The Essential Guide Magazine Culcheth July - August 2014 | Page 60

Essential Feature

Designers create their
own virtual worlds
DESIGNERS hoping to crack into a
multi-billion-pound industry have been
given the first chance to show off their
work.
Priestley College’s first cohort of
Computer Game Design students are
exhibiting their work for tutors, parents,
examiners and the public.

“We look into the theory
of character design,
writing narratives for
computer games and
the mechanics of how
games work.”
Over the two years
students will cover character design,
environmental design, level design,
vehicle design and a self-set project that
makes up their final exhibit.

Among the creations are creepy character
designs, virtual reality worlds and
educational games.

“If the students feel they don’t want a
career in this particular industry at the
end of the course, they will find their
newly-developed skills are transferable to
many other creative subjects and careers,”
said Matthew.

“It’s a really big deal to the students as
it is the first time they have completed
a game design they have written from
scratch,” said Tutor Matthew Wilson.

Priestley has invested in the latest piece
of kit – the Oculus Rift – to ensure its
students are able to use the up-to-date
technology in gaming.

The BTEC Extended Diploma students
have all examined the art and design of
creating computer games.

It is at the forefront of virtual
reality computer games and is set to
revolutionise gaming, social media and
communication.

Their studies have been geared towards
helping them secure university places and
jobs in the highly-competitive industry.
“We aim to give
students a head start
teaching them skills in
digital art software as
well as the traditional
art techniques such as
drawing, life drawing,
printing, model making
and contextual studies,”
said Matthew.
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Priestley is believed to be the only
college in the North West to be using the
Oculus Rift and students are using it to
create environments giving them a better
understanding of spatial awareness and
design details.
“It is important we stay current and
with a fast developing industry I want to
keep us on the ball introducing as many
new techniques and experiences for the
students as possible,” said Matthew.

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