Integrated Foundation - Bachelor of Arts (Honours) - Character Design and Concept Art (W226)

Integrated Foundation - Bachelor of Arts (Honours) - Character Design and Concept Art is a focussed new course created in response to the increasing demand for illustrators who possess the specialist image-making skills needed to enter the gaming, animation and media production industries. The course will allow ambitious illustrators who are interested in gaining employment in this growing field to build the specialist skillset required for industry success. Working closely with studios across the globe, Character Designers and Concept Artists are at the heart of countless well-known productions, applying advanced drawing and image-making skills to bring stories and ideas to life through the creation of visual assets that give a unique identity to games, animated movies and tv shows. Working as a vital part of a production team, creatives specialising in this field possess the ability to deconstruct narrative works in order to visualise complex settings and environments, creating convincing characters and building expansive imaginary worlds. As the course is primarily designed as a specialist branch under the Illustration umbrella, Character Design & Concept Art will share Level 4 with Ravensbourne’s well-established Illustration for Communication BA, allowing students to build networks and collaborate whilst forming a solid understanding of the core fundamentals of the discipline. During Level 4, students will be introduced to the discipline’s foundations, exploring fundamental drawing and image-making skills using both state-of-the-art digital tools as well as traditional materials, allowing for versatility and rapid technical progress through the exploration of ideas and themes across commercial, social and cultural contexts, utilising narratives in compelling and innovative ways. Practical work will be supported by a theoretical understanding of colour, perspective and composition. Students’ development will be informed by a thorough understanding of illustration’s history and ongoing cultural relevance.

During the foundation year, students will cover the following topics: fundamental design principles — typography, colour, hierarchy, layout, and imagery; developing clear visual narratives, identities, and design systems; crafting effective visual storytelling through sequencing, pace, and tone; conducting research with cultural, social, and ethical awareness; mastery of industry-standard software (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Animate, After Effects, Acrobat, Premiere Pro); managing production workflows from pre-production to post-production; critically evaluating design work using relevant criteria; and creating professional portfolios, slide decks, and pitch presentations.