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| Centre for Digital Media | |
|---|---|
| Name | Centre for Digital Media |
| Established | 2007 |
| Type | Public–private partnership |
| Location | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada |
| Director | [Director name] |
| Students | [Approximate number] |
| Campus | Great Northern Way Campus |
Centre for Digital Media
The Centre for Digital Media is a graduate-level professional school located in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, formed through a partnership among academic, municipal, provincial, and industry organizations including Simon Fraser University, Emily Carr University of Art and Design, British Columbia Institute of Technology, University of British Columbia, City of Vancouver, Province of British Columbia, Digital Media Zone, Industrial Alliance, and private investors. The centre offers an interdisciplinary Master of Digital Media degree and engages with cultural institutions such as Vancouver Public Library, creative clusters like Gastown, media firms such as Electronic Arts, Ubisoft, Sony Interactive Entertainment, and government agencies like Canada Media Fund.
The institution was founded in 2007 as a collaboration among the Government of British Columbia, municipal partners including the City of Vancouver, and academic partners Simon Fraser University, University of British Columbia, Emily Carr University of Art and Design, and British Columbia Institute of Technology. Early development involved stakeholders from regional economic development boards such as OpportunityBC and cultural funders like Canada Council for the Arts, along with private sector companies including Microsoft, Nokia, Telus, Rogers Communications, and BC Hydro. The centre’s Great Northern Way Campus was developed in proximity to research hubs including TRIUMF, Pacific Forestry Centre, and arts venues such as Chan Centre for the Performing Arts. Leadership over time has included board members drawn from TELUS Spark, Vancouver Economic Commission, Genome BC, Vancouver Film School, and venture capital firms like Yaletown Partners.
The flagship program is a professional Master of Digital Media (MDM) delivered through collaboration with universities Simon Fraser University, University of British Columbia, Emily Carr University of Art and Design, and British Columbia Institute of Technology, featuring curriculum informed by industry partners such as Electronic Arts, Ubisoft, Thomson Reuters, CBC Television, Corus Entertainment, Shaw Communications, and Netflix. Courses cover production pipelines referenced by studios like Industrial Light & Magic, Weta Digital, Blizzard Entertainment, Epic Games, and Valve Corporation and include modules on storytelling practiced at institutions like National Film Board of Canada, BBC, HBO, AMC Networks, and Showtime Networks. The program emphasizes project-based learning with mentorship from professionals affiliated with companies including Amazon Studios, Warner Bros., Paramount Pictures, Lionsgate, Tencent, and Samsung Electronics.
Research themes align with applied creative practice and technology transfer involving partners such as Mitacs, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, Canada Foundation for Innovation, and industry collaborators including Sony, Microsoft Research, Google Research, Facebook AI Research, NVIDIA, Intel, ARM Holdings, Qualcomm, SAP, and Adobe Systems. Collaborative projects have been executed with cultural organizations like Vancouver Art Gallery, False Creek Community Centre, Museum of Anthropology, and media companies such as Rogers Media, Bell Media, Postmedia Network, and The Globe and Mail. Funding and commercialization pathways involve venture capital and incubation entities including Y Combinator, CreativeBC, Innovate BC, BCTech, Vancouver Startup Week, and accelerators like Spring Activator.
The centre is housed at the Great Northern Way Campus near neighbourhoods and institutions such as Mount Pleasant, Gastown, Strathcona, Science World, False Creek, Emily Carr University of Art and Design, and Simon Fraser University (Vancouver campus). Facilities include production studios equipped with hardware and software from vendors including Autodesk, Adobe Systems, Unity Technologies, Epic Games (Unreal Engine), Avid Technology, and Blackmagic Design, alongside motion capture suites similar to those at Weta Digital and colour grading facilities comparable to Deluxe Entertainment Services Group. The campus hosts events and festivals in partnership with Vancouver International Film Festival, Fan Expo Vancouver, TEDxVancouver, Interactive Futures, and industry meetups organized by groups like IGDA and BC Music.
Admissions draw applicants from global institutions including Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Carnegie Mellon University, Stanford University, University of Toronto, McGill University, University of British Columbia, Ryerson University, University of Waterloo, Concordia University, and Royal College of Art. Selection criteria reference portfolios and interviews with professionals from companies such as Electronic Arts, Ubisoft, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Netflix, and Google. Student life integrates co-curricular activities tied to community partners like Vancouver Film School, Emily Carr University of Art and Design, Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, Vancouver Opera, and local startups supported by Vancouver Startup Week and Creative Labs. Career outcomes connect graduates to employers including EA Vancouver, Relic Entertainment, DNEG, Digital Domain, Framestore, and media outlets like CBC and CTV.
Student teams have produced award-winning projects showcased at events such as Sundance Film Festival, Toronto International Film Festival, SIGGRAPH, Gamescom, E3 Expo, IndieCade, South by Southwest, and XPRIZE competitions, collaborating with partners like NFB, CBC, BBC, Microsoft, and Adobe. Alumni have joined organizations including Electronic Arts, Ubisoft, Sony Interactive Entertainment, Netflix, Amazon Studios, Warner Bros., Lionsgate, Weta Digital, Industrial Light & Magic, Blizzard Entertainment, Valve Corporation, Epic Games, NVIDIA, Google, Facebook, Snap Inc., Rogers Media, and Bell Media. Recognition includes awards and grants from Canada Media Fund, Canadian Screen Awards, The Webbys, BAFTA, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, GDC Awards, SXSW Interactive Awards, and Emmy Awards.
Category:Educational institutions in Vancouver Category:Digital media