This module will introduce, support and develop your understanding of concept vehicle design for games and film. You will explore:

- Creative sketching techniques for responding to conceptual briefs
- How computer modelling, game engines and VR support the creative design process
- The importance of narrative and storytelling in design
- Methods for communicating scale, context and atmosphere effectively
- How rendering and animation techniques can be applied to bring designs to life
- The role of responsible AI in creating virtual worlds
- Your own creative and technical design process

You will engage with game and film content for inspiration and to understand the range of career opportunities available to Automotive and Transport Designers.

Through a combination of practical exercises and project work, you will develop the skills to design, visualise, animate and present concept vehicles, integrating both creative and technical approaches.

Assessment 1: Creative Digital Project

Creative portfolio of project work and professional development. Typically including:

- Concept design and development work using sketches and sketch models
- Storyboard
- Digital CAD model
- Digital environment and scene file
- Animation/video
- Presentation material

Assessment 2: Reflection

Reflective commentary, typically in the format of a video tutorial with instructional content. This will reflect on your Creative Digital Project and how you produced your concept.

This can be submitted as:

Option 1: Written reflection with supporting visuals – word count 1800
Option 2: Audio recording with image folder – 6-8 mins
Option 3: Video reflection with supporting visuals – 6-8 mins

Formative Assessment:

Midway formative feedback will be embedded within practical sessions, providing structured opportunities for feedback on work-in-progress to support student development and progression.

On this module, typical learning and teaching activities will include:

- Software demonstrations and structured tutorials introducing industry-standard tools and workflows for concept vehicle design.
- One-to-one and small-group sessions with teaching staff to support individual skills development and creative progression.
- Independent study undertaken on campus or remotely, focusing on the design, development, and refinement of a digital concept vehicle.
- The use of guided video tutorials and supporting learning resources to reinforce technical skills and self-directed learning.
- The creation of animation and video content to support visualisation and presentation.
- Reflective practice that encourages experimentation and the integration of multiple techniques to produce high-quality vehicle concept visualisations suitable for games and film contexts.

1. Apply knowledge and skills to produce a creative project that responds to contemporary issues within Automotive and Transport Design.

Knowledge & Understanding

2. Solve discipline-specific problems using evidence-based approaches.

Application & Problem Solving

3. Apply digital tools to support professional-standard creative workflows in Automotive and Transport Design.

Digital Literacy

4. Reflect critically on your development as an emerging professional in Automotive Transport Design.

Reflection

- Student Life: https://www.youtube.com/@uniofstaffsstudentlife/videos
- University Careers: https://staffs.careercentre.me/Members
- University Library: https://libguides.staffs.ac.uk/library
- Blackboard Virtual Learning Environment will support this module where relevant
- Specialist Spaces and Workshops
- Smart Zone
- CAD Labs
- Print Bureau
- Betty Smithers Design collection

Integrated tutorials within the software should be utilised to support your learning, as well as YouTube and Forums.

We do not recommend purchasing books to learn software techniques as video content is much more valuable. Software instruction books also become quickly obsolete as software develops.

Simon, D. (2007) Cosmic motors. London: Titan Books.

Lapointe, T. (2020) Blade Runner 2049 – Interlinked: The art. London: Titan Books.

Simon, D. (2017) The timeless racer: Machines of a time-travelling speed junkie. Pasadena, CA: Design Studio Press.

Springer, J. (2010) The art of Tron: Legacy. New York: Disney Editions.

Szostak, P. (2020) The art of Star Wars: The Mandalorian. New York: Abrams.

Where older texts are included, they are retained as foundational texts within the discipline, remaining relevant where no more recent equivalent texts are available.

In this module, you’ll explore how creative sketching, CAD, game engines and VR support the design process. You’ll engage with game and film content for inspiration, before creating your own exciting vehicle concept for a virtual world. Through practical work, you’ll build your creative and technical skills, learning about narrative and storytelling to visualise and present exciting concept vehicles through video content. You’ll learn about the responsible use of AI in design and broaden your understanding of careers for Automotive and Transport Designers.