Category: News

Podcast – Episode 3

Episode 3 of The Multimedia Podcast is available.

This episode explores the user-experience design industry as we speak to Gisela Opperman, a senior UX/UI designer and Multimedia graduate.  

If you would like to contact Gisela and speak to her in more detail about the content of this episode, you can email Annique Smith to get her contact details.  

You can find all the episdodes here: https://anchor.fm/the-multimedia-podcast

Exciting digital changes to Multimedia

The BIS Multimedia degree would like to announce two exciting new developments.

Instagram account

We now have an Instagram account. We will use this to post all updates about the degree and our VRI lab, as well as any job offers from our industry partners.
You can follow us at MultimediaAtUP.

Podcast

We’ve launched a podcast in which we interview members of the industry to give our students a better understanding of what they can expect when they start working, skills that are valued in the industry and insight into the process of getting a job. The podcast can be found in video format on our YouTube channel, Multimedia@UP, or on the main podcast services (most likely within the next week).

You can also view the podcast website at: https://anchor.fm/the-multimedia-podcast
Find the podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1xT8j08YXP0KQNqt94eIan

New episodes will be announced on Instagram, Facebook and our blog.

Recommended PC spec 2020

We have set up recommended specifications for a PC for 2020.

It should be noted that Multimedia students are not expected to have their own desktop or laptop. The Yellow lab provides computers with all the necessary software required to complete the degree. It is however, convenient to be able to work at home since the computer lab closes at 8pm on week nights and it is not open on weekends.

The estimated cost for a desktop PC that matches these specifications is R 19,000 and it will last you for 3 years of your studies. Laptop prices that match these specifications will be higher.

Some recommended stores at which you can purchase these parts are:

  • Evetech.co.za (based in Centurion and online)
  • Rebeltech.co.za (based in Midrand and online)
  • Takealot.co.za (online store)
  • Titan-ice.co.za (based in Pretoria East and online)

Please note that this estimated price excludes the costs of the Windows operating system, any other software, mouse, keyboard and audio devices (earphones or speakers), but these items are still required.

The following list of components is purely for guidance and any desktop or laptop with a similar performance/specification should also last for the 3 years of your studies.

Intel+Nvidia build:

  • Intel Core i5-9400F CPU 9th gen (1151 slot)
    • the stock cooler are sufficient but a closed loop liquid cooler is recommended (extra ±R900)
  • MSI MAG B365M Mortar Intel Motherboard (1151 slot)
    • Supports 8th and 9th generation CPUs
  • Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4 2666 Mhz 8GB x2 RAM
  • Nvidia Geforce MSI RTX 2060 Ventus 6GB OC Graphics card
  • Seagate FireCuda SSHD 1TB HDD/8GB SSD 3.5″ SATA6G
    • NVMe 250GB SSD + 1TB HDD – good for future proofing (extra ±R1200)
  • Antec DP301M Dark Phantom Tempered Glass Gaming Case
  • Antec VP650 Plus Power Supply
  • 120mm fan x5 (x3 Top, x2 Side)

AMD+Radeon build:

  • AMD RYZEN 5 3600X Processor
    • Stock cooler is sufficient but closed loop liquid cooler is recommended (extra ±R900)
  • ASUS ROG STRIX B450-F GAMING AMD Ryzen Motherboard
    • Supports 5th generation CPUs
  • Corsair Vengeance RGB PRO 16GB (2x 8GB) 3200MHz
  • MSI Radeon RX 5700 XT MECH OC 8GB GDDR6
  • Seagate FireCuda SSHD 1TB HDD/8GB SSD 3.5″ SATA6G
    • NVMe 250GB SSD + 1TB HDD – good for future proofing (extra ±R1200)
  • Antec DP301M Dark Phantom Tempered Glass Gaming Case
  • Antec HCG750 750W Gamer Power Supply
  • 120mm fan x5 (x3 Top, x2 Side)

The more technical specifications for each component are as follows:

