Bachelor of Creative Design. Game Art. Course Components

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Emerald McBride
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1 Course Components Game Art Bachelor of Creative Design

2 Year One 01 Interdisciplinary Components Theoretical Foundations of Art and Design: GA1A01 GA1A01 utilises traditional art theories and practices as a means of underpinning research into the creation of art and graphic design artefacts. Analysing the theories of art and design gives the students the knowledge to produce artefacts which are effective in visual communication, understanding form, and articulating their ideas. This foundational knowledge is the underpinning for the visual aspect of the degree. 2D Visual Asset Generation: GA1A02 GA1A02 utilises traditional art and design foundational theories and contextualises these practices for the digital domain. Students create artefacts in digital formats for a variety of purposes, including the following: Concept Art, Pixel Art, Vector Art, Texture Art, and other digital native formats utilised in the production of video game development. As part of this component, students learn to critique and be critiqued from peers and lecture staff alike in order to understand art and design from a variety of perspectives. 3D Visual Asset Generation: GA1A03 GA1A03 expands on the knowledge gained in the GA1A02 course and allows the students to utilise industry standard 3D modelling tools and techniques to communicate complex ideas and emotions. Students will critique artefacts which utilise the concepts or form, function, and silhouette learned through the underpinning knowledge gained in the previous components. Motion Design Animation, User Experience: GA1A05 GA1A05 combines 2D art assets and basic scripting, which allows the students to understand how user experience is affected through art, design, and code. Utilising game development techniques and tools, the students will create their own arcade style games, which requires a multifaceted approach including the following: Project Management, Art and Design Theory, User Interaction, Menu Systems, Audio Integration, Scripting, and Game Design. These trans-disciplinary artefacts scaffold the student s knowledge for the second year of study, when they will interact with the Bachelor of Software Engineering students. Above: Colossus

Analysing the theories of art and design gives the students the knowledge to produce artefacts which are effective in visual communication, understanding form, and articulating their ideas.

3 02 Creative Technology Fundametals: GA1C01 Digital Image Foundation focuses on providing a basic technical vocabulary and skillset for digital image making, providing a foundation for effective practices in all Media Design disciplines. Students are introduced to common industry-standard software packages used in the production of digital imagery such as Photoshop and Illustrator through practical exercises. Game Design Principles: GA1J01 GA1J01 introduces students to game design principles, techniques and paradigms through a series of lecture-led and student-led activities. Students will explore game design principles through the analysis of existing game artefacts, applying those findings to the development of their own games. Students are introduced to a variety of analysis, development, and presentation techniques encouraging discussion, creation, and dissemination of their design choices through prototyping and documentation. Above: Tom Lowbridge, Cry Engine Advanced Surfacing & Lighting: GA2A04 GA2A04 introduces theory and techniques of light, materiality, and surface and how those physical properties translate in the digital environment. Utilising the artefacts from 3D Asset Generation, the students will undertake processes which allow them to explore simulating physical properties within digital spaces.

Students are introduced to common industry-standard software packages used in the production of digital imagery such as Photoshop and Illustrator through practical exercises.

4 Year Two 01 Advanced 3D Modelling: GA2A01 GA2A01 extends the knowledge gained through the 3D Art and Traditional Art components of the first year. Students utilise industry standard tools and techniques to produce high polygon models which may be used within game or a visual effects context. The digital software used closely mimics traditional sculptural techniques. Technical Art and Scripting: GA2A02 People and Games: GA2J01 GA/D2J01 introduces students to non-technical, human aspects of game development and the games industry. Through a series of lecture and seminar-based talks, discussions, and play sessions, students are encouraged to explore and discuss the wider context of the game industry in relation to the economic, social, and cultural determinants surrounding the production and consumption of games and games technology. Game Mini Project II: GA2J03 GA2A02 teaches technical problem solving skills using scripting and technical art concepts such as rigging, skinning, and shader systems. The student will develop critical thinking strategies that inform their research and creative productions. Real-time Animation: GA2A03 GA2A03 teaches the concepts and knowledge needed to create animation of props, characters and vehicles that are used in creative productions. The students will gain experience firsthand whilst exploring and investigating historical and emerging techniques of animation. Creative Technologies Principles: GA2C01 GA2C01 provides students with a venue to explore the impact of entertainment media on society. In addition, students develop their scholarly skills by engaging with and debating contemporary issues surrounding the production, dissemination, and consumption of game and or entertainment media. Students are asked to consider games from a variety of critical and theoretical perspectives. GA2J03 teaches the students how to work in a cross-disciplinary fashion to cooperatively plan, design, and produce a creative production utilising their research into various technologies, and art and design practices. The students will work in teams and will be responsible for managing their productions extending knowledge and experience gained through the previous course materials. Professional Practice & Communication: GA3C01 GA3C01 asks students to situate their practice within a number of broader contexts; commercial, professional, ethical, and theoretical. Students are required to investigate and produce business plans and production schedules, whilst investigating various business models including start-up ventures and entrepreneurial frameworks.

The digital software used closely mimics traditional sculptural techniques.

5 Year Three 02 Art Capstone Project: GA3C02 GA3C02 focuses on the students increasing knowledge of game development practices and procedures, as well as their ability to undertake scholarly research. Students will specify their research topics; identify a critical position, with an aim to create work which shows evidence of research practice and methodology. Research topics are negotiated with the lecturer with the support of the Bachelor of Creative Technology academic team. Portfolio Presentation & Critique: GA3C03 GA3C03 focuses on individual investigation and discovery. Utilising student artefacts with an emphasis on marketability, industry expectation, and presentation, the students will present their work in the form of a demo reel and/or web-based portfolio. Students are critiqued by peer groups and industry professionals. Student process and progress will be documented and presented alongside the portfolio. Portfolio pieces are required to show evidence that the student is combining conceptual thinking, critical thinking, creative thinking, strong technical and communication skills, as well as imagination, which is crucial in developing a personal vision. Creative Technologies Capstone Project World Design & Creation: GA3C04 GA3C04 focuses on designing and building levels, which utilises knowledge gained in the previous courses. Level design and world design also introduces advanced elements of architecture, scripting, technical art, design, lighting, and modelling. Upon the completion of this paper, the student will understand both the artistic and technical considerations that are needed to create compelling and functional areas of play. Pre Production: GA3J02 GA3J02 focuses on the skills and abilities to formulate a group and managing the preproduction stage of a game development project. Areas of attention will be creative thinking and project scope. Students are encouraged to self-regulate by considering group dynamics, acknowledging strengths and weaknesses, allocating and negotiating suitable roles and responsibilities. Students will develop an overall game idea, art style and mechanics. Students will communicate the project scope through presentation and documentation. Students will also create a playable prototype which will form the foundation for the final production. Game Development Team Production Alpha: GA3J03 GA3J03 focuses on the skills and abilities to work within a group and manage production of a game development project. Students will work within a team environment utilising cross-disciplinary communication and creative problem solving, to ensure the completion of the production within the time frame given. Game Development Team Production Gold & Post-Production: GA3J05 GA3J05 requires students to focus on the completion of their game project. Further, reflective documentation is required through analysis of the outcome, process, and production methodology. Students work on finalising their final productions with an eye towards forging future opportunities. Students will present their final game artefact, a post mortem, and graduate presentation to a panel.

Research topics are negotiated with the lecturer with the support of the Bachelor of Creative Technology academic team.

Game Programming. Bachelor of Software Engineering. www.mediadesign.com. Course Components

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