Comic & Concept Art BA (Hons)

Program Overview

The Comic & Concept Art BA (Hons) at UCA Farnham equips students with the skills and knowledge to become successful comic artists and concept artists. The program provides a strong foundation in art and design, specialized training in comic and concept art techniques, and prepares graduates for careers in various creative industries, including comic book publishing, video game development, and film and television.

Program Outline

Comic & Concept Art BA (Hons) at UCA Farnham

Degree Overview

Objectives:

• The BA (Hons) Comic & Concept Art degree at UCA Farnham aims to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to become successful comic artists and concept artists.
• The program provides students with a strong foundation in the fundamentals of art and design, as well as specialized training in comic and concept art techniques.
• Graduates will be prepared to pursue careers in a variety of industries, including comic book publishing, video game development, and film and television.

Program Description:

• The Comic & Concept Art BA (Hons) is a three-year program that is divided into six semesters.
• The first year focuses on developing students' fundamental art and design skills.
• The second year introduces students to the specialized skills and techniques of comic and concept art.
• The third year is a culmination of the students' learning, where they will complete a major project that demonstrates their skills and knowledge.
• Students will have access to a variety of resources, including studios, workshops, and a library.
• The program is taught by a team of experienced and passionate faculty members who are active in the comic and concept art industries.

Outline

Year One:

• Visual Design Fundamentals: Introduces students to the fundamentals of art production using traditional and digital techniques.
• Life Drawing and Mark Making: Develops students' observational drawing skills and understanding of human anatomy.
• Comics Studies: Explores the history, theory, and criticism of comics.
• Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion: Examines the importance of diversity and inclusion in creative practice.
• Design Sprint 1: Students work in teams to create an Art Bible (Art and Design Document) for an entertainment design project.
• Design Sprint 2: Students create a short story sequence pitch in the form of storyboards or animatics.
• ATOM Activities: Mini learning experiences that facilitate interdisciplinary exposure.
• PLE Digital Outcome 1: Students create a self-directed digital record of their learning and engagement with digital media.

Year Two:

• Advanced Workflow and Techniques: Students use a range of traditional and digital techniques to produce original design work.
• The Conscious Practitioner: Explores global perspectives and influences on creative practice.
• Concept Story Design: Students create a short story sequence pitch for an entertainment design project in the form of storyboards or animatics.
• Environmental Storytelling (elective): Explores the use of narrative in environmental design and the impact of surroundings on mood and atmosphere.
• Motion Capture Technologies (elective): Students learn about motion-capture techniques and how they are used in various creative industries.
• Opportunity Week: Students participate in study trips, workshops, or industry visits.
• Character and World Building: Students develop their skills in character and world design for entertainment projects.
• Creature Animation (elective): Students create an animated creature, including walk and run cycles and an emotive sequence.
• Pervasive Game Studio (elective): Students explore the design of pervasive games, which are games that extend beyond traditional boundaries and incorporate various media and technologies.
• Virtual Production Studio (elective): Students learn how to use virtual production technologies to create live or online virtual productions.
• ATOM Activities and PLE Digital Outcome: Continued engagement in mini learning experiences and digital documentation of learning.

Year Three:

• Final Major Project: Pre-Production: Students develop their final major project proposal, defining the concept, scope, audience, and purpose.
• Final Major Project: Critical and Conceptual Influences: Students write a critical reflection on their project and the influences that shaped it.
• Professional Practice: Students develop professional promotional materials that showcase their skills and body of work.
• Final Major Project: Production: Students complete their final major project, demonstrating their skills and knowledge in comic and concept art.

Assessment

• Assessment methods include coursework, presentations, critiques, examinations, and the final major project.
• Assessment criteria are based on the learning outcomes of the program and industry standards.

Teaching

• The program is taught by a team of experienced and passionate faculty members who are active in the comic and concept art industries.
• The teaching methods include lectures, seminars, workshops, tutorials, and individual supervision.
• The program emphasizes a student-centered approach to learning, encouraging students to take an active role in their own education.

Careers

• Graduates of the Comic & Concept Art BA (Hons) program are prepared for a variety of careers in the creative industries, including:
• Comic book artist
• Concept artist
• Character designer
• Illustrator
• Storyboard artist
• Animator
• Game designer
• The program also provides students with the skills and knowledge necessary to pursue further study at the postgraduate level.

Other

• The program is offered at the UCA Farnham campus, which is located in Farnham, Surrey, England.
• The campus has excellent facilities, including studios, workshops, a library, and a digital media suite.
• UCA is a leading provider of creative education in the UK.
The actual program may vary.

UK

Tuition fees - 2024/25 entry Integrated Foundation Year: £9,250 BA course: £9,250 If you opt to study the Professional Practice Year, for 2024 you will be required to pay a reduced tuition fee of £1,850. You will also incur additional travel and accommodation costs during your Professional Practice year.

EU

Tuition fees - 2024/25 entry Integrated International Foundation Year: £9,250 (see fee discount information) BA course: £9,250 (see fee discount information) If you opt to study the Professional Practice Year, for 2024 you will be required to pay a reduced tuition fee of £1,850. You will also incur additional travel and accommodation costs during your Professional Practice year.

International

Tuition fees - 2024/25 entry Integrated International Foundation Year: £16,950 BA course: £17,500 If you opt to study the Professional Practice Year, for 2024 you will be required to pay a reduced tuition fee of £3,390. You will also incur additional travel and accommodation costs during your Professional Practice year.