Games Art and Design (with Integrated Foundation Year)

OVERVIEW

BA (Hons) Games Art and Design at Norwich University of the Arts (Norwich) has an international reputation for producing graduates who excel, creatively and technically, in a constantly evolving industry. Our award-winning industry-led course focuses on developing technical understanding of software and design processes while deeply engaging with contemporary practice based theoretical concepts to level up your knowledge and experience as a Games Art and Design creative.

The course is industry recognised by ScreenSkills, the industry-led skills body for the UK’s screen-based industries and carries the ScreenSkills Select quality-mark which indicates courses best suited to prepare students for a career in the screen industries.

It is accredited by TIGA (Independent Game Developers’ Association) as delivering skills relevant to the games industry.

INTEGRATED FOUNDATION (YEAR 0)

This course includes an integrated foundation year (Year 0), which promotes developing practical, technical and creative skills and confidence. Building on your prior experience, you will be introduced to some of our workshops to assist your skill development, with an increasing emphasis on professional standards and independent study. The course places emphasis on your personal commitment to study, while supporting you in your progression.

KEY FEATURES

• Study fundamentals of game design and be introduced to formative theoretical concepts from contemporary academics and practitioners

• Develop critical thinking, analysis and communications skills key to allowing you to fortify your design choices within contemporary contexts

• Learn how to use computational logic to generate interactivity in the creation of game prototypes

• Become a well-rounded and inventive practitioner within the discipline of games; adept at design and content creation with a focus on originality, supported by research into historical, cultural and broader creative influences

• Be involved in collaborative projects such as Games Jams, both within Norwich and with external events

• Be equipped with a versatility and adaptability to also pursue roles where good communication, analytical, presentational and inter-personal skills are required

• In recent years we have been awarded the Education Award for Innovative Teaching (2021) by the Independent Game Developers’ Association (TIGA), ranked in the global top 50 as a place to study games art and design, ranked top 15 in the world for concept art by The Rookies, and seen four students awarded Graduate of the Year 2022 by TIGA.

YOUR FUTURE

Over the courses’ long history, Games Art and Design at Norwich has received international acknowledgement and recognition celebrating our innovative teaching methods and approaches.

Our students have also seen much success in their careers and pursuits while studying and beyond. Our hall of fame includes (but not limited to): BAFTA-winning games designers, the V&A’s first Games Designer in Residence, Dare to Be Digital finalists, Norwich Game Festival founders and organisers, and UKIE Game Jam winners.

Graduates have gone on to work on a plethora of major titles, from Forza Horizon 4 and Red Dead Redemption 2 to Batman: Arkham Asylum and Sea of Thieves, with others going on to set up their own successful independent studios – Odd Bug Studio and Lyrelark to name two contemporary successes.

OUR STUDENTS’ WORK

Explore our online Graduate Showcase – celebrating the very best Norwich University of the Arts graduate work. Scroll each reel to explore at nuagradshowcase.com

Course Modules

You can find more information about the content of the BA (Hons) Games Art and Design (with Integrated Foundation Year) course at https://norwichuni.ac.uk/4-year-degrees/

The University assesses you through the coursework you produce as you complete each unit. Each unit will require you to present a portfolio of work which may include finished pieces of work, written work, your research, and a reflective journal which allows you to evaluate your learning and highlight your strengths and areas for further development. You can find out more information about our assessment methods at https://norwichuni.ac.uk/ba-hons-games-art-design/

Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.

• ScreenSkills
• The Independent Game Developers' Association