FAQ
FAQ 01
_ What degree requirements do I need to attend Transmedia? _
The Transmedia postgraduate program is open to all holders of a master’s diploma of academic level from Belgium or abroad.
_ How much do I pay for entering Transmedia? _
The tuition fee for the 2010-2011 academic year is 1.685 euro for all students (belgian and non-belgian). Health insurance and national insurance payments are not included.
FAQ 02
_ What does Transmedia offer? _
Transmedia is intended to help you become more aware of where you want to go with your work, to steer your development. your work comes first: a continuous and independent art practice that, within a postgraduate program, seeks for a dialogue with similar practices from other disciplines. working within the Transmedia program will teach you to develop your practice trough self-evaluation. Thus, in order for the program to work, it is important not to regard it as an aim in itself, but as part of a bigger trajectory, or better, as a tool which will provide insight in the trajectory from one point in your development to another.
Through an integrated mix of practical labs and seminars, you will master knowledge and skills that will prepare you to plan and execute art projects in a rapidly changing environ- ment. The focus of the Transmedia program is content development. it is designed to let you explore, expand and communicate the substance of your work. The main aim of the program is to confront and fuel you with different ways of working and thinking in order to further develop your ideas and methods. Transmedia does not want you to switch discipline and start from scratch: the program is not designed to turn web designers into filmmakers or conceptual artists into graphic designers. instead, it creates an interdisciplinary research environment from which you can learn and further your individual practice.
You have access to a computer lab including mac pro’s computers, professional scanners, protools audio systems, active speakers, portable solid state and minidisc audio recorders, several types of microphones, avid & final cut pro video editing systems, dv & dvcam video camera’s and digital photo camera’s. equipment available for check-out. Labs, seminars, and artist’s visits are held in small groups and provide for conversation, dialogue, discussion, and an exchange of ideas.
_ Can I collaborate with fellow Transmedia students? _
Collaboration with other Transmedia students is expected. interchange of ideas and skills, group meetings and group presentations are an important part of the program in terms of a peer-to-peer approach to learning. you work together in lab and workshop environments where risks are run and failure can freely occur.
_ What are the backgrounds of the Transmedia students? _
The Transmedia student population is very diverse. we will consider students from any educational and professional backgrounds. since collaboration is an integral part of the Transmedia environment, maintaining geographic, cultural and gender diversity is a very important factor. The background of previous students include architecture, film, video, photography, pain- ting, set design, visual arts, philology, web and graphic design. But we also welcome applicants trained in sculpting, architecture, industrial design, theatre, dance, music com position, creative writing, history, philosophy, political science, urban studies, psychology, biology, law, advertising, finance, business, computer science and engineering.
_ What about my background? _
Transmedia seeks independent students who are interested in new developments in the arts, who are eager to learn and who enjoy working hard. It is not necessary for you to have a technical or visual design background to attend Transmedia. no programming experience is necessary. Technical workshop sessions in the Transmedia lab are to assist productions by Transmedia students. They are given by the lab manager and deal with the basic technical knowledge of hardware and software. Their purpose is to develop the student’s independence when using the equipment and when learning new techniques. you are not obliged to attend the workshops, but you are supposed to be familiar with the matters they deal with.
Whilst we encourage all students to have an active engagement with digital media technology, it is in the nature of the program, the way it benefits from students of different disciplinary and practical backgrounds, that various kinds and levels of technical expertise will be asked for. The technical workshop sessions only provide in the basics. further indivi- dual needs can be discussed with the lab manager.
_ What does the actual Transmedia curriculum look like? _
The Transmedia program is a two-year, full-time course (4 semesters). The academic year runs to a semester system you have access to the Transmedia lab throughout the working week of the whole year, apart from the holidays (see academic calendar).
Semester 1-2 (INPUT year)
The first stage is an intense working and learning period made up of a combination of labs, seminars, technical workshop sessions, visiting artists and your self-initiated projects plus verbal presentations. This period culminates in a body of work plus a research proposal in which you outline your projects. A typical week in the first year of the program will include two to three days of seminars and/or labs. its basic structure consists of lab courses and tutorials on Tuesday, wednesday and Thursday. Monday & Friday are usually reserved for self-initiated practice and seminars. Individual meetings need to be planned with the lab and seminar leaders, project leaders, lab manager and/or staff members concerned. Lab/seminar teachers and staff members follow all students through their time at Transmedia, ensuring a dialogue about the work.
