Assignment briefQualification Level 3 Extended Diploma in Creative Media Production

Unit number and titleL3 Unit 78 Digital Graphics for Computer Games – PartialL3 Unit 13: Understanding the Computer Games Industry - Partial

Start date 20th October 2014

Deadline 21st November 2014

Assessor name Harry Arnold

Assignment title HA2 – Transformation

The purpose of this assignment is to:Be able to generate concept art ideas for computer game graphicsBe able to create digital graphics for a computer game following industry practiceBe able to use project management techniques commonly used in the games industry

Scenario

Games studio Lazy Eye Media are recruiting for trainee digital artists. As part of the recruitment process you have been asked to reinvent yourself as the main character within a new game. You will devise the setting, genre, objectives and storyline for the game. Following this, you will produce a profile for your character and produce screen and print-ready concept art and marketing material. You will be using yourself as the model for your character.

In addition to the final artwork, Lazy Eye Media are very interested in how you have made the work; your design process and project management. This means that you will need to evidence each aspect of the assignment carefully and publish it to your blog. They will be interested in finding out which types and styles of games you enjoy playing.

This is your chance to apply the traditional art and design and software skills you have learnt to date. You will be using Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator to produce both raster and vector artwork.

Work to be submitted

Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator TutorialsProject Definition PlanYour Company LogoScheduleBudgetGame Setting ResearchGame Genre and Objective Ideas MapGame SynopsisCharacter ProfileLegal and Ethical ChecklistProduction LogCharacter ArtworkReview

TasksGrading Criteria Mapping

Tasks in this assignment may have additional guidance that you will need to follow posted to Unit 78’s Moodle course and all evidence produced by you must be correctly labelled and posted to your blog.

Initiation

Task 1 – Project DefinitionReview your success in carrying out the software tutorials and camera workshop. Read the assignment carefully and taking into consideration what is being asked of you and the client’s wishes, define the key aims of the assignment for yourself. Produce a plan (ideas map) that clearly demonstrates your understanding. In addition, make sure that you have your own company name and logo prepared.

Remember that you are trying to apply project management techniques to direct a project to a quality that reflects near-professional standards, working independently to professional expectations.

Unit 13 – P4, M4, D4

Planning

Task 2 – Detailed PlanningComplete a schedule for the project using the supplied template. This burn-down chart will help you allocate enough time for each task and hit the deadline. Your schedule will need to be reviewed and updated at least once per week.

Using your schedule, calculate a budget for your project using the supplied template.

Set up a production log for the assignment using the supplied template. This will be used to chart the design process you follow as you work through the assignment. You will need to update this at least once per week and include explanatory notes, imagery and screen-shots from the software you are using. Please remember to evidence this within Task 6 – Production.

Remember that you are trying to generate thoroughly thought through concept art ideas for computer game graphics and apply project management techniques to direct a project, showing creativity and flair and working independently to professional expectations.

Unit 78 – P2, M2, D2Unit 13 – P4, M4, D4

Task 3 – Game Genre, Setting and Synopsis ResearchProduce an ideas map that explores the genre of your game, its storyline and objective.

Alongside this ideas-generation, choose a setting for your game from the following options:Medieval Steampunk Survival Horror Fantasy HistoricalSci-fi Apocalyptic Warfare Contemporary

Produce a research document containing visual research into your chosen setting with supporting notes. You should look for inspiration from existing games, but also TV, film, literature, graphic novels, current affairs etc. This document will give you guidance as to the style of your character. Use whichever software packages suit you best, BUT cite any sources you have used in your research, both written and visual. You may find it useful to run Task 4 alongside this research.

Following this, write up a brief but clear synopsis of your game. Treat this as if you are producing the blurb on the back of a game package or on a download site. Illustrate this with imagery if it helps to communicate your idea, BUT cite any sources you have used in your research.

Remember that you are trying to generate thoroughly thought through concept art ideas for computer game graphics and apply project management techniques to direct a project, showing creativity and flair and working independently to professional expectations.

Unit 78 – P2, M2, D2Unit 13 – P4, M4, D4

Task 4 – Character ProfileProduce a clear and detailed profile of the game’s main character. You will need to devise a name and produce a biography that describes their appearance and explains their personality, powers, skills etc.

Based on your setting, game concept and character profile; complete the legal and ethical checklist.

Remember that you are trying to generate thoroughly thought through concept art ideas for computer game graphics and apply project management techniques to direct a project, showing creativity and flair and working independently to professional expectations.

Unit 78 – P2, M2, D2Unit 13 – P4, M4, D4

Execution and Control

Task 5 – Production Unit 78 – P1, M1, D1

• Based on your planning, with an assistant, carry out a photoshoot of possible poses for your character. You may want to include simple props to assist in

the design process. Having reviewed the results, you may find that you need to shoot additional shots. It is important that you are playful and experiment, as the more imagery you create, the more options you give yourself.

