Games Art, BA (Hons), with industry placement

Course summary

This course focuses on bringing game worlds to life through captivating visuals. Games artists shape a game’s identity, working with games designers, concept artists, and animators to create visually compelling assets. Concept artists visualise ideas, character artists sculpt 3D models, and environment artists craft immersive settings to explore. Technical artists optimise the art production pipeline and enhance visual quality. This course provides a collaborative platform, offering games artists the chance to showcase creativity and contribute to immersive gaming experiences within a thriving community of diverse creatives.As a specialised arts university, we offer unparalleled resources and expertise to provide you with an exceptional education in games art. Access cutting-edge software, advanced hardware, and dedicated studio spaces equipped with industry-standard tools. Benefit from working closely with experienced industry professionals who offer valuable feedback and guidance, keeping you at the forefront of games art practices.Our Industry Speaker Programme invites gaming industry professionals to share real-world insights and build connections for your future career.Engage in professional opportunities through collaborative projects with BA (Hons) Games Design students and external game development initiatives. We will support you in developing networking skills and establishing professional contacts within the gaming industry. Collaborate with talented games designers, concept artists, filmmakers, animators, and fashion designers, fostering exciting collaborations and innovative projects.

Year one - You’ll delve into the core elements of games art, honing your skills in visual design, digital illustration, 2D art, and 3D modelling. You’ll grasp storytelling principles and their application to game environments, props and characters. Through engaging projects and immersive workshops, you’ll establish the groundwork for your creative expedition in games art. Year two - You’ll expand upon your foundation, elevating both your technical expertise and creative vision. You’ll delve deeper into 3D modelling, materials and shaders, and character design, while also immersing yourself in the intricacies of lighting and composition for games art. Collaborative projects with games designers and concept artists will offer invaluable insights into the game development process, fostering a comprehensive understanding of the industry. You will have the opportunity to learn from experienced industry professionals, who will provide you with feedback and guidance on your work. Year three* - You’ll have the chance to specialise in environment art, concept art, or character art, refining your skills and crafting a professional portfolio. You will consider an element of game art theory in depth and produce a considered piece of writing. Engaging in a major game art project, you’ll collaborate with peers to create a visually captivating and immersive gaming experience. On completion, you’ll be equipped for a thriving career as a games artist. *If you choose to study this course over four years, this will include a placement year (also known as a sandwich year, work placement, industrial placement, or year in industry), which provides a fantastic opportunity to enhance your employability and gain practical experience in your field of study. The placement year typically occurs after year two and before year three.