Technical Art for Games & VFX (Integrated Masters)

UCAS code: I801

Here's what Escape Studios says about its Technical Art for Games & VFX (Integrated Masters) course.

If you love games, films and animation, have a passion for problem solving, finding creative solutions and being part of a team, then Technical Art for Games and VFX is for you.

The job title says it all! Technical Artists work anywhere between creating tools all the way through to creating artwork as well. It’s the perfect role for those who like to do a bit of everything or drill down into a specific area of interest, whether that be creating art, shaders, lighting, making procedural content, solving technical issues, helping artists or creating your own amazing FX simulations.

This exciting role encompasses art and technical development and is perfect for people who want to be that bridge between art and code.

Designed with industry experts from Creative Assembly, Framestore, nDreams and PlayStation London Studios, on this degree you will learn to create tools, scripts and FX simulations, developing graphics and solving problems for teams in the games, visual effects and animation sectors. You will have the transferable skills to work and support teams in both technical and artistic capacities across different real-time and graphics production environments, such as virtual reality and virtual production.

Why choose this course

• Ranked 1st in the world for Production Excellence in Immersive Media and 2nd in the UK (15th in the world) for ** Visual Effects** by The Rookies

• Based in London - home to some of the best video games and VFX studios in the world

• Partnership with Epic Games - the first Unreal Engine Authorized Training Center in the UK and an Unreal Engine Academic Partner.

• We’re a Houdini certified school

• Work on industry-standard briefs, experience real-life scenarios and receive feedback on your work from external developers to learn about current development practice

• Successful alumni - you’ll join our community of thousands of Escapees, many of whom have gone on to work at some of the world’s top studios including Rare, Rockstar, Ubisoft, DNEG and Framestore. 47 Escapees worked on Avengers: Endgame, 26 on The Mandalorian, 23 on Guardians of the Galaxy: Volume 3 and 20 on Stranger Things

• Study in a studio environment that mirrors current industry practice, using high-spec equipment and professional software such as Unreal Engine and Houdini

• Professional input - industry partners have helped design this degree to make sure it is relevant to employers and up to date

• All-round technical skills - learn software, skills and techniques for both games and visual effects and learn how the pipelines cross over

First year (Level 4 - 120 credits)

Students on our BSc / MSci Character Creation, Games Design and Technical Art degrees study common modules in their first year. This will give you the all-round skills needed to become a professional, and a chance to choose a different specialism if you change your mind before your second year (subject to availability).

Art Direction and Visual Language (15 credits) Introduction to 3D Graphics (15 credits) Introduction to Technical Scripting (15 credits) Worldbuilding (15 credits) Introduction to Games Design (15 credits) Character Control (15 credits) Real-time FX (15 credits) Interactive - Jam Group Project (15 credits)

Second year (Level - 120 credits)

You’ll develop your specialist skills and work in teams on industry-style projects.

Programming for Games & VFX Production (30 credits) Proceduralism in 2D and 3D (30 credits) Specialism (15 credits) Industry Studio Project (45 credits)

Third year (Level 6 - 120 credits)

You’ll hone your skills and begin to demonstrate the level of knowledge needed to be a professional artist.

Advanced Specialism (30 credits) Professional Practice (30 credits) Professional Studio Project (60 credits)

Fourth year - Integrated Masters students only (Level 7 - 120 Credits)

Keen to further refine your skillset, considering working freelance, or one day dream of starting your own studio? As part of a team, you’ll work like a real outsourced studio, each taking on different roles relevant to your expertise. You’ll learn about business, entrepreneurship and the know-how for an impressive portfolio career.

Creative Research and Development (30 credits) Commercial Studio Project (60 credits) Business of Innovation (30 credits)

Your work is assessed through practical assignments and retrospectives by a mix of tutor, peer, self-review and industry. In fact, industry professionals often review your project modules and share their personalised feedback with you.