What is Video Design?

While our smartphones have simplified the process of making a video, there are various considerable factors that are kept in mind when designing a video for professional purposes. Just like there is a big crew for making a film, videography also requires a team of specialized professionals who can perfect every aspect of a video, such as camera positioning, lighting, storytelling, direction, ambiance and location, editing, etc. Video design corresponds to a particular aspect of stagecraft that is used in live media productions such as concerts, opera, live shows, etc. It is a unique branch of videography and requires dexterous professionals who can ensure the smooth recording of live events while taking care of every aspect behind the scenes as well. If you are interested in exploring this emerging field, this blog brings you a complete career guide on Video Design, top courses, and universities as well as the scope this field offers!

What is Video Design?

Also referred to as Projection Design, Video Design is generally used in stagecraft and primarily focuses on designing as well as the integration of motion graphics, real-time camera feed, film, dance performances, opera, theatre, live shows, and musical concerts. In other terms, video design is the art of merging technologically translated visual material into three-dimensional space. There is usually a durational component to the design—a performance or event—as well as interactions with the human body, whether actor or viewer, although they are not required. All that is required is a photograph and some space. The job of a video designer encompasses ideation of the whole process of creating a video, arranging the position of cameras for live performances, and how they can be managed efficiently on stage. Students in a film and video design course are taught a variety of disciplines such as photography, videography, film making, film language, cinematography, production design, and so on.

Popular Courses

Since this has lately emerged as an independent field of study the universities across the globe have introduced different courses for students wanting to pursue a career in Video Design. We have enlisted some of the top diploma, undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Video Design:

Diploma Courses

Diploma in Multimedia Design	Diploma in Creative Media Production	Diploma in Performing Arts
Diploma in Videography	Diploma in Game Video Design	–

Undergraduate Courses

Bachelor of Design (Digital Media)	Bachelor of Fine Arts in Animation	BA (Hons) Technical Theatre (Production and Design)
Bachelor of Communication – Media Arts and Production	Bachelor of Interactive Media focus on 2D Animation (Standard)	BA (Hons) Television Production
Bachelor of Digital Media (Film and Video Design)	Bachelor of Screen Production	Bachelor of Arts in Film Video and Theatre Production
Bachelor of Media (Screen and Sound Production)/Arts	Bachelor of Business / Bachelor of Digital Media (3D Design and Animation)	Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design
Bachelor of Design – Visual Communication Design (Honours)	Bachelor of Creative Arts – Theatre and Theatre Studies	Bachelor of Fine Arts in Cinema Studies and Moving Image Arts
Bachelor of Arts in Film and Television	Bachelor of Science in Broadcast Media Technologies (Honors)	Bachelor of Science in Broadcast and Digital Journalism

Postgraduate Courses

Master of Arts in Animation – Motion Graphics	Master of Arts in Sports Media and Storytelling	MA 3D Computer Animation
MSc Animation and VFX	Master of Fine Arts in Digital Arts – Digital Animation and Motion Arts	MSc Music and Sound Technology (Audio Programming)
MSc Image and Video Communications and Signal Processing	Master of Fine Arts in Studio – Film, Video, New Media, and Animation	Master of Theatre Directing
MA Screen Media Industries	MA in Film and Television – Research and Production	Master of Communication (Television Production)
Master of Fine Arts in Digital Production Arts	MA Film, Television and Moving Image	Master of Production Design for Screen

Online Courses

Here are some incredible and mind-boggling video design courses that you may simply study online on your own from top-ranking websites. 

Course Name	Availability
Free Video Creation Tutorial – Aprende a Crear Vídeos Animados de ALTO IMPACTO VideoMakerFX	Udemy
Create Professional Videos Online with InVideo App	Eduonix
Image and Video Processing: From Mars to Hollywood with a Stop at the Hospital	Duke University, Coursera
VR and 360 Video Production	Coursera
Fundamentals of Digital Image and Video Processing	Northwestern University, Coursera
Story and Narrative Development for Video Games	California Institute of the Arts, Coursera
Mastering Final Cut Pro	Coursera
Paint and Roto for Feature Film VFX 01	Udemy
Free 360 video Tutorial – Film and Stitch 360 VR Video with GoPros and AVP	Udemy
iPhone Filmmaking: Create Cinematic Video With Your Phone	Skillshare
Mastering Cinematic Compositions in Video & Film	Skillshare

