Course overview
Foundation year Work placement
Concept art - facilities
See the facilities you use as a concept art student at Teesside University
You illustrate ideas for film, games, animation, comics and so much more, focussing on pre-production, creating the look and functionality of characters, creatures, environments and props. You also consider illustrative storytelling with key moments, splash art and storyboarding.
You learn traditional drawing techniques, as well as a range of digital art tools such as Photoshop, Autodesk Maya, ZBrush and Blender.
We are Europe’s first Adobe Creative Campus, giving you access to the suite of Adobe Creative Cloud tools and resources to help you develop your digital skills.
Top reasons to study concept art with us:
- Taught by professional artists: learn from practising concept artists who have worked for studios including Paramount Pictures and Double Eleven, and have experience working on a variety of art projects for clients such as Sega, Legoland and Disney.
- International acclaim: ranked 18th in the world in the Animation Career Review International Animation School Rankings 2023. (Top 50 International Animation Colleges – formal degree. 195 colleges considered). (tees.ac.uk/source).
- Industry links: take part in Animex, our annual international animation and games festival featuring experts from Rockstar, Pixar, Disney and Sony.
- Graduate success: 90% of BA (Hons) Concept Art graduates were in work and/or study 15 months after the course (Graduate Outcomes survey 2018-2020, tees.ac.uk/source).
Course details
Course structure
Year 1 core modules
You are guided through various concept art tasks and encouraged to develop an effective working practice. The unique challenges faced by a concept artist are identified and explored. You focus on the generation of original ideas and develop skills in the areas of thumbnailing, iteration and presentation.
This is a 30-credit module.
Develop your visual perception and drawing skills, which are essential for a productive artist to communicate ideas effectively, swiftly and efficiently. You are guided through a range of drawing exercises, including figure drawing, environment drawing and still life. These exercises develop your observational drawing abilities, allowing you to build on your artistic skills and range of techniques using a variety of traditional tools.
This is a 30-credit module.
Develop your ability to research the industry of visual arts, focusing on historical elements, and different artists and their art styles. Select an artist and style that you have studied in lectures, and research their work more closely, applying this to your own practice to create conceptual artwork.
This is a 30-credit module.
Introduction to Digital Image Techniques
You are introduced to digital painting and 3D modelling packages, allowing you to investigate the creative potential of digital workflows. You also look at approaches and techniques used to create concept art, and develop creative visual and technical solutions to a brief.
This is a 30-credit module.
Year 2 core modules
Creating a believable animated performance using 2D character animation requires research and development. You need to determine who your character is and their place in the story landscape. Explore the process that gives your characters depth to engage your target audience. Use acting references and creative animation skills to plan and create a convincing 2D character animated sequence.
This is a 30-credit module.
You work in a team to produce concept art material and create a pitch for a game, film or animation project.
This is a 30-credit module.
You focus on your visual storytelling skills, exploring narrative through the creation of storyboards, sequential art and marketing artwork. Study existing media to identify an appropriate methodology for adding storytelling to visual artwork.
This is a 30-credit module.
Develop your skills in practice-based research by experimenting and researching the creative process. Analyse and evaluate elements of varied historical and cultural research, applying your findings to your own practice and undertaking regular written reflection.
This is a 30-credit module.
Optional work placement year
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.
Final-year core modules
You develop a sense of work discipline and a professional outlook by planning and executing an extended piece of work. Consider the associated legal, social, ethical and professional issues, as you explore your chosen subject area. Demonstrate your ability to analyse, synthesise and creatively apply what you have studied on the course.
This is a 30-credit module.
You extend your abilities in creating digital artwork inspired by industry standards. Investigate and apply a variety of techniques, including the combination of 2D and 3D methodology.
This is a 30-credit module.
You analyse and evaluate elements of professional practice against industry standards, applying your findings to your own practice. This demonstrates employment potential and future professional development.
This is a 30-credit module.
Modules offered may vary.
How you learn
Lectures cover drawing theory, idea generation techniques and painting demonstrations, while hands-on sessions focus on developing practical skills and working on creative briefs. You are guided on time management and given the freedom to develop and explore your ideas outside of class..
Our lecturers are practising concept artists who bring a wealth of experience and industry connections. They’ve worked at studios including Sega, Double Eleven, Yamination Studios and Holovis International – working for clients and projects including the Sonic Comic, Legoland, Madam Tussauds and Disney.
Through these connections to industry, professional artists are invited in to talk about their work, how they entered the industry and give portfolio reviews - previous speakers include Ian McQue, John Howe, Jordan Grimmer, Sandra Duchiewicz, Ubisoft and Atomhawk.
How you are assessed
The course is practice based, focusing on learning through doing. The majority of assessments are practical projects designed to encourage experimentation in art style and drawing technique for the range of potential careers associated with concept art.
Our Disability Services team provide an inclusive and empowering learning environment and have specialist staff to support disabled students access any additional tailored resources needed. If you have a specific learning difficulty, mental health condition, autism, sensory impairment, chronic health condition or any other disability please contact a Disability Services as early as possible.
Find out more about our disability services
Find out more about financial support
Find out more about our course related costs
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
96-112 points points plus a portfolio if your Level 3 qualifications do not include a creative subject such as art, design, drawing, animation or games art/design. Your portfolio should demonstrate fundamental drawing skills, such as life drawing and observational drawing, alongside showing us your creativity. Get some hints and tips on how to prepare a portfolio
If you have gained credits at Level 4 or higher in a related subject from previous study at college or university then credit transfer towards your new course may be possible.
Find out how many points your qualifications are worth using the UCAS tariff calculator. If your qualifications are not listed, contact our admissions team as we may accept alternatives.
We may also be able to help you meet the entry requirements through our Summer and Winter University modules.
For general information please see our overview of entry requirements
International applicants can find out what qualifications they need by visiting Your Country
You can gain considerable knowledge from work, volunteering and life. Under recognition of prior learning (RPL) you may be awarded credit for this which can be credited towards the course you want to study.
Find out more about RPL
Employability
Career opportunities
Professional concept artists require artistic and communication skills, and creativity. The course is structured to highlight, develop, and refine your unique creative style and guide you in building a workflow suitable for the industry you wish to pursue.
Our graduates have started careers as freelance artists or gone on to work or undertake placements for studios such as Atomhawk, Sumo Digital, Jagex and Frontier Developments.
Our ExpoSeries of events are an opportunity for you to interact with employers. Each event is open to the public and industry guests, allowing you to showcase your work and skills to peers and potential future placements or employers.
Information for international applicants
Qualifications
International applicants - find out what qualifications you need by selecting your country below.
Select your country:
Useful information
Visit our international pages for useful information for non-UK students and applicants.