Multimedia

Seloth

Hey I was just wondering if anyone could tell me what this course is like?

I'm really into film making and such as was wondering if this would be anygood?

Anything else you cna tell me would be great

mahamageehad

Multimedia do quite a bit of film making- this was my first attempt in 2nd year: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZBImA-ucvw

However it should not be confused with a film making course. At most film making is 1/6th of the course. We also study things like web development, psychology, technology, animation, music, game development etc.

It is a varied degree that gives you a ground in each subject. However if you're sure you only want to do film making, not the course you want. It is very work-intensive but well worth it.(In my biased about to finish second year opinion!)

Any questions feel free to ask!

Deliverance

mahamageehad wrote: »

Multimedia do quite a bit of film making- this was my first attempt in 2nd year: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZBImA-ucvw

However it should not be confused with a film making course. At most film making is 1/6th of the course. We also study things like web development, psychology, technology, animation, music, game development etc.

It is a varied degree that gives you a ground in each subject. However if you're sure you only want to do film making, not the course you want. It is very work-intensive but well worth it.(In my biased about to finish second year opinion!)

Any questions feel free to ask!

Not a great ad for the course!! 2nd year is possibly the toughest part of the course. Some students in my same year did some photos of a similar suicidal nature for fun.

It is an excellent course but it is definately very very..work intensive due to the amount of media skills that a student is expected to learn. It is what it says on the tin... a 'Multi' media course. You will need to learn lots of media disciplines all at once.

Plus it is a BA i.e. an Arts course primarily. It is a serious commitment but if you get through it then you will find your self equipped with some amazing all round specialised skills. Very useful in todays work environment.

Again ask a few more questions and answers will be provided.

Ps. mahamageehad did you do that film for Phil or Trevor?

Epicness

Hey thanks for making thread I was just about to:)

What's the music aspect of it like? Is it recording? I am really interested in this, as well as film making but I dont want to be too specific as I have a wide range of media interests. So this course sounds good in thatway
What is the psychology side of it then?

Deliverance

Epicness wrote: »

Hey thanks for making thread I was just about to:)

What's the music aspect of it like? Is it recording? I am really interested in this, as well as film making but I dont want to be too specific as I have a wide range of media interests. So this course sounds good in thatway
What is the psychology side of it then?

The course teaches all parts of media, audio, video etc. It is not a course taken on lightly. It teaches a lot of disciplines at once. And yes it teaches audio, combined with video etc.

The school of music will provide any student with more than enough tools for the student to create anything that their imagination can do. The only bad part about this is that you will be expected to create something special. No excuses as the tools are provided.

The multimedia course is possibly one that will be the most challenging episodes of any persons life. At the same time the rewards and outcome are more than satisfying for any person that has come out the other side of this course.

I count myself as a survivor.

Epicness

Deliverance wrote: »

The course teaches all parts of media, audio, video etc. It is not a course taken on lightly. It teaches a lot of disciplines at once. And yes it teaches audio, combined with video etc.

The school of music will provide any student with more than enough tools for the student to create anything that their imagination can do. The only bad part about this is that you will be expected to create something special. No excuses as the tools are provided.

The multimedia course is possibly one that will be the most challenging episodes of any persons life. At the same time the rewards and outcome are more than satisfying for any person that has come out the other side of this course.

I count myself as a survivor.

Sounds intense. Like crazy..ha
What are the hours like so? You actually learn none of this stuff at open days and imo the CIT website is pretty bad in comparison to some other ones (DIT really sells you^^)

Thats cool you can use the school of music stuff, I'd try make a really good end product anyway

Deliverance

Epicness wrote: »

Sounds intense. Like crazy..ha
What are the hours like so? You actually learn none of this stuff at open days and imo the CIT website is pretty bad in comparison to some other ones (DIT really sells you^^)

Thats cool you can use the school of music stuff, I'd try make a really good end product anyway

The CIT website is bad enough. It is contracted out for some odd reason. I had a lecturer that used it as a way of how not to do a website. I wouldn't go by that site as an example of the media course or any other course at CIT. It is just an introduction.

The Multimedia course is improving all the time (it keeps up with the rapid changing tech) it is at the cutting edge. Any student that graduates from this course will find themselves more than capable in multi disciplined specialised areas.