Semester 3-4 (OUTPUT year)
In the second year of the program, the two semesters are devoted to your self-initiated research project;
This period is meant for processing the implications of the insights and experiences, which have been gained throughout the first two semesters. This work culminates in your graduation project which includes in your final (body of) work plus research dossier. in this second year of the program, you can attend labs, seminars and/or technical workshop sessions and learn from tutorials. Lab/seminar teachers and staff members follow all students through their time at Trans- media, ensuring a dialogue about the work.
_ What will my research proposal at the end of the first year look like? _
Your proposal gives a clear and realistic picture of your project(s). It includes a personal statement, written essay, visuals, work plan, and/or budget. You can define its format, design, look and size yourself. The ‘research studies’ seminars provide the input needed to produce this sort of file. The ‘Transmedia studies’ seminars present the necessary literature to give substance to the content of your file.
_ What will my graduation project at the end of the second year look like? _
Your graduation project is a body of work of your own design, supported by a research dossier. The argumentation of the work can take different forms (a written essay, a live presentation, a web site, a slide show, a videotape, etc.) and is meant to contextualize your project. At the end of the academic year, a formal review is conducted by an inside jury and outside professionals and leads to your master’s diploma in Transmedia studies. This final assessment is made on the basis of your individual practice leading up to your graduation project, your research dossier, the data from your ongoing and intermediate assessment, and your final presentation.
FAQ 03
_ Who teaches at Transmedia? _
You learn from internationally recognized teachers and visiting artists who are actively shaping the direction of thought and practice in the rapidly evolving transmedia field through their own work. Transmedia has a core group of teachers for the labs and seminars that are held throughout the year. every academic year, this group is augmented by visiting artists.
Teachers and staff bios can be found here.
_ Does Transmedia offer any online or distance learning courses? _
Transmedia does not have any online courses and does not have plans for any in the near future. online courses cannot offer the kind of collaboration, group work, permanent input and constant review that are essential to the philosophy and learning process of the Transmedia program.
_ Does Transmedia offer advice and guidance by teachers? _
Your individual practice is your basic point of reference throughout the Transmedia program. These self-initiated projects are work that is defined in terms of its scope, realization and development by you, and in possible relation with other students, external organisa- tions or practitioners. In this process you can rely on a dialogue about the theoretical, practical and technical dimensions of the work with lab and seminar teachers and the lab manager.
Your personal weblog is part of a closed site that is used as the internal communication tool at Transmedia. Your web-log is accessible to your fellow students, lecturers and staff. You determine its size and content yourself. The purpose of this text-based log is to provide an accurate and up-to-date outline of your path through the Transmedia course. It is the story of your work and work methods. For your fellow students it is an ongoing means of communication regarding the development of your artistic activities. For the lecturers and members of staff it is a reservoir of ‘snapshots’ that make a significant contribution to your intermediate and final assessments. For yourself it is a means of recording and archi- ving, communication and reflection on the genesis of your work and work in progress. You can make use of this web-log to present personal information, to publish text on projects and work-in-progress, to construct statements and make links.
_ How does the reviewing process work in Transmedia? _
Ongoing Assessment
Your progress will be followed and evaluated individually and continuously. Participation in labs, seminars, assignments, workshops, presentations and other course activities; the development of your own practices; the communication of your work (by way of the web- log, etc.) and the compiling of the research proposal or dossier, shape and define the progress of one’s individual path. The data from this progress are noted and discussed by the lecturers and members of staff.
Intermediate Assessment
The intermediate assessment takes place in an individual conversation between you and tutors from inside and/or outside Transmedia. Its aim is to examine progress so far and the route still to be taken, with an eye to your final assessment. You are expected to propose a working plan in which you give a detailed outline of your individual route to your project(s).
