Games Design BA (Hons)

Games Design at HCA is designed for <strong>imaginative creators who want to craft original, meaningful and visually compelling worlds</strong>. The course focuses on the full artistic pipeline, from 2D and 3D concept art to character and environment design, visual storytelling and animation. You will be supported in developing your own artistic identity while building creative skills that reflect contemporary practices in digital art and animation for interactive media.<br/><br/>Across three years, you will experiment with 2D and 3D workflows, storytelling, visual development and interactive design. You will learn how to communicate ideas through visual mechanisms and environments, and build confidence in <strong>designing visual high-level content that resonates with audiences</strong>.<br/><br/>Working within <strong>collaborative digital studio environments</strong>, you will be supported to explore your ideas, experiment freely and develop your personal creative voice. Our studio approach priorities your growth and interests, giving you <strong>the space to shape your own artistic direction</strong> while learning to communicate and collaborate with others. As you refine your practice, you will naturally gain the confidence and experience that can later translate into professional creative settings.<br/><br/>You will:<br/><br/>● Develop skills in concept art, visual development, character and environment design<br/><br/>● Explore 2D and 3D games art workflows using industry software<br/><br/>● Develop and present your artistic concepts in interactive or game-inspired showcases through workshops, creative jams and collaborative briefs<br/><br/>● Build a distinctive creative identity supported by regular crits and tutorials<br/><br/>● Create a final major project that showcases your unique creative voice and artistic vision in relation to interactive or game-based art<br/><br/><strong>FACILITIES + SOFTWARE</strong><br/> You will work in digital studios equipped with high-spec PCs, drawing tablets, VR equipment, and software for illustration, 3D modelling, animation and prototyping. You’ll also access shared workshops for physical model-making, enabling hybrid or experimental projects.<br/><br/>Alongside this, you will work with a suite of industry-standard creative tools including ZBrush, Cinema 4D, Redshift, Substance Painter, Substance Designer and Unreal Engine. These platforms are widely used across contemporary digital art, animation and visual effects, giving you hands on experience with the same tools employed by leading studios. Through workshops and guided experimentation, you’ll learn how to integrate these technologies into your own artistic process. This ensures you graduate with both a strong creative voice and the technical fluency expected in professional art and design environments.<br/><br/><strong>INDUSTRY LINKS</strong><br/>Learn from practicing games artists, designers and creative technologists through visiting lectures, specialist workshops and mentoring. Students take part in real world design projects, game jams and external collaborations that mirror studio workflows. These experiences build confidence in presenting ideas, responding to feedback and producing playable work. Through these connections and real-world commissions, our studio-style teaching becomes a gateway to genuine professional contexts, giving students tangible opportunities to see their work realised beyond the classroom.<br/><br/>We are also proud to partner with UK Interactive Entertainment UKIE - the UK’s leading trade body for the interactive entertainment sector - connecting students to the wider games community.<br/><br/><strong>CAREERS</strong><br/>Graduates progress into roles such as 2D/3D concept artists, environment or character artist, level designer, narrative designer, 3D modeler, VFX artist, indie developer or creative generalist to name just a few. You will build a portfolio that showcases visual development, prototypes and polished game assets, supported by guidance on freelancing, pitching and building an online presence.<br/><br/>Info on course modules: www.hca.ac.uk/courses/bahons-games-design