Our BA (Hons) Computer Games Art Degree offers you the opportunity to understand visual storytelling in games and develop industry ready 3D Modelling and Digital sculpting skills specialising in either Games Environment Art or Games Character and Creature Art.
The course immerses you in a studio-like environment during dedicated practice modules, fostering collaborative efforts, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities. You will get the opportunity to develop your skills while using softwares such as Maya, ZBrush and Unreal Engine 5 and Tiga Benchmarking.
This exposure ensures you are familiar with the dynamics of a professional game development studio, enhancing your adaptability in real-world work settings.
Exposure to industry-style challenges and scenarios such as “Search for a Star” and “The Rookies” enhances your preparedness for the professional game development landscape. By facing challenges similar to those encountered in the industry, you will graduate with the confidence and skills necessary to thrive in the competitive field of game art.
Get your Computer Games Art qualifications with our course
Real-world relevance is a cornerstone of the course, with exposure to industry case studies and challenges. This approach aligns your skills directly with the demands of the game development field, offering you valuable insights into industry practices and preparing you for the challenges professionals face.
| KEY INFORMATION | |
| Campus | Aldgate, London |
| Intakes | October, February and June |
| Duration | Three years (or four years with integrated Foundation in Design and Creative Business Pathway) |
| Direct entry | Direct entry is available for Year 2 and Year 3 of this programme |
| Study mode | Full-time, flexible learning - study on campus and online with classes available during the weekday |
| Awarding body | University for the Creative Arts |
| Tuition fees | UK/EU citizens - £9,250 per annum |
| Funding | SFE funding available |
| International / EU Applicants | If you are arriving after the UK has left the EU on January 1st 2021, you will require a visa to study in the UK, in which LCCA will not be able to sponsor you. To find out more information please visit https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families/applying-for-settled-status |
| UCAS INFORMATION | GMS1 |
| Course code | |
| Institution code | L84 |
| Campus code | |
| Apply through UCAS | |
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Our Foundation in Design and Creative Business is dedicated to preparing you for a BA (Hons) Business Management and Entrepreneurship degree. This course focuses on exploring innovation and problem-solving in the context of creative business. Covering key business, management and marketing skills, you will get the opportunity to develop the appropriate skills, knowledge and confidence to successfully progress into Level 4.
In this year you will study four units which are designed to support you to develop your skills and academic practice in the foundation of business management and entrepreneurship with particular focus on academic writing, digital competency, communication, research skills, problem-solving, creative thinking and visual as well as innovative and critical thinking. This year is the foundation to support you to specialise in more specific and advanced areas of business management and entrepreneurship which can be applied to the creative industries.
At LCCA, we accept students who have decided to move on from their current institute to find a new place of study.
All of our UCA accredited UG degrees allow for direct entry onto the second year (Level 5) or third year (Level 6) of study, depending on your existing qualifications.
To verify if you qualify for direct entry, please contact us to discuss your admissions options.
Year 0
FOUNDATION (YEAR O) DESIGN & CREATIVE BUSINESS
This 30-week course is designed to equip students with the academic skills and subject knowledge needed to progress on to study at undergraduate level. You’ll develop a unique portfolio of work throughout the course, helping you to progress onto a degree in any creative subject.
Stage 1
The first stage covers the key areas of related to your degree programme and will focus on games art and design. It is an introductory exploration into the dynamic and exciting world of computer games. You delve into the history, design principles, and cultural impact of computer games. By doing so, you lay the groundwork for deeper study in game development, design, and analysis. The hands-on component of this unit involves you reverse engineering the core mechanics, rules, and win conditions of a popular computer game. Through this process, you gain practical experience in dissecting and understanding game systems.
Stage 2
This stage builds on the key research, analytical and reflective skills built in Stage 1. Students will also have the opportunity to explore specialist areas of study and focus on your chosen path within the creative arts or business.
Stage 3
Students undertake a self-directed, specialist project which will synthesise and conclude their newly learned knowledge. The Final Major Project consists of three units which include advanced language and study skills needed for progression onto an LCCA design or creative business undergraduate degree.
