Games Art

Games art is the discipline of creating the visual content that brings games to life: the characters, environments, props, user interface elements and special effects that players see and interact with. It sits at the intersection of artistic skill and technical knowledge, requiring artists who can create compelling and believable visual worlds while working within the constraints of game engines, polygon budgets, texture memory and real-time rendering. The games industry is one of the largest creative sectors in the world, and the visual quality of its output has become a key dimension of what makes games engaging.

At Ravensbourne University London this three-year full-time programme places creativity and experimentation at the core of learning, as its description puts it. You will develop your 2D and 3D art and design skills, create engaging game worlds and characters, and work with industry-standard technologies throughout the programme. Ravensbourne is known for its industry connections and practical orientation, and the London setting gives you access to a significant concentration of games and creative technology employers.

You will work in concept art, environment design, character design, texturing, rigging and animation, and you will learn to work within the technical constraints that game production imposes on artistic choices.

Portfolio development is central to entering the games industry, and the programme is designed with that practical goal in mind. You will leave with a body of work that demonstrates professional-standard game art across different styles and technical contexts, which is what studios look for when hiring entry-level artists.

Graduates pursue careers as environment artists, character artists, concept artists, texture artists and technical artists in games studios of all sizes. Some work in adjacent fields including animation, virtual reality, film visual effects and augmented reality. Others use the degree as preparation for further study or for freelance work as games artists and illustrators.