Project 1: character design

 

• Unit abstract

 

1 Understand the theory of digital graphics for computer games

Digital imaging theory: pixel (picture element, image resolution, intensity); types of digital graphics (raster images, vector images); file extensions; compression (lossy; lossless); MIP maps

Image capture: scanner; digital camera; tablet

Image optimisation: target image output; image bit depth; image resolution; image dimensions; image compression
Storage of digital image assets: file size; file naming conventions; asset management

Applications: sprites; concept art, eg character, weapon, vehicle, environment; texture art; background graphics, eg walls, forests, clouds; head up display (HUD); game packaging

Artistic styles: photorealism; cel-shading; abstraction; exaggeration, eg anime, manga

2 Be able to generate ideas for computer game graphics

Ideas generation: stimulus, eg client brief, own brief, from market research; brainstorming; mood boards; thumbnail sketching; concept drawings

Legal and ethical considerations: legal (copyright, libel, defamation, British Board of Film Classification, Race Relations Act 1976 and later amendments, Obscene Publications Act 1959 (Internet Watch Foundation link) Wikipedia entry for Internet_Watch_Foundation and later amendments); ethical (decency, representation of social groups)

Computer game graphics: in-game graphics, eg head up displays, sprites, backgrounds, textures; concept art; game packaging

Graphics specification: client needs; audience; thumbnail sketching; visual style, eg colour, style, photorealistic, cel-shaded, anime; composition (scale, point of view, perspective); typography; technical considerations, eg file format, file size, optimisation, file naming conventions, asset management, intended output

3 Be able to create digital graphics for computer games following industry practice

Preparation: workflow (scheduling, efficient time management); deadlines (production milestones, deliverables, quality assurance); asset management (file storage, file retrieval, naming conventions) Software interface: work area; tool box; status bar; file information; window control; palettes (floating, docking, tabs, customising)

Workflow: reference images; plug-ins; optimising (bit depth, resolution, dimensions)

Drawing tools: tool options; brush; pencil; duplicate; clone; fill; text; line; stroke; shape; zoom; guides and rulers; grid; snap; palettes; layers; colour selection; graphics tablets Editing tools: selection; transform; cut; copy; paste; crop; trim; erase; undo; fill

Advanced tools: effects; image adjustments; masks; paths; brushes; brush plug-in

Game graphics: head up displays; sprite graphics friv.com; image textures; concept art; game packaging, eg box cover, manual, label, poster [>> Web page, phone icon, Apple App Store iTunes Chart/Google Play icons, ads and banners]

Industry practice: reflect on finished product (compared with original intentions, fitness for purpose, technical qualities, aesthetic qualities); production skills (ideas generation, graphics specification, workflow and time management, technical competence, teamwork)