Engage your students through our fun, curriculum-linked Creative Arts and Communication workshops. Designed to align with the Australian National Curriculum, these free workshops will teach your students skills relevant to their studies.
Explore our workshops below to see how they link to the curriculum, what your students will learn, and if they're available at our campus, at your school or online. If you'd like to tailor any of the workshops to suit your class, simply get in touch.
Communication
This workshop helps students generate creative stories and teaches approaches to developing first drafts. Students will respond to each other’s ideas and experiment with alternatives, as they aim to produce an engaging narrative. They will give and respond to feedback from others and use creative writing strategies that can be expanded and developed back in the classroom.
Year group: Years 9–10
Delivery location: Murdoch University Perth campus
Duration: 60 minutes
Number of students: Maximum of 20 students
Study areas: English (Year 8–10)
Curriculum links:
- Year 9
English ACELA1553, ACELA1557, ACELA1561, ACELT1634, ACELT1636, ACELT1772, ACELY1746, ACELY1747 - Year 10
English ACELA1569, ACELA1570, ACELA1571, ACELT1640, ACELT1642, ACELT1643, ACELT1814, ACELT1815, ACELY1757
The world of social media is full of fake news and it is the job of a journalist to be able to spot a hoax and find the real story. In this workshop, we will look at the tricks and tools used to spot fake photographs and videos.We will discuss which sources are trustworthy and how journalists can unearth harder-to-find stories using simple investigative skills. If time allows, we will look at Freedom of Information laws and how journalists can use them to hold government officials to account.
Year group: Years 10–12
Delivery location: Murdoch University Perth campus or at your school
Duration: 60 minutes
Number of students: Maximum of 15 students
Study areas: ATAR Media Production & Analysis (Year 11 & 12)
Curriculum links:
- Year 10
Media Arts ACAMAM073, ACAMAM074, ACAMAM075, ACAMAM076, ACAMAR078 - Year 11
ATAR Media Production & Analysis Unit 2 - Year 12
ATAR Media Production Unit 4
The world will always need storytellers. In this workshop, students will learn the craft of writing a news article. They will be introduced to the process of finding a story, what a news angle looks like and how to structure stories using the inverted pyramid format. This workshop will be an introduction to journalism and will give students hands-on experience in writing news. Come ready to put your writing skills to the test!
Year group: Years 10–12
Delivery location: Murdoch University Perth campus, at your school or online
Duration: 60 minutes
Number of students: Maximum of 15 students
Study areas: English and Media Arts (Year 10), ATAR English and ATAR Media Production & Analysis (Year 11 & 12)
Curriculum links:
- Year 10
English ACELT1641, ACELT 1643, ACELT1815, ACELY1750, ACELY1813, ACELY1756
Media Arts ACAMAM073, ACAMAM074 - Year 11
ATAR English Units 1 & 2
ATAR Media Production & Analysis Unit 2 - Year 12
ATAR English Units 3 & 4
ATAR Media Production & Analysis Unit 4
This workshop will explore what online personal branding means, the increasingly blurred lines between our private lives and our public persona, the conventions of different social media, and the issues people face as a result of the need to manage their ‘digital footprint’. The workshop will also offer practical help for students in how to create and curate an online identity that represents their character, while exploring some critical thought on the increasing commodification of our online personas.
