Bachelor of Arts (Visual Communication)
Awarded by Raffles College Pty Ltd
Trading as Raffles College of Design and Commerce, Sydney, Australia

Intakes: January, April, July and October
Duration: 3 Years (Full-time)

ADVANCED DIPLOMA IN VIDEO GAMES DESIGN (2 Years)  Awarded by RCHE, Singapore

BACHELOR OF ARTS (VISUAL COMMUNICATION) (1 Year) Awarded by RCDC, Sydney, Australia

MASTER OF DESIGN MASTER OF COMMERCE (1 Year) Awarded by RCDC, Sydney, Australia

COURSE OVERVIEW
The course gives students the creative and technical knowledge and skills they need to become professionals in the games industry. The emphasis is placed on mobile gaming. Through a combination of theoretical and activity-based learning, students acquire the skills for game strategising, game level design, and game scripting and production. They also learn the techniques and tools used in game development and 2D and 3D computer animation.

ASSESSMENT METHODS
All modules will be assessed through a combination of assessments, tests, class participation and written examinations. To be awarded the Advanced Diploma, students will need to achieve a passing mark of 50% for all modules. For Degree and Master programmes, students will need to achieve the passing grade stipulated by the University for all modules.

TEACHING AND LEARNING 
It is essential that a student is subjected to a broad range of views and experiences in order that the learning process may elicit, sometimes over a prolonged period, appropriate routes for a person to take, particularly in the latter stages of the Programme.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
• Games Designer/Artist
• Mobile Games Developer
• Online Interactive Games Developer
• Animation Designer/Artist
• Multimedia Games Designer
• Special Effects Artist

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
 Singapore Citizens/Permanent Residents
•    Students with at least 2 GCE ‘A’ Level credits.
•    Students with at least 3 GCE ‘O’ Level credits.
•    Students with at least 5 ‘N’ Level credits.*
•    Students with diploma from Polytechnics**
•  Nitec or Higher Nitec Graduates***

* Only applicable for Raffles Design Institute and Raffles Merchandising Institute.
** Exemptions based on Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
*** Only applicable to the Advanced Diploma Programme of relevant studies

International Students
•    Students with at least 2 GCE ‘A’ Level credits.
•    Students with at least 3 GCE ‘O’ Level credits.
•    Students with at least 5 ‘N’ Level credits.*
•    Students with diploma from Polytechnics**
•    Nitec or Higher Nitec Graduates***
•    (Malaysia – SPM; Indonesia – SMU; Myanmar – Standard 10; China – Senior High School)

* Only applicable for Raffles Design Institute and Raffles Merchandising Institute.
** Exemptions based on Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
*** Only applicable to the Advanced Diploma Programme of relevant studies.

RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING
Applications for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) are assessed on an individual basis. For design courses, applicants must present their portfolios, transcripts and relevant documents during the interview. They may be advised to take up bridging modules if deemed necessary by the Programme Directors.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS
All courses at Raffles Design Institute are conducted in English. Students must be able to speak and write fluently in English.

Students who fulfil any of the requirements below will be exempted from English as a Second Language (ESL) classes:
• Minimum TOEFL score of 550* (paper-based) or 79–80 (internet-based)
• Minimum IELTS score of 6.0* (academic module) or equivalent
• Minimum score of C6 in English at GCE 'O' level
• TOEIC (Test of English for International Communication) with a minimum score of 650

