Games Art and Design

Program Overview

This 24-credit-point program in Games Art and Design at Murdoch University equips students with creative thinking and production skills for a career in the games industry. Through hands-on learning in animation, 3D modeling, and concept art, students gain knowledge of games art and design processes and industry-standard tools and techniques. They can specialize in areas such as concept art, games design, or technical art. Graduates can pursue careers as concept or technical artists, animators, and game or level designers in the entertainment games space or other fields that utilize digital experiences.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

This program is designed to equip students with the creative thinking and production skills necessary for a career in the games industry. Students will gain knowledge of games art and design processes, production concepts, and industry-standard tools and techniques. The program emphasizes hands-on learning through the creation of games and mods, covering areas like animation, 3D modeling, concept art, and designing for mobile and virtual reality platforms. Students can explore different areas of specialization, such as concept art, games design, or technical art, to align with their career aspirations.

Outline:

The program is structured as follows:

• Total credit points: 24
• Required Units (15 credit points):
• GAD154 Introduction to Games Art and Design (3 credit points)
• GAD164 3D Modelling (3 credit points)
• GAD261 Games Art (3 credit points)
• GAD232 Critical Games, Play and Design (3 credit points)
• GAD361 VR, Platforms, and Publishing (3 credit points)
• Specified Elective Units (9 credit points):
• Concept Art Units (9 credit points):
• GAD241 Animation (3 credit points)
• GAD373 Concept Design and Illustration (3 credit points)
• GAD374 Digital Painting (3 credit points)
• Games Design Units (9 credit points):
• GAD210 Technical Art and Games Engine Scripting (3 credit points)
• GAD375 Games Design Studio (3 credit points)
• GRD379 UX and Mobile App Design (3 credit points)
• Modelling and Animation Units (9 credit points):
• GAD241 Animation (3 credit points)
• GAD363 3D Sculpting (3 credit points)
• GAD365 Advanced 3D Character Animation (3 credit points)

Teaching:

• The program is taught by academics who are international games production experts with experience at companies like Disney Interactive, Universal Pictures, and Storm Bunny Studios.
• Students have access to state-of-the-art technologies and facilities, including a dedicated games computer lab, VR headsets, a green screen studio, and interactive audio suites.

Careers:

The games industry is experiencing significant growth, and the ubiquity of games has led to an increase in job opportunities not only in the entertainment games space but also in other fields that utilize digital experiences. Graduates of this program can pursue careers such as:

• Concept or Technical Artist
• Animator
• Character or Environment Modeller
• Game or Level Designer
• Production or Lighting Artist
Graduates can work in various local and international agencies, as well as in web development.

Other:

• The program emphasizes the importance of learning from industry best practices.
• The program highlights the success of previous Murdoch graduates who have worked on projects like Furious 7, Fantastic Four, and The Hobbit.
• The program emphasizes the relevance of games skills in various fields beyond entertainment, such as simulation, training, and education.