Students will learn:

- The use of sketchbooks, both digital and analogy to create primary ideation
- The use of smart phone cameras to create primary reference and PBR materials
- Create environment block outs
- Creating asset libraries for the 3D composition
- Use of procedural material
- Photo texture poly modelling
- Lighting, Rendering and compositing
- Render passes for 2D software
- Presentation of multiple environment design final designs and keyframes
- P2P critic
- Driscoll method of reflection and applied use for creative application
- Prepping finalised work for portfolio presentation
- Photobashing
- Cinematic Composition
- Advanced understanding of “form-follows-function”
- Typical industry pipelines
- Differences between pre-production and production

Assessment Component 1 – Environment Design Portfolio (80%)

Students will produce a portfolio of finished environment designs and keyframes in response to supplied industry-style briefs.

This assessment is purely practical and focuses on the quality, clarity, and industry-readiness of the final visual outcomes.

The portfolio will include:

- A series of completed environment designs and/or cinematic keyframes

- Evidence of professional environment design workflows, including:
Use of 3D blockouts or asset libraries where appropriate
High-quality 3D renders refined through 2D art packages

- Final images presented to portfolio and production standards, suitable as a lead or opening portfolio piece

- Consideration of contextual application for games, film, or TV through visual execution alone

No written analysis, research breakdowns, reference justification, or reflective commentary is required in this component.

Assessment is based solely on visual quality, technical execution, design clarity, and professional presentation.

Assessment Component 2 – Video Presentation and Reflective Analysis (20%)

Students will submit a 15-minute recorded video presentation analysing and reflecting on the development of their portfolio work.

The video will include:

- Critical analysis of real-world and creative reference material, including:
Why references were selected
How they informed visual and technical decisions

- Explanation and justification of the chosen environment design pipeline

- Discussion of creative and technical decision-making, including challenges and solutions

- Reflection on feedback received during taught sessions, evidencing:
Engagement with in-session critique
How feedback informed iteration and improvement

- Critical evaluation of personal skill development and project outcomes

This component is the sole location for:

Research and reference analysis
Pipeline explanation
Reflective practice
Evaluation of feedback and learning progression

Students will be expected to engage in a structured blend of scheduled teaching and independent study.

Scheduled sessions will typically include lectures introducing core concepts, alongside workshops where students apply techniques, participate in guided discussions, and undertake problem-solving and peer-learning activities.

Lecture sessions focus on theory, methodology and good practice, while workshop and development sessions provide individual guidance, practical demonstrations and support in applying artistic and technical principles.

Independent study will involve recommended reading, research tasks, and ongoing development of project work supported by digital resources and forum feedback.

Teaching activities are designed to mirror professional art-department feedback loops, enabling students to experience iterative development and critique similar to industry practice.

1. Demonstrate advanced knowledge of story-driven environment design, including industry workflows and the technical requirements necessary for professional production.

Knowledge and understanding

2. Critically analyse real-world and creative reference sources, evaluating their relevance and advantages for specific environment concept production pipelines.

Digital Literacy

3. Apply advanced development pipelines to produce environment and keyframe concepts, demonstrating effective technical execution and informed creative decision-making.

Application and Problem Solving

4. Critically reflect on personal skills and project outcomes, evaluating feedback and demonstrating how reflection informs improved practice.

Reflection

Digital 2D software
3D software
3D software Camera alignment add-on or standalone software
Digital Reference tools
PBR (Physically Based Rendering) creation software
Wacom Tablets
Traditional materials
Digital camera
Digital Academy Forum
Digital Academy Upload System
Photogrammetry

Thomas Robotham (2021) Cinematic Storytelling A Comprehensive Guide for Directors and Cinematographers ISBN: 9780367531430

Blain Brown (2021) Cinematography: Theory and Practice for Cinematographers and Directors ISBN: 9780367373450

John Alton (2013) Painting with Light ISBN: 9780520275843

Hans P. Bacher (2015) Sketchbook: Composition Studies for Film ISBN 13: 9781780675961

Gustavo Mercado (2012) The Filmmaker's Eye Learning (and breaking) the Rules of Cinematic Composition ISBN: 9781138780316

Bruce Block (2012) The Visual Story: Creating the Visual Structure of Film, TV and Digital Media ISBN 10: 1138410624

Marcos Mateu-Mestre (2010) Framed Ink: Drawing and Composition for Visual Storytellers ISBN 13: 9781933492957

This module is built around real-world production briefs, challenging you to design striking, believable environments that communicate story, mood, and scale at a professional level.

You’ll develop high-impact environment and keyframe concepts designed to stand out in a competitive portfolio. Throughout the module, you’ll explore industry-standard workflows used across games, film, and TV, blending creativity with technical confidence.

From setting up your creative toolset and building reusable 3D asset libraries, to producing cinematic 3D renders and refining them in 2D concept art packages, you’ll move through a modern hybrid pipeline used by professional concept artists. By the end of the module, you’ll have a polished body of work and a deep understanding of environment design for production, ready to showcase your ability to translate ideas into production-ready visuals.