Like I said earlier it is not an easy course to take on. But the outcome is 100% worth it for any person interested in this career choice. Personally I find it to be the best thing I have ever done education wise.

And yes you can make an amazing end product that could combine all aspects of the media. Lot's of oppurtunities are available from this course. Personally I could not recommend it enough.

Again. for any person thinking about doing this course? PM me or just ask here. I could put any person in contact with graduates other than myself for more feedback if required.

Lia_lia

Yeah, I'm in 2nd year of the course. It is intense. Especially this year, but they say 2nd year is the hardest so I'm hoping it's true!

If you have any other questions throw them at me!

shutupsquirrels

Hey there,

I just want to thank you guys for all the information and advice. I've been thinking about doing Multimedia in C.I.T for ages because it really sounds like an insanely diverse and challenging course.

I started out with Arts last September. I liked my subjects..well bits of them anyways but figured out very quickly that it really wasn't the course for me. I need something that is really hands on.
I've always loved film and photography and design and all that, but I never wanted to do a pure film or photography course. Then i stumbled upon Multimedia in C.I.T and kind of fell in love.

Then as the months progressed i slowly fell out of love with it simply because i was scared of starting something and disliking it again and trying to decide (again!) what the hell it is that i want to do.
But then i read your posts and i think the fear has gone and i'm insanely excited. It sounds incredible.
Thanking you dearly, honestly. You've been an amazing help and it's kind of cool that if i happen to get into Multimedia in September, i might see you guys around the place and will actually be able to thank you in person!

Sorry for the long post, I'm new to this forum and someday i'll learn how to be brief! Anyways Good luck to all of you out there deciding what to do in September. Hope you find something you really like, whether it's Multimedia or not.

Deliverance

shutupsquirrels wrote: »

Hey there,

I just want to thank you guys for all the information and advice. I've been thinking about doing Multimedia in C.I.T for ages because it really sounds like an insanely diverse and challenging course.

I started out with Arts last September. I liked my subjects..well bits of them anyways but figured out very quickly that it really wasn't the course for me. I need something that is really hands on.
I've always loved film and photography and design and all that, but I never wanted to do a pure film or photography course. Then i stumbled upon Multimedia in C.I.T and kind of fell in love.

Then as the months progressed i slowly fell out of love with it simply because i was scared of starting something and disliking it again and trying to decide (again!) what the hell it is that i want to do.
But then i read your posts and i think the fear has gone and i'm insanely excited. It sounds incredible.
Thanking you dearly, honestly. You've been an amazing help and it's kind of cool that if i happen to get into Multimedia in September, i might see you guys around the place and will actually be able to thank you in person!

Sorry for the long post, I'm new to this forum and someday i'll learn how to be brief! Anyways Good luck to all of you out there deciding what to do in September. Hope you find something you really like, whether it's Multimedia or not.

It is a hands on course. It does teach lots of disciplines. I would imagine, for you that you need to commit to a course from the start and take it to the end. Giving up halfway through is an easy option depending on your own personal drive and interest.

It is a serious commitment. Only the most dedicated get through this course, I spent many hours at home tied to my computer creating some amazing stuff and it was hard work.

It is an amazing and brilliant course. The learning at the end of it is second to none.

One thing that I will say is that you have to be prepared to fight your corner and argue your point with the lecturers. Design is a v.critical area. And you will get lots of critisim about your work.

Personally I found the critism at the early stages hard to deal with. But that also is a part of the learning process. The critics / lecturers on this course can be lazy assed know it alls at times, (their are one or two dinasours), if you can get past them then your sorted.

There are great lecturers on this course as well. I learned to avoid the 'dinasours' as much as possible and got my degree;)

shutupsquirrels

Thank you Deliverance for the reply.
Once again it has been incredibly helpful.

A while back i said i'd check up Multimedia related courses around the country. Of course there were a few that looked somewhat interesting but nothing lured me in as much as the C.I.T one. It seems to be the most diverse of Multimedia courses around Ireland anyways.