*Taken in the last 2 years

• Module Synopses  
• (1) Life Drawing  
  • This module seeks to develop a keen sense of observation and to develop the ability to execute visual forms quickly. It also emphasizes on two major factors, the first one is drawing learning skills and the second is developing creativity, the students also will be introduced to the fundamental concept of two and three dimensional graphic representation.
    Credit Points: 10 
• (2) Web Development I  
  • The Students will be provided with the necessary knowledge and skills through practical exercises, lectures, demonstrations and examples to enable them to create unique web solutions by analyzing different project requirements and needs.
    Credit Points: 10
• (3) Academic Research and Communication Skills  
  • This module prepares students in Communication and Research skills. The three main areas of focus are: Research and Analysis, Academic Writing Skills and Academic Presentation Skills.
    Credit Points: 5
• (4) Digital Illustration  
  • Students will be introduced to techniques used to compose and plan vector-based images with computer software. Using the software Illustrator as a design tool, students will explore its various functions, and grasp the versatility of one of the industry’s most utilised drawing tools. Through a series of exercises, each student will produce work demonstrating an effective thought progression and understanding of vector-based drawing software.
    Credit Points: 10
• (5) Image Processing  
  • This module will introduce the techniques of image editing and photo-retouching. Using Adobe Photoshop as a design tool, students will improve their photographic technique and produce complex digital images, exploring technical and aesthetic aspects of the image manipulation processes most commonly used in the visual communication industry.
    Credit Points: 10
• (6) Design Principles  
  • This module combines studio work with academic classroom instruction. Discussions and assignments provide an understanding of the design elements and principles of visual organisation, as well as an understanding of the development of form in space.
    Credit Points: 10
• (7) 3D Techniques  
  • Students will learn to model 3D objects and scenes, texture mapping, bump maps, lightings and camera movements in a 3D environment.
    Credit Points: 10
• (8) Screenplay and Storyboarding  
  • Through practical exercises, lectures, demonstrations and examples, students will learn how to write their own screenplays and create script-related storyboards. They will also be able to produce a visualization of the production on paper, before the actual implementation of the story.
    Credit Points: 10
• (9) Colour for Designers  
  • Students will study colour theories, standards, systems and their applications to design production. Applications in 2D and 3D using both additive and subtractive colour concepts and study of perceptual effects will be explored.
    Credit Points: 10
• (10) Animation Principles  
  • Students will be equipped with basic principles in animation techniques. Through practical assignments such as completing a short animation production using artistic crafts and methods, students will have to successfully complete practical exercises and commence an integrated project in order to complete the module.
    Credit Points: 5
• (11) Video and Audio Techniques  
  • This module focuses in the technical aspects of video creation, processing and display. Students will start by understanding how the human detects motion and light, then relate this to the technical concepts of frames and movies. Students will then start experimenting with cameras and light to learn the critical effect of video production. They will learn to understand and use all the different capture and compression techniques used to deliver video across different systems.
    Credit Points: 10
• (12) Object Oriented Programming for Designers  
  • This module provides a foundation for game development students. The principles and concepts of Object Oriented programming (OOP) is the core to learning how to create software applications including video games. This module covers the theories and practices of OOP including syntax, data structures, polymorphism, and debugging. By applying the OOP concepts learned in this module, students develop applications that integrate a games system of score keeping and measurement, reward and penalty, artificial intelligence, vector mathematics and coordinate mapping. In addition to the observation of industry best practices, the module will give students a comprehensive introduction to the Object Oriented features of the C++ and/or C# programming language(s).
    Credit Points: 10
• (13) Interactive Media Design  
  • This module will explore the non-traditional principles of Interactive Media Design, examine the cultural impact of design via new media channels (web & interactive) and develop and refine the level of conceptual thinking within students’ approaches to multimedia or web design problems.
    Credit Points: 10
• (14) 3D Laboratory (Character Modelling)  
  • Students will build on the 3D skill set already acquired during their studies and begin the process of creating 3D characters of their own making. The module takes a production oriented approach utilizing the lab to develop characters from a concept design through to production.
    Credit Points: 10
• (15) Advanced Interactive Media Design  
  • Students will explore more complex conceptual and technical process of creating both web-based and CD-Rom-based interactive Multimedia programs, working with several Multimedia Authoring Software. Students will apply principles of Interaction Design into more challenging interactive media design projects, reinforcing and expanding the skills acquired in the Interactive Media Design module
    Credit Points: 10
• (16) 2D Game Design  
  • The module forms a cornerstone to further studies in game design just as the classic 2D video game represents the foundation of modern video game design and development. Learning about the concepts and techniques of the traditional 2D format provides students an in-depth understanding of the relationship between video programming and video game design and lays bare the tenuous relationship between video game form and function, art production and computer programming. In additional to observing industry best practices, students in this module learn about the history of the classic 2D video game and the state of 2D development today, to understand commonly used gaming terms and plan a video game production, understand the basics of the 2D video game computer programming, and how to create their own art assets to be synthesized into a unique interactive video game of their own design.
    Credit Points: 5
• (17) 3D Laboratory (Character Animation)  
  • Students will continue their work on character designs and bring life and personality to their models through the art and techniques of character Animation. Students will create skeleton rigs so that they can perform any number of actions with their model as if they were controlling a highly tuned marionette. Various common Animation cycles will be explored including standard walk, idle and run cycle before students advance their Animation skill set by creating their own character performances. This is a production oriented class with industry best practices in observation culminating in a final short film sequence complete with character Animation keyed camera movement, staging and accompanying sound.
    Credit Points: 10
• (18) Experimental Video  
  • The student will develop creative concepts, redefining the boundaries of visual effects video and sound editing. Students will be encouraged to develop innovative concepts using video as a means of expression.
    Credit Points: 10
• (19) Design and Culture  
  • This course aims to provide students with an understanding of the influences of culture and technology in the development of modern design. Throughout the course we will examine the intersections and reciprocal influences affecting art, architecture, visual cultures and design. Topics considered will include industrialization and modernism, semiotics of design, and post-modernism and contemporary design culture.
    Credit Points: 5
• (20) Motion Capture  
  • Motion Capture Technology (mocap) has become a key component of commercial Animation and video game production. As audience demand for heightened realism has increased so to have the demands on the development industry and its base of talented designers. This module covers the art and science of motion capture. Using state of the art capture technology, students incorporate refined physical acting techniques into a digital character Animation framework to create concise movement gestalt Animation cycles for integration into commercial game engines or animated film. Because capture Animation is part of the larger development cycle, this module takes a holistic approach to the art and science of motion capture. In addition to observing industry best practices, students learn both the technical expertise to oversee a motion capture studio and the character and theatrical training to direct motion acting for Animation or game production.
    Credit Points: 10
• (21) Web Development II  
  • This module is the second half of a module to the mastery in Web development on the required database system. It will provide readers with the knowledge and skills through lectures, examples and practical exercises to develop automated or dynamic modules for web systems. Students will be expected to demonstrate the ability to understand how supporting systems and dynamic content make up the bulk of modern dynamic web systems. Students will also be required to develop complex dynamic functions for websites using advanced knowledge in the required scripting language.
    Credit Points: 10
• (22) Portfolio and Presentation  
  • This module aims to assist the student in developing a professional portfolio and learning how to present the work that can best exhibit the strength of the students' creation. Evaluation of current work and assessment of strengths and weaknesses of such will determine the specific actions, revisions or generation of new work which need to be undertaken as part of this module. High standards of presentation will be expected as well as objective selection of work for meeting the students' specific career expectations. This will include preparation of resumes, cover letters, self-promotional applications, methods in targeting and researching for students' graduating event.
    Credit Points: 15
• (23) Final Major Project (Console Game Design)  
  • The module explores the pre-production and production process needed to complete a high-end game design project. Students are challenged to use their planning, authoring, design and production skills and to apply the methods and knowledge they have learned through the Advanced Diploma Module in Game Design. Students start with an idea and develop their project to a final presentation. The student selects a video game platform explored through the student’s time throughout the programme and extend their learning by taking on a project with an advanced level of technical challenge and scope. In order to simulate a professional game production, students will be encouraged to work individually to cultivate independence and management skills.
    Credit Points: 15
• (24) Internship (Video Game Design)  
  • This module exposes students to the professional environment through outside job opportunities in Game Development or Animation Studios, and other approved organizations. Students will be working under the guidance of art directors, animators, texture and image artists, senior graphic designers or marketing communication managers and performing creative work that is educational and meaningful for their short-term academic goals as well as their long-range career preparation. Students will have to successfully complete a minimum of 24 work days and create an internship report in order to complete the module.
    Credit Points: 15

