VISUAL EFFECTS
MAKE YOUR MARK IN
VFX AND GAMES CONCEPT DESIGN
The UK visual effects industry is among the most highly rated in the world. It offers a huge range of exciting career opportunities for multi-skilled individuals with the drive and enthusiasm to succeed. Similarly, computer gaming is the passion of millions around the world and is supported by a huge global industry. Best of all, regardless of whether you’d like to create visual effects for film or TV – or you’d prefer to develop the next generation of virtual characters and environments as a digital games artist – we’ve just the degree for you. Study with us and you’ll experience the whole visual effects or games concept design process. You’ll learn from industry-experienced lecturers. You’ll use industryleading facilities. Plus you’ll benefit from our strong links with employers – through guest lectures, studio visits and opportunities to arrange work placements. Tim Dunning Academic Group Leader
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As a VFX student, the knowledge you’ll accrue will range from filming the action to creating the most powerful of digital effects, in order to produce the sort of mindblowing results that you see at the cinema and on TV. Then again, as a Games Concept Design student, you’ll study and observe both life and manmade things, in order to visualise and create next generation game assets. Each of our cutting edge courses mirror the excitement, creativity and technical sophistication found in the entertainment industries. However, whatever your creative interests and aspirations, you will also gain technical, creative, presentation and problem-solving skills that are highly valued across a wide range of professions. Over the following pages you can read all about studying with us. To find out even more, please visit www.staffs.ac.uk/fsv
WHICH COURSE IS FOR YOU? Here are a few pointers to help you decide which of our degree courses is right for you. Each course has been designed to cover a specific area of professional practice as well as equip you with a thorough understanding of the visual effects industry. Each is also updated annually to make sure it remains in tune with the latest specialisms, technologies and needs of employers.
BSc (Hons) CGI AND DIGITAL EFFECTS
If you are inspired by the visual effects sequences you see at the cinema or on TV, this could be your ideal course. You will learn the technical and creative skills in the production pipeline – from filming, 3D modelling and animation, through to compositing and accurate matching of virtual to real camera movements.
BA (Hons) VFX: VISUAL EFFECTS AND CONCEPT DESIGN
If you think as an ‘imaginative’ artist, who feels at home in the virtual world, you should consider this course. You’ll learn how to create and adapt your ideas to meet specific needs in film or games, or in modelling virtual
environments; visuals which might include characters, vehicles, objects, sets or backgrounds.
BSc (Hons) GAMES CONCEPT DESIGN
Perhaps you have a thousand ideas for designing the next blockbuster game? In that case, taking this degree will show you how to combine traditional art techniques with digital painting, 3D modelling and digital sculpting. You’ll also learn how your concepts will be translated into complete games by by linking up with fellow students from the games design awards.
BSc (Hons) DIGITAL FILM AND 3D ANIMATION TECHNOLOGY
Studying this award you will experience film production, digital effects, computer graphics and animation to create imaginative, technically driven wonderful artefacts. This degree is closely partnered with our flagship VFX award - CGI and Digital Effects, offering more optional pathways to study broader topics around film, visual effects and television.
Discover more: www.staffs.ac.uk/undergraduate
t: 01782 294400
BSc (Hons) CGI AND DIGITAL EFFECTS UCAS code: WP90
BSc (Hons) DIGITAL FILM AND 3D ANIMATION TECHNOLOGY UCAS code: G450
BA (Hons) VFX: VISUAL EFFECTS AND CONCEPT DESIGN UCAS code: W200
BSc (Hons) GAMES CONCEPT DESIGN UCAS code: G613
CONTENTS: 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 15
Introduction Key Facts Why Staffs? Our Brilliant People A Better Campus Choose More Open Days Application Process
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HERE ARE JUST A FEW REASONS WHY WE BELIEVE YOU SHOULD STUDY WITH US. TO REALLY FIND OUT IF WE’RE RIGHT FOR YOU, PLEASE COME ALONG TO ONE OF OUR OPEN DAYS. WE’D LOVE TO MEET YOU.