• Using your photographs and suitable found imagery (remember to cite sources) use Adobe Photoshop to produce an amalgam of your character and setting. Having a range of resolutions and inconsistent colour values within the artwork is not critical, as you will be tracing from this amalgam, but try to keep the quality high wherever possible.

• Place your raster artwork into an Adobe Illustrator document, locking it into a template layer and then build your vector design in the layers above.

Ensure that you have included all aspects of your working processes within your production log. You will need to update this at least once per week (ideally after each session) and include explanatory notes, imagery and screen-shots from the software you are using.

Remember that you are trying to create computer game graphics and apply project management techniques to direct a project, to a technical quality that reflects near-professional standards following industry practice, showing creativity and flair and working independently to professional expectations.

Unit 78 – P3, M3, D3Unit 13 – P4, M4, D4

Closure

Task 6 – PresentationPresent your completed artwork on the supplied templates and publish them to your blog. Use face-to-face, email and social media networking to gain feedback on the work.

Remember that you are trying to create computer game graphics and apply project management techniques to direct a project, to a technical quality that reflects near-professional standards following industry practice, showing creativity and flair and working independently to professional expectations.

Unit 78 – P3, M3, D3Unit 13 – P4, M4, D4

Task 7 – ReviewWrite an evaluation of your project. Use your plan, production log and blog posts to identify the strengths and weaknesses of your design process and management techniques. This is best carried out by producing a conclusion to your production log, schedule and budget. Try to establish whether or not your finished product has achieved the aim of the project. Take into consideration anything said by reviewers.

Remember that you are trying to create computer game graphics and apply project management techniques to direct a project, to a technical quality that reflects near-professional standards following industry practice, showing creativity and flair and working independently to professional expectations.

Unit 78 – P1, M1, D1Unit 78 – P3, M3, D3Unit 13 – P4, M4, D4

This brief has been verified as being fit for purpose

Assessor

Date

Internal verifier

Signature Date

Unit 78: Digital Graphics for Computer Games.P1 summarise accurately theory and applications of digital graphics used for computer games with some appropriate use of subject terminology.[IE]

M1 explain theory and applications of digital graphics used for computer games with reference to detailed illustrative examples and with generally correct use of subject terminology.

D1 comprehensively explain theory and applications of digital graphics used for computer games with elucidated examples and consistently using subject terminology correctly.

P2 generate outline concept art ideas for computer game graphics working within appropriate conventions and with some assistance.[CT; SM]

M2 generate detailed concept art ideas for computer game graphics, showing some imagination and with only occasional assistance.

D2 generate thoroughly thought through concept art ideas for computer game graphics, showing creativity and flair and working independently to professional expectations.

P3 create digital graphics for a computer game following industry practice, working within appropriate conventions and with some assistance.[CT; SM; RL]

M3 create digital graphics for a computer game to a good technical standard following industry practice, showing some imagination and with only occasional assistance.

D3 create digital graphics for a computer game to a technical quality that reflects near-professional standards following industry practice, showing creativity and flair and working independently to professional expectations.

Unit 13: Understanding the Computer Games IndustryP1 describe organisational structures and job roles in the games industry, with some appropriate use of subject terminology.[IE]

M1 explain organisational structures and job roles in the games industry with reference to detailed illustrative examples and generally correct use of subject terminology.

D1 comprehensively explain organisational structures and job roles in the games industry with reference to elucidated examples and consistently using subject terminology correctly.

P2 describe current market trends and financial issues in the games industry with some appropriate use of subject terminology.[IE]

M2 explain current market trends and financial issues in the games industry with reference to detailed illustrative examples and generally correct use of subject terminology.

D2 comprehensively explain current market trends and financial issues in the games industry with reference to elucidated examples and consistently using subject terminology correctly.

P3 describe contractual, legal and ethical obligations in the games industry with some appropriate use of subject terminology.[IE]

M3 explain contractual, legal and ethical obligations in the games industry with reference to detailed illustrative examples and generally correct use of subject terminology.

D3 comprehensively explain contractual, legal and ethical obligations in the games industry with reference to elucidated examples and consistently using subject terminology correctly.

P4 apply project management techniques to direct a project with some assistance.[SM]

M4 apply project management techniques to direct a project competently, and with only occasional assistance.

D4 apply project management techniques to direct a project to a quality that reflects near-professional standards, working independently to professional expectations.

P5 prepare personal career development material using basic formal language.[RL]

M5 prepare carefully produced personal career development material using generally correct formal language.

D5 prepare personal career development material to a quality that reflects near professional standards consistently using correct formal language.

PLTS: This summary references where applicable, in the square brackets, the elements of the personal,learning and thinking skills applicable in the pass criteria. It identifies opportunities for learners to demonstrateeffective application of the referenced elements of the skills.