Readying for my future career through my creative project

In the final year of study in Digital Media and Communications (DMC), students can choose between writing a Dissertation or completing a Creative Project. I’m Tori, and I’d like to share how my Creative Project process is going so far.

Choosing between the Dissertation and Creative Project

In the first year of DMC, all students take a module called Discovering Creative Practice, where we are introduced to the equipment and best practices in a wide range of digital creative sectors, such as podcasting, video filming and editing, storytelling, interactive narratives and more.

I really enjoyed this module, and the opportunity to make things to add to my portfolio really appealed to me. I’m the kind of person who finds it difficult to focus on just one specific topic for a long stretch of time, so being able to design my own project based on my interests felt like a perfect opportunity.

Deciding what to make

Over the summer and into the first semester of final year, I spent a lot of time brainstorming and deciding what I wanted to make. I knew I wanted to incorporate my love for storytelling and creative writing into my project. I pitched a few ideas to my supervisor and personal academic tutor, and they both helped me narrow down my ideas and ensure the viability and the academic throughlines of my project.

Eventually, I had a solid plan. I was going to combine my passion for video games and game design with my fascination for online fan cultures in an (at the moment still untitled) online interactive experience inspired by some of my favourite ARGs (Alternate Reality Games) and dotted with mysteries to solve and easter eggs to discover. It’s a bit daunting to be working on such a large project, but I’m really excited about how it’s going to turn out.

Using the facilities

Part of what helped me feel so confident in choosing to do a Creative Project was the knowledge about all the facilities available to me. The European Research Institute (ERI) is home to just about everything you might need to be a creative practitioner, from podcasting studios to cameras and photo editing software. Much of my project requires photo editing and manipulation for storytelling purposes. I’m glad that the University not only provides access to Photoshop and the Adobe Creative Cloud, but also experienced staff to guide me when I run into issues.

Forming a portfolio for the future

My Creative Project is more than just something I hope to get a good grade in. It’s also something I can show to potential employers as evidence of my creativity and ability. My dream career is to be a narrative designer in the video games industry. Through my Creative Project, I’m developing real skills that are preparing me for my future career.