Assessment Brief

Course:

Year:
1

BTEC LEVEL 3 GAMES DEVELOPMENT

Assessment No:
1 (of 3)

Hand Out Date: 13th January 2015

Unit Title(s): Concept Art for the Games Industry

Unit No(s): 69

1 Be able to explore the potential of drawing media

Outcome
Scenario:
Anyone considering a career in the computer games industry needs to be aware of the various
disciplines and skills relevant to the industry which may be outside their own particular interest
or career goals. The Quality Assurance (QA) Lead has approached you about producing an
article for an Online Magazine called ImagineFX. In your role as Concept Artist you decide to
focus on the purposes of concept art in computer games.
Hand in Date

Task Outline
Concept Art for Games: Concept Art for Games: What you Need to Know
You are asked to write an illustrated article (1000/1500) on the purposes of
concept art in computer games for an online computer games e-zine. Research,
analyses and evaluate the use of concept art in the development of existing games
titles. Discuss the purpose of concept art within the gaming industry- Who is it
useful for? How is it actually used- give examples of a games production pipeline.
At what stage is concept art used, is it only in the initial stages of a games
development? Express your personal opinion on the artwork

27th
January
2015

Find examples of concept art and artists you particularly like and appraise their
work. Look at case studies of games character design. Document your
understanding in the form of an article, utilizing imagery to illustrate examples. All
examples and information should be referenced accurately in a bibliography.
You should cover the following in your article:
1. Research use of concept art in games
2. Research examples of artists work for article
3. Write article, commenting on styles and purpose of concept art based on the
examples sourced
4. Layout article with illustrations

(This covers criteria: P1, M1, D1)

Assessment Criteria
Must Do
To achieve a pass grade the
evidence must show that the learner
is able to:

Should Do
To achieve a merit grade the evidence
must show that, in addition to the pass
criteria, the learner is able to:

Could Do
To achieve a distinction grade the
evidence must show that, in addition
to the pass and merit criteria, the
learner is able to:

Unit: 69 Concept Art for the Games Industry

describe the
purpose of concept

explain the purpose of

concept art for games

critically evaluate
the purpose of

Assessment Brief

P1

art for games with

some appropriate
use of subject
terminology

M1

with reference to
detailed illustrative
examples and with
generally correct use
of subject terminology

D1

concept art for games

with supporting
arguments and
elucidated examples
and consistently
using subject
terminology correctly

Assessment Brief
Guidance to Students:
Include details of all your references and resources that you have used when completing
this assessment (include books, DVDs, journals, web sites and class presentations)
ensure you use the Harvard (APA) format of referencing for this.
This unit is linked to units 78. Take care to ensure you cover all criteria for both U69 & U78.
Must Do - ALL PASS criteria must be gained to achieve an overall pass for this unit
Should Do - PLUS ALL MERIT criteria for a Merit grade
Could Do - PLUS ALL DISTINCTION criteria for Distinction grade overall
Useful Links:
Textbooks
Baylis P, Freedman A, Procter N et al BTEC Level 3 National Creative Media
Production, Student Book (Pearson, 2010) ISBN 978-1846906725
Ames L J Draw 50 Flowers, Trees and Other Plants (Kingfisher Books, 2004) ISBN
978 1856974691
Barber B The Fundamentals of Drawing: A Complete Professional Course
(Arcturus foulsham, 2003) ISBN 978-0572028794
Edwards B The New Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain (HarperCollins
Publishers, 2001)
ISBN 978-0007116454
Gray P The Complete Guide to Drawing and Illustration (Arcturus foulsham, 2006)
ISBN 978-0572032319
Hamm J Drawing Scenery: Landscapes and Seascapes (G P Putnams Sons
(Reissue), 2001)
ISBN 978-0399508066
Mattesi M Force: Character Design from Life Drawing (Focal Press 2008) ISBN
978-0240809939
Rines FM How to Draw Trees (Dover Publications, 2007) ISBN 978-0486454573
Thompson K 50 Fantasy Vehicles to Draw and Paint: Create Awe-Inspiring Crafts
for Comic Books, Computer
Journals
Computer Arts Magazine
Creative Review
ImagineFX Magazine
Websites
www.adobe.com the website of this software manufacturer contains useful
information and resources, including training materials, forums, downloadable trial
software and players, news etc
www.commarts.com US-based communication arts magazine featuring articles,
profiles, portfolios etc focusing on graphic design
www.computerarts.co.uk the website for the magazine Computer Arts has
useful tutorials as well as reviews, competitions, forums and downloads
www.conceptart.org community site with forums and showcasing concept art
conceptartworld.com community site offering concept art directory and blog
www.cgsociety.org Computer Games Society website for digital artists: articles,
workshops (short onlinecourses), portfolios, gallery
www.drawingboard.org forum and blogs of concept art
www.eatpoo.com concept art gallery and forum
www.igda.org home site of the International Game Developers Association all
things game

Assessment Brief
www.skillset.org/games Skillset is the Sector Skills Council for the creative
media sector; website contains descriptions of concept artist job role and computer
games developer art department