• Module Synopses  
• (1) Design Practical 1 & 2  
  • Each student will negotiate and define a design brief appropriate to their specialist area of design and their current level of expertise. Interdisciplinary design briefs may be undertaken to encourage collaborative investigation followed by critical reflection and evaluation of process and resolved outcome. Students will be challenged to explore a range of design methods and techniques to enhance creative thinking and examine the implications of risk taking in the context of professional practice. The aim is for theory to be implemented in design practice and to be evident in design outcomes.
    Credit Points: 12
• (2) Sociology of Design  
  • This module explores cultural theory in depth as a tool for analysing design culture. The students will be able to critically evaluate the implicit theoretical and philosophical assumptions in design practice with a view to setting out a means of understanding design issues, more informed by cultural theory.
    Credit Points: 6
• (3) Creative Investigation  
  • This module aims to enhance the creative skills required to generate high quality design solutions. It will improve the ability of students to think in highly intuitive, nonverbal and visual terms. The subject aims to increase the students’ knowledge in a high level of investigative methods, while encouraging advanced critical thinking and logical analysis of current design issues.
    Credit Points: 6
• (4) Design Management  
  • This module enhances the practice management capacity of students. It exposes the students to advanced skills required in the formation of a new managerial class of designers who should know how to combine creativity, managerial skills and entrepreneurial spirit to succeed as a practising designer.
    Credit Points: 6
• (5) Psychology of Design  
  • This module seeks to impart to students a psychological perspectives concerning people and their behaviour, in order to develop a high level of skills to consider relevant human factors in the design process. It will also guide the students to interrogate their own thinking styles and personality traits in their approach to design articulation.
    Credit Points: 6
• (6) Advanced Concept Development  
  • This module will channel students into high level concept development that is oriented towards an increasingly more defined direction in the search for efficient and functional design solutions. It aims to enhance the range of advanced techniques that designers have to communicate creative ideas to clients, stakeholders and users.
    Credit Points: 6
• (7) Dissertation Proposal  
  • This module introduces designers to a range of academic and professional research methods appropriate to design practitioners. The writing of the dissertation proposal is to create a blueprint for the student’s project and dissertation to be finalised in the module Design Project or Design Dissertation. The proposal sets forth both the exact nature of the matter to be investigated and a detailed account of the range of methods to be employed.
    Credit Points: 6
• (8) Design Project  
  • Under the Project stream this module is a capstone project through which the students demonstrate their mastery of the profession of design, evidencing and extending all that they have learned from their previous subjects in the Design Studio, Design Practice Seminar, Design Theory and Elective streams. Students will cultivate advanced research skills and will have the ability to develop high level, well formulated, coherent arguments about a substantial design project of their choice.
    Credit Points: 24
• (9) Design Dissertation  
  • Under the Dissertation stream this module is a capstone project through which the students demonstrate their mastery of the profession of design, evidencing and extending all that they have learned from their previous subjects in the Design Studio, Design Practice Seminar, Design Theory and Elective streams. Students will cultivate advanced research skills and will have the ability to develop high level, well formulated, coherent arguments about a substantial design dissertation of their choice.
    Credit Points: 24

