Games Concepts Design at Staffordshire, and uni choices: Help!

[Red*]

I'm currently applying to uni courses and hoping to go into a job as a concept artist in the game industry. Is there anyone here who has gone to Staffordshire and done Games Concepts?

My 4 other choices are based on Digital Art in games as a whole, and although Games Concepts sounds like a pretty exact course for what I want to do, I'm worried that after uni I won't be as likely to get a job (after all, it's a competitive industry) and maybe it would be better to do a more comprehensive course so there's more chance of snagging a job, then moving into concept art from there (e.g. being a texture artist, then having a greater chance of going into concepts because of industry experience).

Can anybody help? :[

[Tallywacker]

ello mate, just seen your post and I'm also looking at the same course. Just wanted to ask where about your other 4 choices are and also to wish you luck in the future.

[Red*]

Hey Tallywacker, currently my choices are (in no particular order):
Game Art Design at De Montfort Uni, Leicester
Computer Games Design, Newport Uni
Games Design, Central Lancashire Uni
Digital Art for Computer Games, Glydwr Uni

How about you? Good luck to you too :)

[rissking]

im a second year student on the games concent design course at staffordshire uni on the stafford campus. the course is amazing and i would say if ur looking to get into concept art its a deffo. u learn so mutch, the course realy gives u a good chance of breaking into the industry. it gives u the skills to get into either the movie side or the games side of concept design. the two both cross over massively.

[Red*]

What about the staff? I heard that some lecturers are pretty unhelpful and organisation can be poor, which is kind of worrying.

(Anything about general accomodation and facilities too? Thankyou so much)

[Horseshoe]

I'm currently studying Games Concept Design at Staffs too and just happened across this thread. I think there are too many rants on forums so I'll try to be as objective as possible.

1 Teaching.
We do concept only modules and some 3d modules with the computer games design / movie students. Overall the concept ones are really awful, we never get taught a lot of technique and what we've got to do to get graded seems to change on a weekly basis. I turn up to every lesson so it's not laziness I just don't find that doing an essay and an exam about how car engines work will help me draw them. most of the modules are taught by one person and he's not very nice to most of the students Also he never replies to emails and is never available. To be fair the computer games design modules seem to be really good and those staff know loads about the subject and will help. i really enjoy using 3dsmax.

Accommodation.
Halls are ok if a little strict, private renting is preferable but the halls are very close to the university.

Location,
Stafford is quiet and nice.

Facilities.
Seem reasonable overall, computers are ok but we don't get enough life drawing and never get guest teachers or anything. There's no dedicated art rooms so we always get taught all over the place

To be honest it sounds good but I should have done an art degree as I want to be a concept artist and there is no focus on this degree.

[brujahbart]

have to go with horseshoe on this one. Im a second year student on this course and im seriously considering transfering. The tutor to whom horseshoe refers is of the opinion that you don't need to be a good artist in order to be a concept "designer" ( a term he keeps using in place of artist so as not to be liable for not teaching any). The 3d side is really good and my skills in 3d have gone thorugh the roof. However I didnt come here to get good at 3d i came to up my skill set as a concept artist and that has not gone up much

[Red*]

Hey guys thanks for all the help. I have now finished all my interviews, and received offers from both DMU and Staffs, so I have decided to choose DMU as my firm choice, and Staffs as my insurance choice. Thank you all for the help, it made choose a uni a lot easier :) Good luck to everyone else who is choosing a course!

[catj]

hi guys, I gotta agree with rissking the concept design course at staffs rocks.

I have just finished my first year and love it :steph:

don't know what Horseshoe is on about

we don't write any report for vehicle concepts its an art based log book portfolio but yes we do get a test, but thats fine as we get taught art and engineering and we have visits by industry artists. All the lecturers all really friendly (and a good laugh) and have loads of life drawing, I dont know what corse Horseshoe is on but its not the same course I am on.

Accommodation. Agree
Location Quiet, but brum and manchester are close
Facilities Agree

[Tansa]

I'm currently studying Games Concept Design at Staffs too and just happened across this thread. I think there are too many rants on forums so I'll try to be as objective as possible.

1 Teaching.
We do concept only modules and some 3d modules with the computer games design / movie students. Overall the concept ones are really awful, we never get taught a lot of technique and what we've got to do to get graded seems to change on a weekly basis. I turn up to every lesson so it's not laziness I just don't find that doing an essay and an exam about how car engines work will help me draw them. most of the modules are taught by one person and he's not very nice to most of the students Also he never replies to emails and is never available. To be fair the computer games design modules seem to be really good and those staff know loads about the subject and will help. i really enjoy using 3dsmax.

Accommodation.
Halls are ok if a little strict, private renting is preferable but the halls are very close to the university.

Location,
Stafford is quiet and nice.

Facilities.
Seem reasonable overall, computers are ok but we don't get enough life drawing and never get guest teachers or anything. There's no dedicated art rooms so we always get taught all over the place

To be honest it sounds good but I should have done an art degree as I want to be a concept artist and there is no focus on this degree.

I hate to agree with this but a lot of it I do. I've just passed my first year of this same course and it does feel very unfocused. I think it's because it is such a new course still. This year it'll have a year 3 group for the first time.

The lecturer in question does say these things. He's very fond of us being 'all rounders' which I understand but it can be a bit mad. I particularly disagree with the whole not needing to be a good artist. He's always been very friendly to me and my friend so I can't really comment on that. I have been comfortable enough to tell him that the course isn't what I wanted.

The course was advertised as good for an aspiring concept ARTIST and I'm not really learning much about taking my art further at all.

The 3d modelling modules are a bit odd. I tend to feel left behind but a lot of other people are flourishing. I guess its just one of those things!



Saying all this, I don't want to quit. I like the atmosphere of the university (even if yes, the halls can be a bit strict... Noone really pays much attention though :P ) and I am enjoying it even through stressing out at it haha!

[kudlaty25]

Damn now I'm really confused. -o-

[Inoeex]

Hey
I was just having a tour on topics to find something close to my question and I find this one. guys I would like to ask if u know any universities outside of UK for studying " concept arts " ? or maybe you can guide me how to find it ? I would really appreciate you help if u do it :D some other European countries would be nice ^^

[Tom Fenton]

why not go to huddersfields oldham campus? its half 3d half concept and its gotta plenty of equipment and a great percentage for getting a job after uni.