I do love video editing and really want to learn lots more about the other medias. I'm currently working on a film project under UCC film studies so i know that it is a painstakingly tedious process. But the hard work is always worth it in the end. Even if you have to give up pretty much everything else while you're doing it.

I just want to congratulate you on coming out the other end! That is an incredible achievement. I have heard of so many that didn't make it that far and that's fair enough, I know what it's like when a course doesn't suit you and you don't have the drive to finish it off..

I know that it's going to be very difficult for me at the start to take the criticism but i suppose if i don't learn how to deal with that in the next few years, i'm just going to find it harder and harder to tackle when i'm older. I must learn how to be a fighter.. this will be good for me. Challenging but good. I can see what you mean when you said that you found it to be the best thing you have ever done education wise.

I have one question for you, if you honestly don't mind..
I'm guessing this course is mostly up to what you learn yourself by yourself, ya? Are you left pretty much to your own thoughts and devices to express yourself or is it heavily guided?
Hope that made sense. Thanks a million again.

Deliverance

shutupsquirrels wrote: »

I have one question for you, if you honestly don't mind..
I'm guessing this course is mostly up to what you learn yourself by yourself, ya? Are you left pretty much to your own thoughts and devices to express yourself or is it heavily guided?
Hope that made sense. Thanks a million again.

Good question. In my experience via hindsight... The course is not 'heavily guided', but plenty of support is on offer if needed.

I found the first 2yrs of the course were determined project work wise by pre written briefs and the lecturers input and general guidance via the briefs.

The briefs themselves had to be adhered to. So in a way it ltd a students creativity to a degree. This can be rather frustrating but at the same time there was a progressive learning reason for this. 3rd and 4th year pretty much let the student loose to create whatever their imagination can come up with based on the previous learning from the first 2yrs.

1st year was pretty much an introduction to various applications that the student was required to learn and do short projects with to show actual learning, then a final project was expected using whatever programs that the student found the best for their particular idea which would satisfy the end brief.

2nd yr as mentioned was 'and still seems' to be pretty intense. The student is expected to create an end product of their choice via group work. This can be really tough due to the groups ability to work together as well as the project itself, it is all a learning experience.

This learning experience should and will benefit your 3rd yrs performance.

On top of all this project work were the written exams. Like I said it is a multi disciplined course. I believe that the course is progressing more towards the hands on project work and less written exams though.

Ok I could go on forever rehashing 4yrs of graft and hard work... but I'll hold it at that for now and hope it answers your question in some way?

I have copies of briefs and exams etc from all the years hoarded in a big pile of papers that I can scan and put up for you or others if needed.

From the sounds of it though I think that from what you have said then this course is for you. Best of Luck and feel free to ask more questions.

shutupsquirrels

Once again.. Thank you so much.

That really did help. Third year and Fourth year sound pretty god damn amazing. Hard work though, of course! I love being able to explore whatever idea i want to explore.

I think it's safe to say that if i get Multimedia, I'm in for one hell of a four years! Can't physically wait.

Thanks also for the offer to scan the briefs and exams, but do not fret. All's well. You've already done more than enough!

Thanks again Deliverance! Have a good'un!

dodgystuff

there must be so many applicants for this course! it's kinda scary.

I have Multimedia as my first choice, I know another 4 people who have, now I see more applying here and there's only 20 places.

It's realistically the only course I want to do. EEP! Better get studying!

shutupsquirrels

Hey Dodgystuff!:)
I was thinking the exact same thing...Is it definitely only twenty places, yar?

Good luck, good luck, good luck!

dodgystuff

Yeah definitely 20, my dad checked it out for sure, he works in CIT, bitta inside info haha

Although I went to the open day back in November and went to the talk on the course and they said there's realistically only about 15/16 places because they reserve places for the top 2 students in the similar courses from St John's and from CSN, an actual student should probably confirm this though

shutupsquirrels

Wow...That's small. Handy having the inside info. Thanks for sharing it!
I've met a fair few people applying for it this year.. I presume as their number one..so hopefully we'll all see each other there.

dodgystuff

there was 40 places last year i think something messed up though and it was meant to be 20.

haha yeah hopefully! it seems like such a good course

shutupsquirrels

It really does, doesn't it? So bloody interesting and engaging. I didn't make the open day, i'm afraid. Did you learn much from it? Anything crazily important? Thanks..
I heard about the forty or so places last year..i presumed it'd be the same this year.:(

dodgystuff

I didnt really learn much more than I already knew tbh.

