General provisions

The course is part of the minor field of study Expression in Convergent Media.

The course is part of the Bachelor's programmes Game Design and Graphics, 180 Credits.

Entry requirements

Art in Games and Games as an Art Form, 5 credits

Learning outcomes

The goal of the course is for students to develop an artistic and technical competence in 2D-graphics for digital games building on the previous learning outcomes. Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:

• Demonstrate more in depth theoretical and practical knowledge and skill in artistic expression by means of line, shape, volume, colour, and light in 2D game productions,
• Display a basic ability to both create and implement user interfaces for digital games such as Graphic User Interface and Heads Up Display (GUI and HUD) in game engines,
• Exhibit a deeper understanding, as well as artistic and technical skills, of composition and perspective applied to game environments, and
• Demonstrate more advanced knowledge and skill in the production of interactive 2D-graphic elements with a focus on design intent.

Content

The goal of the course is to develop a more in depth understanding of 2D computer graphics with a focus on game environments in line with agile production methods. Emphasis lies on design intentions and visual purpose through conceptualising, designing and building environments based on a story pitch. The course consists of practical and theoretical expression components such as environment staging, composition and storyboarding, as well as principles of light, shade and colour to emphasise mood and atmosphere. The content also includes, but is not limited to, user interface for digital games such as GUI and HUD, as well as style guides.

Instruction

This course combines classroom activities and individual study. Classroom activities are in the form of lectures, seminars and workshops.

The course is taught in English.

Assessment

Grades awarded for the course are Pass with distinction, Pass or Fail. The assessment takes place in the form of practical and written assignments as well as oral presentations throughout the course. Grading is based on how well the assignments show an understanding and application of the theoretical, technical and artistic content of the course as it is written in the course objectives and the instructions for each individual assignment.

If there are special reasons for doing so, an examiner may make an exception from the method of assessment indicated and allow a student to be assessed by another method. An example of special reasons might be a certificate regarding special pedagogical support from the University's disability coordinator.

Uppsala University does not accept cheating or plagiarism. Suspected incidents of cheating or plagiarism are reported to the Vice-Chancellor, which may issue a formal warning to the student or suspend the student from studies for a certain period.

NB: Only a completed course may be counted towards a degree.