Top Universities

Once you have decided which course you want to pursue, the next step is to find the right university as per your interests and preferences. Here is a list of top universities and colleges offering courses in Video Design:

• University of Birmingham
• University of Nottingham
• University of Surrey
• University of Westminster
• The University of New South Wales
• Massey University
• Pace University
• University of Arizona – Wellspring
• University of Dundee
• University of Bristol
• Loughborough University
• Aberystwyth University

Eligibility Criteria for Video Design Courses 

So far, you’ve probably learned that video design courses are available at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. The following are the fundamental eligibility requirements for both levels of courses:

• UG: Candidates must have completed Class 12th in any stream from a recognized board with at least 50% – 60% aggregate marks.
• PG: Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree in any subject with a minimum of 50%- 60% aggregate marks.

Apart from the aforementioned eligibility requirements, candidates need to keep a check on the following requirements as well if they are planning to pursue video design courses from universities abroad:

• A strong and cutting-edge SOP 
• LORs 
• Essays (if needed)
• English Proficiency Test scores like IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, etc. 
• Resume/CV 
• Official transcripts of past educational qualifications 

It should be noted that the video design qualifying criteria listed above are basic and may differ from institute to institute.

Video Design Course Curriculum 

Various higher education institutes offer a variety of film and video design courses. The two most popular courses among them are BDes Video Design and MDes Video Design. The following is the course curriculum for both courses:

BDes Video Design 

Year 1 

Design Overview	Design Drawing 1
Fundamentals of Design (Colour)	Fundamentals of Design (Geometry)
Fundamentals of Design (Materials)	Fundamentals of Design 4 (Form Space and Structure)
Digital Methods 1	Inter Design Studies 1 (Environ Exposure)
Freehand, Analytical & Perspective	Colour II
Solid Geometry	Three Dimensionalaties of Form, Space & Structure
Fundamentals of Design: Materials	Advanced Image Processing and Vector Graphics Applications
Problem Solving	Urban Environment Exposure

Year 2 

Short Documentary Film	Film Theory & Film Appreciation
Film Language and Narrative Exercises	Advanced Cinematography
Guided Film	Short Fiction
Journey of Cinema: Aesthetical and Technical	Still Photography: Composition, Lensing, Lighting and Photo Feature
Introduction to Cinematography	Introduction to Editing and Technical Formats
Introduction to Sound Recording	Fundamentals of Documentary Film Making

Year 3

Film Theory & Film Analysis	Collaborative Documentation – Multi-Cam – Event
Music Composition and Recording	Music Picturisation
Short Fiction	Production Planning
Promotional Documentary	Brand Development and Advertisement Film
Collaborative Multi-Cam – Narrative Fiction	Film for Instructional Communication
Open Elective	–

Year 4

Exploratory Documentary	Professional Elective
Industrial Internship	Graduation Project

MDes Video Design 

Year 1

Quantitative Design Research Methods	Advanced Editing and Technical Formats
Advanced Sound Recording	Qualitative Design Research Methods
Short Documentary Film	Film Theory & Film Appreciation
Film Language and Narrative Exercises	Advanced Cinematography
Guided Film	Short Fiction
Elective 1	Elective 2
Design Research Project- 1	–

Year 2 

Production Planning	Promotional Documentary
Brand Development and Advertisement Film	Collaborative Multi-Cam – Narrative Fiction
Film for Instructional Communication	Music Picturisation
Industrial Internship	Graduation Project- 2/Summer Project
Design Research Seminar	–

Career Prospects

Visual technology has integrated itself into every sphere of life which is consequently increasing the need for professionals who can efficiently tackle various aspects of video production and postproduction. 

• Director
• Videographer
• Film/Video Editor
• Camera Operator
• Cinematographer
• Production Assistant
• Production designer
• Cinemetographer
• Art Director
• Video Designer
• Filmmaker

Top Skills Required for Video Design 

• Creativity 
• Originality 
• Passion 
• Patience 
• Innovative ideologies 
• Visualization skills 
• Organization skills
• Eye for details and latest trends 
• Presentation skills 
• Critical thinking 
• Time management
• Understanding the dynamics of the industry 

FAQs

Hence, we hope that this blog cleared all your doubts regarding the emerging career field of Video Design. Planning to study Video Production? Our Leverage Edu experts are just a click away from guiding you throughout the process of finding the best course and university as per your requirements and interests! Sign up for a free session with us today!