KEY FACTS LIVE BRIEFS
Our links across film, TV and computer gaming mean lots of opportunities to work on ‘live’ briefs. You’ll present your work to industry professionals for priceless feedback. Plus, there’ll be plenty of chances for networking.
WORK-READY WORLD-READY
Study with us and we’ll equip you to become ‘The Staffordshire Graduate’ – a world-ready professional, with the knowledge, attributes and expertise that employers look for.
VISIT, MEET AND LEARN AWARD WINNING!
Want to know just how good our students are? Then take a look at their achievements. In 2012 alone, they won ‘Dare to be Digital’ and were even nominated for a BAFTA. They were runners up in ‘Make Some Unreal 2013’, while one student was runner up in Real Flow’s ‘Create a Summer Splash’ competition.
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During your course there’ll be opportunities to visit major festivals and industry events. You could even take part in the Global Games Jam Challenge or the 48 Hours Games Competition! Plus we’ll arrange for guest lecturers from the film, TV and games sectors to share their knowledge with you – developing your expertise and equipping you with valuable contacts.
GRADUATE SUCCESSES
Our graduates are highly successful in securing employment at some of the best-known names in entertainment. You’ll find them at: Motion Picture Company (MPC), Double Negative, Envy, Cinesite, The Mill, Base Black, Rushes, Aardman Animations and Framestore.
BLOCKBUSTER PLACEMENTS
Our enviable relationships with industry also mean the chance to secure exciting placements. Our students have worked as matchmove artists, rotoscope artists, 3D artists, concept designers in film, games and TV.
STUDENT SOCIETIES
To give you as much work experience as possible, boost your confidence and build your CV, we have a Film and Animation Society, a Video Games Society and Staffs TV – the official TV channel for Staffordshire University Students’ Union. Joining in with any one of these groups is also a great way to make new friends!
INDUSTRY STANDARD
Advanced post production suites running Maya, PF Track, Nuke, After Effects. Large TV Studio, green screen studio, state of the art Sony and Blackmagic digital cinema cameras, Spheron VR AG and Cintiq Wacoms.
TOP FOR TEAM-WORKING
You will experience team working throughout your courses on visual effects and 3D animation projects using our highly equipped facilities.
D-DAY BEACH BOMBING VFX PROJECT 1.3 MILLION AND COUNTING
When our final year VFX students posted a parody ‘Lego’ trailer for hit movie ‘Inception’ on Vimeo, they clocked up more than 1.3 million Internet hits in just 10 days. Study with us and you’ll take part in projects to get you noticed!
In January 2015, the first year CGI and Digital Effects travelled to Scarborough to recreate the D-Day Beach landings at Sword beach, Normandy. A short film was shot and then the visual effects magic was added in semester 2 including roto, tracking, explosions and grading.
Discover more: www.staffs.ac.uk/undergraduate
t: 01782 294400
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WHY STAFFS? Wondering where a degree in visual effects might take you? Well, according to Creative Skillset’s website (they’re the licensed Sectxor Skills Council for entertainment media, as well as other creative sectors) ‘VFX is the fastest growing component of the UK’s film industry, currently employing 5,300 people throughout the UK.’ Now consider the global reach of digital computer gaming and the almost insatiable appetite that exists for new ideas, add-on content, mobile apps and more. Plus, on top of that, there are all those real-life simulations for training healthcare professionals, the military and the police. In short, with a VFX or Games Concept Design degree under your belt, you’ll be well equipped to take your place in these thrilling, rapidly advancing areas of the entertainment industry. Take your degree at Staffordshire University and you’ll also benefit from an impressive mix of expertise, facilities, skills, industry links, support and opportunities designed to help ensure you succeed.
