Concept and Comic Arts module details

Year one | Year two | Year three

Year one

Block 1: Visualisation  

Introduces a series of fundamental skills and ideas: requirements and practices required in Art and Design fundamental skills and the tools, techniques and processes used in the visualisation of comics and concept art. Students will develop personal practice whilst working in a studio environment and learn contextual studies; an exploration of the historical, cultural and social contexts of, print and web-based comics, graphic novels, concept arts and concept art.    

This block module runs over seven weeks of teaching time with the following delivery pattern:   

  • Lecture: 18 hours  
  • Tutorial: 30 hours  
  • Studio/lab: 60 hours  
  • Self-directed study: 130 hours  
  • Assessment: 62 hours  

 

 

Block 2: Design Thinking  

 

This module introduces you to the practice of ‘design thinking’; the intellectual activity that precedes and underpins the design process.   

This block module runs over seven weeks of teaching time with the following delivery pattern:   

  • Lecture: 18 hours  
  • Tutorial: 30 hours  
  • Studio/lab: 60 hours  
  • Self-directed study: 130 hours  
  • Assessment: 62 hours  

 

Block 3: Making Comics  

 

An introduction to comics creation workflow and skills such as storytelling and preparing work to specified requirements. It will allow students to develop generating ideas, and continue to improve drawing skills whilst covering the basics of Clip Studio Paint EX and Adobe InDesign.   

This block module runs over seven weeks of teaching time with the following delivery pattern:   

  • Lecture: 18 hours  
  • Tutorial: 30 hours  
  • Studio/lab: 60 hours  
  • Self-directed study: 130 hours  
  • Assessment: 62 hours  

 

Concept Art  

 

Building on ‘Visualisation’ and ‘Design Thinking’, this module introduces you to the workflow of concept art. Covering areas, topics and themes such as: working to real world industry specifications, history and overview of comics and concept art, exploring industry workflow and design process and research, planning and writing for academic purposes.   

This block module runs over seven weeks of teaching time with the following delivery pattern:   

  • Lecture: 18 hours  
  • Tutorial: 30 hours  
  • Studio/lab: 60 hours  
  • Self-directed study: 130 hours  
  • Assessment: 62 hours  

  

Year two

 

Block 1: Visual Narrative  

 

This module covers key concepts and ideas of Visual Narrative, explored among both concept and comic art. The module will cover areas, topics and themes such as: use of visual tools to build the narrative, the mechanics of sequential art, introduction to critical theory and critical thinking.   

This block module runs over seven weeks of teaching time with the following delivery pattern:   

  • Lecture: 18 hours  
  • Tutorial: 30 hours  
  • Studio/lab: 60 hours  
  • Self-directed study: 130 hours  
  • Assessment: 62 hours  

 

Block 2: World Building  

 

This module builds upon previous modules by introducing the practice of ‘World Building’; the act of establishing the environment and background into which narrative and Inhabitants will fit.   

This block module runs over seven weeks of teaching time with the following delivery pattern:   

  • Lecture: 18 hours
  • Tutorial: 30 hours
  • Studio/lab: 60 hours
  • Self-directed study: 130 hours
  • Assessment: 62 hours

 

Block 3: Professional Practice Comics  

 

Building on Making Comics and Visual Narrative modules, this will utilise the knowledge and skills acquired during these modules and apply them in the context of a professional brief. Topics covered include: creating work for an industry standard brief, developing further their design, skills, developing further their knowledge of software and professional conduct.   

This block module runs over seven weeks of teaching time with the following delivery pattern:   

  • Lecture: 18 hours  
  • Tutorial: 30 hours  
  • Studio/lab: 60 hours  
  • Self-directed study: 130 hours  
  • Assessment: 62 hours  

 

 

Block 4: Character Building  

 

Introducing the practice of ‘character building’; the act of establishing characters and other entities to furnish your worlds with life. Topics and themes covered include: character building fundamentals, use of idea generation, and iterative creative processes in response to set briefs and the use of research to inspire and enrich your ideas.   

This block module runs over seven weeks of teaching time with the following delivery pattern:   

  • Lecture: 18 hours  
  • Tutorial: 30 hours  
  • Studio/lab: 60 hours  
  • Self-directed study: 130 hours  
  • Assessment: 62 hours  

Year 3

Block 1: Professional Practice  

The aim of this module is to gain experience of working with external industry briefs, to explore employability (including freelancing) and to conduct the initial planning and research for the dissertation.   

This block module runs over seven weeks of teaching time with the following delivery pattern:   

  • Lecture: 18 hours  
  • Tutorial: 30 hours  
  • Studio/lab: 60 hours  
  • Self-directed study: 130 hours  
  • Assessment: 62 hours  

Block 2: Dissertation  

The dissertation will demonstrate knowledge and understanding of your chosen specialism (comics or concept art) and to gain further experience of professional practice through working with industry briefs.   

This block module runs over seven weeks of teaching time with the following delivery pattern:   

  • Lecture: 18 hours  
  • Tutorial: 30 hours  
  • Studio/lab: 60 hours  
  • Self-directed study: 130 hours  
  • Assessment: 62 hours  

  

Block 3: Personal Project: Planning and Pre-Production  

This module covers the initial planning and pre-production work that will support the production and completion of the personal project.  The specifics of this process will be dependent on the chosen specialism chosen.     

This block module runs over seven weeks of teaching time with the following delivery pattern:   

  • Lecture: 18 hours  
  • Tutorial: 30 hours  
  • Studio/lab: 60 hours  
  • Self-directed study: 130 hours  
  • Assessment: 62 hours  

Block 4: Personal Project: Production and Post-Production  

The aim of this module is to carry out the production of the personal project that has evolved from the planning and pre-production phase.  This is aligned to industry practice, and serves to firstly underpin contemporary industry practice and secondly to enable students to complete a major sustained piece of work to support future aspirations.   

This block module runs over seven weeks of teaching time with the following delivery pattern:   

  • Lecture: 18 hours  
  • Tutorial: 30 hours  
  • Studio/lab: 60 hours  
  • Self-directed study: 130 hours  
  • Assessment: 62 hours