Video Games Art and Design
Video games art and design is a discipline that focuses on the visual dimension of game creation, encompassing the concept art, character design, environment modelling, texture work, animation, and user interface design that give games their distinctive look and feel. Successful games are as much visual and aesthetic experiences as they are interactive ones, and artists who can create compelling, technically accomplished visual worlds are central to the development process at studios of every scale, from large commercial developers to small independent teams. The field draws on traditional art and design skills alongside the specialist knowledge of 3D modelling, real-time graphics, and the technical pipelines through which games are made.
At Royal Holloway and Bedford New College, this three-year programme develops the skills to work at the top level of the gaming industry or as a digital artist for smaller and indie game products. You will develop both your artistic practice and your technical competence, learning the tools and workflows used in professional game development alongside the foundational design principles and visual language that give strong game art its impact. The programme covers concept art, character and environment design, 3D modelling and texturing, animation, and the real-time rendering contexts in which game art exists.
The degree includes a sandwich year, a year abroad, and a work placement, giving you professional and international experience that is valuable in a competitive industry where building a strong portfolio and professional network is essential.
Graduates from video games art and design degrees work in games studios as character artists, environment artists, concept artists, UI designers, texture artists, and technical artists. The visual skills developed are also applicable in adjacent fields including film and television visual effects, animation, architectural visualisation, and virtual reality. Many graduates build careers as indie developers or freelance artists.
Postgraduate study in games design, animation, or visual arts is available for those who wish to develop their practice further.