Module Aim: 

This module focuses on 2D and 3D art creation tools and techniques, from pre-production through to a final game asset. You will develop skills and experience in drawing and will develop a portfolio of original drawings and sketches, which can then be applied to a range of media contexts and enable you to develop conceptual skills, make judgements about the design of objects and develop skills in presenting preproduction work. 

Indicative content:

• Core Drawing skills 

• Dynamic Sketching 

• 3D modelling methods 

• low poly modelling workflows 

• UV's, texture mapping, materials and shading 

• Hardware limitations 

• Real-time rendering 

• Composition and presentation  

Module aim:  

Students will extend their core digital asset creation skills and employ planning and pre-production processes used in the game industry.  

Digital Assets will be migrated to a game engine environment where software specific procedures for shading and rendering will be explored. 

Module delivery is lab based for lectures and practical elements. 

Indicative content: 

• Asset creation techniques
• Introduction to game engine processes
• Shading technology
• Realtime performance

This module explores the fundamental theoretical concepts relating to the creation of art for games. 

It provides a basis for future practical work by introducing fundamental principles of ART and developing critical analysis of core art practice.  

The module develops skills in, abstract thinking, research, communication, collaborative learning and peer critique. These skills will be essential for successful work development of core ART skills. 

You are involving in exploring your own creative pathways and identifying individual targeted learning methods.  

Indicative content:

• Core Visual literacy skills - Lines shape form texture colour Creativity methodologies Light and form 
• Perspective
• Rendering  
• Colour theory  
• Image analysis  
• Elements of composition  

Module aim: 

This module will equip you with the skills you need to work in multidisciplinary project teams. This will include skills in communication, application of project management techniques, presentation and delivering of constructive criticism of work done by others You will be given a project brief to collaborate on with students from other disciplines. You will bring the specialist practical skills and knowledge that you are learning and a game design and development student and apply them in the team working context provided by the project. 

Indicative content:  

• Applying individual practice skills to a defined multi-disciplinary team-based project 

• Communication within project teams 

• Methods for project management, planning and reporting 

• Presentation of work to other team members 

• Reporting on personal and team performance 

• Receiving and giving constructive criticism and feedback 

This module will develop an understanding of theoretical and practical concepts relating to art direction. You will explore concepts such as colour theory and how to establish warm and cool areas on an image. You will use specialist software to understand the techniques you need to bring these ideas to life. The module will challenge you to create engaging visual content that explores a wide range of visual sources and to enable you to reflect on your work. 

Indicative content:

• Ideation methods  

• Art style guides  

• Visual Narrative methods  

• Mood and atmospherics  

• Emotional design approaches

• Presentation methods for studio working

• Exploring visual sources  

Module Aim: 

This module will introduce you to specialised techniques and skills that will introduce you to career pathways in the Games industry. You will build on previous learning in advanced art creation tools and undertake tasks that enable you to reflect on your future pathway. 

Indicative content:  

• World building

• Character animation

• Specialism specific technologies and processes (e.g., Z brush)

• Character art 

• Concept art 

• Environment art 

This module will enable you to choose a specialist pathway that corresponds with a role in the Games Industry. You will develop specialist skills in an area such as Character Art or Environment Art, which you will use in a portfolio of work that you will develop across the rest of the course. This portfolio will become a calling card that you can show to organisations after graduation 

Indicative content: 

• Character creation

• Environment creation and level design

• Visual communication

Module Aim:  

This module introduces new methods and tools for creating interactive work outside the bounds of traditional screen media. You will be challenged to work in interdisciplinary groups to create an interactive artefact that responds to an industry-set brief. This module also prepares you for the sandwich placement year and future work experience opportunities. 

Indicative content:  

• Workshops on immersive design, mixed reality interaction, digital narrative design & experimental game design

• Industry-led briefings outlining theme and design challenges

• Milestones set and reviewed by industry contact at agreed intervals

• Presentation pitches of student solutions to industry brief

• Client-led enhanced applied project

Module aim: 

In this module you will focus on storytelling across mixed reality platforms. You will be part of a team-based project, based on a current industry theme, which will challenge you to apply your skills and creativity to craft an "Alternate Realities" artefact. 

Indicative Content: 

• Storytelling across XR platforms 

• Visual Communication 

• Non-linear/Alternative narrative structures 

• UI/UX 

• Experiential design 

• Storytelling ethics/accessibility 

• Innovation across professional contexts 

Module Aim: 

This module will enable you to undertake a design and development major project to produce a game or a set of game assets for a defined audience and to a high standard. You will build on your research and development proposal and utilise and demonstrate the skills and knowledge you have developed throughout the course. You utilise time, project and self-management skills by working in a team alongside students from other disciplines or by undertaking the work on an individual basis.

Indicative content:  

• Research 

• Concept creation and documentation 

• Ideation 

• Project planning 

• Presenting work 

• Reflecting on feedback 

• Producing multiple iterations of work 

This module is designed to further your specialist pathway skills that you started in L5. You will develop an understanding of complex graphics processes and will further develop your art portfolio to reach the standard of a junior artist in the Games and allied creative industries. You will be expected to work with greater autonomy and to conduct your own research into professional portfolios to recognise and emulate the qualities expected by employers. 

Indicative content:  

• Time as an element of graphic presentation, through forms of animation: camera, character, cloth, shader effects

• Complex shader technique 

• Intelligent use of modular elements

• Visual narratives 

Module Aim: 

This module will enable you to prepare and plan strategies for your work in your ‘Final Game Project’. You will conduct research into your chosen specialism, to align your work with current industry best practices, identify a professional audience for your work and develop your ideas and practices towards developing a professional-standard portfolio. Throughout the module you will be encouraged to develop more critically informed reflection and constructive self and peer evaluation.  

Indicative content:  

• Project planning and management 

• Working to professional specifications and limitations 

• Reviewing games-specific distribution methods 

• Portfolio generation 

• Pre-production documentation 

• Visual design and layout 

• Work experience