portfolio.

Frequently asked questions

What should my portfolio include?

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, DVDs or USB sticks on multiple systems, before submitting them. Failure of your media to play in the specified equipment may adversely affect your folio result.

What qualities are QUT Creative Industries looking 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

What should my written statement include?

Your written statement (total 2 pages maximum) should address the following 4 points:

• 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

What qualities are QUT Creative Industries looking for in your 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

You may be required for a phone interview to clarify any points in your written statement.

Who do I contact for more information?

Please contact the Creative Industries Faculty by:

Phone: (07) 3138 8114 and press option 4

Email: ci.additionalentry@qut.edu.au

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.

Find out if you're eligible for a HECS-HELP loan

Scholarships and financial support

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

These scholarships are available for this course:

View all scholarships

You may also be eligible for Centrelink payments