Essential Information

Award: Bachelor of Arts Honours Degree
Duration: 3 years, full time
Start Date: September 2012
Fees: Click here for Fee information
UCAS Code: WG24 (Campus Code: T)
Institution Code: C30
Applications should be submitted via UCAS
Application deadline date: 15 January 2012

An innovative course dealing with the creation, development and implementation of games concepts.

Introduction

BA (Hons) Games Design was setup in response to growing demand from the games industry for higher education to provide degree courses that equip graduates with the right skills to go into the games industry.

Developed in consultation with the industry - and mapped to the IGDA curriculum framework - this course will help you develop a portfolio of work showcasing all of the skills required by the games industry to become a successful game artist or designer.

Key Features

• Upon successful completion of the course you will be awarded BA(Hons) from the University Of Central Lancashire.
• Lecture and assignment format designed with a strong vocational focus, meaning you get to undertake real projects just like the industry professionals do.
• Delivered by real game artists and designers who know first hand the skills you need to learn in order to succeed within the computer games industry.
• Study design topics the industry really wants you to learn.
• Opportunities to work with students on other courses, such as programming, audio and film production undergraduates.

Course Overview

At the Futureworks campus in central Manchester, you will be following industry standard design processes using industry standard software like Autodesk's 3Ds Max and Adobe's Photoshop CS4 to question the nature of current games. You will be introduced to the creative and technical disciplines required to become either a successful game artist or designer.

Study will be led through a series of game design projects based on design problems encountered by the games industry. Through these industry led design projects you will be given every opportunity to explore every aspect of games design and develop your own personal portfolio and design style. Complementary to the project work you will also be given informative guest lectures from experienced industry professionals.

Core aspects of graduate work are visualisation, digital modelling and a solid foundation in game design and documentation. These skills and others developed on the course are those most commonly identified by the computer games industry as key talents in modern games designers.

Where will this course lead me?

This course prepares you primarily for the roles of Games Designer, Level Designer, Environment Designer, Conceptual Artist, Texture Artist, Animator or Digital Modeller.

Who is the course for?

This course is for anyone who is serious about working in the games industry! You must be at least 18 years of age and meet the pre-requisites below.

Are there any pre-requisites?

The minimum standard entry requirement for degree-level study is a 12-unit profile, made up from one of the following:

• A Futureworks Foundation course in Game Art or CGI
• At least two A2-level subjects equivalent to 200 UCAS Points
• One A2-level subject plus one single award Advanced VCE
• One double or two single award(s) Advanced VCE
• Scottish Certificate of Education Higher Grade
• Irish Leaving Certificate Higher Grade
• International Baccalaureate
• BTEC National Certificate/Diploma
• Kite marked Access Course

Applicants are required to produce a portfolio of work at interview.

When Will I Study?

You will be studying full time consisting of personal study, tutor led lectures and workshops. You will be expected to put in 40 plus hours per week of study. Our facilities will be open 7 days a week for personal or group project based work.

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Detailed Description

Year 1

Year 1 provides you with a solid grounding in the core skill areas required to make it as a successful game designer or artist. With self initiated briefs and targeted assignments we will enhance your existing skill set whilst learning many new skills and identifying areas for improvement.

In year one you'll learn the core of both game Art AND Design.

Games Design

• Study the history of games.
• Learn the basics of game analysis - what makes or breaks a game.
• Understand the rules of games design.

Game Art

• Learn the basics of proportion, anatomy and character generation.
• Understand the use of colour and visual composition.
• Exposure to and tutorials in industry standard software like Adobe Photoshop.
• Create accomplished conceptual art pieces.

Year 2

Year 2 builds upon the skills learnt in Year 1 further enhancing your art and design skills. The art will shift from 2D to 3D allowing you to create animated characters or exciting levels in Autodesk's 3Ds Max. The briefs for your design work will be industry led requiring your work to fall within certain given parameters.

In year two you'll learn advanced design techniques and make use of industry standard modelling packages to create stunning game art.

Game Design

• Further your cultural understanding of games design.
• Expand on your own personal working practices.
• Learn the processes required to bring your designs to market.

Game Art

• Learn how to use 3D modelling packages like Autodesk 3Ds Max to visualise and create your game designs.
• Learn how model and animate high quality 3D characters.
• Understand how to use various 3D game engines to see your creations come to life.

Year 3

The final year of the Games Design degree culminates in a self initiated thesis project. You will undertake a substantial piece of work utilising the skills you have learned over the previous two years.

Many students will choose here to go through the full design and art process of creating a release title for their favourite platform.

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FAQs

Which facilities will I have access to?

You will be taught in our purpose built games labs, with practical and personal study taking place throughout the facility, including our group work PODs, meeting rooms, open-access facilities in the lounge and in our in-house games studio.

Alongside this you will also be a student at the University of Central Lancashire and will have full access to the facilities at the Preston campus. This includes student union, library and motion capture suit.

How will I be taught?

A mix of informative lectures / workshops combined with both guided and independent practical activity.

Who will I be taught by?

All Futureworks games tutors are experienced industry professionals. You'll also receive regular training from our in-house game developmnet team at Smashmouth Games, as well as regular lectures and workshops from carefully chosen visiting tutors with specialisms in certain areas.

How am I assessed?

Assessment comprises a series of projects based on real-world problems our experienced staff have encountered alongside formal exams. Although there will be the odd exam most of your assessment will be in the form of practical projects.

What qualifications will I receive?

Successful graduates will achieve a Bachelor of Arts Honours Degree awarded by the University Of Central Lancashire. You'll also leave with a stunning portfolio of work, and many months of hands-on experience under your belt.

How do I apply?

Applications must be submitted via UCAS. If you would like information about applying via UCAS please contact Sarah on +44 (0)161 237 7570.

What are my payment options?

Course Fees are £3375 per year. 

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