Computer games art and design courses portfolio guide

You'll need this guide if you're applying for one of the following courses and do not have a relevant subject:

What to include in your portfolio

We’d like to see a range of examples of computer game art and design development.

Content should include at least one of the following:

2D and/or 3D animation
Character models
Character development process
Environment development process
Examples of scripting for games
Games design content such as storyboards, concept designs, developed levels, mood boards,
Game genres
Imaginary worlds/architecture
Playable game levels
Texture and lighting models and/or studies

Each piece of work must include a brief description. If produced in response to a brief, please indicate what the brief asked you to do. As evidence of your communication skills, annotate your portfolio with comments and reflections on the work.

What we’re looking for:

We're looking for your portfolio to show your:

Understanding of computer games art or design and related technologies as a subject, including its practical application
Applied game development skills
Ability to reflect on what is, and is not, successful about your work
Enthusiasm and commitment to study computer games art or design at university level
Initiative, creative flair and ability to learn in a creative environment
Learning of the technical and theoretical aspects of computer game development.

Your portfolio must show your experience of one or more of the following:

Character development
Character or environment modelling and development (using 3D Studio Max and Maya)
Drawing
Game design
Programming or scripting for games (using C#/C++ or UE Blueprints)
Storytelling
Visual research

Your portfolio should show a range of key abilities and core knowledge, including some:

Original game idea generation
Conceptual development
3D modelling using appropriate professional software such as 3D Studio Max, Maya, or Blender
2D art, both traditional and digital
An ability to select and present a range of work to a professional standard
Programming in C#, C++ or Scripting (such as UE Blueprints) – if you're a Computer Games Art applicant, this applies if you have an interest in Technical Art

Further requirements by portfolio type

Ideally, you should submit 15 static images and/or 4 30-second animations.

Images that relate directly to one of your computer game examples of finished work

This should show your design process and your working methodologies – for example:

design planning
idea generation
observations
research into game design and development
sketches
visual experiments

We want to see images from your workbooks and sheets of developmental work.

Photographs of any 3D projects

These can include sculpture, ceramics, or model making.

Drawing ability is a must, so demonstrate your ability to draw freehand, life drawing, and observational drawing using a variety of mediums (such as pastel, gouache, charcoal, and pencil).

You should submit:

Games design content such as storyboards, concept designs, developed levels, and mood boards covering at least two distinct projects – either for physical (table top/board/card) or computer games
Implementation of at least one of the above designs, demonstrated with a narrated video validating the appropriateness of the content

You should submit a working program that addresses an art related theme (e.g. Maya-scripted plugin) along with the annotated code you wrote, and a written or video description describing what you were trying to achieve, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them.

You should also demonstrate your art-related skills with supporting art-focused examples (see 'Art-focused portfolios’).

You should submit a working program along with the annotated code you wrote, and a written or video description describing what you were trying to achieve, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them.

Programming ability is critical if you intend to join the programming design pathway in the second or final years, so showing a knowledge of C++/C#/Scripting is essential.