Unit 46 Digital Concepts 2016 17

PEARSON Hopwood Hall College BTEC Higher National Diploma in Creative Media Production (Games Development) Year 1 Arts & Performing Arts ASSIGNMENT NO. 2 Weeks 15 - 26

Digital Concepts Tutor: Alex Dobson & Amy Miedzwiecki Learner: Issue Date 10/01/2017 Formative Assessment 14/02/2017 Full Submission 28/03/2017 This assignment covers Grading Criteria from the following unit: Unit 46 2D Digital Graphics for Computer Games Learning Outcome 1 - Understand the theory of digital graphics for computer games Learning Outcome 2 - Be able to generate ideas for computer game graphics Learning Outcome 3 - Be able to create digital graphics for computer games following industry practice.

AIM & PURPOSE This unit aims to develop learners’ understanding of 2D digital graphics software and provide you with the skills required to use this software in creating graphics for computer games.

PROLOGUE In this unit you will become familiar with tools and techniques of the digital graphics software used to produce images for computer games. These techniques form the basis of the development of graphics for game poster production, game packaging, in-game graphics such as head up display graphics, sprite graphics, background graphics, image textures and concept art. You will have opportunities to experiment with various graphic styles will learn to create moods and themes for specified computer game products. It is appropriate that some critical selfreflective practice is undertaken throughout the design process.

THE ASSIGNMENT You take on the role of a concept Artist working within for a small games production company.

As a concept artist you are to follow industry workflow(s) to create a suitable environment and character concept appropriate to your chosen game and game genre. Concept art is expressive by nature and this should be reflected in your portfolio of work showcasing a range of techniques to create an exciting body of work culminating in two high quality portfolio pieces. All final digital work should be reflected upon and added to your online career orientated portfolio such as Behance for peer critique.

PEARSON Hopwood Hall College BTEC Higher National Diploma in Creative Media Production (Games Development) Year 1 Arts & Performing Arts

Digital Concepts - Tasks Learning Outcome 1: 1.1 and M1, D1 Understand the theory of digital graphics for computer games explain and justify the theory of digital graphics for computer games. You will produce a technical proposal in a format of your own choosing that will explain and critically analyse how you aim to use from each bold heading below for your chosen digital graphics portfolio pieces.

Proposal Requirements: Digital imaging theory: the types of digital graphics you will use and why (raster images, vector images); file extensions; compression (lossy; lossless) Image capture: How are you capturing digital images for your productions (scanner; digital camera; tablet) Image optimisation: How you will optimise your workflow considering your target image output; image resolution; image dimensions; image compression The importance of storing digital image assets: file size; file naming conventions; asset management What you aim to create: research, influences, overview of what you will produce Your chosen artistic styles: Consideration of target audience and chosen art style Evidence for Assessment: Proposal in a format of your own choosing In order to achieve M1 you are required to research, consider and compare a minimum of three topics from each bold heading All design decisions should be fully justified and research references will be input to a bibliography.

In order to achieve D1 you will fully justify how your concepts meet specific criteria for your chosen output. You will critically justify the methods you have used proposing improvements as to how you can further improve and develop specific aspects to achieve the desired standard required for marketing the game graphics to the public.

Ways you can submit work/evidence: Digital/Traditional Presentations Voice Recordings/Video blogs Written Reports Where to Submit: its learning - Unit 46 - Assessment Folder

PEARSON Hopwood Hall College BTEC Higher National Diploma in Creative Media Production (Games Development) Year 1 Arts & Performing Arts

Digital Concepts - Tasks Learning Outcome 2: 2.1, 2.2 and M2, D2 Be able to generate ideas for computer game graphics. You have been briefed to produce a range of digital concepts suitable for your intended game concept. You will generate a technical report showing ideas and developmental work for your chosen character and environment concepts that clearly highlights your workflow.

Note: You may use concept art generated in unit 45 as the basis for your final pieces.

Development Log Requirements: Legal and ethical considerations: legal (copyright) ethical (decency, representation of social groups) linked to own artwork Game Needs: target audience, hi res outcome(s) The visual style: developmental use of colour and chosen art style (as it develops) Composition: evidence of developmental use of scale, point of view, perspective Technical considerations: eg file format, file size, optimisation, file naming conventions, asset management, intended output Reflective analysis: of all digital development work and how you have considered aspects from each bold heading Evidence to Submit: Development log in a format of your own choosing In order to achieve M2 you should justify how your game fits within its genre and will have discussed in depth at least three relevant cultural, legal and ethical aspects that may affect your game. You will discuss how you might overcome potential cultural and ethical problems.

References should be added into your bibliography.

In order to achieve D2 you will take responsibility for designing working independently to create your own research materials/methods, implementing in-depth research findings into your chosen audience and graphic specification. All work must be managed and organised effectively and presented neatly to industry standard.

Ways you can submit work/evidence: Artwork/Sketch pads Digital Portfolio Digital/Traditional Presentations Voice Recordings/Video blogs Written Reports Where to Submit: its learning - Unit 46 - Assessment Folder

PEARSON Hopwood Hall College BTEC Higher National Diploma in Creative Media Production (Games Development) Year 1 Arts & Performing Arts

Digital Concepts - Tasks Unit 46 Learning Outcome 3: 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 and M3, D1 Be able to create digital graphics for computer games following industry practice. You will generate final concepts for your chosen game concept. You will document and review the processes you have used throughout the creation process and will evaluate your work against your initial intentions giving a critical account of how your final concepts meet the desired game specification commenting on improvements that could be made.

Evidence to be submitted: Final Digital Pieces: Character, Environment - 3840x2160 jpeg and PSD files Final pieces to be printed via College print shop Evaluation on the production workflow used, skills learned, time management and own technical competence.

