INDICATIVE CONTENT
This module requires that students use their previous prop and environment art workflow methodologies to create a small diorama to demonstrate worlding building based on real world, concept art and/or fictional universes as reference while also ensuring that it is suitable for video game implementation.
Students will research and consider the following skills / areas:
Preproduction/research
Asset creation
Attention to detail
Storytelling/worldbuilding
In-engine implementation
Complementary skills which could include VFX, Animation
Lighting and presentation
Alternative asset pipelines
ADDITIONAL ASSESSMENT DETAILS
Assessment Component 1 - (Learning Outcomes 1,2,3)
Project Artifact weighted at 80% consisting of:
You will create or be given a brief to create a small diorama to demonstrate visual storytelling and worlding building based on real world, concept art and/or fictional universes reference. The diorama will be completed using advanced techniques including but not limited to; the 3D asset pipeline, material creation, attention to minor details, in engine implementation, optimisation, storytelling/worldbuilding.
Assessment Component 2:
Reflective Log weighted at 20% consisting of:
You are expected to keep a record of development for the assessment. Your development log should include discussions on the development methods and techniques used with direct reference to your own work. This will also include a final reflection summarising the production process and critically evaluates the final piece.
LEARNING STRATEGIES
1x 1hr Theory Lecture
1x 2hr Tutorial
1x 3hr Workshop
LEARNING OUTCOMES
1. Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the underlying concepts and principles related to world-building, storytelling, and 3D asset creation.
University Learning Outcome
Knowledge and Understanding
2. Evaluate and interpret concepts and principles related to visual storytelling and demonstrate the ability to select appropriate approaches to solving problems related to the creation of a small environment in the form of a diorama.
University Learning Outcome
Analysis & Problem Solving
3. Implement industry standard workflows and skills within a structured and managed environment to improve the quality of the final project artefact, including attention to minor details, in-engine implementation, optimisation, and material creation.
University Learning Outcome
Application
4. Demonstrate qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment and/or further study, such as the ability to effectively communicate and reflect on the development process, maintain a development log, and produce a final report summarising the production process and critically evaluating the final project artefact.
University Learning Outcome
Reflection
RESOURCES
Unreal Engine
Autodesk 3D Modelling Programs
ZBrush
Houdini
Marvellous Designer
Substance Suite
Adobe Photoshop
Video Editing Software
Wacom Tablets
Digital Academy Forum
Digital Academy Upload System
REFERENCE TEXTS
Freeman, M (2017), The Photographer’s Eye: Composition and Design for Better Digital Photos: Composition and Design for Better Digital Photographs, ISBN: 9781781574553
Harris, D, (2022), Making Videogames: The Art of Creating Digital Worlds Hardcover, ISBN-10 050002314X
Johansen Quijano, (2019) The Composition of Video Games: Narrative, Aesthetics, Rhetoric and Play (Studies in Gaming), ISBN-10 1476673934
Amy M. Green, (2017) Storytelling in Video Games: The Art of the Digital Narrative (Studies in Gaming), ISBN-10 9781476668765
WEB DESCRIPTOR
This module covers the skills to produce a small-scale environment piece in the form of a diorama. You will learn to model and texture a variety of models/props for an in-engine scene which demonstrates a sense of worldbuilding and artistic direction.