For most, you only get one chance to choose: the university you enroll in is likely the only one you will attend. To transfer is a costly and difficult process. SFU Surrey’s SIAT program may not shine brighter than other programs in the lower mainland, but you likely won’t have to worry about finding at least something worthwhile to keep you there.
The Campus
SFU Surrey is a relatively young campus, and SFU’s School for Interactive Arts and Technology is only taught in Surrey. Considering the age of most campuses in the Lower Mainland, we’re privileged with a clean and attractive campus that’s . . . not in the best part of Surrey, but still more accessible than SFU’s Burnaby campus. Freshly constructed in the Central City Mall, the high-tech campus is only a minute away from the Skytrain, making it easy access for anyone taking transit. No campus parking is offered (at least, not without strings attached), so those with cars will find themselves inconvenienced.
The campus courses revolve mostly around interactive arts, design, computing science and business, which means they all require a great deal of technical support. Computer labs litter the campus; the library is stocked with books, digital media and electronic equipment (HD cameras, audio recording equipment, etc.; a games room with all the latest consoles is provided for entertainment; graduate research permits more advanced equipment such as our own motion capture studio . . . let’s just say we’ve got our fair share of toys to play with, should we need them for coursework.
The simplest and bluntest description of SIAT would be . . . a ‘grab bag.’ Full of variety, but each morsel is not very filling.
The Program
I hate to sound too critical, but the simplest and bluntest description of SIAT would be . . . a ‘grab bag.’ Full of variety, but each morsel is not very filling. SIAT will allow you to explore a variety of subjects: sound design, game design, graphic design, spacial design, industrial design, 3D modelling & animation, interaction design. Design is the basis of most SIAT courses: you’ll learn the process for creating all manner of products, but the tools you’ll need to learn on your own time. Courses in computing science and business are also offered at SFU Surrey, so you can supplement your design classes with technical and administrative skills should be so inclined.
SIAT is more about design theory and production through design over anything else. You will learn about working in groups, ideation, prototyping, design and some basic production . . . but the skills you need to actually produce anything you’ll need to provide yourself. The teachers will offer crash courses in some programs like Photoshop or Maya and will answer any questions you have, but faculty experts are few and far between. You’ll need to make up a lot of ground in between classes to learn the tools and complete your assignments.
The last thing I’ll say about the program content of SIAT is that it fluctuates on a yearly basis. The graduation requirements that were established when I started 5 years ago don’t even apply to the current curriculum. SIAT is still a very young program in many ways, and it’s still being developed and perfected. New courses will rise out of the ground between semesters and other courses will disappear: some for better, some for worse. For those of you who are more game design oriented like myself, I can tell you we are striving to develop, expand and mature those courses from both the student and faculty ends.
The Lessons
There is one thing I promise you’ll learn in SIAT, in one way or another. Teamwork is not only encouraged in virtually every SIAT course, it is required. Assignments and course structure classically revolves around a deliverable (or series of deliverables) that you will create over a single term, and you will be doing so in teams as small as 3 and as large as 8. Only a few courses will directly teach you about how to co-ordinate and collaborate with others. You’ll learn how to specialize in specific tasks and to organize teams into individual roles, but more importantly, you’ll learn about the importance of reputation.
Reputation is the single greatest thing I’ve learned in SIAT. Working in teams course after course after course, you’ll begin to recognize your strengths and how to market those strengths among your peers. Eventually, you build a reputation among students with similar goals, and you’ll be able to establish relationships and teams based around those reputations. If you’re the best at 3D animation, you’ll quickly find yourself approached by students with specialities in direction or modelling that are seeking your talent. On top of that, you’ll find it easier to recruit peers to your ideas because they’ll recall your displayed expertise and competence in past courses. Not only is this an immensely useful skill, it’s a professional one: reputation extends beyond academics and into the working world.
I’m in 5th year at the time of writing this: I have not taken an exam in a SIAT course in about 2 years.
Teamwork and reputation are great things, but they may seem rather pointless to most if they think SIAT involves mostly studying, exams and written reports. I’m in 5th year at the time of writing this: I have not taken an exam in a SIAT course in about 2 years. With digital distribution, I’ve barely bought more than a single book a term in those 2 years. In our program, you prove your knowledge and learning through results: computer programs, intricate design exhibits, video games, art pieces both passive and interactive in nature . . . you actually get to make stuff, final products that you can use to show off your work. With the game I created in the first year of game design, I was nominated as a finalist for a local student award in best writing: SFU even paid for the award show tickets and submission fees.
The Rundown
I would recommend SIAT if you have a passion for more design and interactive media related interests, such as 3D animation, interface design or game design, but you don’t have a concrete idea of what you want to do. Otherwise, the Vancouver Film School or the Arts Institute offer far more focused programs on similar subjects, but you’ll pay through the nose for it. SIAT will average around two grand (and change) per 4-course term, making the decision much easier if you want to avoid student loans but are unsure about career you wish to pursue. You’ll get what you pay for, although you might still be wanting more.
In all honesty, SIAT is . . . not bad. I confess I’ve never attended any other post-secondary institutions, but SFU Surrey’s unique SIAT program does a good job at familiarizing its students with a variety of fields and teaching you to co-ordinate, collaborate and produce presentable final products. You’ll learn to use your knowledge and skills in creative ways, as opposed to filling your head with data that you may or may not need. You will get out of SIAT only as much as you are willing to put in, and you’ll be surprised at just how much talent you can find among the student ranks. Just because some people have the money to attend the Arts Institute doesn’t mean that’s where you’ll find all the talented artists in the city.
All in all, SIAT is a nice alternative to those interested in digital media but haven’t determined a specialty, and the program is constantly improving. A relatively safe bet, for those of you still searching.
Cody Church
New Media Environments, 5th Year
President/Founder of the Game Developers Club
(2 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)
Loading ...
Just wanted to add that it’s completely true that the student will have to develop executional tools and skills on their own (and I encourage you do so) but the strong understanding of process is what will allow you to flourish and differentiate in the market. New tools and applications are popularized and fade over time but process is enduring. It also allows you to envision new ways of applying your process tools to business organization, supply chain, wicked problems, etc… So it might seem all muddy now but be glad you got the design thinking basis and make sure you’re diligent and specialize in a technical skill on the side.