Year group: Years 9–12
Delivery location: Murdoch University Perth campus
Duration: 60 minutes
Number of students: Maximum of 30 students
Study areas: English (Year 9 & 10), Media Arts (Year 9 & 10), ATAR English (Year 11 & 12), ATAR Media Production & Analysis (Year 11 & 12), Creative Industries (Cert II & III)
Curriculum links:
- Year 9
English ACELY1742, ACELY1745
Media Arts ACAMAM073, ACAMAM074, ACAMAM077, ACAMAR078, ACAMAR079 - Year 10
English ACELA1565, ACELT1641, ACELT1643, ACELT1812, ACELT1814, ACELT1815, ACELY1749
Media Arts ACAMAM073, ACAMAM074, ACAMAM077, ACAMAR078, ACAMAR079 - Year 11
ATAR English Unit 1 & 2
ATAR Media Production & Analysis Unit 1 - Year 12
ATAR English Unit 3 & 4
ATAR Media Production & Analysis Unit 4
This workshop will unpack the approaches of activists and advocates on social media, using case studies and a hands-on approach that digs deep into the social impact of social media. Social media has only been part of our lives for little more than 15 years and yet it has irrevocably changed how we communicate, affecting governments, big business and not-for-profits, while challenging some of society’s major institutions. Social movements, once relying on street protests, stunts, printed posters, mainstream media and on-the-ground activism are now adept at garnering support through hashtags, livestreaming, likes and engagement, to name just a few tactics. Social media strategies and tactics by advocates and activists in the battleground for public opinion, as well as the results of their campaigns, will be interrogated.
Year group: Years 9–12
Delivery location: Murdoch University Perth campus
Duration: 60 minutes
Number of students: Maximum of 30 students
Study areas: English (Year 9 & 10), Media Arts (Year 9 & 10) ATAR English (Year 11 & 12), ATAR Media Production and Analysis (Year 11 & 12)
Curriculum links:
- Year 9
English ACELY1742, ACELY1745
Media Arts ACAMAM073, ACAMAM074, ACAMAM077, ACAMAR078, ACAMAR079 - Year 10
English ACELA1564, ACELA1565, ACELT1641, ACELT1643, ACELT1812, ACELY1749
Media Arts ACAMAM073, ACAMAM074, ACAMAM077, ACAMAR078, ACAMAR079 - Year 11
ATAR English Unit 1 & 2
ATAR Media Production and Analysis Unit 1 - Year 12
ATAR English Unit 3 & 4
ATAR Media Production and Analysis Unit 4
Games art and design
In this workshop, students will learn how to create their very own 3D character animation. This class has been designed for secondary school students starting out as beginners. Students will complete the session with a copy of their animated character on a USB.
Year group: Years 9–12
Delivery location: Murdoch University Perth campus or at your school
Duration: 60 minutes
Number of students: Maximum of 15 students
Study areas: Media Arts (Year 9 & 10), Visual Arts (Year 9 & 10), ATAR Media Production and Analysis (Year 11 & 12), ATAR Visual Arts (Year 11 & 12), Creative Industries (Cert II & III)
Curriculum links:
- Year 9
Media Arts ACAMAM073, ACAMAM075
Visual Arts ACAVAM125, ACAVAM126, ACAVAM129 - Year 10
Media Arts ACAMAM073, ACAMAM075
Visual Arts ACAVAM125, ACAVAM126, ACAVAM129 - Year 11
ATAR Media Production and Analysis Unit 1
ATAR Visual Arts Units 1 & 2 - Year 12
ATAR Media Production and Analysis Unit 3
ATAR Visual Arts Units 3 & 4
This workshop is aimed at students who already have a basic understanding of Photoshop and digital painting, and will help to hone and develop the skills they already have. This class will take students through the process concept artists use in developing video game characters and will show them how to finesse their own work in the future.
Year group: Years 9–12
Delivery location: Murdoch University Perth campus, at your school or online
Duration: 90 minutes
Number of students: Maximum of 15 students
Study areas: Media Arts (Year 9 & 10), Visual Arts (Year 9 & 10), ATAR Media Production and Analysis (Year 11 & 12), ATAR Visual Arts (Year 11 & 12), Creative Industries (Cert II & III)
Curriculum links:
- Year 9
Media Arts ACAMAM073, ACAMAM075
Visual Arts ACAVAM125, ACAVAM126, ACAVAM129 - Year 10
Media Arts ACAMAM073, ACAMAM075
Visual Arts ACAVAM125, ACAVAM126, ACAVAM129 - Year 11
ATAR Media Production and Analysis Unit 1
ATAR Visual Arts Units 1 & 2 - Year 12
ATAR Media Production and Analysis Unit 3
ATAR Visual Arts Units 3 & 4
This workshop will teach students tips and tricks on improving their artwork and introduce the basics of blending and the painterly style of digital drawing in Photoshop. This class follows on from the skills taught in Introduction to Digital Painting and students should have a basic idea of how to navigate Photoshop already.
