BA (Hons) Computer Generated Imagery (Full Time)

CGI has become the cornerstone of a wide range of exciting industries, combining digital art and cutting-edge digital technology in creative and innovative ways.

On this course you will explore areas such as photo- and hyper-realism, principles of animation, advanced lighting and rendering techniques, and compositing. You will learn to use the most up-to-date industry tools with the aim of developing into a creative professional with the skills to visually create anything within your imagination.

CGI has a very broad application and you will be encouraged to explore the full extent of what it offers before deciding which field interests you most. In Years 2 and 3 you will start to specialise and hone your skills and portfolio to maximise employability in your chosen field.

The course is delivered by industry professionals with backgrounds in photo-realistic architectural visualisation, VFX, video games and animation. They will guide your progression and help you gain practical skills, a creative portfolio and marketability in this exciting industry.Creating art digitally is the key element of this course and you will become well versed in the creative and critical aspects of CGI production by closely following industry practice at every stage of your progression.

You will use industry-standard studio facilities, equipped with the latest digital applications, to put together professional creative portfolios. You will have access to green screen facilities and recording equipment, motion capture studio and 3D printing facilities.

Industrial focus

The course team has well-established links with industry and will support students to undertake work experience.

Course content

Year 1

Seven core units and option unit:

• Principles
• CGI 1
• Drawing 1
• Environment Design
• Animation Technology
• CGI 2
• Drawing 2 OR Sculpting.

Options:

• CGI Theory
• Animation Theory
• Game Theory.

Year 2

Four core units and option unit:

• Digital Character
• VFX
• Critical Discourse 1
• CGI Production.

Options:

• Life Drawing 1 and 2
• Lock Down
• Storyboard
• Curriculum Plus (Work-based Learning, Foreign Language, Community Volunteering).

Year 3

Three core units:

• Critical Discourse 2
• CGI Pre-Production
• CGI Major Project.

Why choose Solent?

Learn the artistic and technological skills needed to create hyper-realistic imagery for a range of exciting industry contexts.

• Industry participation will be encouraged throughout the course with live briefs and assignments regularly provided by commercial partners.
• The course is carefully tailored to each student’s personal aspirations. As long as you have the desire to engage with digital technology to push the visual-creative boundary, we will help you define your strengths as an artist.
• Computer labs: each student will have access to industry-standard, high-specification workstations with access to a wide range of relevant industry software.
• Green screen facilities and recording equipment
• Access to motion capture studio and 3D printing facilities.

Assessment

Studio coursework and presentations, as well as a major CGI project in the final year.

Projects/work experience

Industry participation will be encouraged throughout the course with live briefs and assignments regularly provided by industry partners.

Key career skills

Creative thinking, presentation, research, project management, visual communication, evaluation and problem solving.

Key info from UNISTATS