selk irk.ca - Selkirk College

digital arts and new media
• The Digital Arts & New Media program
requires an extraordinary commitment of
time and energy. Explain why you feel you
are prepared to make this commitment at this
time in your life.
• Success in this program involves receiving
constructive criticism and feedback from
peers and instructors. Explain how you have
dealt with constructive criticism in the past.
Provide examples.
Portfolio
Admission to this full time program is competitive.
The portfolio is a very important part of
the application process and applicants should
take care to ensure that their work is presented as
strongly as possible. Digital Arts & New Media is
looking for a demonstration of visual awareness,
creativity and technical skill. Applicants should
choose pieces for their portfolios that demonstrate
the nature, scope and direction of their work. The
portfolio pieces may be of any medium and they
need not be specific to new media. Applicants
should give special attention to the following
guidelines when preparing their portfolios.
• The number of pieces in an applicant’s
portfolio will vary depending on the manner
in which the applicant works. Generally,
the admissions committee would like to see
a minimum of eight (8) and a maximum of
twenty-four (24) pieces.
• Portfolios should be brought to the interview
and only mailed if, because of distance, the
applicant is unable to attend their interview
in person.
• Two-dimensional works may be presented in
their original form. Three-dimensional pieces
or any works on a large scale should not be
brought to the interview but represented by
photographs.
• An applicant’s portfolio must be the
applicant’s own original work.
• Applicants should organize their work and
set it out so that it shows development over a
period of time or group it according to type.
• Applicants should bring their workbooks and
journals. School assignments and independent
explorations will also be helpful to the
Admissions Committee.
• Applicants must keep their presentations
simple and neat. Work should not be matted
or framed.
• If an applicant includes photographs of work,
each must include a list of the materials used,
size of the piece, title and date.
• Examples may include:
• Photography: printed photographs or digital
images.
• New Media: Computer generated still
images, moving images (video or animation).
• Traditional art: paintings, drawings,
sculptures or other traditional media
• Theatre/Drama: Collection of images
(reviews, photos, programs), video or audio
tapes
• Music: audio or videotape of your
performance(s) or composition(s).
Please submit your portfolio in one of the following
formats:
• CD
• DVD
• Website address
• Hard copy
Note: If submitting digital image files on a CD or
DVD, they should be in jpeg format. Video and
other time-based work may be submitted on DVD.
If you are unable to attend an interview you
may send your portfolio to us. Please note the
following:
Labels: Be sure to label each item with your
name, contact information, the date the piece
was made, and medium. With your portfolio
include a printed copy of all the contents as well
as your name and contact information. You are
responsible for all costs for the submission and
return of your portfolio.
Note: Applicants may use a video camera to document
artwork -- paintings, drawings, sculpture. It is
strongly recommended that you do not send original
video or audiotape of performance.
Interview
All applicants are required to participate in an
interview with instructors from the Digital Arts
& New Media Program. Applicants are to present
their portfolio at the interview. In situations where
a face-to-face interview is not possible, a telephone
interview will be arranged. The interview is an
opportunity for applicants to introduce themselves,
present their work and discuss their interests
within digital media. The instructors will assess
the applicant’s preparedness for entry into the
program and will ask about commitment, goals and
expectations, computer and software skills, design
knowledge, experience and communication skills.
It is also an opportunity for applicants to ask any
questions they might have about the program and
for faculty to recommend upgrading if necessary.
COMPUTER AND
SOFTWARE KNOWLEDGE
Demonstrated competency in computer hardware
and software technology, keyboarding, including
Internet skills and word processing skills is required
prior to entering the program. Basic computer,
keyboarding and Internet skills are not taught as
part of the Digital Arts & New Media curriculum.
Applicants who do not possess these skills must
consult with the School Chair before making a
formal application to the program. Upgrading
may be required. The Digital Arts & New Media
program delivers curriculum on both the Apple
Mac OS X and Microsoft Windows platforms.
Approximate Expenses
Visit selkirk.ca/tuition/fees/ for approximate
fee information. Please check with the program
contacts for Digital Arts & New Media for any
additional information.
PROJECT COSTS AND SUPPLIES
Students should plan and budget for the purchase
of textbooks, art supplies, software, and project
supplies. While not required, the following
items are currently being recommended as items
students may purchase:
• A personal computer (quad core, 4GB of
RAM or greater) with a Firewire (IEEE 1393)
port, DVD burner and a High Speed Internet
connection.
• A Firewire or USB external hard drive
(500GB or greater capacity)
• A MiniDV or D8 video camera
• Digital Still Camera 7.0 Mega Pixels or
greater
Faculty can make recommendations for those
planning on purchasing a computer.
Please check with the program contacts for
Digital Arts and New Media for any additional
information.
Program Courses
DA 100 New Media Systems
This three-day orientation provides students with
the tools and expertise required to participate
in the very technical Digital Arts & New Media
Program. Intended to give students a head start
on their learning experience, this course will
introduce students to a range of topics that will
allow them to function in this two-year program
at a high level. Topics covered include: Using
Moodle, POP and IMAP email systems, computer
file management, computer hardware usage, the
Microsoft Windows operating system, universal
networking protocols, printing and data archival
methods and practice.
DA 101 Introduction to Digital Media
The study and profession of digital arts requires a
far-reaching and comprehensive understanding of
how design interfaces with technology. This course
explores the language, practices and systems used
in new media production. Web, print, motion
62 Selkirk College 12/13 School of Digital Media and Music