KEY POINTS:
Skills in developing interactive content for communication devices such as websites, cellphones, CD-roms and interactive kiosks are becoming increasingly desirable.
One qualification that develops such a broad base of skills is the Media Design School's Diploma in Digital Media.
The level six diploma includes study of digital imagery creation, interactive media design and production, website design and production and digital media technical production.
During the 40-week course, students are expected to spend 45 to 50 hours a week studying. The part-time option takes 80 weeks. Students attend either morning or afternoon classes, with the rest of the day dedicated to assignments. A maximum of 20 students are accepted per intake with a second intake starting in July.
THE GRADUATE
Pamela Minett, 20
Front-end developer for Touchpoint
Graduated in December
In January I started at Touchpoint, a marketing IT company where I am creating websites and HTML emails. I wanted to work here because they are doing new and exciting things.
I didn't go into this from school. I did an adventure leadership course, taught education outside the classroom for primary schools, then started a sports science and arts degree at university. While studying I was mocking up websites for business ideas and getting positive feedback when I showed people, which started me thinking about studying computer science. Then I attended Media Design School's open day and thought, 'This is it!'. I was really impressed by the work displayed and the tutors' passion. I applied, was interviewed and offered a place on condition I got up to speed with Photoshop over the summer because it was a prerequisite and I hadn't used it. The diploma turned out to be my best year of study ever, although intensive. We started with basic programmes, Fireworks, Freehand and Photoshop and a bit of sound work, before learning HTML, CSS, Javascript and PHP. Then we moved onto Flash, looking at the potential with cellphones and desktop applications, not just the web. In our last months we concentrated on Actionscript for Flash.
There were 15 in the class, a similar numbers of male and female. and I was one of the youngest.
The best thing about the course was that it constantly challenged us, with the tutors moulding topics to our interests and pushing our boundaries.
We were encouraged to practice our skills outside school so I made websites for a B&B, a yoga studio and a curtain company - which were great to have in my portfolio. Some of the class found it hard to approach businesses though.
Our last assessment was an online portfolio. When I finished I showed it to every web agency I could find and got heaps of interviews and offers. But not everyone on the course was confident about looking for work this way.
Negatives? I think communication skills needed to be encouraged more because communication is so important in this industry. I also would have liked the school to stay open later during the week. If you didn't have the technology at home, you needed lots of access to get assignments done.
THE EMPLOYER
Romi Dexter
Touchpoint Ltd Project Delivery Manager
Touchpoint produces products and services for multi-channel marketing. Pamela works as a front-end developer in service delivery. Front-end developers bridge the gap between the agency creator, who draws the pictures, and the digital aspect of what is needed.
To do well you need to have knowledge of computer languages and a strong interest in the industry and technology. You also won't survive without good communication skills.
We employed Pamela because she was stronger than other candidates even though she had no industry experience. She did well in the practical test which involved taking a real world website and building and coding it up.
She nailed the standard scripting easily.
When she wasn't sure of the more advanced scripting, she asked for a half hour extension and went off and worked it out.
We want people who can take on challenges. We also want people who are fast and accurate and pay close attention to detail.
There is no question the course helped Pamela develop these skills. It provides all the tools and learning to be very effective and it is up to the individual to give it all they can. If they don't they'll be average.
Front developer technologies are the web and digital technologies of tomorrow but there is a huge shortage. We looked for four months before employing Pamela and she didn't have any industry experience, which speaks volumes.