Modules include:
YEAR 1 (LEVEL 4)
Games Design Concepts and Visual Storytelling
This unit encompasses various crucial aspects of game development. It delves into core game mechanics, such as rules, goals, challenges, and feedback, while exploring common mechanics like points and levels, using Unreal Engine Fortnite Engine (UEFN) as design and experimentation tool. Additionally, balancing and pacing techniques, emergent gameplay, and strategies for maintaining player interest are discussed and you create new UEFN game islands to develop gameplay and visual experiences. The unit also covers community building, understanding user bases, player motivations, and monetisation. Visual storytelling is a significant focus of this unit, with an in-depth study of visual elements and their impact on player emotions.
Games Studio Practice 1
The Games Studio Practice Units, are where you collaborate to design, create, and test an original game created by you as a member of a multidisciplinary team consisting of a mix of students from both the Computer Games Design and Computer Games Art courses. Games Studio Practice 1 primarily focuses on the planning phase of game development, comprising two key elements: paper prototyping and digital prototyping to produce a simple game
Introduction to 3D Asset Creation for Games
This unit offers a fundamental understanding of 3D modelling tailored for game development, encompassing both theoretical concepts and practical skills. You delve into fundamental principles while gaining proficiency in industry-standard 3D modelling software. The curriculum covers a wide range of topics, including 3D modelling fundamentals, software navigation, polygonal modelling, texture mapping, UV mapping, materials, shading, basic rigging, and insights into industry workflows.
Lighting, Textures and Materials
This unit offers a comprehensive understanding of lighting principles, texturing, material development, and creating a cohesive visual style within the game engines. You delve into fundamental lighting concepts such as ambient, diffuse, and specular models, along with distinctions between real-time and baked lighting. Advanced lighting techniques including Global Illumination (GI), High Dynamic Range (HDR) lighting, and lighting in open-world environments are also explored. Texturing essentials encompass 2D and 3D textures, UV mapping, unwrapping techniques, and texture filtering
Modules include:
Games Environments: 2D Art and 3D Modelling
This unit offers a comprehensive journey through games environment design, blending traditional art and technical skills. You learn 2D art skills, exploring concepts such as shape, form, perspective, light, shadow, tone, and composition. Additionally, extending your expertise into the realm of environment 3D modelling, navigating the integration of narrative elements in 3D environments. The curriculum emphasises the balance between realism and stylised expression, preparing you to create visually compelling game environments. By mastering both traditional art principles and technical skills in 3D modelling, you develop the ability to create immersive and visually appealing game environments.
Games Studio Practice 2
Games Studio Practice 2 is the second professional practice unit where you collaboratively design, create, and test a new and original game as part of a multidisciplinary team consisting of a mix of students from both the Computer Games Design and Computer Games Art courses. Within Games Studio Practice 2, you engage in rapid prototyping and iterative prototyping, two essential elements crucial for advanced game development from conception to a more refined stage.
Vehicles and Weapons Modelling
This advanced unit integrates cutting-edge hard surface 3D modelling techniques with principles of advanced design for vehicles and weapons. You delve into mastering subdivision surface modelling, scripting, and procedural modelling to create highly detailed and realistic models. The emphasis is on equipping you with the skills necessary to produce sophisticated and visually stunning models that meet both design and technical specifications. Through hands-on exercises and case studies, you develop proficiency in tools such as Substance Painter, advanced detailing, optimisation, and real-time rendering, ensuring they can create compelling designs for vehicles and weapons.
Games Characters: 3D Modelling and Digital Sculpting
This unit offers an extensive exploration of 3D character design and modelling, providing you with a comprehensive skill set applicable to the games industry as well as making you question cultural and societal stereotyping and its role in character design. You will also study the psychology of player attachment to characters and what this means in terms of design considerations. The unit begins with establishing a solid foundation in the core principles of 3D character design, covering key elements' definition and application, as well as the analysis of anatomy, proportions, and gestures essential for creating realistic characters.
