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Undergraduate study
a girl sat in a forest, concept art course

Concept Art (with Foundation Year) BA (Hons)

As a concept artist you illustrate ideas for use in films, games, animation, comics, and any other form of visual media.

 

IW24 BA/CAFY

Course routes:

 

Course overview

Work placement

Concept art - facilities

See the facilities you use as a concept art student at Teesside University

You focus on the pre-production process, creating the look and functionality of characters, creatures, environments and props. You explore the illustrative and storytelling side of concept art including key moments, splash art and storyboarding.

You learn using traditional drawing, as well as using digital art tools such as Adobe Photoshop, 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.

This course includes a foundation year - ideal if you need additional preparation or if you don't have sufficient grades to join Year 1 of a degree.

Top reasons to study concept art with us:

  • Taught by professional artists: learn from practising concept artists who have worked on a variety of art projects for clients such as Sega, Double Eleven, Archvillain Games, Sony, Formula 1, Hasbro, Activision, NetEase, Square Enix, Holovis International, Yamination Studios, Shanghai Media Group, Rebellion and Ubisoft.
  • 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).
  • Quality teaching: 98% of BA (Hons) Concept Art students said that staff have made the subject engaging (National Student Survey 2023, tees.ac.uk/source).

Download pdf Order prospectus

 

Course details

Course structure

Foundation year core modules

2D Digital Art

You are introduced to the creative possibilities of image-making using digital tools. Study the fundamental principles of design and composition, and explore a range of image creation techniques. Use appropriate graphics software to improve your technical skills incorporating layers, composition, colour, linework and lighting.

This is a 30-credit module.

Case Studies

Focusing on computer games, animation and film, you gain an introductory level of understanding in the context of your chosen field of study. As well as looking at the historical and context of these, you observe how we interpret these types of media historically and materially. Choose a text within your area of interest, undertaking an analytical review in the form of a case study.

This is a 30-credit module.

Drawing, Creativity and Design

Learn to create imagery using traditional and digital drawing tools. Develop your drawing techniques and creative interpretations of themes including figure drawing, still life, perspective and character, creature and environment design. You are supported to produce images that effectively communicate visual ideas.

This is a 30-credit module.

Foundation Project

You produce an individual project with guidance from your tutor. Gain independent working and project management skills, developing original ideas and concepts in your chosen field. This could be in the form of a piece of concept art, animation or another appropriate form related to creative industries.

This is a 30-credit module.

 

Year 1 core modules

Concept Art Pre-Production

Study a variety of concept art tasks, develop an effective working practice and explore the unique challenges faced by a concept artist.

Develop a workflow

Explore tasks faced by concept artists, such as character, vehicle, prop and environment design, and produce artwork fitting for industry.

Idea generation

Focus on the generation of original ideas and develop skills in the areas of thumbnailing, iteration and presentation.

Problem solving

Learn to adapt to different briefs and ways of working, all core skills for a concept artist.

This is a 30-credit module.

Drawing Fundamentals

Develop your visual perception and drawing skills, which are essential for a productive artist to communicate ideas effectively, swiftly and efficiently.

Figure drawing

Practice various elements of figure drawing including anatomy, pose, lighting and form.

Observational drawing

Practice construction skills such as perspective and composition to develop your ability to re-create 3D forms into a 2D drawing.

Explore traditional techniques

Explore a variety of different traditional drawing tools such as charcoal, graphite and pastels and experiment with their effectiveness at capturing lighting and colour.

This is a 30-credit module.

History of Illustration

Develop your ability to research the visual arts industry, focusing on historical elements and different artists and their art styles.

Research methods

Learn how and where to find accurate sources to aid you in creating visually rich work.

Studying artists

Study classic and modern artists to explore different visual styles throughout history and what makes them visually striking.

Develop your style

Taking influence from artists you’ve researched, apply different techniques to your own work to begin developing your own unique drawing style.

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.

Digital painting

You’re introduced to the software of a digital artist in industry and shown how you can apply lighting, colour, texture and effects to your artwork.

3D workflows

You are introduced to 3D modelling packages and how they can aid in the construction of your artwork and efficiency of your skills.

Technical problem-solving

You explore and research workflows used in the production of digital artwork to aid you in creating technically proficient artwork.