I found out they're bringing in a new masters course in Journalism and New Media though. Um..usually in second year the class goes on a trip abroad to this media convention thing too. I can't remember anything else really.

shutupsquirrels

Ah cool, thanks. That's more than enough.. The trip sounds rather mad. It should be a close enough class seeing as there'd only be about twenty in it.
Good luck in the next few months with the leaving Cert anyways and i hope those orals of yours went well.. and any practicals you may or may not have had.

Deliverance

dodgystuff wrote: »

I didnt really learn much more than I already knew tbh.

I found out they're bringing in a new masters course in Journalism and New Media though. Um..usually in second year the class goes on a trip abroad to this media convention thing too. I can't remember anything else really.

Not sure about the limit of 20 for the class size. When I applied they told me that it was the average class size and not necessarily the limit on size.

The Masters is in 'Media Design' and complements the course well. It is kind of like a 5th year of the course.

The course trip is to the Ars electronica festival in Austria as far as I can remember (little bit sketchy on this so someone correct me if I am wrong). it is open to 2nd and 3rd yrs in rotation. I think that CIT are also looking at having student submissions for those interested whilst on the course to have their innovative work and ideas displayed at the event.

Plus the course is aligned with Darmstadt university in Germany. The students have the oppurtunity to go to Darmstadts' sister multimedia course to study for a year in an exchange program. Reports from students about this experience are that it is excellent for film makers as the equipment is outstanding.

Oh and as another plus I graduated with a degree from CIT and Darmstadt so I guess that makes me a stronger candidate for work in Germany as well:)

Also at the end of your last year there is an exhibition of a final work produced by groups or individuals. You get to meet potential employers at this event. It is very confidence building, by that stage you will be an expert multimedia designer / developer.

Best of luck to those who applied.

evil-monkey

Deliverance wrote: »

Plus the course is aligned with Darmstadt university in Germany.

Oh and as another plus I graduated with a degree from CIT and Darmstadt so I guess that makes me a stronger candidate for work in Germany as well:)
.

CIT is Darmstadt's partner University. EVERY course in the college is "aligned" with Darmstadt. We've had guest lecturers in from them on occassion. Sure the Multimedia degree is accredited by Darmstadt, but this joint degree thing is nothing to rave home about; it shouldn't influence your decision. It doesn't take from a degree, nor does it make it better. You probably won't even hear the name Darmstadt when you are on the course; and if you do, it's nothing special. It's a college-wide thing that really isn't all that exciting. Darmstadt is a great institution I imagine, the guest speakers we've had from there are certainly pretty good, but again, don't leave that influence your decision in any way. Pick this course on CIT and CIT alone. I've been here now long enough to tell you that I like the place, but there are others that will say the complete opposite. For example, what are the multimedia facilities here like? Make sure you check into that.

If you all are as set on this course as you say you are, stop discussing it here and come on it to CIT and take a look around. Forget the open day, they always see courses put their best foot forward. Ramble in some random day and go talk to some of the students; particularly final year ones - people who are after coming out the other end, not 1st and 2nd years. Talk to lecturers, and look at the exam papers and continuous assessments; see what it is that these people are being examined in, that's a good judge of a course's primary content.

And yes, this course is probably "intense". But everyone says that about their own course. If you have a genuine flair for something, it's not a question of how hard or intense it is, you'll find that you excel in most aspects of it regardless. Otherwise, you're heading into the wrong line of work...

Gauge

While I wouldn't consider it a deciding factor personally, Multimedia students hear a lot about the Darmstadt university throughout the four years and are given the option to study there for a year (or more) if they choose, and the course gets quite a few Darmstadt students coming over to study. I didn't take the year in Darmstadt myself (wish I had) but it's an option lots of Multimedia students avail of, and it's definitely something to consider if you're thinking of doing the course.

evil-monkey

Gauge wrote: »

While I wouldn't consider it a deciding factor personally, Multimedia students hear a lot about the Darmstadt university throughout the four years and are given the option to study there for a year (or more) if they choose, and the course gets quite a few Darmstadt students coming over to study. I didn't take the year in Darmstadt myself (wish I had) but it's an option lots of Multimedia students avail of, and it's definitely something to consider if you're thinking of doing the course.

