Digital Art and Animation
The Bachelor of Creative Media in Games Art and Design focuses on three main production roles: Production Artist,
Concept Artist and Games Designer.
Each role has very different job requirements, and the Games Art and Design major deals with all three.
Credit: Lonnie O’Keefe
Credit: Sky Biesse
Discipline Areas within the Games Course
Game Designers
: make the game’s levels challenging enough but not too difficult, and they consult with consumers in focus groups to ensure the vision remains coherent. Senior designers make difficult decisions about adding or cutting features to make deadlines, and how to re-work an Xbox game being ported to iPhones. Rarely do they get paid to think about brand-new game ideas.
Skills: Communication. Game design. Creative idea development. Leadership. Games Design courses near me
Concept Artists
: convert the designer’s vague words into concrete images. They sketch both ‘visionary’ concept art and detailed, “blueprint” type drawings rapidly and consistently. Production Artists depend on these drawings to build their models in a style that matches the designer’s original vision.
Skills: 80% “raw” drawing & painting skill. 20% Visual interpretation and communication.
Production Artists
:are the ‘worker bees’ of game art: they create assets such as 3D models of monsters and sword swing animations. Their job titles include: 3D modellers, animators, and “true” tech artists (writing scripts and helping modellers).
Skills: software; 3D modelling; animation; 2D painting
3D Modelling
Credit: “Elderly Na’vi sculpt” (2023) by Emily Bullock
The Games Art and Design Staff
Max Frankel
“I’ve been modding and developing games since childhood, and my industry experience ranges from work with Disney and numerous independent projects to work with non-profit organisations. I’m passionate about innovation and creativity in game design and committed to the development and teaching of relevant, game production-focused content while also encouraging critical engagement with game and design theory.”
Brad Power
“My previous industry experience was as the Lead Designer at the Perth studio of AAA developer Interzone Games. I am also a member of a local independent games development company: RocketHands. My research interests include artificial intelligence and emergent game systems, and the psychology of game design and user interface design, with respect to gameplay ramifications.”
Daniel Wearing
“I’ve been working as a concept artist and developing games for over ten years, entering the industry while a student here at Murdoch University, working for Disney Interactive. My industry experience ranges from working with small indie studios, larger mobile companies and the AAA industry in the Games and Animation fields, including but not limited to Universal Studios, GNT Japan/Vn, Motion Logic, Storm Bunny Studios and more.”
Games Art Alumni Testimonials
Murdoch’s Games art and design program provided the resources and opportunity to develop the skills of my specialty, whilst preparing me for the realities of the industry I am a part of today.“
Chay Johansson
Creatures Technical Director
Weta Digital
“Murdoch’s Games Art and Design course teaches not only the technical and practical skills required to work in the games industry, but also the ability to think critically and learn independently.“
Alexandra Haynes
3D Artist
Immersive Technologies
Recent News
-
Murdoch Graphic Design Students Support The Salvation Army During Singapore Study Tour
Thanks to New Colombo Mobility Grant a 3rd yr group of Murdoch University Graphic Design students spent 2 weeks in Singapore working with the Salvation army to address some issues with their second-hand stores.
-
MESH Consultant Shares Internship Insight
Dylan is a high achieving final year student majoring in media and communication in the School of Arts at Murdoch University who recently undertook a professional placement as a part of his studies with the Digital First team.
-
Alexandra Haynes On Working In The Games Industry Whilst Studying
Mesh recently interviewed Alex Haynes a Games Art and Design student about her time at Murdoch and the type of industry work she has been doing whilst studying.