• Module Synopses  
• 1) Animation   
  • This subject concentrates on the principles and techniques common to all animation. Students will also get experience in a number of specific animation methods. They will also learn drawing techniques appropriate to animators.
    Credit Points: 6
• 2) The Moving Image  
  • This subject will familiarise students with the art of ‘the moving image’, including film, television, 3D games and animation. Students will receive a broad overview of both the industry and the art form. They will study its history and investigate a wide variety of genres, styles and media.
    Credit Points: 6
• 3) Story and Drama   
  • Story and drama are two important aspects of both linear and interactive moving imagery. This subject teaches students about these through exposure to each area’s key works, the study of classic drama/story methods and practical exercises. Students also develop an idea from story sentence to shooting script.
    Credit Points: 6
• 4) Art Direction   
  • This subject will look at how industry professionals create cinematic, televisual and virtual ‘realities’. Students will consider the psychological and artistic aspects of the camera, sets, costumes, props, lighting and sound etc. They will examine the ways that professionals use design, colour, composition and other elements to create meaning.
    Credit Points: 6
• 5) Character Design   
  • This subject will help students develop and build characters suitable for 2D and 3D broadcast animation and games. Students will learn how to design dramatically and mechanically appropriate characters.
    Credit Points: 6
• 6) Major Project   
  • This subject will enable students to integrate their cognitive, creative, practical and technical capabilities to manage a major, self-generated project. Working independently or collaboratively, students will produce a major project as evidence of professional expertise in their major area of study.
    Credit Points: 18
• 7) Game Play  
  • Students will learn to analyse games and game-play, as well as examine genres and trends in gaming. They will work singly and in small groups to develop game ideas, compare and contrast them with published games and then create focused design documents for possible future production.
    Credit Points: 6
• 8) Games Development  
  • This subject gives students experience in game production and construction. Students will learn about the industry and examine marketing, business and management issues. They will participate in the making of a game.
    Credit Points: 6
• 9) Internship   
  • This subject will give students an opportunity to investigate a selected workplace in their chosen discipline. This structured internship requires students to undertake formal negotiation with the host workplace and to submit written reports.
    Credit Points: 6

