- About the minor Transmedia Design
- Practical information
- Study programme
- What do we expect from you
- Buddy and support
- Eligibility & Entry level
- How to apply
- Contact
Are you crazy about storytelling? If you want to learn how to tell a powerful story – AND you are a bit of a pixel geek – then this minor definitely suits you. The minor Transmedia Design is the ultimate fit for those who like stories, film, gaming, have a thing for innovative media but also like to think strategically.
Storytelling
We need new stories. Stories that stand out, create impact and evoke emotion. Stories that prompt us to change our way of thinking, and behaving, stories that make us aware of what we did not know. Transmedia is a storytelling technique and it can be used to tell impactful stories, be it for entertainment, marketing or journalism purposes.
In the minor Transmedia Design you not only think of what story should be told, but also how to tell it. We go find innovative ways of storytelling, and we stir up the conversation making use of multiple platforms. Stories that are interactive and participative.
At the minor we let you experiment: You will do so by designing a Transmedia experience; one that turns your audience into a fan of your product, your brand or your topic.
At the minor we challenge you to explore you’ll learn new media techniques, get acquainted with VR, AR, AI tools and see how these can help tell the story you want.
At the minor we have you expand your world: You will do so by studying best practices from all kinds of domains, and we take you out on excursions, broadening your horizon and very important: do so in an international classroom, learning about stories from all around the world.
Learning outcomes, after successfully concluding this minor you will be able to:
- Create an adequate and innovative transmedia strategy as a basis for an engaging experience.
- Apply storytelling techniques in order to engage an audience.
- Create interactive innovative media content to obtain a high participation level.
- Work in an international and interdisciplinary team and show accountability for the results.
- Reflect and report on transmedia practices and theory.
Students about this programme
“Great approach in terms of teaching”
“Well organised, really smart teachers”
“With all teachers I felt like they were more coaches to us: which is meant to be a compliment. I felt like everyone was understanding, thinking along, they wanted to know what we would like to learn more - and they took time and effort to teach us that. I am super super positive about how this all turned out. For the minor itself: I personally had so much fun. I have never been so eager in getting good grades and redo-ing them when possible, all to try and get better in than I had in any other study or semester. If was so nice to create stuff again rather than learning theory from a book. If I could go back in time, I would absolutely love to do the minor all over again.”
The minor is taught completely in English. The setting is an international classroom with a mix of Dutch and Exchange students.
Week
A minimum of 3 days a week are spent on campus, following classes and workshops and working on the various deliverables. One day a week, lessons are online, and one day is scheduled free.
Language
The minor is completely taught in English. The setting is an international classroom with students of several different nationalities. We consider this to be of a high added value and address these intercultural themes a lot, also in the context of stories and storytelling.
Location
Fontys Academy for the Creative Economy, Campus Stappegoor, building P8, Tilburg.
Literature, licenses and devices
Fontys Academy for the Creative Economy is a 'bring your own device'-academy, meaning you need to have a proper working laptop preferably containing the full Adobe CC software. In case you do not have ADOBE CC installed you can obtain a student license (€150,- for 2 devices for 1 year) or work on campus on some available desktops. ADOBE CC is not compulsory.
The minor uses various literature sources that are all free available digitally. You are welcome to purchase the literature yourself but it is not compulsory. The complete literature list is published in the syllabus that will be handed to you upon definite enrolment.
During the week you will follow lectures on Transmedia Theory, Narratology, Transmedia strategies and Tools. In Transmedia Labs you will follow workshops on creative thinking and concepting, worldbuilding, 360 film making- and editing and project management. Guest lectures and excursions are organized frequently.
You are also invited to initiate excursions yourself, when related to transmedia.
NOTE: Tools are addressed intensively, but the minor is NOT a an ADOBE CC course. Some beginner workshops will be offered for students who are new to the area of designing. On request we might offer workshops for advanced students. Coaches will be available to help with specific questions about different Adobe programs.
Lay-out of the programme
Narratology
At the heart of a good transmedia production lies a good story. Narrative design includes knowledge of narratological theories and scenography. Campbell’s “Hero’s journey” and Vogler’s “Writers Journey”, among other narratological theorists, serve as a basis for this theory course. Once a good story is found or made, it can be expanded to a transmedia production.
Transmedia Theory
In our digital age, driven by the social web, the customer’s attention can no longer be asked for, it needs to be deserved. Various theorists have studied transmedia, elaborating on conceptual models and designing principles. Students will study these theories and develop a critical view on recent transmedia productions and learn to reflect on these critical views. Includes topics such as: Media convergence , media theory, spreadability, memes, interactivity and user participation, semiotics, hermeneutics, transmedia activism, transmedia research, transmedia branding.
Transmedia Strategy & social media platforms
While storytelling is the heart of Transmedia Design it is very important to know how to market the transmedia production in a way that the story stays at the heart. Also successful transmedia branding campaigns and how they made value propositions into brand activations are addressed. Includes topics such as: Brand storytelling, corporate storytelling , market and target audience analysis, empathy mapping, Google Analytics, Social media advertising, social media analytics
Tools
When it comes to producing a transmedia campaign, students need to make good design choices. The minor challenges to be innovative and to individually learn new creative skills or add to existing ones. During the minor, you will get the time to work on your own learning goals when it comes to different tools using tutorials, with a coach available to help. Workshops will be offered depending on the needs and skill levels of the individual student and the group. Includes topics such as: Design tools: Adobe Suite (Photoshop, Première, After Effects, Unity). Web tools: website design (Wordpress, WIX). VR (Tilt brush, Blocks) AR (Fectar, Spark).
