Game Art Design BA (Hons)
"This is the first Game Art course in England to be accredited. Accreditation is a rigorous process, but De Montfort’s course shows what standards can be achieved with a curriculum designed with games industry input from day one." Ian Livingstone, Chair of Skillset’s Computer Games Skills Council and Life President at Eidos
Full story: Midlands gets first Skillset-Accredited Games Art course
- Combines traditional art skills and creativity with cutting-edge technology
- Focuses on creativity and content creation with opportunities to study in the USA
- Leads to wide ranging careers including game artist, digital animation and CGI design for TV and film
- Features direct input from a range of leading industry professionals, providing a unique opportunity to experience firsthand what it takes to create successful game content.
Key facts
Programme
Facilities
Accreditation
Teaching and assessment
Career opportunities
Other courses of interest
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Programme
Regular guest lectures and workshops from a range of professional game artists, producers, art directors and others enables you to experience first hand how to design successful game content. You will graduate with a portfolio demonstrating your capabilities and talents that includes 2D artwork, 3D models and playable game levels. The games design curriculum focuses on content creation with three distinct themes:
Game Production: Covers the practical exploration of content creation, including 2D art, 3D modelling, character design and animation, level design and working in collaborative teams to produce complete, playable game projects.
Visual Design: Develops fundamental art skills, such as life drawing and digital painting. Special emphasis is placed on how visual aesthetics play a role in enhancing the game experience. Artwork is developed using a range of traditional and digital tools and techniques.
Critical Game Studies: Uses a combination of on-line Web 2.0 and real-life guest lectures and seminars to develop an understanding of the significance of game culture, art, technology and business/industry.
Year one
This introduces the academic study of game art, develops fundamental art and design skills, and introduces the intellectual underpinning of the subject through critical and contextual studies.
- Critical Game Studies 1
- Game Production 1
- Visual Design 1.
Year two
Develop the creative use of materials, explore tools and techniques and learn the practice of fundamental art and design.
- Critical Game Studies 2
- Game Production 2
- Visual Design 2.
Year three
The use of tools and techniques is refined through advanced independent practice. You will initiate and manage major practical projects, independently and with others.
- Game Production 3 Professional Brief – 2D and 3D projects
- Optional USA Placement at University of Advancing Technology, Tempe, Arizona
- Game Production 4
- Major Project.
Accreditation
Game Art Design is Skillset Accredited. Skillset’s Computer Games Manager Saint John Walker said: “This is a gem of a course. There is great teamwork from staff with a keen ear to the industry and clever use of Web 2.0 tools combine to make a learning environment where students can excel.”
Facilities
Excellent specialist facilities include a dedicated games studio with a range of software and hardware for producing new PC based game content, and for studying existing games on PC, PS3 and Xbox. Next generation hardware will also become available. You will benefit from a dedicated drawing and graphics studio and well-equipped lecture/seminar rooms.
Teaching and assessment
Teaching is delivered primarily through practical studio sessions, seminars and lectures. Extensive use is made of the University’s web-based Virtual Learning Environment and additional Web 2.0 software, to support both the learning and teaching of the course and a vibrant course community. Assessments will include regular presentations of art work and practical projects for peer, tutor and industry critique. Guidance on producing a professional portfolio is also given by artists from the game industry and the teaching team.
Career opportunities
We have a proven track record of success in developing creative talent. Previous Game Art Design graduates are now working for companies such as Blitz, Big Big Games, Codemasters, Eurocom, Gusto Games, Razorworks, Rocks Star North, SEGA Race Team and other games and animation companies in the UK and internationally.
| Key facts |
| UCAS code: W291 |
| Institution code: D26 |
| Institution code name: DEM |
| Campus code: Y |
| Location: Leicester City Campus |
| Duration: Three years full-time, six years part-time |
Entry requirements
You should have a good portfolio, plus one of the following:
- Successful completion of an art and design Foundation course
- National Diploma merit profile in a relevant subject
- 240 UCAS points, to include two GCE/VCE A Levels with grade C in at least one art or design subject
- Progression or Advanced Diploma with 240 UCAS points, to include art or design.
All equivalent international qualifications are welcome, as are applications from mature students with alternative qualifications and/or work experience. You should have a strong GCSE profile, including English at grade C or equivalent. UK applicants with relevant qualifications will be invited to bring their portfolio of work to an open day and interview. Overseas applicants will be invited to send samples of their work. |
Other courses of interest
If you’re interested in this course, also see:
Electronic Publication
View the Art + Design Undergraduate Prospectus 2010. Flash required.
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