With twenty-nine students, eight community projects and one end goal, CQUniversity’s Bachelor of Digital Media students topped off another successful year for collaborative community projects.
Each year, digital media students volunteer to collaborate on projects needed in the community that might otherwise be unaffordable for organisations.
CQU Senior Lecturer in Digital Media and Unit Coordinator Dr Ashley Holmes said the eight beneficiary organisations worked with the students to come up with a project that fulfilled their business needs.
“We’ve been running this program of authentic learning for over a decade now, offering free design and production consultancy,” he said.
“Each year we see more and more benefits not only to our students but to the community partners involved.”
Beneficiary organisations this year included Bundaberg Health Services Foundation, Burnett Heads Progress and Sports Association, Cairns Regional Council, Mackay Community Foundation, Douglas Shire Council, Daintree Marketing Cooperative, The Neighbourhood Hub Mackay, Inc, and Study Cairns/Cairns Student Hub.
Bundaberg-based students Dayna Murnane, Madeline Gorman and Amber Christensen worked on a video project for Burnett Heads Progress & Sports Association Inc, while fellow Bundaberg student Michael Bryden worked on the ‘Partners in care TOGETHER’ video project for Bundaberg Health Services.
Students worked on their projects over two terms as part of their final compulsory capstone collaborative unit.
“In Term 1 the teams consult with the client to establish the project requirements, propose a solution, and present a project plan,” Ashley said.
“Then in Term 2 they swing into production mode.
“We teach the students how to present work-in-progress professionally, seeking client feedback along the way.”
Of the eight projects delivered, four were social media assets, three were digital video promotions and one was a web-based educational game.
“All projects were creative solutions of professional standard and I once again congratulate the students on their efforts,” Ashley said.
Organisations keen to participate in the 2024 pro bono digital media design and production community projects can register their interest by Thursday 7 December.
Ashley said projects of sufficient scope and challenge for a small team were being sought.
“Digital media communication products such as videos for education, training and public information are suitable, as are animations (2D or 3D), interactives, website development, graphic design, social media assets plus web game design and development projects,” he said.
To register your interest, or for more information about the project, email Dr Ashley Holmes via a.holmes@cqu.edu.au.