Evaluation reflecting on your finished product compared with original intentions its fitness for purpose, technical qualities and aesthetic qualities.

In order for you to achieve M3 you will work to an industry workflow: notes, research, experimentation, production and evaluation this should be evident for each final piece. Character, environment aims should be clear and concise. You will illustrate exactly what is trying to be achieved and how this relates to your intended audience and genre.

In order to achieve D3 You must be critical of your development process and final outcome(s).

You should critically compare your final technical outcomes to your game concepts and original intentions fully justifying decisions taken and your overall performance.

Ways you can submit work/evidence: Artwork/Sketch pads Digital Portfolio Digital/Traditional Presentations Voice Recordings/Video blogs Written Reports Where to Submit: its learning - Unit 46 - Assessment Folder

PEARSON Hopwood Hall College BTEC Higher National Diploma in Creative Media Production (Games Development) Year 1 Arts and Performing Arts General Web - Links http://store.steampowered.com/ http://steamcommunity.com/greenlight/ http://prezi.com/ http://www.conceptart.org/forums/ http://massiveblack.com/mbwp/MbwhiteSplash.html http://www.creativeuncut.com/game-art-galleries.html http://conceptartworld.com/ http://cghub.com/images/ http://www.conceptroot.com/ http://www.deviantart.com/ Links This unit links with the following units in the Edexcel BTEC HND in Creative Media Production: • Unit 45: Drawing Techniques for Computer Game Concept Art • Unit 47: 2D Digital Animation for Computer Games • Unit 51: Computer Game Storytelling Techniques • Unit 71: 3D Animation for Computer Games • Unit 75: Computer Game Design Techniques • Unit 76: Level Design for Computer Games.

This brief has been verified as being fit for purpose Assessor Alex Dobson Date 21/08/2015 Signature Internal Verifier Signature

Date

PEARSON Hopwood Hall College BTEC Higher National Diploma in Creative Media Production (Games Development) Year 1 Arts & Performing Arts Assessment Feedback Sheet Unit 46: 2D Digital Graphics for Computer Games Criteria Reference

Learner

To achieve the criteria the evidence must show that the student is able to:

Achieved?

(Tick)

LO 1 1.1

Explain the theory of digital graphics for computer games

LO 2 2.1

Generate imaginative ideas for a computer game taking account of legal and ethical considerations

2.2

Document a graphics specification for a computer game working to a standard acceptable to an employer or client

LO 3 3.1

Use preparation techniques to create digital graphics for a computer game working to a standard acceptable to an employer or client

3.2

Use digital animation software tools to create digital graphics for a computer game working to a standard acceptable to an employer or client

3.3

Critically evaluate own digital graphics work against agreed criteria following industry practice.

Higher Grade Achievements (where applicable)

Grade Descriptor

Achieved?

(Tick)

Grade Descriptor

M1: Identify and apply strategies to find appropriate solutions

D1: Use critical reflection to evaluate own work and justify valid conclusions

M2: Select/design and apply appropriate methods/techniques

D2: Take responsibility for managing and organising activities

M3: Present and communicate appropriate findings

D3: Demonstrate convergent/ lateral/creative thinking

Achieved?

(Tick)

PEARSON In addition to the above PASS criteria, this assignment gives you the opportunity to submit evidence in order to achieve the following MERIT and DISTINCTION grades

Grade Descriptor

Indicative Characteristics

Contextualisation

M1 Identify and apply strategies to find appropriate solutions

An effective approach to study and research has been applied.

To achieve M1 you are required to research, consider and compare a minimum of three topics from each bold heading All design decisions should be fully justified and research references will be input to a bibliography.

M2 Select / design and apply appropriate methods / techniques

Appropriate learning methods/ techniques have been applied

In order to achieve M2 you should justify how your game fits within its genre and will have discussed in depth at least three relevant cultural, legal and ethical aspects that may affect your game. You will discuss how you might overcome potential cultural and ethical problems.

References should be added into your bibliography.

M3 Present and communicate appropriate findings

Coherent, logical development of principles/concepts for the intended audience

In order for you to achieve M3 you will work to an industry workflow: notes, research, experimentation, production and evaluation this should be evident for each final piece. Character, environment aims should be clear and concise. You will illustrate exactly what is trying to be achieved and how this relates to your intended audience and genre.

D1 Use critical reflection to evaluate own work and justify valid conclusions

Conclusions arrived at through synthesis of ideas & justified

In order to achieve D1 you will fully justify how your concepts meet specific criteria for your chosen output. You will critically justify the methods you have used proposing improvements as to how you can further improve and develop specific aspects to achieve the desired standard required for marketing the game graphics to the public.

D2 Take responsibility for managing and organising activities

Autonomy/independence demonstrated

D3 Demonstrate convergent/ lateral/creative thinking

Self-evaluation has taken place

In order to achieve D2 you will take responsibility for designing working independently to create your own research materials/methods, implementing indepth research findings into your chosen audience and graphic specification. All work must be managed and organised effectively and presented neatly to industry standard.

In order to achieve D3 You must be critical of your development process and final outcome(s). You should critically compare your final technical outcomes to your game concepts and original intentions fully justifying decisions taken and your overall performance.

PEARSON Hopwood Hall College BTEC Higher National Diploma in Creative Media Production (Games Development) Year 1 Arts and Performing Arts ACHIEVEMENT SUMMARY Unit 46 2D Digital Graphics for Computer Games Formative Feedback

Action Plan

Summative Feedback

Feedback: Student to Assessor

Learner Signature & Date Assessor Signature & Date