Concept Art for Games and Film

Environment Concept Design 1

This module will introduce students to the study of environment concept design techniques, beginning with rough concept sketches through the creation of several pieces of finished environment concept art. Students will learn about the importance of composition, reference gathering and use, shape theory, digital painting techniques and combining 2D and 3D practices.

Module code: FVFX40520

Contemporary Aesthetics And Visual Structure

This module introduces you to art direction and establishing a design process. You'll learn from analysing games, films and popular culture to develop your critical thinking skills. Games art challenges in 2D and 3D will put your creativity and design skills to the test.

Module code: GAME40271

Introduction To Cgi

This module is designed to give students a fundamental understanding of the principles and practice of techniques used in CGI. Students will cover topics such as producing good photographic reference images for use as templates or textures, use of appropriate image formats in shader network, camera attributes and effects, and composition of a final 3D model with photographic reference using appropriate techniques and software.

Module code: FVFX40154

Character Concept Design 1

This module introduces students to the basic design principles associated with Character design, focusing on elements such as story, character, construction, visual shape language, nonverbal communication and emotion, in order to create effective characters for a variety of industries.

Module code: FVFX40150

Life Drawing

This module aims to develop your skills in observational drawing by furthering your knowledge of lighting, fabric implications, and soft and hard surfaces. You will also explore how to reproduce traditional media for professional portfolio purposes.

Module code: FVFX40518

Life Drawing 2

The laboratory work considers methods of rapid interpretation of form and function to develop skills that are pertinent to the concept industry. Students will explore the use of traditional media and develop skills in deconstruction/reconstruction of the human body, speed drawing, dynamic poses, perspective and composition.

Module code: FVFX50516

Digital Matte Painting 2

Progressing from the skills learned in Environment Concept Design 1, Digital Matte Painting 2 introduces techniques such as Photobashing, Kitbashing, more advanced digital painting techniques, additional 3D modelling software and more ambitious projects that push the integration of 2D paint work and 3D modelling work. You’ll also be studying cinematic lighting and framing that will elevate the sophistication of your work.

Module code: FVFX50155

Junior Concept Art For Collaborative Projects

Students will have the opportunity to specialise in their chosen field, working as part of a team of concept artists to produce artwork for a series of given briefs. They will develop their communication skills along with time management and working to a tight deadline to produce multiple iterative designs.

Module code: GAME50503

Junior Vfx Project

You will work in a small group to create a project that uses a variety of skills that you have learned so far on the course.

Module code: FVFX50160

Junior Collaborative Game Development And Testing

Students will work in a junior role in a team comprised of departments as in a games studio. They will work with other juniors and level 6 seniors to make a vertical slice of a game as either an artist, designer or tech/scripter.

Module code: GAME50170

Character Concept Design 2

Unique characters and creatures, are a key aspect of many films and games. This module will allow students to undertake an in-depth study into character and creature design and workflow where creativity and originality is the way forward. This module introduces the digital sculpting workflow with a huge emphasis on artist ’s ability to transfer traditional skills into to digital world. You will build upon the knowledge learned in Character Concept Design 1. From rough sketches and thumbnails students will realise their designs through a digital sculpt.

Module code: FILM50126

Employability For Visual Effects And Games

This module will enable you to reflect upon your own skills and knowledge gained from University study and from your own life experiences in order to identify how this knowledge and skill can be utilised to optimise employment opportunities. Topics explored include personal assessment and career goals, how to look for employment opportunities, interview techniques & communication skills, and developing a personal portfolio website.

Module code: FVFX60509

Senior Concept Art For Collaborative Projects

This module aims to build upon the experience gleaned from the role of a junior designer within the Game industry. It will provide an insight in to the role of a Senior Designer within a creative team. The majority of individuals will work as a freelance conceptual artist and find that they are working across the artistic genres. This module allows the students the choice of studying Senior concepts for the Game industry.

Module code: GAME60508

Fx Portfolio Project

You will plan and implement a large personal project that focuses on your chosen specialist area of CG and/or VFX.

Module code: FVFX60160

Fx Research Project

You will write a long form essay on a subject around CGI and / or VFX. Generally this will be on a technical subject e.g. how CG lighting works.

Module code: FVFX60161

Advanced Concept For Art 1

Students will study a range of industry workflows to complete fast and effective concept designs such as greyscale paint overs, 3D supported drawing, painting hair, fur and clothing, and digital character design.

Module code: FVFX60506

Advanced Character And Creature Sculpture

Here you'll get an opportunity to further push your skillset in digitally sculpting the human form in Zbrush. As you push the boundaries of your creativity you'll be given the opportunity to explore the process of creating creatures and monsters.

Module code: GAME60509

Advanced Concept Art 2

Through research and development students are required to develop a unique and innovative game concept design. The module aims to build upon the elements learnt in Advanced Concept Art 1 and prepare students for industry through the study of, and realisation of; presentation of work through a showreel, creating motion within concept art for presentation techniques, strong composition of environments and characters, and creating more open negotiated briefs targeted at companies and job application or competitions.

Module code: FVFX60507

Introduction To Visual Art Skills

Students will develop their observational skills and technical ability in traditional art mediums. Emphasis is on developing a personal portfolio demonstrating environmental studies, human anatomy, experimentation, and an emphasis on realistic art interpretation.

Module code: GAME30269

The Language Of Art And Design

Students will develop their understanding of art history and its application to current visual media. Emphasis is on developing a portfolio of digital art work and applicable research demonstrating the impact of modern art on contemporary media, film, and game development.

Module code: GAME30270

Photoshop For Games And Animation

This module introduces you to the workflows and techniques used within Adobe Photoshop to create Game Art based content. You'll be getting to grips with Photoshop by putting yourself in the position of a Games UI/Texture Artist creating User Interfaces designs and game-ready textures.

Module code: GAME30501

Introductory Modelling And Rendering

This introductory module introduces students to the 3D modelling pipeline for computer games using industry standard software such as 3DS Max and Photoshop. Assignments are split into two separate semesters which are designed to build up the necessary skills required to create assets independently without the need for tutorials.

Module code: GAME30268

Introduction To Digital Art

Module code: GAME30500