Every student in CIT has the opportunity to study abroad if they so choose. But the majority of time is spent IN CIT facilities, WITH CIT lecturers. If they aren't right for an individual, then it won't matter in the slightest what's going on over in h_da.

The best thing for all of the people here would be to go and talk to final year multimedia students, and take a look, firsthand, and what goes on in the course. As I said, exam papers etc give a good indication of what to expect in terms of course content.

Conversations like, "is it intense?" "Ya, I heard it's intense!" do little to shed light on what the course is actually like. Sure, it's intense, sure it's got audio, video etc etc...but does that give a real sense of what the course entails? No. Most honours degree courses are intense, and as I said, the difficulty of a course is relevant. Audio, video...these are wide ranging areas in themselves, and so those interested in the course should go along and see what exactly is involved in the audio and video, rather than just taking these subjects at face value. I just get the sense that a lot of the people here an ill-informed, which is often the case when it comes to people selecting courses. You gain little insight from a prospectus.

Gauge, I'm sure that you'd be willing to have a proper chat with any of the hopefuls on here. Maybe some of the posters could PM you with specific questions that might give them a proper sense of what to expect.

Though I can't stress highly enough how beneficial actually going into the college would be.

mahamageehad

Gauge wrote: »

While I wouldn't consider it a deciding factor personally, Multimedia students hear a lot about the Darmstadt university throughout the four years and are given the option to study there for a year (or more) if they choose, and the course gets quite a few Darmstadt students coming over to study. I didn't take the year in Darmstadt myself (wish I had) but it's an option lots of Multimedia students avail of, and it's definitely something to consider if you're thinking of doing the course.

I'm going myself for third year. Should arrive in Sept unless theres a volcano!!! Can't wait!

Deliverance

Worth noting that 'evil monkey' was not a participant on the course in question and has no genuine experience of the course. As such 'evil monkey' does not offer real advice from real experience of the course having not been a part of it.

evil-monkey

Deliverance wrote: »

Worth noting that 'evil monkey' was not a participant on the course in question and has no genuine experience of the course. As such 'evil monkey' does not offer real advice from real experience of the course having not been a part of it.

lol. That's a fairly juvenile response.

I think all of my advice was "real advice". At no point did I offer advice on the content of the particular course; I never pretended to be a participant on this course. But I can tell you that I have a lot more experience of CIT than you do.

The advice I gave was fairly generic and could be applied across all third level courses. And I would think that it was fairly good advice.

Which part of my advice is not "real" exactly? You disagree with me when I say that you'd be better off talking to some final year students and actually going into the college and seeing the content, looking at exams etc?? I don't see where I'm wrong in saying that. You will learn a lot more about this course that you're about to commit to by doing all of the aforementioned. A lot more.

Deliverance

evil-monkey wrote: »

lol. That's a fairly juvenile response.

I think all of my advice was "real advice". At no point did I offer advice on the content of the particular course; I never pretended to be a participant on this course. But I can tell you that I have a lot more experience of CIT than you do.

The advice I gave was fairly generic and could be applied across all third level courses. And I would think that it was fairly good advice.

Which part of my advice is not "real" exactly? You disagree with me when I say that you'd be better off talking to some final year students and actually going into the college and seeing the content, looking at exams etc?? I don't see where I'm wrong in saying that. You will learn a lot more about this course that you're about to commit to by doing all of the aforementioned. A lot more.

Calm yourself, take some time out to meditate. It is all good;)

evil-monkey

Deliverance wrote: »

Calm yourself, take some time out to meditate. It is all good;)

...great answer...

To all the other applicants of the multimedia course, you really should do as I suggested. Nothing worse than choosing the wrong course in college. It's not the end of the world, but it can suck, and it can be expensive. Talk to Gauge, and other final year multimedia heads, and if at all possible, get into the college over the next week or so and get a look at what they do first hand.

mahamageehad

evil-monkey wrote: »

...great answer...

