BA (Hons) Games Design Bachelor's degree at York St John University

You will develop your knowledge of the history, contexts and theories of design by comparing historical and current practices. There will be opportunities to able to apply what you learn on this module while developing your personal practice. You will also further your research, academic writing and presentation skills.

Prepare for your practical modules by developing an understanding of the key principles of Games Design. These principles will be supported by further investigation into and knowledge of the game development disciplines (design, art, coding) applied across a particular brief. The principles you will learn about include how to: Create professional game design documentation Pitch your game prototype Create playable game mechanics in a relevant game engine

Design is a process, and this is your opportunity to discover methods and techniques that can be used when approaching any design project. As well as looking at existing practice, you will be encouraged to find your own ways of making work. Design is a creative field, not a science. A designer's process tends to be more loopy than linear. By working in a more structured way, you will face new challenges and create original methods of making your work.

Gain an in-depth practical understanding of Games Design that will equip you with the skills you need to create successful games. You will undertake briefs that will help you use taught knowledge of game design fundamentals to plan, compose and develop a concept and level design document resulting in a playable game level within a specified game engine. Topics will include: The theory of game design Pitching concepts 2D and 3D asset creation fundamentals Level design within a game Testing and ev

You will produce an independent research project that demonstrates your ability to interpret, analyse and construct a critical commentary on contemporary and/or future design practice. In this module you will draw on: Your previous work from the research stage of the design process Your knowledge of design history theory, gained through the Context of Practice module New knowledge discovered through primary and secondary research

Gain experience of professional design practice. You will be introduced to transferable skills to prepare you for entering employment and continued personal development. You will be encouraged to identify potential specialisms around your personal aims and ambitions in preparation for Games Design Practice 2. There will be an opportunity for you to continue learning outside of the classroom, including: Placements Studio visits Guest speaker talks Live briefs

Professional creative practice is always collaborative. Whether negotiating and working alongside a client, peers, or associated professions, you will need to be able to communicate effectively. This module will support you in developing the skills required to be a proactive and effective collaborator. On this module you will take part in a collaborative group project. You will collaborate across design specialisms and work together to solve a complex problem with design. In doing this, you will

Through this module you will develop the knowledge and skills gained in Games Design Practice 1 to a more advanced level. You will work on projects that are more specialised and reflect professional standards. You will need to demonstrate an understanding of the different industry project stages and the relationship between each of them.

Building on your knowledge from your previous years of study, you will develop your own research project with the help of your allocated supervisor. Together with your supervisor you will decide on your design research question at the beginning of the year, agreeing to a research plan spanning across both semesters. You will then independently lead, manage and produce the work required. Through this you will develop highly transferable skills, such as: Self confidence Self discipline Verbal and

Through a series of lectures, seminars, tutorials, portfolio reviews, group and individual 'critiques', you will build experience of working in a professional environment. This will allow you to produce work that addresses the needs and requirements of external stakeholders including clients, competitions judges, user groups and audiences.

Demonstrate your creative flair by executing your graduate design brief. Apply your design skills to identify and overcome problems, present a critical argument to support decision making,and apply reasoning and practical skills in order to offer creative and technical solutions to the problem(s) that arise. We will prepare you for your future career by enabling you to work as an independent autonomous design practitioner.