Year group: Years 9–12
Delivery location: Murdoch University Perth campus, at your school or online
Duration: 60 minutes
Number of students: Maximum of 15 students
Study areas: Media Arts (Year 9 & 10), Visual Arts (Year 9 & 10), ATAR Media Production and Analysis (Year 11 & 12), ATAR Visual Arts (Year 11 & 12), Creative Industries (Cert II & III)
Curriculum links:
- Year 9
Media Arts ACAMAM073, ACAMAM075
Visual Arts ACAVAM125, ACAVAM126, ACAVAM129 - Year 10
Media Arts ACAMAM073, ACAMAM075
Visual Arts ACAVAM125, ACAVAM126, ACAVAM129 - Year 11
ATAR Media Production and Analysis Unit 1
ATAR Visual Arts Units 1 & 2 - Year 12
ATAR Media Production and Analysis Unit 3
ATAR Visual Arts Units 3 & 4
This workshop will introduce students to skills and techniques used for digital painting in Photoshop through developing their own character design. By the end of the session, each student will have a basic understanding of how to navigate the program and will learn a simple approach to designing and drawing characters that is used by industry professionals.
Year group: Years 9–12
Delivery location: Murdoch University Perth campus, at your school or online
Duration: 60 minutes
Number of students: Maximum of 15 students
Study areas: Media Arts (Year 9 & 10), Visual Arts (Year 9 & 10), ATAR Media Production and Analysis (Year 11 & 12), ATAR Visual Arts (Year 11 & 12), Creative Industries (Cert II & III)
Curriculum links:
- Year 9
Media Arts ACAMAM073, ACAMAM075
Visual Arts ACAVAM125, ACAVAM126, ACAVAM129 - Year 10
Media Arts ACAMAM073, ACAMAM075
Visual Arts ACAVAM125, ACAVAM126, ACAVAM129 - Year 11
ATAR Media Production and Analysis Unit 1
ATAR Visual Arts Units 1 & 2 - Year 12
ATAR Media Production and Analysis Unit 3
ATAR Visual Arts Units 3 & 4
Pixel Art is probably one of the most simple art styles, however creating a compelling design can sometimes be challenging. This workshop will teach students about the history of Pixel Art in game design and show them how to use this knowledge to create their own retro self-portrait or design of their favourite character using the website Pixilart.
Year group: Years 9–12
Delivery location: Murdoch University Perth campus, at your school or online
Duration: 60 minutes
Number of students: Maximum of 15 students
Study areas: Media Arts (Year 9 & 10), Visual Arts (Year 9 & 10), ATAR Media Production and Analysis (Year 11 & 12), ATAR Visual Arts (Year 11 & 12), Creative Industries (Cert II & III)
Curriculum links:
- Year 9
Media Arts ACAMAM073, ACAMAM075
Visual Arts ACAVAM125, ACAVAM126, ACAVAM129 - Year 10
Media Arts ACAMAM073, ACAMAM075
Visual Arts ACAVAM125, ACAVAM126, ACAVAM129 - Year 11
ATAR Media Production and Analysis Unit 1
ATAR Visual Arts Units 1 & 2 - Year 12
ATAR Media Production and Analysis Unit 3
ATAR Visual Arts Units 3 & 4
Graphic design
Design thinking is a practice that involves rethinking how we approach problems of any kind, for any project. It focuses on exploring the underlying core issues of project problems through creative and game-oriented methods. Participants in this session will be introduced to design methods involving play to investigate, redefine and understand how problems are generated and therefore, learn how to approach them effectively. Big business, government and socially-driven organisations are applying these radical techniques to rethink how we might improve the way we live around the globe.