Final Assessment
The final assessment is made on the basis of your body of work, your research dossier and the data from your ongoing and intermediate assessment and your final presentation. Your final presentation is carried in front of a jury comprising lecturers and staff from the course plus external assessors, and may take the form of an individual or group presentation, an exhibition involving the outside public, or any other form selected by the staff. This choice will be determined by the actual circumstances in the 2007-08 academic year and will be announced by the staff in the course of the second term.
first year’s credits: 60 individual practice – 20, Transmedia studies – 20, research studies – 20
second year’s credits: 60 graduation project – 30, Transmedia studies – 10, research studies – 20
FAQ 04
_ How does Transmedia keep in touch with the larger art world? _
Transmedia regularly hosts events that are open to students and the public. several times a year, visiting artists address the students on various topics related to the art world.
Past speakers have included artists from a wide range of backgrounds, new media lawyers, and cultural theorists. Transmedia also occasionally collaborates with various arts organizations for workshops, public talks and screenings.
_ What will my Transmedia diploma offer? _
Our goal is to train a kind of professional artist whose understanding of contemporary media and technology is informed by a strong sense of aesthetics and ethics. The students we seek are those who want more than a skill: they are excited by the possibilities that emerging technologies offer and want to work at the frontier of a rapidly expanding field. At the successful completion of the two-year program you will receive an internationally recognized master’s degree in Transmedia studies. This will prepare you for ph.d. studies program, you can start your own art practice or go to work for large and small companies in a range of industries including education, the art world, e-commerce and the non-profit sector.
FAQ 05
_ What is the due date for my application? _
September 15, 2010.
_ What materials do I have to submit as a part of my application? _
You need to submit the completed application form in this brochure, your creative portfolio, current resume, personal statement (written in english), photocopies of diplomas and certificates, photocopies of your identity card or passport and four recent passport pho- tos. The complete package should be sent to the Transmedia address.
_ What does my application portfolio look like? _
The portfolio is meant for you to demonstrate your output to the admissions committee. You can submit professional or personal works, anything that exhibits ideas and a sense of creativity. For example, if you are a professional photographer you may want to submit a portfolio – i.e. slides, print, digital images, etc. please make sure you fill out your creative portfolio description sheet so the admissions committee understands how to interpret the work – whether it’s professional quality, working material, etc. your portfolio can contain photos, slides, videos, cd-roms, dvds, drawings or whatever material you consider necessary. Please note that Transmedia cannot be held responsible for any creative materials lost or damaged while in our possession or in transit. please do not send us original work since no material will be returned.
_ Is there an interview as part of the admissions process? _
Yes. if you are included on the shortlist announced by the admissions committee following the evaluation of the application packages, you will be invited to the institute for an interview, on which the final selection hinges. Interviews will take place during the second half of October 2010. We strongly encourage you (if possible) to visit Transmedia, meet current students and staff, see the working spaces and get a better feel for and understanding of the program. We also encourage you to e-mail us with any further questions you may have (especially if you are not able to visit) and/or to make a personal appointment with the core staff.
_ When will I be notified of the admissions decisions? _
Admissions decisions are announced by the end of October 2010. Please note that Transmedia does not give reasons for any rejections.
The number of new admissions for the 2010-2011 academic year is limited to 15.
FAQ 06
_ Is financial aid available to Transmedia students? _
Transmedia does not make any grants available. You are encouraged to apply for grants awarded by local (municipal, regional, national) authorities.
_ Can I work while attending Transmedia? _
Transmedia is a two-year, full-time graduate program, meaning you must attend courses. Many of our students work part-time or as interns while in the program. Many of the labs and seminars require a large number of hours inside the Transmedia working space and require flexibility of time for group collaborative meetings and developing individual projects that are essential to the overall Transmedia experience. Any work undertaken must be compatible with the program and agreed by the course director.
_ Is housing available to Transmedia students? _
Transmedia cannot provide accommodation. If you are an international student you will have to apply for a residence permit to be able to study in Belgium and you will have to arrange housing. Since these procedures can be time consuming, it is recommended to apply well in advance. You can obtain information on accommodation from the school admissions office.