BA (Hons) Computer Games Design with Foundation Year

Module: 3VA001

Credits: 60

Period: 1

Type: Core

Locations: Wolverhampton City Campus

In this module you will work on a series of short projects that aim to introduce you to the core art and design skills that will support your development as an artist or designer at degree level and beyond. In semester 1 you will explore a range of approaches to drawing as a fundamental art and design tool for thinking through and communicating your ideas. Increasingly drawing will be seen as a basis for exploring 2d, 3d and media solutions to art and design problems. Alongside these practical workshops you will begin to explore how research, reflection and documentation can inform your ideas and support studio practice by creating a studio journal containing a series of structured tasks. In semester 2 you will have extended opportunity to work with specialist staff from the different art and design subjects taught in the school and develop projects responding to more defined areas of practice appropriate to your interests and ambitions for degree level study. You will be expected to develop a more focused and independent approach to research through your journal responses and studio practice. Increasingly you will be expected to take greater control and direction of your learning. In semester 1 the workshops, studio projects, research tasks and study visits will be clearly structured and you will be expected to attend regularly and participate in a range of learning activities within and outside of taught sessions. As the course develops and you start to define your subject and contextual interests you will necessarily need to become more independent in accessing appropriate resources for your personal development as an artist/designer. The studios, workshops and other resources are open 5 days a week and you are increasingly expected to manage your taught and independent studio/study time effectively to complete work well and on time.

Module: 3VA002

Credits: 60

Period: 1

Type: Core

Locations: Wolverhampton City Campus

In this module you will be introduced to the range of art and design subject specialisms taught in the School of Art. Academic and technical teams from across the school will introduce you to specialist workshops and provide a range of short project briefs to enable you to explore and test your ideas out in different mediums and contexts. This will be accompanied by contextual visits, lectures and seminars that will explore how the different artists and designers address genres and issues pertinent to their practice. Assessment reviews and tutorials will be used to support you to reflect on these experiences and begin to consider some areas for extended experience in Semester 2. In semester 2 you will work in subject groupings and propose an individually negotiated project aligned to a broad subject area in the school. You will work with Foundation and degree level tutors to develop your ideas and work towards degree level entry standard. You will need to demonstrate some ability to work and learn independently and reflect on your work to progress your ideas. Alongside practical work you will undertake a portfolio of contextual research which will underpin your core knowledge of your chosen area of study and learn the basic research and writing skills that you will need to progress to degree level study.

Module: 4DM011

Credits: 20

Period: 2

Type: Core

Locations: Wolverhampton City Campus

This module builds upon game design practice and planning in prior study and allows you to realise a dynamic level design. The coursework will also guide you in the practice of integrating surfaces and models with interactive features and gameplay elements

Module: 4DM033

Credits: 20

Period: 2

Type: Core

Locations: Wolverhampton City Campus

Within this module you will be introduced to key themes within the area of Computer Games Design within relevant historical and cultural contexts. You will engage with a variety of research methods in order to investigate questions set by module staff. You will present these findings in the form of an online blog where you will engage with feedback and questions from your peer group.

Module: 4DM028

Credits: 20

Period: 2

Type: Core

Locations: Wolverhampton City Campus

This module aims to introduce you to an elementary knowledge base and skill set that will enable you to develop as a games design practitioner. Building upon issues developed in both the contextual and practical strands of the course, assignments in this module will encourage considered and knowledgeable approaches to computer games design. Through studio based teaching, you will be encouraged to understand and consider the practical and technical constraints of production relating to set assignments.

Module: 4DM022

Credits: 20

Period: 2

Type: Core

Locations: Wolverhampton City Campus

This module aims to introduce you to an elementary knowledge base and skill set in the field of interactivity for games. You will be introduced to the concepts and techniques in rapid prototyping and designing casual games that will enable you to develop as a games design practitioner. Building upon issues developed in both the contextual and practical strands of the course, students will develop considered and knowledgeable approaches to designing and creating interactivity for computer games with a strong focus on the iterative design cycle and core game mechanics.

Module: 4DM010

Credits: 20

Period: 2

Type: Core

Locations: Wolverhampton City Campus

Through class demonstration and instruction, you will learn a combination of 2d and 3d art processes to create fully surfaced 3d model game assets. You will demonstrate organisational skills by building a log which documents this process. By applying individualised and appropriate processes you will aim to balance constraints of gameplay, framerates and design specification.

Module: 4DM038

Credits: 20

Period: 2

Type: Core

Locations: Wolverhampton City Campus

This research and practice module introduces design and its use within games and animation production. Students will study and practice various design principles through digital drawing and image creation, resulting in a well-researched and contextualised creative portfolio of work.

Module: 5DM034

Credits: 20

Period: 3

Type: Core

Locations: Wolverhampton City Campus

This module provides the opportunity to explore and practice various aspects of 3D production; it aims to improve knowledge and ability in a supportive practice-based environment. Specialist subject topics will be explored. Practicing 3D character motion gives students the basis to explore 3D further in Level 6.

Module: 5DM009

Credits: 20

Period: 3

Type: Core

Locations: Wolverhampton City Campus

Intially, you will propose a game level design on the basis of reference to published media and critical texts on game analysis and design principles. You will create a prototype game level or interactive 3D environment. You will demonstrate organisational skills by building a log which documents this process. Finally, you will reflect by comparing the proposal and the artefact, and by contextualising the skillsets you acquired with role definitions from the industry.

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