Year group: Years 9–12
Delivery location: Murdoch University Perth campus
Duration: 60 minutes
Number of students: Maximum of 15 students
Study areas: Visual Arts (9 & 10), Design & Technology (Year 9 & 10), ATAR Visual Arts (Year 11 & 12), ATAR Design (Year 11 & 12), Creative Industries (Cert II & III)
Curriculum links:
- Year 9
Visual Arts ACAVAM125, ACAVAM126, ACAVAM127, ACAVAM128, ACAVAM129
Design and Technologies ACTDEK040, WATPPS54, WATPPS55, WATPPS56, WATPPS57 - Year 10
Visual Arts ACAVAM125, ACAVAM126, ACAVAM127, ACAVAM128, ACAVAM129
Design and Technologies ACTDEK040, ACTDEK041, WATPPS61, WATPPS62, WATPPS63, WATPPS64, WATPPS65 - Year 11
ATAR Visual Arts Units 1 & 2
ATAR Design Units 1 & 2 - Year 12
ATAR Visual Arts Units 3 & 4
ATAR Design Units 3 & 4
One of the fundamental staples of the graphic designer’s toolbox is the grid system. These systems are essential for cohesive, efficient and flawless designs. This workshop will introduce students to a brief history of grid systems, including Swiss International Style, how to create common grid systems and, of course, how to use a grid system to create dynamic and engaging layouts.
Year group: Years 9–12
Delivery location: Murdoch University Perth campus or online
Duration: 60 minutes
Number of students: Maximum of 15 students
Study areas: Visual Arts (Year 9 & 10), ATAR Visual Arts (Year 11 & 12), ATAR Design (Year 11 & 12), Creative Industries (Cert II & III)
Curriculum links:
- Year 9
Visual Arts ACAVAM125, ACAVAM126, ACAVAM127, ACAVAM128, ACAVAM129, ACAVAR131 - Year 10
Visual Arts ACAVAM125, ACAVAM126, ACAVAM127, ACAVAM128, ACAVAM129, ACAVAR131 - Year 11
ATAR Visual Arts Units 1 & 2
ATAR Design Units 1 & 2 - Year 12
ATAR Visual Arts Units 3 & 4
ATAR Design Units 3 & 4
Hand Lettering has seen a major resurgence in recent years, despite the fact that it’s easier than ever to create your own font, including converting your own handwriting into digital type. Hand lettering is flexible and adaptable. It often celebrates the maker and their processes by focusing on slowing down and learning the mechanics of each stroke. This workshop will introduce students to the anatomy of type and techniques in creating basic strokes for letters, how to create and use lettering grids and will look at how these skills can be applied in the creative industry.
Year group: Years 9–12
Delivery location: Murdoch University Perth campus or online
Duration: 90 minutes
Number of students: Maximum of 15 students
Study areas: Visual Arts (Year 9 & 10), ATAR Visual Arts (Year 11 & 12), Creative Industries (Cert II & III)
Curriculum links:
- Year 9
Visual Arts ACAVAM125, ACAVAM126, ACAVAM127, ACAVAM128, ACAVAM129 - Year 10
Visual Arts ACAVAM125, ACAVAM126, ACAVAM127, ACAVAM128, ACAVAM129 - Year 11
ATAR Visual Arts Units 1 & 2 - Year 12
ATAR Visual Arts Units 3 & 4
Ideation is the design process of developing project concepts using creative methods such as sketching, prototyping, brainstorming and many other thought-provoking strategies. During this workshop, participants will engage in creative techniques for producing bold, innovative ideas that can literally change the world!
