Level 4/5 HNC/D in Game Design FT – September 2024
Funding information: | Student Finance HE Loan available, course costs apply. |
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Duration: | 1 year HNC, 2 years HND |
Attendance: | Full-time Provision |
Course Overview
This HNC/D is a pathway that focusses on games design and development, looking into different creative media industry pathways and developing skills within games design. You will be exploring skill building using industry standard software, and really developing yourself as a professional within the games industry.
You will be developing soft and hard skills and creating your own portfolio to represent these skills and chosen pathway. You first year is spent on the HNC building up core skills in games design and development, while exploring theoretical elements of games. This can lead to progression to HND (L5) and potentially a Level 6 BSc degree in computer software development at Chesterfield College.
Within the course we explore historical contexts of games, game art, 2D and 3D within games, game software, progression and personal development, and portfolio creation ready for self-advertising for industry. You will be working individually to build your skills up, and you will need to work closely in teams to really push development of working products. Within the course we try to promote live client briefs, invite industry professionals in for live lectures, and undertake some work placements.
Course Content
HNC
- Creative Media Industry
- Professional Practice
- Game Development Practices
- Games in Context
- Game Design
- Principles in Animation
- 3D Modelling
- Game Art
HND
- Narrative
- Advanced 3D Modelling
- Character Modelling
- Game Art
- Social Media and Applications
- Character modelling
- Portfolio Building
- Marketing
Entry Requirements
A relevant Level 3 qualification such as Computing, Creative Media, Art and Design.
A portfolio of creative media work such as game ideas, concept art, game design and development, 3D modelling, 2D animation, etc.
English and maths (grade C/4 or above at GCSE or Level 2 equivalent.
Mature students with relevant experience will also be considered.
Assessment Methods
- Presentations
- Practical Work
- Portfolio
- Reports
Progression
Successful completion of the HND in Creative Media Production (Computer Game Design) can lead on to a wide range of roles including: game designer, game programmer, technical artist, and level editor.
You can also choose to progress to the Level 6 BSc (Hons) Computer Software Development at Chesterfield College.
Case Study
Alex
Chesterfield CollegeGames Design
Alex first came to college to study a Level 3 game course four years ago. He recently graduated from our University Centre with a Higher National Diploma in Creative Media Production (Computer Game Design). As well as learning key skills and getting to grips with different applications to prepare you for a career in the games and applications industry, students get vital work experience opportunities in the industry. Alex recently spent time working with award winning games studio Bossa UK. As part of the experience, he road tested games and provided vital feedback to help in the final stages of development before the game went to market. He also had the opportunity to do some 3D work for the company, which gave him the chance to learn new techniques to approach a task. “Going to college is a great opportunity to get contacts within the industry. We have worked with a few games studios on different projects. Spending time at Bossa was really interesting. There are a lot of technical skills you have to develop on top of studying at college. Working in industry allows you to do that. It also gives you the chance to see where you can take what you are studying and build on it to open up lots of different careers.”