Game Art Design 2016

So I'm pretty that there's not a thread for game art! I'm a first year currently on the course, we had one last year and it was really useful. So If you have any questions about the course if you're applying or thinking of applying just have a chat in here and I can answer some.

Hi this ive applied for the games art course at dmu but a bit worried about my portfolio here is what I have at the moment https://www.flickr.com/gp/138619619@N04/19GTk7 any advice would be greatly appreciated thanks

What's the first few weeks like? What projects/tasks are you given? Any team-building exercises at the beginning?

Hi! First few weeks were crazy for me. We were given sorta basic tasks to get us used to the software which then built up to more complex things but it was quite a quick process and they pushed us pretty hard! I think we started with a table and chairs and then within 7 weeks we were making a whole diorama.

We did do a few team building things which mainly involved throwing balls of wool at each other and making a human knot which was horrifically awkward but a lot of fun in the end. However the course has a pretty strong community spirit and so within the first week two welcome parties were held for us by the second and third years and they still regularly are so it was pretty easy to get to know people especially as you will spend all day with them nearly every day. Plus everyone is very keen to have a friendly atmosphere so there is lots of older years coming and helping when you are stuck etc.

I just received an offer, and DMU is my no1 choice, so looks like I'll be joining in September I have a friend on year one, so I know a bit about the course already, but I'm more interested in getting talking with people who I'll be in class with. Anyone else joining, holler at me!

By the by, I made a facebook group for the September 2016 joiners to get to know one another; https://www.facebook.com/groups/1688235314759768/

i'd like to know if they prefer more traditional mediums like sketches/paintings/etc? I've been so used to digital, I want to get back into traditional sketching but I miss my ctrl+z :P

I was also wondering when showing digital stuff can you show them your online portfolio like Artstation? or does it have to be a physical copy printed off along side your sketchbook? if anyone has advice on presenting your portfolio that would be awesome.

Number one thing they look for is life drawing and other observational stuff, which is typically traditional, but there's no reason it can't be digital.

And yes, my interview was conducted in a computer room and the guy interviewing me logged onto one of the computers for me to pull up my portfolio - I didn't bring my physical one because it didn't contain any artwork that wasn't already in my digital one, which I sent them. They still wanted to look through it, though.

My only advice is, if you have anything in your portfolio that can be fobbed off as life drawing (such as if it was from a photo), do it. They looooove life drawing. But maybe that's just a little dishonest...

Thanks for your reply and advice I'll throw a few sketches of still life in there - most of my work is digital based anyway. That's great that they can look at your online portfolio - good to have as backup. Cheers

So I'm pretty that there's not a thread for game art! I'm a first year currently on the course, we had one last year and it was really useful. So If you have any questions about the course if you're applying or thinking of applying just have a chat in here and I can answer some.

Hi, I've just seen your thread and am starting Game Art at DMU in September and wondered if you could help with a few questions? I am not sure if I should take a laptop (or PC?) with me to to Uni to help with working outside hours. Did people on your course take laptop/pcs (and if so was there a popular kind?) and what programs did they have on them? Any help you can give would be most appreciated...