Mr Nicholas Ridd

Lecturer in Media

Media

n.m.ridd@swansea.ac.uk

Intermediate Welsh Speaker

Office - 35
Ground Floor
Talbot Building
Singleton Campus

About

Nick is a Lecturer within the Department of Media and Communication and Undergraduate Programme Director.

After completing the MA in Communication, Media and Public Relations, Nick joined the department and now teaches across a range of programmes and cohorts, with a strong focus on practical, skills-based learning and is experienced in guiding students through hands-on projects that develop their creative and professional capabilities.

Alongside his teaching, Nick is professional trained in multiple industry-standard media applications, such as Canva, Figma and the Adobe Creative Suite, including Premier Pro, Photoshop and Illustrator, which he incorporates directly into his teaching practice.

Nick’s career spans various branches of the creative sector. He began as a Music Journalist before moving into visual media, where he now specialises in such areas as graphic design, visual communication, photography and video production. He continues to work professionally in the industry, producing digital visual content and bringing this up-to-date professional experience into the classroom.

Areas Of Expertise

Visual Communication and Branding Design
UX and UI
Graphic Design
Content Creation
Social Media
Marketing
Video production
Audio and Sound Design
Photography and digital image manipulation

Career Highlights

Teaching Interests

Video creation and production

Photography

Branding, Graphic Design and Visual Communication

Content creation and online marketing

UX and UI

Social Media

Taught Modules

MS-126 Creative Media Platforms

This introductory module offers students an early opportunity to engage with a range of creative media practices, building on the theoretical foundations established in the first semester of your first year. Designed as a bridge between theory and practice, Creative Media Platforms introduces students to the hands-on production of media content across formats such as video, audio, photography, and digital storytelling. Through guided workshops and project-based learning, students will begin to explore the creative possibilities of media while developing essential technical and conceptual skills. The module also provides a preview of key themes and practices that can be pursued in greater depth in later years of study. By fostering creative confidence and technical fluency, you will be equipped with a practical skillset that enhances your ability to approach future assessments across the degree programme with originality and a critical eye for media production.
MS-221 Creative Media Practice

This is a broad-based practical media skills module. The module will encourage students to use the computer `as a tool¿ not perhaps purely as a typewriter or communication device. Practical endeavors include: digital graphical design, image manipulation; HTML, web design; and desktop publishing. Along with covering these valuable applied skills, we will reflect and study on what being `creative¿ means and some ways of cultivating a more creative outlook and enhancing innovative production. Part of the assessment is group based for this module ¿ and working as a team is to also be considered where professional processes are utilised in order to formalise our methods of working efficiently together. A larger proportion of the assessment is individual and reflexive in nature, theories of usability and design are researched and academically critiqued to help inform and lead to best practice in our digital `hands-on¿ undertakings.
MS-229 Professional Development: Preparing for Work

This module is compulsory for all students who have enrolled on BA Journalism, Media and Communication, and is also open to all media and communication single and joint honours students. The module provides students with the context to critically engage with and access relevant industrial experiences and practices within the broad remit of Media and Communication to help develop an understanding of how to gain employment within a professional working environment. Theory lectures and interactive workshops will help prepare students for working as part of a company or institution, as well as working as a freelance. The module focuses on the underpinning and fundamental requisites required to gain, enter and progress effectively through an organisational placement within the media and communication industries or to secure employment in the media and communication industries. Learners will be introduced to:- How to pitch a creative CV, Cover letters and application processes, Understanding skill sets and how to match skills to employers' needs, Finding employment and how to research the job market, Interview techniques (how to pitch yourself and be successful), Wellbeing at Work, Diversity and Inclusivity in the creative industries, Green awareness practices, Workplace behaviours and expectations, Key employability skills and how to get the most from a placement, How to develop an online presence and how to promote a professional profile.
MS-307 Practical Web Technologies

MS-307 Practical Web Technologies follows on from the MS-221 Media Practice Skills module. This UG final year module equips the students with further technological knowledge which when allied with the communication and design skills from MS-221 will enable the students to produce fully functioning websites. Consideration is given to media platforms, and in designing and adapting designs and their implementation to these differing media channels. Skills learnt in this module will provide the student with a good grasp of many of the underlying aspects of what technologies are used on the Internet and in delivering usable and accessible web content to an intended audience.
MS-M09 Visual Communication and Media Design

