Breda University of Applied Sciences

Master in Media Innovation

The objective of the Master in Media Innovation has, since its inception, been to educate students who are able to develop insightful media-related research and innovative, market-oriented media products. In order to do this, students are exposed to a wide variety of topics including media theory, business models, emerging technologies, user-centered design, communication theory, and more.

Innovation

In developing the Master in Media Innovation, the objective was to educate people capable of anticipating future developments in the field of digital media and taking advantage of those developments. The factors determined to define innovators were set out as:

• Innovators are required to initiate, shape or partially shape, monitor, or manage a very complex process: innovative media products are created in an ingenious process in which technology, content, design, business, and knowledge about consumers and markets are optimally geared to one another and integrated functionally;
• Innovators are required to anticipate the future. After all, a new product will only be used if it is so special that it creates a new market as it were, or appears to seamlessly align with an obvious or latent market need. Timing and anticipation, in other words, are factors that should not be underestimated;
• To be able to develop products, innovators should be able to reshape analytical insights. In the manufacturing process of a product, an analysis is no longer a goal in itself (such as a report, article or academic or other publication), but a creative guiding principle: the building blocks for a product yet to be developed.

Focus

The Master in Media Innovation offers students a program that trains them to systematically obtain the strategic skills necessary to become innovators. Students learn to look beyond the surface of digital media to reveal some very decisive core processes (ontologies), understand the way in which they function, and obtain the ability to apply these skills in creative, innovative, and future-orientated media products.

International network

The Master in Media Innovation offers students a program that trains them to systematically obtain the strategic skills necessary to become innovators. Students learn to look beyond the surface of digital media to reveal some very decisive core processes (ontologies), understand the way in which they function, and obtain the ability to apply these skills in creative, innovative, and future-orientated media products.

Course details

The Master in Media Innovation is an international program with lecturers from a number of academic and commercial disciplines in the field of digital media. The program has a unique, multidisciplinary approach; training students to acquire analytical skills and to look beyond the surface of digital media while encouraging them to apply those skills practically in innovative media concepts. The program covers 12 months and it comprises four modules (44 ECTS credits), an industry case (3 ECTS credits), and a graduation project (13 ECTS credits). Details on these aspects can be found below:

Media Theory

The Media Theory module introduces you to the field of (contemporary) Media Studies and Media Theory. Media Studies is defined as an academic interdisciplinary field of study that deals with the content, history, and effects of various media. In order to reflect this interdisciplinary nature, the module will introduce several theoretical angles and subjects including, but not limited to, transmedia, semiotics, game design, and narratology.

Business

The Business module aims at providing you with the knowledge, tools, and practical insight necessary in managing intellectual property, strategy, innovation, entrepreneurship, and consumer behavior. In addition to the generic concepts and topics, particular characteristics in the media and entertainment industry will be emphasized.

Media Technology

Media Technology is developed on three pillars: methods for understanding and eliciting user requirements; principles for prototyping the user interface and user interaction for the proposed concept; and the aspects addressing the technical feasibility of the proposed concept. The backdrop framework of the module is human-computer interaction (HCI) and user-centered design. The module assumes that students possess no prior technical or programming knowledge and is thus suitable for students from all disciplines.

Research and Communication Studies

The objective of this module is twofold. Firstly, it provides students with a solid understanding of research methods and the general knowledge and basic practical skills of conducting applied research at the master’s level and applying research insights to create innovations. Secondly, it gives the students a theoretical grounding in communication theory and academic skills, and theory-based argumentation in general. These two objectives are thus entwined throughout the duration of the program.

• Industry case

Since a considerable amount of the teaching material has strategic content, the Master in Media Innovation also utilizes an industry case study, which is presented to the students alongside the four modules. Every year, a different industry client is selected and offers a real-world case to the students, which gives the students the opportunity to utilize the theory obtained within the program and apply this theory to the solution of real-world problems. Every year involves a unique case, but the core concept - students using their knowledge of media theory, business, and technology, to solve core problems and suggest conceptual solutions - remains a consistent factor. The industry client is involved in both establishing the case problem, providing formative feedback, and helping to provide an assessment of the student’s final work. Previous clients have included IBM, KLM, and Samsung.

• Final graduation project

In the final part of the Master of Media Innovation, students choose one of two graduation options; either a pure thesis or a product-based graduation. In both options, students write a thesis in which they reflect on the acquired knowledge, while in the product-based graduation, they also work under supervision in creating conceptual documentation and an electronic prototype of their innovative idea.

Study load and coaching

The Master Media Innovation is a one-year, full-time program. The total study load is 60 ECTS credits. With 1 ECTS credit being equivalent to 28 hours of study, this means that the program has a study load of approximately 40 hours per week.

We offer you a small-scale study environment, as the number of students involved in this master's is limited. The program coordinator is always available to help you with day-to-day issues. Additionally, if you wish to discuss personal problems that may be affecting your life as a student, you can turn to the student counselor.

The Master Media Innovation offers you the required qualifications for a range of media positions including, but not limited to product owner, innovation lead, creative lead, digital marketer, creative consultant, digital strategist, and digital brand strategist. After your graduation, you are entitled to the degree of Master of Arts.

• Study innovation, design thinking, and cutting-edge media
• International, industry experienced, lecturing team and many industry partners
• Successfully blends theory and practical application