Game Art

Game art is the discipline that brings the visual worlds of video games to life. It encompasses character design, environment art, concept art, 3D modelling, texturing, lighting, and visual effects, combining artistic creativity with technical skill to create the immersive experiences that players inhabit. Games are one of the largest and fastest-growing creative industries in the world, and the artists who design their visual content are central to that success.

At Sheffield Hallam this three-year full-time programme begins with a foundation year providing additional preparation for students who need it, and includes a sandwich year with work placement opportunities, giving you direct professional experience in the games industry before you graduate. You will develop artistic and technical skills in an industry-focused and collaborative environment, learning to push boundaries and innovate as a game artist. The programme is designed to prepare you for the real demands of games development studios, where artists must work within production pipelines, meet deadlines, and contribute to creative teams.

Sheffield Hallam's industry connections mean that students engage with professional game development contexts throughout their studies.

Graduates go on to careers in games development studios as 3D artists, concept artists, environment artists, character artists, and technical artists, among other roles. The games industry is global and diverse, spanning triple-A console development, mobile games, independent studios, and the growing fields of virtual reality and augmented reality. The technical and artistic skills you develop are also valued in film and television visual effects, animation, and interactive media more broadly.

Many graduates also continue to postgraduate study in game art, animation, or digital arts.