• Module Synopses  
• 1) Design Management  
  • This subject enhances the practice management capacity of participants. It exposes the students to advanced skills required in the formation of a new managerial class of designers who combine creativity, managerial skills and entrepreneurial spirit to succeed as practicing designers. It also exposes the students to a range of business management theories and techniques to enable them to be leaders of design teams. The unit will teach the students about the skills and knowledge required to run a successful design practice. It explores through case-based learning human resources issues, entrepreneurship and professional services marketing in strategic and scenario planning, networking and heretic marketing.
    Credit Points: 6
• 2) Global Strategic Management  
  • This module provides students with advanced knowledge and critical skills in understanding an organization’s strategic management position in a global economy. The module aims to build on an understanding of basic principles of strategic decision-making and management and the use of analytical tools for environmental analysis to develop a sophisticated, real-world understanding of processes that are critical to: • Creating a competitive market position • Sustaining a competitive market position • Leading and managing effectively in both domestic and international markets • Creating new businesses and effectively managing risk
    Credit Points: 6
• 3) Managing Resources for Competitive Advantage  
  • This subject is designed to focus student thinking on creating and sustaining competitiveness in existing companies and new start-ups. It is concerned with the application of theory to real world business development and the relevance and context of entrepreneurship and innovation in the 21st century. The learning and teaching is underpinned by the aim of promoting understanding of the importance of creating stakeholder value through a sustainable competitive advantage based upon the integration of the main functional areas of business (Finance, Marketing, HRM and Operations). The subject is centred on strategic decision-making with a specific focus on accessing, developing and utilising company resources. The subject has a functional focus that emphasises the practical implications of resource-based decision-making.
    Credit Points: 6
• 4) Sociology of Design  
  • This subject explores cultural theory in depth as a tool for analysing design culture. The students will be able to critically evaluate the implicit theoretical and philosophical assumptions in design practice with a view to setting out a means of understanding design issues, more informed by cultural theory. The unit introduces students to the disciplines of material cultural studies, visual cultural studies and cultural difference in a globalised world. The unit will combine lectures with seminars developing designed responses to contemporary cultural phenomena such as intercultural communication and subcultures. Students will be sensitised to the different and changing cultural backgrounds of clients and users in topics that deal with sign economies, post-colonialism, and resistance to change.
    Credit Points: 6
• 5) Leadership and Corporate Governance  
  • This module explores the concept of leadership and analyses the role of individual leaders at the corporate level in terms of their impact on: • A firm’s group culture • Sustainable, competitive performance • Managing stakeholder expectations • Ethical expectations and processes in the company
    Credit Points: 6 
• 6) Research Methods  
  • This subject is designed to prepare masters students for their Advanced Project/Masters dissertation. It does so by introducing the concepts of academic research including topic selection, research methodology and methods, literature review, data analysis, and the techniques and conventions of academic writing.
    Credit Points: 6
• 7) Professional Leadership in Design  
  • This subject will develop student understanding of principles of leadership and management as applied to the broad field of design and the place of design-centred practices in commercial environments in the public and private sector. The importance of creating a design culture within both commercial and non-commercial organisations will be examined in the context of design practices focused on marketing, brand management, core values, competitiveness and design ethics. The unit will enable students to create and manage a design-centred culture to underpin decision-making and other activities throughout an organisation, creating and sustaining a differentiated, competitive and consistent corporate identity, design leadership and management processes that support entrepreneurship and innovation in commercial organisations.
    Credit Points: 6
• 8) Psychology of Design  
  • This subject seeks to impart to students a psychological perspective concerning people and their behaviour, to develop a high level of skills in considering relevant human factors in the design process. It will also guide the students to interrogate their own thinking styles and personality traits in their approach to design articulation. This unit enhances the client focus of its participants by exposing them to a range of psychological explanations for people’s behaviour and attitudes. Students will further explore advanced human factors and psychographics needed for optimising the usability and marketability of design
    Credit Points: 6
• 9) Entrepreneurship and Innovation  
  • This subject is designed to examine, in detail, the theories, relevance and context of entrepreneurship and innovation in 21st century businesses. Students will be exposed to a range of entrepreneurial activities and entrepreneurs across a range of industries, and they should develop an understanding of the threshold nature of entrepreneurial activity in terms of business creation, growth and development. This will be examined from an intra-business perspective and processes for the promotion of creativity, innovation and business creation within a corporate context will be analysed. Students should also develop a critical understanding of idea creation, risk analysis and the commercialisation process.
    Credit Points: 6
• 10) Advanced Project  
  • This subject provides a process that will enable students to use and extend the knowledge and skills that they have acquired during their programme of study. Using appropriate research methodologies and data collection methods, students will critically synthesize a body of knowledge relevant to the taught programme. On successful completion of this subject, the student will be able to demonstrate the ability to conduct research and organise the findings into a comprehensive and explicit
    Credit Points: 18