Games Art and Design BA (Hons)

You create computer-generated 3D models using a range of techniques. Learn how to apply materials, textures, lighting and rendering to your finished models.

It is important to communicate ideas visually when on a creative journey in visual media. Study the entire preproduction pipeline, from fundamental drawing skills through to generating ideas, design concepts and storyboarding.

It’s important to understand the principles of motion for anyone entering the computer graphics industry. Learn how to apply the basic laws of physics to create convincing movement in 3D and creative application of motion principles. Create a portfolio of short, animated shots with 3D rigs using industry standard animation software.?

You learn how to develop technical art solutions by producing dynamic and engaging immersive content, importing assets and creating scenes. Gain a deeper understanding of more advanced engine editor tools, integrating assets, visual effects and animation.

Develop your skills in lighting, particle effects, post-processing, advanced node-based material shaders and integration of dynamic effects and events using visual scripting. Integrate games art and animation into a game level using an industry standard game engine.

Explore the use of sculpting software to create digital assets. Learn how to create anatomically accurate characters and creatures. Using relevant sculpting techniques, create digital assets for a range of potential scenarios and themes, from high-end visual effects to AAA games.

You develop a product or service as part of an enterprise project for a real client – they set the brief based on their organisation’s strategic needs. Working in small teams, you determine the project aims, objectives, roles, tasks, deliverables, schedules and documentation. You then pitch your project to the client.

You are introduced to the processes behind the research, design and construction of real-time assets within a contemporary game engine. Cover techniques for 3D modelling and texturing, considering compilation, set design and lighting.

Study procedural tools and techniques within the games, animation and visual effects pipelines, learning how they can be developed or employed to increase consistency, productivity and efficiency.

You create and present a procedural tool or procedurally generated output that fits in to the games, animation and visual effects pipeline.

You have the option to spend one year in industry learning and developing your skills. We encourage and support you with applying for a placement, job hunting and networking.

You gain experience favoured by graduate recruiters and develop your technical skillset. You also obtain the transferable skills required in any professional environment, including communication, negotiation, teamwork, leadership, organisation, confidence, self-reliance, problem-solving, being able to work under pressure, and commercial awareness.

Many employers view a placement as a year-long interview, therefore placements are increasingly becoming an essential part of an organisation's pre-selection strategy in their graduate recruitment process. Benefits include:

· improved job prospects
· enhanced employment skills and improved career progression opportunities
· a higher starting salary than your full-time counterparts
· a better degree classification
· a richer CV
· a year's salary before completing your degree
· experience of workplace culture
· the opportunity to design and base your final-year project within a working environment.

If you are unable to secure a work placement with an employer, then you simply continue on a course without the work placement.

Work as part of a games development team that is as close to industrial practice as possible. Simulate the working criteria and mix of development skills needed to produce a polished prototype of a computer game concept which would be suitable for publication.

Games art is an ever-expanding field, with new forms of graphical representations being developed to explore and heighten graphical quality and believability.

This module introduces you to the emerging fields and technologies that improve graphical representation, for further realism or from a pipeline point of view. Explore a range of technology and techniques, and how to use these to increase the quality of work for audiences.

Put your skills into practice, designing and creating a game asset that incorporates new or emerging technology. Produce a report or presentation on a company in the field, evaluating how they engage with and respond to global, ethical and social factors, and inclusion in an evolving marketplace.

Design, research and complete your own project to develop the current practice, products or service of a client or your own organisation.

Carry out research to validate your hypotheses, test solutions, build prototypes, and make conclusions. Your area of research and practice is defined by the client or organisation. You must ensure that what you’re doing adds value and delivers against the brief. You work independently with support from a supervisor.