This is a 30-credit module.

 

Year 2 core modules

Digital Image Techniques

Explore deeper into digital painting processes and ways you can incorporate various 2D and 3D skills to create accomplished digital artwork.

Develop your digital painting

Develop your digital painting skills through research and analysis of real-world references to build your understanding of shape and form.

Combining 2D and 3D skills

Explore 3D modelling tools and how they can be combined with 2D painting techniques.

Developing a reliable Workflow

Develop an individual workflow that allows you to create art in your own way using 2D and 3D tools.

This is a 30-credit module.

Green Light

You work in a team to produce concept art material and create a pitch for a game, film or animation project.

Explore a specialism

Explore different specialisms within the concept art industry and how your artwork fits into the pre-production pipeline.

Creating relevant artwork

Research existing media from film, games and animation to aid you in producing artwork that is visually exciting for an audience.

Working as a team

Study the challenges and opportunities working alongside other artists can bring and experience the production of a project modelled on industry practice.

This is a 30-credit module.

Narrative Art

You focus on your visual storytelling skills, exploring narrative through the creation of storyboards, sequential art and marketing artwork.

Storytelling

You are introduced to narrative techniques such as lighting, composition and pose that will help you tell stories through your artwork.

Analysing existing media

You study existing media to help you identify an appropriate methodology for adding storytelling to your visual artwork.

Industry workflows

You explore the different visual outputs seen in industry and practice the variety of visual techniques that help convey story clearly and effectively to an audience.

This is a 30-credit module.

Practice Based Research

Develop your skills in practice-based research by experimenting and researching the creative process.

Historical and cultural significance

Explore examples of how historical and cultural visuals from around the world have been used to create engaging characters, props and environments in media.

Expanding your visual library

Research different areas of history and culture to develop up your own visual library for you to reference when creating concept art.

Effective research methods

You study research practices that aid you in finding accurate information and reflect on how to use these materials appropriately and ethically to create your own work.

This is a 30-credit module.

 

Optional work placement year

Work placement

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

Concept Art Project

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.

Industry Practice

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.

Industry inspired briefs

You work on briefs inspired by industry projects to aid your understanding of industry standards and working practices.

Proficiency in digital image making

Develop your digital painting skills through research and practice of advanced techniques such as photo manipulation, applying textures and combining of 2D and 3D skills.

Industry workflows

Develop your workflow to produce artwork that fits the industry expectations of a concept artist.

This is a 30-credit module.

Professional Practice

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.

Identifying career goals

Explore the career route for an area of the industry that fits your career aspirations and research the specific skills and working practices you need.

Meeting industry standards

Practice different art techniques to build up your ability to create portfolio-level artwork for your chosen career.

Professional skills

Through research and analysis, identify strengths and weaknesses of your portfolio and CV and reflect on how you can push your skills towards becoming a professional artist.

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

Any combination of level 3 qualifications. Each application is considered on a case-by-case basis.

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.

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Useful information

Visit our international pages for useful information for non-UK students and applicants.

Talk to us

Talk to an international student enrolment adviser

 
 

Other course routes

Work placement

Study this course with an optional work placement year, at no extra cost. Alongside this, you can gain valuable experience and engagement with the sector through our shorter work placements, internships and work experience opportunities.

Work placements

Full-time

Entry to 2024/25 academic year

Fee for UK applicants
£9,250 a year

More details about our fees

Fee for international applicants
£17,000 a year

More details about our fees for international applicants


What is included in your tuition fee?

  • Length: 4 years (or 5 with a work placement)
  • UCAS code: IW24 BA/CAFY
  • Start date: September
  • Semester dates
  • Typical offer: Offers tailored to individual circumstances

Apply online (full-time) through UCAS

 

Part-time

  • Not available part-time
 

Choose Teesside

 
 
 

ExpoTees 2023

Take a look at ExpoTees 2023, showcasing work from our postgraduate and final-year undergraduate students in animation, VFX and games.

 

Get in touch

UK students

Email: scedtadmissions@tees.ac.uk

Telephone: 01642 738801


Online chat (general enquiries)

International students

Email: internationalenquiries@tees.ac.uk

Telephone: +44 (0) 1642 738900


More international contacts

 

Open days and events

 
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