Games Design (with placement year)

This course encompasses the creative and technical aspects of designing interactive and immersive game experiences.

It focuses on crafting engaging gameplay elements, creating levels and challenges, and developing compelling narratives.

Games designers collaborate with concept artists, games artists, writers, and musicians to bring their vision to life. They consider player psychology, user experience, and game mechanics, refining their designs based on feedback. Games design utilises specialised software and tools to prototype and visualise game concepts.

This course provides a platform to combine creativity and technical expertise and to collaborate with a vibrant community of diverse creatives.

Access state-of-the-art software, advanced hardware, and dedicated studio spaces equipped with industry standard tools. Benefit from the guidance of experienced staff who provide valuable feedback, ensuring you’re at the forefront of games design practices. We actively encourage you to engage in professional practice opportunities, collaborating with Games Art students and participating in external game development initiatives.

Develop networking skills and establish professional contacts within the gaming industry with our support. Studying alongside talented concept artists, games artists, animators, writers, and musicians creates opportunities for exciting collaborations and innovative projects.

Year one – You’ll delve into the fundamentals of games design, building crucial skills in game mechanics, level design, and storytelling. Through immersive projects and interactive workshops you will develop a strong grasp of games development principles and begin to craft captivating gameplay experiences. Collaborating with fellow artists, designers and creative writers, you will have the chance to explore game prototypes in both digital and non-digital game development.

Year two – You will build upon your foundational knowledge and elevate your design skills and creative vision. You will delve deeper into game prototyping, user experience design, and game system design, expanding your understanding of these critical areas. Engaging in collaborative projects with games artists, animators, actors, filmmakers, musicians, creative writers and concept artists, you will gain invaluable insights into the interdisciplinary nature of game development, preparing you for successful teamwork in the industry. You will have the opportunity to learn from experienced staff, who will provide you with feedback and guidance on your work.

Year three* – You’ll have the chance to specialise in specific areas like level design, narrative design, or game mechanics, honing your skills and crafting a professional portfolio. You will consider an element of game design theory in depth and produce a considered piece of writing. A major game design project will be undertaken, fostering collaborative work with peers to create an immersive and innovative game experience. By completion you’ll be fully equipped for a thriving career in games design.

*If you choose to study this course over four years, this will include a placement year (also known as a sandwich year, work placement, industrial placement, or year in industry), which provides a fantastic opportunity to enhance your employability and gain practical experience in your field of study. The placement year typically occurs after year two and before year three. Read our placement year FAQs at www.leeds-art.ac.uk/undergraduate-placement-year-faqs.