To all the other applicants of the multimedia course, you really should do as I suggested. Nothing worse than choosing the wrong course in college. It's not the end of the world, but it can suck, and it can be expensive. Talk to Gauge, and other final year multimedia heads, and if at all possible, get into the college over the next week or so and get a look at what they do first hand.

Don't kinda fall into the course if you can at all. I love it but I expected more art. It's a lot more computer based than i'd originally thought and is quite an expensive course equipment wise. Its very labour intensive, i mean I'm not just saying that coz I'm doing it! Out of all the people I know in Cork, i defo have to put in the most hours! For the final 3 weeks of each semester the majority of my class are in labs til 10 at night doing work.

Not trying to put you off but it's better be prepared! I literally didn't sleep last night doing projects due for 2day, and i'll get very little sleep before I hav to hand up tomorrows one!!!

callaway92

ah lads, this thread is making me nervous...the points last year were 300, it is my first choice...Any predictions on how much the points could go up by?

Deliverance

mahamageehad wrote: »

Don't kinda fall into the course if you can at all. I love it but I expected more art. It's a lot more computer based than i'd originally thought and is quite an expensive course equipment wise. Its very labour intensive, i mean I'm not just saying that coz I'm doing it! Out of all the people I know in Cork, i defo have to put in the most hours! For the final 3 weeks of each semester the majority of my class are in labs til 10 at night doing work.

Not trying to put you off but it's better be prepared! I literally didn't sleep last night doing projects due for 2day, and i'll get very little sleep before I have to hand up tomorrows one!!!

Very true. I had the same experiences. It can be pretty exhaustive and needs self discipline. In that respect it is a course that you really have to be sure about before committing. You have to have a love for it otherwise you could end up really hating it (and possibly dropping out).

As an addition, the course is a combination of technology (using computers as a tool) and art (it is a BA) and is geared towards producing students that are ready to work (Industry).

This can be a frustrating mix as the combination of skills can be frustrating on a lot of levels. But as I graduated in my final year I found that more and more the lecturers were communicating together to provide the students with the best means possible to achieve all the goals.

Deliverance

If people have concerns about class sizes and entry points etc which cannot be answered really on this thread. Then this link could be helpful: http://www.cit.ie/aboutcit/facultiescollegesanddepartments/businessandhumanities/mediacommunications/

Rose McGragh is the head of the department and very approachable and helpful. I always found her to be very helpful, personable and seems to always get back to enquiries when she can. A nice lady with your best interests at heart as the head of the department.

mahamageehad

Yep the whole time management thing is very annoying but I think it does prepare you for the future! but I'm saying that with only 1 exam left tomorrow so i might be a little biased.

Trevor is also very helpful, it was him I emailed with questions before I started, I just personally find him more approachable than Rose.

trevor.hogan@cit.ie

Gauge

Contacting Trevor and Rose is a good idea, and evil-monkey's suggestion about heading to the department itself and chatting to some actual students is a also very good idea (although this time of year, fourth-years will be swamped and stressed out- don't let that put you off!) because you'll get a good view of the course through the eyes of someone doing it.

I had many all-nighters throughout the years but overall it was fairly rewarding.

mahamageehad

Gauge wrote: »

Contacting Trevor and Rose is a good idea, and evil-monkey's suggestion about heading to the department itself and chatting to some actual students is a also very good idea (although this time of year, fourth-years will be swamped and stressed out- don't let that put you off!) because you'll get a good view of the course through the eyes of someone doing it.

I had many all-nighters throughout the years but overall it was fairly rewarding.

Its probably a bit late in the year to meet any students in there now though talking to students of the course on this is probably the closest they'll come. Best time to visit would be around week 6 of the semester I'd imagine for people thinking about doing it the year after next!

Deliverance

mahamageehad wrote: »

Yep the whole time management thing is very annoying but I think it does prepare you for the future! but I'm saying that with only 1 exam left tomorrow so i might be a little biased.

Trevor is also very helpful, it was him I emailed with questions before I started, I just personally find him more approachable than Rose.

trevor.hogan@cit.ie

Ah yeah that is very true. Trevor is possibly one of the best chaps to approach. He is closer to the multimedia course than rose as a direct lecturer on the course.