BA Digital Design & Production
This dynamic and innovative programme is for students interested in the fast-moving world of digital design and production for events and live performance.
BA Digital Design & Production applications for 2024 entry are now closed.
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About the programme
Key information:
- Art form:
- Production Arts
- Fees:
- Application Fee: £36 GBP; Tuition Fees: See Fees section below
- Deadline:
- Apply by 4.30pm on 31 January 2024 for September 2024 entry (applications open on 29 September 2023)
- Level of study:
- Undergraduate
- Mode of study:
- In-person
- Contact details:
- pa_applications@gsmd.ac.uk
This dynamic and innovative programme is for students interested in the fast-moving world of digital design and production for events and live performance. It has been shaped by the practical, hands-on ethos of Guildhall School’s Production Arts Department – and it extends that ethos into work with new technologies that underpin current productions and will shape the future of performance, media and entertainment.
Follow the BA Digital Design & Production Instagram to see recent work and projects.
About the programme
The programme will provide you with specialist training in the rapidly expanding field of digital design and production across event and entertainment artforms, such as theatre, live performance and VJing; installations and outdoor events; and animation and motion-graphics. It uses state of the art equipment and facilities in line with the latest industry developments. The teaching is practical and project-based.
You will work with professional designers, programmers and animators on a range of projects such as video design and operation for Guildhall theatre, opera and concert productions, conceiving and realising gallery installations, as well as a range of commercial projects with Guildhall Live Events, which creates immersive and interactive digital experiences across live and VR/XR settings with external partners, providing excellent industry experience.
The programme shares some of the professional theatre/live performance skills and theory modules with BA Production Arts. These are complemented by a more specialised series of modules related to interactive digital design, video design and content creation, technical management, system design and live operation/programming. Throughout the programme you will be able to attend cross-year seminars and lectures given by visiting guest artists.
Festivals and arts commissions
Recent work created and presented by the Department includes:
- Future and Form, multi-installation virtual and physical exhibition exploring the very interface between contemporary literature and storytelling and creative technology, presented as part of the 2021 Norfolk and Norwich Festival.
- Beasts of London, an immersive multimedia exhibition telling the story of how animals have helped to shape the history of the capital, presented in partnership with the Museum of London and visited by around 60,000 people
- Installations at Waddesdon Manor in Buckinghamshire, including large-scale projections on the façade of the Manor’s stables, a sculptural light tunnel and an ambitious audio trail. The installation ran for nine weeks and was visited by over 181,000 people.
- Blackpool Light Odyssey, “an epic journey of light, space and sound”, for which students created 3D animations to transform the opulent interior of Blackpool’s Empress Ballroom, and assisted QED Productions with technical delivery of the show.
- Celebrating 125 Years of Tower Bridge, a site-specific light and sound installation in the Bascule Chamber beneath London's defining landmark.
Programme Structure
The core focus in Year 1 is on familiarisation with software and hardware, while nurturing your design skills and building confidence in a professional setting.
There is a range of opportunities to make the most of our extensive resources as you learn your trade, becoming directly involved in a supportive role as a member of the crew.
In Year 2 you will continue to take a series of classes to help develop your creative skills and hardware competency, but there is a switch in emphasis to give you an increasing role in practical projects.
You will gain more responsibility as you progress, moving from a supportive crew member to a more distinct role within the team. You will have responsibility for processes such as system checks and maintenance and content production (working with third-year designers or visiting professionals). You will also have more of a say in the selection of equipment and how projects are planned.
In Year 3 you will take a final series of classes to refine your digital design skillset. You will have opportunities to make content and design materials that may then be used on real-world projects. You will lead a team of second- and first-year students who help you to realise your artistic and technical objectives, while still receiving guidance and support from your tutors and visiting professionals.
Alongside your production work, you will complete a portfolio, which will be invaluable when seeking employment at the end of your studies, as well as completing a self-directed graduation project that will allow you to focus on a chosen area of specialism.
Programme Specifications
See the full programme specifications, including module specifications and assessment criteria.
Past Projects
Go behind the scenes of making Senseless, part of Future and Form
Beasts of London, an immersive multimedia exhibition with the Museum of London
Blackpool Light Odyssey – “An epic journey of light, space and sound”
A site-specific installation in the Bascule Chamber beneath Tower Bridge
Guildhall video designers worked with aerial directors/performers
Installations projecting onto the façade of Waddesdon Manor
Future careers
As a Guildhall School graduate in Digital Design & Production, you may expect to pursue a career as a video designer, animator, video engineer/ technician, VJ, video operator/ programmer or 3D designer.
Our graduates have an excellent track record of achieving employment at industry-leading organisations. Former students work in roles at companies such as 59 Productions, D3 Technologies and XL Video (now part of PRG), as well as in successful West End shows. The ongoing development of this specialised programme is expected to further enhance our relationship with these employers.
Our Facilities
All of our venues are particularly well-equipped for lighting and sound and provide dramatic and adaptable environments. They are stimulating and exciting at the same time as being practical, safe and ideal for learning.
What our students say
Celebrating 125 Years of Tower Bridge (photo by Em Davis)
Being in the heart of London, Guildhall is based amongst so many potential future employers. I really enjoy the diversity of the projects that the programme undertakes.
I loved working on Tower Bridge’s 125th anniversary: seeing my content go from screen to the surface was an amazing feeling!
I loved working on Tower Bridge’s 125th anniversary: seeing my content go from screen to the surface was an amazing feeling!
Charlie Vince-Crowhurst, BA Video Design for Live Performance (now BA Digital Design & Production)
