Community callout for collabs

13 November 2023
A web-based educational game designed by CQU Bachelor of Digital Media final year students
CQUniversity Bachelor of Digital Media students Heath Bolt, Chloe Bower, Thomas Rynne, Coltan Shaw-Murphy, Matthew Wallwork, Tristan Wilkinson worked in collaboration with Cairns Regional Council to create a web-based educational game titled 'Getting to Know Your Dog. The game aims to help children learn how to interact safely with dogs and be responsible pet owners.

By Isis Symes

Twenty-nine students, eight community projects and one end goal.

They’re the statistics associated with CQUniversity’s Bachelor of Digital Media collaborative community projects for 2023, where each year, students volunteer to collaborate on projects needed in the community that might otherwise be unaffordable for organisations.

“This year we had eight beneficiary organisations who worked with our students to come up with a project that fulfilled their business needs,” Senior Lecturer in Digital Media and Unit Coordinator Dr Ashley Holmes said.

“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:

  • Cairns Regional Council
  • Mackay Community Foundation
  • Douglas Shire Council
  • Bundaberg Health Services Foundation
  • Daintree Marketing Cooperative
  • The Neighbourhood Hub Mackay
  • Burnett Heads Progress and Sports Association Inc 
  • Study Cairns/Cairns Student Hub.
A digital video promotion designed by CQU Bachelor of Digital Media final year students
Students Imogene Griffin, Alexandra Rand and Chloe Smith collaborated with Douglas Shire Council to create digital video promotions for Daintree water conservation.

Students work on their projects over two terms (24 weeks) 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. Then in Term 2, they swing into production mode,” Dr Holmes explained.

“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,” Dr Holmes said.

CQUniversity is now seeking proposals from organisations to participate in the 2024 pro bono digital media design and production community projects.

Dr Holmes 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.”

To register your interest, or for more information about the project, email Dr Holmes via a.holmes@cqu.edu.au by Thursday, 7 December 2023.