Digital Media students tackle real-world challenge
Three CQUniversity Digital Media students have gained valuable industry experience while delivering a practical digital solution for CQUniversity's Makerspace through the University's Digital Media Collaborative Project.
Students Sasha, Kai and Lisa partnered with Makerspace as part of the pro bono program, which connects final-year Digital Media students with community organisations, businesses and university partners to develop creative and technical solutions for real-world challenges.
The team designed and developed a WordPress website and supporting digital resources to help Makerspace promote its facilities, activities and learning opportunities to a wider audience.
Digital Media Collaborative Project Supervisor Regina John Luan from CQUniversity's School of Education and the Arts said the project demonstrated the value of authentic learning experiences.
"The Digital Media Collaborative Project is a capstone learning experience where students work in teams with real clients to develop digital media solutions for genuine organisational needs," Ms John Luan said.
"Through our pro bono program, students collaborate with community organisations, businesses and university partners on projects involving website development, branding, animation, digital communication and other creative media services.
"What makes this program particularly meaningful is that students are not simply completing an assignment for a grade. They are producing work for real people who have genuine expectations and intend to use what they create."
Ms John Luan said working with external clients challenged students to apply their knowledge in a professional environment.
"Students need to listen to client needs, communicate their ideas, manage deadlines, respond to feedback and make decisions that consider both creative quality and practical requirements," she said.
"This is what we aim to achieve through authentic learning and assessment. We want students to demonstrate not only what they know, but also how they apply that knowledge in situations they are likely to encounter after graduation."
Michelle Vanderburg, Makerspace Program Manager, said “It has been wonderful working with the Digital Media students on this project. They brought fresh ideas, creativity and enthusiasm to developing a website that will help us showcase the Makerspace and the opportunities we provide for hands-on learning, innovation and collaboration.”
The Makerspace project brought together website development, visual communication, user experience design and community engagement, providing students with opportunities to apply a broad range of digital media skills.
The project followed a structured development process involving planning, Alpha development, Beta testing and refinement before the completed website was handed over to the client.
Ms John Luan said the experience helped students understand the realities of professional digital media practice.
"Client expectations can change, feedback may challenge students' original ideas and practical limitations can require them to reconsider their approach," she said.
"Students must learn to negotiate, justify their creative decisions and find solutions that work for the client.
"One of the most valuable learning opportunities is understanding how individual contributions must come together to produce a coherent outcome."
Participating student Lisa He said the project provided valuable insight into professional practice while allowing the team to create resources that would continue to benefit Makerspace.
"I learned that clients don't always tell you everything you need to know upfront. We need to stay curious, ask questions and dig deeper. Otherwise, you risk designing something based on the wrong assumptions rather than what Makerspace actually need," Ms He said.
"It gave me hands-on experience in project management, stakeholder engagement and needs analysis. These are skills that go well beyond university projects and are valuable in any professional setting."
Alongside technical skills in website development, visual communication and content presentation, the students further developed professional capabilities including teamwork, communication, project planning and problem-solving.
Ms John Luan said partnerships with organisations such as Makerspace created benefits for both students and clients.
"For students, these projects provide practical learning experiences that help connect university study with professional practice," she said.
"For organisations, they provide opportunities to explore ideas, improve digital communication and access the creative capabilities of emerging professionals.
"These projects also demonstrate how CQUniversity and the wider community can work together to create meaningful outcomes."
Expressions of interest for the 2027 Digital Media Pro Bono Collaborative Projects will open in November, with submissions welcomed from community organisations, not-for-profit groups, businesses and university partners with genuine digital media needs.
Projects may include website design and development, branding, animation, video production, social media campaigns, digital storytelling, user experience design and interactive media.
"I would encourage organisations to get in touch and share their ideas," Ms John Luan said.
"If your organisation has a digital communication challenge, a creative idea or a project that could benefit from digital media expertise, we would be interested in hearing from you.
"This is an opportunity to support the next generation of digital media professionals while progressing a meaningful project for your organisation."
CQUniversity encourages organisations seeking fresh, innovative digital media support to apply and help shape the next generation of creative professionals.
Eligible organisations for the 2027 intake include not-for-profits, charities, councils, community groups, educational providers and government agencies seeking support with digital media and design projects. Applications close 29 January 2027. For more information or to apply, contact Regina John Luan at [email protected]
The Bachelor of Creative Media is also available online and at CQU campuses in Bundaberg, Rockhampton, Cairns, Mackay and Brisbane.