Year group: Years 9–12
Delivery location: Murdoch University Perth campus
Duration: 60 minutes
Number of students: Maximum of 30 students
Study areas: Visual Arts (Year 10), ATAR Visual Arts (Year 11 & 12), ATAR Design (Year 11 & 12), Creative Industries (Cert II & III)
Curriculum links:
- Year 9
Visual Arts ACAVAM125, ACAVAM126, ACAVAM128, ACAVAM129 - Year 10
Visual Arts ACAVAM125, ACAVAM126, ACAVAM128, ACAVAM129 - Year 11
ATAR Visual Arts Units 1 & 2
ATAR Design Units 1 & 2 - Year 12
ATAR Visual Arts Units 3 & 4
ATAR Design Units 3 & 4
Low polygon (or low poly) effects and patterns are used in almost all visual communication fields today. From interior design, web design, graphic design and interface design, the low poly effect turns complex surfaces into simplified faceted 3D forms. This workshop will help students to think about the underlying structure and forms of surfaces and objects. Students will use images of animals, humans or themselves to create a low poly portrait using Adobe Illustrator.
Year group: Years 10–12
Delivery location: Murdoch University Perth campus
Duration: 60 minutes
Number of students: Maximum of 15 students
Study areas: Media Arts (Year 10), Visual Arts (Year 10), ATAR Media Production and Analysis (Year 11 & 12), ATAR Visual Arts (Year 11 & 12), Creative Industries (Cert II & III)
Curriculum links:
- Year 10
Media Arts ACAMAM073, ACAMAM075, ACAMAR078
Visual Arts ACAVAM125, ACAVAM126, ACAVAM127, ACAVAM129 - Year 11
ATAR Media Production and Analysis Unit 1
ATAR Visual Arts Units 1 & 2 - Year 12
ATAR Media Production and Analysis Unit 3
ATAR Visual Arts Units 3 & 4
How images and text communicate when placed together is at the heart of visual communication. In this workshop, students will experiment with this idea using Adobe Photoshop. They will be provided with an introduction to the use of text and its ability to anchor the meaning of image. Students will apply a displacement map over a photograph of themselves and add typographic elements to change the image’s meaning.
Year group: Years 10–12
Delivery location: Murdoch University Perth campus
Duration: 60 minutes
Number of students: Maximum of 15 students
Study areas: Media Arts (Year 10), Visual Arts (Year 10), ATAR Media Production and Analysis (Year 11 & 12), ATAR Visual Arts (Year 11 & 12), Creative Industries (Cert II & III)
Curriculum links:
- Year 10
Media Arts ACAMAM073, ACAMAM075, ACAMAR078
Visual Arts ACAVAM125, ACAVAM126, ACAVAM127, ACAVAM129 - Year 11
ATAR Media Production and Analysis Unit 1
ATAR Visual Arts Units 1 & 2 - Year 12
ATAR Media Production and Analysis Unit 3
ATAR Visual Arts Units 3 & 4
This session explores what makes for a dynamic portfolio of work. Students will learn how effective portfolios are created and why certain portfolios’ work stands out more than others. This workshop will reveal powerful portfolio techniques used among a variety of industries and how/why these portfolios vary based upon common platform deliverables (including digital and print). Participants in this workshop will be taken through portfolio examples that demonstrate strong visual communication and showcase exciting content, with particular focus on graphic design techniques such as grids, hierarchy, typography and image treatments.
Year group: Years 10–12
Delivery location: Murdoch University Perth campus
Duration: 60 minutes
Number of students: Maximum of 15 students
Study areas: Visual Arts (Year 10), ATAR Visual Arts (Year 11 & 12), ATAR Design (Year 11 & 12), Creative Industries (Cert II & III)
Curriculum links:
- Year 10
Visual Arts ACAVAM125, ACAVAM126, ACAVAM127, ACAVAM128, ACAVAM129, ACAVAR131 - Year 11
ATAR Visual Arts Units 1 & 2
ATAR Design Units 1 & 2 - Year 12
ATAR Visual Arts Units 3 & 4
ATAR Design Units 3 & 4
Prototypes are a great way to test ideas and products and are used in User Experience and Design Thinking processes. Prototypes are also a great way to experiment with concepts and provide a quick understanding of user's needs. Students will build a paper prototype of a simple app and experiment with layout, information hierarchy and task flow whilst playing with the concept of a digital product.
