6B065E - Art Direction and Planning 01 Sep 2027 - 31 Aug 2033 | Version 0

Associated Module Information

Module Code: 6B065E
Module Title: Art Direction and Planning
Faculty: Faculty of Business and Creative Industries
Faculty Group: Games and Design
Faculty Sub Group: Design
Module Leader: Simon Reed
Module Team: Pierre Laffoux, Gina Carpenter
First Intended Intake: SEP 2027 Final Year of Intake: 2032
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 60 Credit Level: 6
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 101019 - computer games graphics
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 0
Valid From 01 Sep 2027
Valid To 31 Aug 2033

Module Aims

  • Develop advanced art direction skills to define a cohesive visual and technical approach.  

  • Enable structured planning and pipeline development for a major project.  

  • Support the translation of research into a viable and focused production proposal. 

Content Summary

Art Direction & Planning enables students to define, test, and refine the creative and technical direction of their final Major Project. Building on research and career goals, students will establish a clear visual identity, production scope, and workflow strategy for their portfolio outcomes. The module emphasises pre-production at an advanced level, including concept development, visual language, pipeline design, and technical planning. 

Students will produce a comprehensive pre-production package, including concept art, style guides, references, and production schedules. Critical evaluation, iteration, and feedback are central, ensuring ideas are viable, focused, and aligned with professional expectations. The module also encourages students to consider audience, platform, and presentation context. 

By completion, students will have a resolved and achievable plan that forms the foundation of their Major Project, demonstrating clarity of vision and readiness for production. 

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 2
Seminar 8
Practical Classes and Workshops 8
Project supervision 26
Groupwork 12
Summative Assessment 60
Guided Study 10.5
Problem/Challenge based learning 173.5
Total Hours Selected 300

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Produce a comprehensive art direction and pre-production package that defines the scope and vision of a major project.
LO2 Critically evaluate and refine creative and technical decisions through research, testing, and feedback.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Visual Journal Online 0 6000 100 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Visual Journal

Reading List

Essential 

 

Video Game Design - Principles and Practices from the Ground Up 
Michael Salmond 

ISBN – 9781472567499  

Game Art Complete: All-in-One: Learn Maya, 3ds Max, ZBrush, and Photoshop Winning Techniques: 
Andrew Gahan 

ISBN-10: 024081147X 

Game Art: Creation, Direction, and Careers (Charles River Media Game Development) 
by Riccard Linde 

ISBN-10: 1584503955 

 

Jeannie Novak, John Hight 
Game Development Essentials: Game Project Management 
Delmar Cengage Learning; 1 Pap/Cdr edition 
ISBN-10: 1418015415 
ISBN-13: 978-1418015411 

Supplementary 

https://www.gamasutra.com/ 

Murdock, K. L. & Allen, E., (2006), Edgeloop Character Modelling for 3D Professionals Only, Wiley, 
ISBN 047003629X 

Advanced Maya Texturing and Lighting Paperback – 29 May 2015 
by Lee Lanier 

Barban, A. M., (2001), Essentials of Media Planning, 
McGraw Hill, 
ISBN 0844230189