Program Overview
Norwich University of the Arts' BA (Hons) Games Art and Design program equips students with specialized skills in game art and design, fostering a comprehensive understanding of art, code, and audio disciplines. The program emphasizes industry-aligned practices, preparing graduates for successful careers in the games industry. Students participate in live briefs, collaborative projects, and "game jams," showcasing their work at international events. Graduates have achieved notable success, securing positions at leading companies such as Rockstar Games and Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
Overview:
Norwich University of the Arts' BA (Hons) Games Art and Design is an internationally renowned program, consistently recognized for the exceptional graduates it produces. The course follows a "T-shaped learning model," equipping students with specialized skills in chosen fields while also fostering a comprehensive understanding of art, code, and audio disciplines, maximizing career opportunities.
Objectives:
- Develop expertise in creating 2D and 3D content for games across various platforms, including consoles, web, mobile, and VR/AR.
- Cultivate a deep understanding of design principles and originality through research, historical and cultural awareness.
- Prepare graduates for successful careers in the games industry by equipping them with technical and creative skills.
Description:
- The program emphasizes industry-aligned practices utilizing Unreal Engine, a leading industry-standard software.
- Students learn to design and create characters, environments, assets, and vehicles, fostering an iterative design approach encompassing lighting, composition, color, and narrative.
- Students participate in live briefs and collaborative projects, including "game jams," where they create prototypes and showcase their work at international events like Norwich Games Festival.
Outline:
Year 1:
- Introduction to industry-standard software for character, game asset, and prototype design.
- Development of observation and drawing skills through life-drawing, anatomy lectures, and digital painting workshops.
- Concept art generation emphasizing iterative processes, lighting, composition, color, texture, narrative, mood, and intent.
- Exploration of specialization options: Concept Art, Asset Production, and Indie Development.
- Engagement with industry experts and events.
- Research skills development to support idea generation and project development.
- Game design principles explored through interactivity and player engagement, utilizing playtesting and prototyping.
Year 2:
- Specialization focus on chosen field: Concept Art, Asset Production, or Indie Development.
- Industry-set "Art Tests" based on real-world scenarios provided by industry partners.
- Collaborative game prototyping with presentations at Norwich Gaming Festival.
- Work-related learning through live briefs, simulated projects, and collaborations with external organizations.
- Participation in "Game Jams" to develop fully functional prototypes within tight deadlines, enhancing planning, organization, project management, teamworking, and playtesting skills.
Year 3:
- Individual or collaborative projects focused on developing professional-level work.
- Continued specialization refinement and alignment with individual interests and career aspirations.
- Advanced research skills development and comprehensive understanding of game production pipelines and industry techniques.
- Research report creation providing broad contextualization to individual practice.
- Career aspirations and goals considered while developing a professional online portfolio.
- Skill refinement in line with industry expectations and practices.
Assessment:
The program utilizes 100% coursework assessment, evaluating student progress and work in progress through regular staff feedback and summative assessments at the end of each module. Summative assessments determine final grades based on the quality of work produced and presented within a portfolio format, including finished pieces, presentations, written work, research, and reflective journals.
Teaching:
Norwich University of the Arts employs a blended learning approach, combining on-campus studio sessions with online learning opportunities. Learning and discovery are emphasized through studio practice, critical reflection, and experimentation. The program reflects current creative industry practices, preparing students for future careers through:
- Group briefings
- Academic and Group Tutorials
- Lectures
- Workshops
- Critiques
- Seminars
Careers:
Graduates of the program have achieved notable success, securing positions at leading companies such as Rockstar Games, Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe, Foundry 42, Rebellion, Crytek, Frontier Developments, Splash Damage, Ubisoft, and others.
Typical career paths include:
- Environment artist
- Prop artist
- Character artist
- Concept artist
- Generalist 2D/3D artist
- Visual effects/VFX animation artist
- Technical artist
- Game designer
- Level editor
- Creative/technical sound designer
- Project manager
- Producer
- Community manager
- Creative director
- QA tester
- QA management
- Games journalist
Other:
- Students have the opportunity to undertake additional qualifications during the program, including the Creative Professional Development (1-year Level 5 Diploma) and Creative Computing (1-year Level 5 Diploma).
Home
Undergraduate degree (full-time three and four year degree) £9,250
Overseas
Undergraduate degree (full-time three and four year degree) £18,000
