Creative judgement
Develop visual storytelling and the human decision-making needed to direct software, cameras and AI outputs intentionally.
One-Year CIE Programme
Foundation · Stage 01
The 420-Hour Common Foundation
One shared foundation for every student, whatever your future major. Learn to think creatively, direct AI responsibly, work with 3D and real-time production, and develop professional evidence under GCGPS.
420Guided learning hours
60Technical foundation hours
360Common curriculum hours
9Compulsory modules
Purpose & rationale
Why everyone takes the same foundation.
Before entering specialisation, all learners need a common language for creativity, technical systems, AI judgement, collaboration and accountable production. This curriculum develops capable contributors, not simply software operators.
Technical confidence
Understand files, code, structured data, media specifications, 3D assets and real-time environments sufficiently to collaborate across disciplines.
Professional trust
Document sources, roles, AI assistance, versions, reviews and approvals so work is usable in studio production and competency assessment.
Learning journey
From beginner to production-ready learner.
The curriculum builds progressively across technical foundations and common creative practice. Module order and individual delivery schedules are controlled by the institute.
- 01
Understand the systems
Build shared technical literacy and evidence discipline through the 60-hour technical foundation.
- 02
Create and collaborate
Apply creativity, media, AI, 3D, Zheng He canon and GCGPS across the common curriculum.
- 03
Demonstrate competence
Present practical work, individual contribution, review and verification evidence.
- 04
Progress to a major
Use the foundation in specialist study and later Zheng He Transmedia capstone work.
Detailed curriculum
Explore the nine compulsory modules.
Open each module to review its purpose, learning outcomes and the practical evidence you will create.
Module 01 / 09 · CIE-FDN-01
Digital, Coding, Data & AI Tools Foundations
Technical foundation
60hours
Module 01 / 09 · CIE-FDN-01
Digital, Coding, Data & AI Tools Foundations
Technical foundation
60hours
Learning objective
Understand the systems behind creative production, rather than treating software and AI as black boxes.
Why every student studies this
Every specialisation must exchange reliable data, understand automation and preserve evidence, even when students do not become software engineers.
What you will learn
- Digital systems and file control
- Computational thinking and Python
- CSV, JSON, Git and versioning
- APIs and service communication
- SQLite and SQL
- AI concepts, tools and accountability
Learning outcomes
Build a controlled digital workspace; write and debug introductory Python; handle CSV and JSON; explain APIs; query a SQLite database; document AI use responsibly.
Work you will produce
- Controlled folders and command-line log
- Python automation and CSV-to-JSON script
- SQLite production tracker
- AI accountability record
- Creative Production Data Assistant capstone
Module 02 / 09 · CIE-COM-01
Creative Intelligence Economy & Professional Orientation
Economic and professional context
30hours
Module 02 / 09 · CIE-COM-01
Creative Intelligence Economy & Professional Orientation
Economic and professional context
30hours
Learning objective
Understand why the programme connects creative skills, AI, intellectual property, enterprises and economic opportunity.
Why it matters
Software skills alone do not show how to contribute to a production, employer, client or market. This gives every student a shared purpose.
What you will learn
- Creative Intelligence Economy and value creation
- Education–Enterprise–Economy (3E)
- Creative value chains and IP
- Employment, studio, freelance and OPE pathways
- Standards and international collaboration
Learning outcomes
Explain the CIE and DECT 3E model; map a creative value chain; compare professional pathways; identify responsibilities and a suitable development direction.
Work you will produce
- CIE concept and stakeholder map
- 3E and value-chain analysis
- IP and professional trust exercise
- Personal specialisation plan
Module 03 / 09 · CIE-COM-02
Visual Storytelling, Cinematography & Previsualisation
Creative direction
60hours
Module 03 / 09 · CIE-COM-02
Visual Storytelling, Cinematography & Previsualisation
Creative direction
60hours
Learning objective
Communicate story, emotion and meaning through intentional camera, composition, light, motion and shot design.
Why it matters
A beautiful AI image is not necessarily a meaningful or producible shot. Human visual judgement comes before tool operation.
What you will learn
- Shot size, camera angles and lenses
- Composition, blocking and continuity
- Lighting, colour and camera movement
- Editing rhythm and shot planning
- Storyboards, animatics and 3D previs
Learning outcomes
Select and justify cameras, lenses and lighting; maintain screen direction; create shot lists and storyboards; develop animatics and simple 3D previs; critique AI visuals.
Work you will produce
- Visual intention and shot list
- Storyboard and camera diagrams
- Lighting and colour plan
- Animatic and basic 3D previs
- AI visual assessment log
Module 04 / 09 · CIE-COM-03
Digital Media & Production Technology Foundations
Technical media literacy
30hours
Module 04 / 09 · CIE-COM-03
Digital Media & Production Technology Foundations
Technical media literacy
30hours
Learning objective
Understand the formats, properties and delivery requirements that make creative assets interoperable and usable.
Why it matters
Strong creative work fails professionally if files cannot be opened, imported, synchronised, colour-managed or verified.
What you will learn
- Image resolution, transparency and formats
- Video codecs, containers and frame rates
- Audio formats and sync
- 3D file structures and exchange
- Colour management and delivery verification
Learning outcomes
Explain resolution, frame rate, codecs, colour spaces and audio basics; recognise 3D asset components; convert, package and verify technical delivery.
Work you will produce
- Media technical specification sheet
- Conversion and compatibility tests
- Metadata or JSON asset record
- Verified controlled delivery package
Module 05 / 09 · CIE-COM-04
AI Fluency, AIA & Responsible Multimodal Creative Direction
Human-directed AI
60hours
Module 05 / 09 · CIE-COM-04
AI Fluency, AIA & Responsible Multimodal Creative Direction
Human-directed AI
60hours
Learning objective
Use AI as a professionally directed and accountable production capability, not merely a generation shortcut.