  • CPU:
    • Socket: 1151
    • 6 physical cores
    • 6 threads
    • Base frequency: 2.90GHz clock speed
    • Max Turbo frequency: 4.10GHz
  • Motherboard:
    • 1151 CPU slot
    • SATA slots x4 (for the HDD)
    • 4 x DDR4 DIMM sockets supporting up to 64 GB of system memory
    • Supports DDR4 Memory 2666/2400/2133 MHz
    • 1 x PCI Express 3.0 x16 Slot (PCIE2: x16 3.0) (for the graphics card)
  • Memory: 2666 MHz 16GB DDR4 RAM
  • Storage: 1TB HDD/8GB SSD SATA6G Hard drive
    • NVMe 250GB SSD + 1TB HDD – good for future proofing (extra ±R1200)
  • Graphics card:
    • Cores: 2176 Units
    • Boost Core Clocks: 1695 MHz
    • Memory speed: 14 Gbps
    • Memory: 8GB GDDR6
    • Power Consumption 175W
    • Power Connectors 8-pin x1
  • Power supply:
    • 600w+
    • Connectors + (6+2 pin for the graphics card)
    • CPU 4+4 Pin x 1
    • PCI-e 6+2 Pin x 2 (for the graphics card)
    • SATA x4 (for HDD)
    • Peripheral 4 Pin x 3
  • Case:
    • length: 230mm+ (to fit graphics card)
    • 120mm fan placements x2 (1 for front, 1 for rear)
    • Must fit accompanying power supply
    • Must fit accompanying motherboard
  • Cooling: 120mm fan x5

Expo day 2019

Yesterday was the final-year project day where 3rd year students showed off the games they spent the year creating. Representatives from industry were invited to come talk to the students about their games and prospective employment opportunities. We are proud of the quality of work presented by the students.

The prizes awarded were as follows:

  • Best games:
    • 1st prize: Split by Coop (Rhodeen Davies, Olivia de Kok, Jason Louw, Kateryna Reva)
    • 2nd prize: Paths by Subscribe to PewDiePie (Pieter Braak, Jonathan Copeland, Xiao Li, Keaton Roux)
    • 3rd prize: Void Runner by SoloCorp (Michael Solomon)

Congratulations to all the winners!

Below are some photos of the day. The games will be posted soon.

IMY 120 – Best digital brochure designs

For an assignment on Adobe Illustrator and design principles, the first year students in IMY 120 were tasked with designing a digital brochure to advertise a fictitious garden show aimed at high-end clients.

These are the best posters submitted.

Hogart Rabe

Hogart Rabe

Jody Vos

Jody Vos

Lungisani Mthethwa

Lungisani Mthethwa

Ngaoko Ramokgopa

Ngaoko Ramokgopa

Zurika Raubenheimer

Zurika Raubenheimer

Tilt Brush Competition 2019 Entries

Ten students took part in the Tilt Brush Competition for 2019. Below are the entries:

Created by Christoff Botha:

Created by Claudia Hemus:

Created by Doreen Davies:

Created by Jonathan Bertram:

Created by Llewellyn de Vries:

Created by Lungisani Mthethwa:

Created by Nazeem Jardine:

Created by Armand Bredenkamp:

Created by Cadon Gernandt:

Created by Cassim:

Thanks to all the students who participated!

Google Tilt Brush Competition 2019

Do you want to push your art skills to the limit by using them in 3D? Or maybe just want to spend some time drawing/playing/messing around in VR?

The Multimedia Virtual Reality and Interaction (VRI) Lab is hosting a competition for all undergraduate Multimedia students to use Google Tilt Brush to create 3D artworks in Virtual Reality. The competition will take place from 13 – 17 May everyday between 9:30 and 15:30, except Friday which will only run until 13:30, at the VRI lab (IT 4-62).

If you’ve never heard of Tilt Brush, check out the video below.

Rules:

  • You will have a maximum of 50 minutes to create your artwork. This includes the time needed to acquaint yourself with the tools as well as the actual drawing time.
  • Sign up for the competition by booking a slot here. Use your name, surname, and student number when making a booking.
  • Each person may only book 1 slot. We have capacity to host three people at a time.
  • You may share your slot with 1 other person (if, for example, both of you want to try it out but you don’t want to book a full slot each). In this case, only 1 person makes the booking on the Doodle and neither can make another booking later.
  • The department has the right to use your artwork for future marketing purposes.

The artworks will be judged by the Multimedia Department and the creator of the best artwork will receive R50 3D printing credit and their sculpture will be exhibited on the Multimedia blog.

FAQs

How do I enter?

Just book a slot on this link. Your booking is your competition entry.

What is 3D printing credit?

This credit can be used to make 3D prints using the system available to all multimedia students at www.mm.up.ac.za/vri

How can I prepare for the competition ahead of time?

Watch YouTube videos on Tilt Brush and try to learn the layout of the controls. Also look at existing Tilt Brush artworks (such as these) for inspiration.

Do I have to be good at drawing to do this?

No, although it would probably help you a bit. You just need to be creative. It’s a great experience and definitely worth trying out even if you don’t win.