Transmedia lab
At least 2 days a week, and later on in the minor program practically full time, you will work on the assignments of this minor, the production being the biggest one. Workshops and coaching will be offered to help you meet the requirements of the assignment.
In a transmedia production various disciplines merge, like making use of diverse media platforms, have them intertwine and let them develop each in their own way, allowing audience interaction and participation. This calls for firm project management that allows iterations. A transmedia producers guide will serve as a basis to learn how to design a transmedia product for a real client or for a self-contained transmedia story.
Reflection and coaching: To enhance continuous learning and to monitor learning outcomes, you are asked to reflect your developments and ambitions. Coaching sessions on individual learning goals are organized on a regular base in which 360 feedback is provided by coaches and fellow students.
The assignments (deliverables):
The deliverables form a coherent whole and as such do not represent separate ECTS. However, to get an idea of the workload and size of the deliverables we
To successfully complete the minor all deliverables have to be passed (grading is from 0-10). The deliverables are:
- 25TDTPA The transmedia design and production (group) (20 ECTS)
- 25TDTAA Treatment assignment (couple) (5 ECTS)
- 25TDTTPA Case study assignment (individual) (5 ECTS)
How will your course programme be recognised by your home university?
Fontys will provide you with a so-called ‘Transcript of Records’, which will clarify the results that you have achieved. Depending on your results, you will receive 30 ECTS credits. ECTS credits are recognised throughout Europe. The agreement between your home university and Fontys University of Applied Sciences will usually include a condition whereby the credits that you obtain will be recognised and transferred into the records kept by your home university.
We expect attendance and commitment, enthusiasm and an open mind.
Once you have chosen to enroll for this minor, you commit to it fulltime for a whole semester. `As mentioned before: classes are not one on one related to the deliverables: you are expected to follow classes in order to improve your transmedia knowledge and learn by doing. The exam results will be better if you prove you have learned more. The minor class is considered a learning community and shares knowledge, skills and insights. Receives and gives feedback. Showing progress, offering, and receiving feedback, as well as improving the work are an important aspect of the minor.
You are expected to show ownership over your learning goals and monitor them yourself.
Intensive coaching exchange students
Your teachers provide intensive coaching during the programme. Furthermore, all exchange students will be placed in buddy groups, led by a full-time Fontys student. He or she will introduce you to Dutch culture, the city of Tilburg and the campus. With questions about practical matters and social engagements you can go to your buddy. Lastly, our International Office can also help you with study- and practical matters.
Complicated or personal matters
For all matters more complicated or personal you can also go to the International Office or the study coach dedicated to our international exchange group. This study coach can help you with several personal or study related matters and can forward you to study psychologists or a dean if needed.
Target Audience & Entry Level
Undergraduate. When attending the minor it is assumed that students have some basic knowledge and skills in either (market)research and/or ideation and concepting and/or media design.
It is important that we make a “good match”. Therefore after enrolling in the minor programme you will receive an invite to an intake session in which your level of English and motivation will be assessed. The enrolment is official when you receive an acceptance letter via e-mail.
How will your course programme be recognised by your home university?
Fontys will provide you with a so-called ‘Transcript of Records’, which will clarify the results that you have achieved. Depending on your results, you will receive 30 ECTS credits. ECTS credits are recognised throughout Europe. The agreement between your home university and Fontys University of Applied Sciences will usually include a condition whereby the credits that you obtain will be recognised and transferred into the records kept by your home university.
How to apply as a Fontys student
You have to register yourself for the minor in Progress. Please note: the available places shown in Progress might not represent the actual availability. Waiting to register for the minor of your choice because of the shown availability is not advisable and might result in you being too late and the minor being full.
How to apply as an exchange student
Nominations should always be submitted via the International Exchange (or Erasmus) Officer at the home university. Once Fontys has accepted the nomination, our International Office will send you an e-mail with all necessary information to successfully apply as an exchange student.
Furthermore, as part of the application procedure, you will receive a study guide with all important information regarding life as a Fontys student and in the Netherlands in general.
Deadline for nomination (by partner university)
| Fall semester | 1 May |
| Spring semester | 1 November |
Deadline for application:
| Fall semester | 15 May |
| Spring semester | 15 November |
How to apply as a student from another Dutch Higher Education Institution
Students from other Dutch Universities of Applied Sciences can apply for this minor via https://www.kiesopmaat.nl.
Deadline for application:
| Fall semester | 15 June |
| Spring semester | 15 December |
Apply for this programme:
Contact person for general information and application for exchange students:
ACE International Office
Tel: +31 6 42100886
Skype: aciinternational1
E-mail: ace-international@fontys.nl
Visiting address: Prof. Goossenslaan 1-4, Building P8, Tilburg
Post address: P.O. Box 9090D, 5000 GD, Tilburg, the Netherlands