Why it matters
AI can generate content quickly, but responsibility for accuracy, rights, quality and final approval remains with people.
What you will learn
- Model and tool selection
- Structured prompts and visual direction
- Reference-guided generation
- Multimodal AI workflows
- Human evaluation, rights and disclosure
Learning outcomes
Select models against quality and licensing needs; design prompts; use references; evaluate, refine or reject outputs; record interventions and approvals.
Work you will produce
- Tool-selection matrix and prompt set
- Reference-controlled outputs
- Quality and rejection report
- AI Accountability records
- Human decision and rights review
Module 06 / 09 · CIE-COM-05
Blender, Unreal / Godot & Hybrid Visual Production
Studio production
60hours
Module 06 / 09 · CIE-COM-05
Blender, Unreal / Godot & Hybrid Visual Production
Studio production
60hours
Learning objective
Gain practical familiarity with 3D, virtual cameras, real-time engines and hybrid AI–3D workflows.
Why it matters
All students need to understand how 3D assets, scenes and real-time production work, even if they later specialise outside animation.
What you will learn
- Blender scene organisation and modelling
- Materials, lighting and camera animation
- 3D cinematography and previs
- Unreal / Godot concepts
- Asset exchange and troubleshooting
Learning outcomes
Build and organise Blender scenes; apply cameras, materials, lights and animation; create a real-time review sequence; transfer assets and preserve metadata.
Work you will produce
- Organised Blender project
- Reviewable 3D previs or animation
- Real-time engine scene
- Asset-transfer and issue logs
- Versioned GCGPS submission
Module 07 / 09 · CIE-COM-06
Zheng He History, Transmedia Storytelling & Project Canon
Historical and cultural integrity
30hours
Module 07 / 09 · CIE-COM-06
Zheng He History, Transmedia Storytelling & Project Canon
Historical and cultural integrity
30hours
Learning objective
Build a responsible understanding of Zheng He history and the rules of a shared transmedia story world.
Why it matters
An international transmedia project cannot function if each department invents contradictory history, characters, designs or cultural details.
What you will learn
- Ming maritime expeditions and context
- Source evaluation
- Verified history vs dramatic adaptation
- Project canon and continuity
- Cultural representation and AI verification
Learning outcomes
Evaluate sources; distinguish fact, interpretation and fiction; maintain character, timeline and location continuity; identify cultural risks; adapt across media.
Work you will produce
- Historical research and source log
- Fact–interpretation–fiction classification
- Canon and continuity record
- Cultural sensitivity review
- Cross-media adaptation evidence
Module 08 / 09 · CIE-COM-07
GCGPS Production Workflow, Technical Art & Project Control
Professional standards
60hours
Module 08 / 09 · CIE-COM-07
GCGPS Production Workflow, Technical Art & Project Control
Professional standards
60hours
Learning objective
Organise collaborative production so every creative and AI-assisted output is traceable, reviewable and approved.
Why it matters
The faster production becomes, the more important shared control is. This is the operational backbone connecting the other modules.
What you will learn
- Nine-stage GCGPS lifecycle
- Production hierarchy and metadata
- Versioning and AI Accountability
- Technical-art validation
- Scheduling, NCR/CAPA and approval
- Release and archive
Learning outcomes
Create asset identifiers and task records; track versions and AI sources; carry out technical checks, reviews and corrective actions; prepare releases and archives.
Work you will produce
- Project, asset and task registers
- Version and contribution records
- AIA and validation checks
- Corrective-action evidence
- Release and archive manifests
Module 09 / 09 · CIE-COM-08
Professional Communication, Portfolio & OPE Practice
Career and enterprise readiness
30hours
Module 09 / 09 · CIE-COM-08
Professional Communication, Portfolio & OPE Practice
Career and enterprise readiness
30hours
Learning objective
Turn work produced across the curriculum into convincing evidence of individual skills and professional responsibility.
Why it matters
Technical capability is hard to recognise or use professionally unless a student can explain it, prove it and communicate reliably.
What you will learn
- Team communication and reviews
- Professional hand-offs and feedback
- Evidence portfolios and contribution statements
- Career profile, CV and presentation
- Client scope, confidentiality and OPE fundamentals
Learning outcomes
Communicate production status and feedback; explain personal contribution; build a traceable portfolio; interpret client briefs; develop an introductory OPE plan.
Work you will produce
- Professional CV and portfolio
- Individual contribution statement
- Meeting and review records
- Client brief and delivery plan
- Preliminary OPE plan and presentation
Assessment & progression
What you will have to show.
Evidence matters more than attendance alone. Students must explain their own work, identify sources and AI assistance, respond to review, and demonstrate that outputs are correctly prepared and traceable.
| Foundation evidence | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Python, data, API and SQLite exercises | Technical literacy, validation and reproducibility |
| Storyboards, shot lists, animatics and previs | Creative direction, continuity and planning |
| Media specifications and delivery package | Interoperability and verification |
| AI Accountability records | Source transparency, human oversight and rights |
| Blender and real-time projects | Practical production capability |
| Zheng He research and canon records | Historical, cultural and narrative integrity |
| GCGPS registers, reviews and release records | Professional production control |
| Portfolio and professional presentation | Individual capability and career readiness |
Important: This compulsory foundation does not qualify a learner as an advanced programmer, animator or film director. It prepares every student for specialist modules, the Common/GCGPS progression gate and later controlled Zheng He production.
Next step
Continue the One-Year CIE journey.
Explore four major specialisations and the 240-hour Zheng He capstone.