Year group: Years 11–12
Delivery location: Murdoch University Perth campus
Duration: 90 minutes
Number of students: Maximum of 15 students
Study areas: ATAR Visual Arts (Year 11 & 12), ATAR Design (Year 11 & 12), Creative Industries (Cert II & III)
Curriculum links:
- Year 11
ATAR Design Units 1 & 2
ATAR Applied Information Technology Units 1 & 2 - Year 12
ATAR Design Units 3 & 4
ATAR Applied Information Technology Units 3 & 4
Screen production
Filmmakers have been creating stereo moving images for entertainment for over 60 years, but James Cameron's Avatar is probably the best known 3D film made to date. The concept of making 3D images is not overly complex, but it takes some explaining of the mechanics and supporting theory to get it looking great and use it to maximum effect.
In this workshop, we teach students the practical process of creating 3D video using cheap anaglyph glasses, a DSLR camera, and free software. This allows the student to take this knowledge away and continue experimentation with 3D images in their own time. An extension of this workshop can be undertaken that includes a seminar on perspective theory and more detailed information about 3D video technicalities.
The core of many visual effects seen in cinema and on television is the chroma-key. This process allows the filmmaker to make areas of video transparent, and it is how all virtual sets for news or entertainment shows are created.
In this session, students will learn the technical aspects of creating a good chroma-key environment – including complex aspects of chroma-key lighting, subject positioning, and exposing the shot. The session is held in our TV Studio, which is complete with professional vision switcher and green-screen wall and floor.
Delivery location: Murdoch University Perth campus
Though it's clear that music videos are a marriage of music and moving images, it may not be obvious to some that they also often rely on post-production effects to increase the viewer's engagement. This short course explores how video manipulation programs, such as Adobe Premiere Pro and Adobe After Effects, can be used to create and employ a visual style that points towards the surreal. The music video foundations of cutting-on-the-beat and beats within shots themselves are also explained. This course assumes some basic knowledge of Adobe Premiere Pro, and a willingness to learn digital compositing software in Adobe After Effects.
Year group: Years 9–12
Delivery location: Murdoch University Perth campus or online
Duration: 90 minutes
Number of students: Maximum of 15 students
Study areas: Media Arts (Year 9 & 10), ATAR Media Production & Analysis (Year 11 & 12), Creative Industries (Cert II & III)
Curriculum links:
- Year 9
ACAMAM073, ACAMAM074, ACAMAM075, ACAMAM077, ACAMAR078 - Year 10
ACAMAM073, ACAMAM074, ACAMAM075, ACAMAM077, ACAMAR078 - Year 11
ATAR Media Production & Analysis Unit 1 - Year 12
ATAR Media Production & Analysis Unit 3
Writing a short film script can be daunting: the blank digital page glares back in an unashamed defiance that has broken many before you. This workshop introduces the concept of Creative Limitation and provides a solid foundation in film story-telling to help get the ideas flowing. Existing films are analysed in terms of their story structure and characterisation, and methods for successfully seeking inspiration are detailed.
Year group: Years 9–12
Delivery location: Murdoch University Perth campus or online
Duration: 60 minutes
Number of students: Maximum of 15 students
Study areas: Media Arts (Year 9 & 10), ATAR Media Production & Analysis (Year 11 & 12), Creative Industries (Cert II & III)
Curriculum links:
- Year 9
Media Arts ACAMAM073, ACAMAM074, ACAMAM075, ACAMAR078, ACAMAR079 - Year 10
Media Arts ACAMAM073, ACAMAM074, ACAMAM075, ACAMAR078, ACAMAR079 - Year 11
ATAR Media Production & Analysis Unit 1 - Year 12
ATAR Media Production & Analysis Unit 3
Book a workshop
For more information or to book a workshop for your class, email our Outreach team on outreach@murdoch.edu.au.