Modules include:
YEAR 3 (LEVEL 6)
Games Studio Practice 3
Games Studio Practice 3 is the third professional practice unit, where you collaborate to design, create, and test a game as a member of a multidisciplinary team consisting of a mix of students from both the Computer Games Design and Computer Games Art courses. This may be either a new and original game or with the agreement of the entire team the development of an earlier iteration of a game from Games Studio Practice 2. This is the production phase of the game development cycle, focussing on two main elements: technical prototyping and the creation of a vertical slice. These components are essential for refining the game's technical aspects and showcase its main features and quality to potential stakeholders
Final Year Project and Professional Portfolio Curation
The Games Final Year Project and Professional Portfolio Creation unit guides you through a structured process aimed at developing your skills and showcasing your abilities in games art and design. For the Final Year Project, it begins with the identification of a topic of interest and the definition of project scope, and objectives aligned with academic and personal interests.
Games Creatures Design and Modelling
This unit offers a comprehensive exploration of game creature design and modelling, focusing on preparing you for success in the gaming industry. It begins with an examination of the importance of unique creature designs in video games, analysing successful examples to understand your impact. You then progress through concept art and ideation stages, honing your ability to cultivate a visual narrative for your creature designs. The curriculum delves into advanced 3D modelling and digital sculpting techniques, emphasising sculpting organic forms and creating intricate details to bring creatures to life.
OR
Organic 3D Environments
This Unit explores the intricate world of creating immersive natural landscapes within the context of game development. You will explore various aspects of terrain generation, mastering techniques to generate realistic and diverse landscapes. You will learn how to seamlessly tile textures to cover vast areas, ensuring a visually cohesive environment. Additionally, you will discover the art of crafting lifelike foliage and trees to populate 3D worlds, enhancing both aesthetics and gameplay immersion. Through hands-on projects and practical exercises, you will gain proficiency in developing organic 3D environments that captivate players and enhance overall gaming experiences.
Modules include:
Graduating with a computer games art degree will provide you with a versatile set of skills, suited to a number of different positions. You could consider the following roles:
The standard entry requirements for this course are:
And 4 GCSE passes at grade A*-C and/or grade 4-9 including Functional Skills English/Key Skills Communication Level 2.
An Individual Portfolio. Along with your portfolio, the standard entry requirements for this course are:
And 4 GCSE passes at grade A*-C and/or grade 4-9 including English and Maths
Note:
Other relevant and equivalent level 3 UK and international qualifications are considered on an individual basis, and we encourage students from diverse educational backgrounds apply.
*We occasionally make offers which are lower than the standard entry criteria, to students who have faced difficulties that have affected their performance and who were expected to achieve higher results.
LCCA strives to provide its students with both academic excellence, career focus and a friendly environment across all disciplines. Our campus is located in Tower Hill, London with a range of facilities and equipment, making it the perfect place to study.
LCCA offers students opportunities to engage with experts both on and off campus.
Our teachers are experts in their field and will enrich your learning experience, facilitating your access to the most current industry expertise and networks across their creative specialisms.
We provide a range of top undergraduate and postgraduate programmes that are delivered in partnership with the University for the Creative Arts.
We provide dedicated facilities for students, helping them to produce work at an industry-level standard and preparing them for a bright future. These facilities are the reason why, upon graduation, our students feel prepared to start working from day one.
Our students have access to a range of specialist facilities across the college. These include:
Whether you’re completing your first degree or undertaking further study to progress your career or change your career direction, LCCA’s strong industry links and wide networks will help you develop your skills, gain valuable experience and make contacts to boost your career opportunities.
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· Aitor Throup Studio LTD · Burberry · Calvin Klein Jeans · Chloé · Claret Press · Harrods · Hop Fashion |
· House of Fraser · James Lakeland · Jan Masny · Karen Millen · Christian Louboutin · Bartlett Mitchell · Boodica UK |
· Pringle of Scotland · Richard Boll · Soho House · Ted Baker · Tommy Hilfiger · YKK · Yulan Creative |
· Paul Smith · Louis Vuitton · Maria Grachvogel · Net-a-Porter · Little Wardrobe London Ltd · Claret Showroom · ZARA |
Graduating with a computer games art degree will provide you with a versatile set of skills, suited to a number of different positions. You could consider the following roles:
Upon graduation, you may like to consider further study at postgraduate level.
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