In today¿s dynamic creative industries, professionals must demonstrate not only technical proficiency in visual communication but also a critical understanding of its strategic role in branding, marketing and public engagement. This module explores advanced principles and practices of visual communication within the context of contemporary creative industries including advertising, promotion, branding and public relations. Students will engage with complex design challenges through a simulated industry brief, requiring them to critically analyse a real-world organisation, its market positioning and visual identity. Emphasis is placed on the development of a research-informed, concept-driven response that aligns with client needs and current industry trends. Through a combination of theoretical inquiry and practice-based experimentation, students will deepen their understanding of design principles such as colour theory, typography, accessibility and user experience. They will also refine their technical skills using industry-standard tools such as Adobe Creative Suite while critically evaluating the role of accessible platforms like Canva in professional workflows. The module fosters independent, reflective practice and encourages students to position themselves as creative strategists capable of responding to complex briefs with originality, clarity and critical insight. Visual communication is a core competency across creative disciplines and this module ensures students are equipped to lead and innovate in this space.
MS-M10 Dissertation or Project

This module provides you with the opportunity to undertake an independent research-based dissertation or practice-led project on a topic relevant to your degree. Working closely with a supervisor, you¿ll apply the skills and knowledge gained throughout your MA programme to design, develop, and complete a substantial piece of original work. Whether you choose a traditional academic dissertation or a creative/practice-based project, this module allows you to explore your interests in depth, demonstrate your critical thinking, and contribute meaningfully to your chosen field. Support will be available through individual supervision and a limited number of optional research methods workshops.
MSW229 Datblygiad Proffesiynol: Paratoi ar gyfer Gwaith

Mae'r modiwl hwn yn orfodol i bob myfyriwr sydd wedi ymrestru ar BA Newyddiaduraeth, y Cyfryngau a Chyfathrebu, ac mae hefyd yn agored i bob myfyriwr cyfrwng a chyfathrebu anrhydedd sengl a chyfun. Mae¿r modiwl yn rhoi¿r cyd-destun i fyfyrwyr ymgysylltu¿n feirniadol â phrofiadau ac arferion diwydiannol perthnasol o fewn cylch gorchwyl eang y Cyfryngau a Chyfathrebu, a chael mynediad iddynt, er mwyn helpu i ddatblygu dealltwriaeth o sut i gael cyflogaeth o fewn amgylchedd gwaith proffesiynol. Bydd darlithoedd theori a gweithdai rhyngweithiol yn helpu i baratoi myfyrwyr ar gyfer gweithio fel rhan o gwmni neu sefydliad, yn ogystal â gweithio fel llawrydd. Mae'r modiwl yn canolbwyntio ar yr angenrheidiau creiddiol a sylfaenol sydd eu hangen i ennill, mynd i mewn a symud ymlaen yn effeithiol trwy leoliad sefydliadol yn y diwydiannau cyfryngau a chyfathrebu neu i sicrhau cyflogaeth yn y diwydiannau cyfryngau a chyfathrebu. Bydd dysgwyr yn cael eu cyflwyno i:- Sut i gyflwyno CV creadigol, Llythyrau eglurhaol a phrosesau ymgeisio, Deall setiau sgiliau a sut i baru sgiliau ag anghenion cyflogwyr, Dod o hyd i waith a sut i ymchwilio i'r farchnad swyddi, Technegau cyfweliad (sut i gyflwyno eich hun a bod yn llwyddiannus), Lles yn y Gweithle, Amrywiaeth a Chynhwysiant yn y diwydiannau creadigol, Arferion ymwybyddiaeth werdd, Ymddygiad a disgwyliadau yn y Gweithle, Sgiliau cyflogadwyedd allweddol a sut i gael y gorau o leoliad, Sut i ddatblygu presenoldeb ar-lein a sut i hyrwyddo a proffil proffesiynol.

Mr Nicholas Ridd

Email address

Welsh language proficiency

Twitter Account

LinkedIn Account

About

Areas Of Expertise

Career Highlights

Taught Modules

MS-126 Creative Media Platforms

MS-221 Creative Media Practice

MS-229 Professional Development: Preparing for Work

MS-307 Practical Web Technologies

MS-M09 Visual Communication and Media Design

MS-M10 Dissertation or Project

MSW229 Datblygiad Proffesiynol: Paratoi ar gyfer Gwaith