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HOW YOU’LL LEARN
Our primary objective is to prepare you for a long and successful career. That’s why we’re always up-to-date with the latest industry trends and can anticipate and embrace new thinking beyond the academic world. Whichever degree you choose, it will be closely modelled on workplace practice, right down to working in industry-style teams and using the same design techniques as workplace professionals. To really make the most of your studies, we’ll also encourage you to take a paid industry placement between your second and final years.
LEARN FROM INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS
Our Visual Effects lecturers come from either a 3D, motion graphics or post-production background. Many still work part-time in the sector and, wherever possible, involve students in their projects. Our Games Concept specialists are just as knowledgeable and have worked in areas as wide ranging as: 3D modelling, digital sculpting and game design. This means you
can be certain that the skills and knowledge you will gain will be highly relevant.
WORLD OF WORK FACILITIES
For VFX… Because we want you to be the best, we’ve invested in some incredible facilities. There’s our High Definition Television Centre, for example, opened by Her Majesty the Queen. Seating 120 people, it’s one of the most modern in Europe and is equipped with broadcast standard technologies, green room, vision gallery, comprehensive racks room, plus a large dedicated greenscreen compositing studio, a 3D motion-capture studio and what we believe to be the largest postproduction edit facility to be found in any university. For games concept designers… As a budding games concept designer, you’ll have access to our Games Development and Usability Lab, which has only recently been updated with FaceReader 4.0 software. Coupled with our wireless biometric measuring equipment, this latest investment will enable our research team to analyse the
emotions in gaming and provide the potential for developing a ‘Fear Index’. We’ve 2D Matte painting and 3D compositing facilities (Nuke), 3D digital arts modelling technologies (3D Studio Max, Maya and ZBrush), HP Workstations with NVidia Quadro, PlayStation 3 Development Kits, SKD and Sony Phyre Engine, Xbox 360 consoles and game pads, Forcefeedback joysticks and more.
BRINGING LEARNING TO LIFE Study Visual Effects or Concept Design with us and experience the wide range of exciting and rewarding roles from these amazing subjects.
CLOSE TIES WITH INDUSTRY We enjoy a great relationship with Manchester VFX House, Flipbook Studios MPC and Double Negative. They provide media content and project briefs, and are judges at our graduate exhibition. For Games, we have a close partnership with Flix Interactive from Birmingham. These relationships and more all contribute to equipping our VFX and Games students for employment.
FIRST-CLASS SUPPORT We pride ourselves on our supportive learning environment. We really care about each student’s progress and welfare… and it shows. Our studios and workshops provide a vibrant and lively community, where you can make new friends and swap ideas with likeminded individuals. Plus, because our facilities are large and open-plan, second and third year students will also be around to lend a hand if you need it.
CAREER CHOICES Our Games Design graduates have secured careers at the following places: Rock Star (North), Naughty Dog (USA), Astraware, Asylum Entertainment, Climax, Codemasters, Endrant, Gusto Games, i2Ltd., Jagex, Jester, Juice Games and Kuju Entertainment. Their roles include: level designer, environment artist, 3D character modeller, games designer, games production assistant and games technical artist. The destinations of our VFX graduates are equally impressive and include: the BBC, MPC, Double Negative, Envy, Cinesite, The Mill, Base Black, Rushes, Aardman Animations, Framestore, Ragdoll, Chapman Entertainment and Sega.
Discover more: www.staffs.ac.uk/undergraduate
t: 01782 294400
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OUR BRILLIANT PEOPLE
“Whilst studying at Staffordshire University I was given a lot of freedom to explore and develop my work on my own but had the support of the lectures who offered advice and critique that really saw my potential. Also being around other students from other computer/ technology based courses really helped me to realise the amount of opportunities in the future that my degree could help me to achieve. I left university with a strong range of skills that compliment both my artistic side but also my technical skills. I have found that people who study this subject area, are great at planning and scheduling their work as projects just as they would in the industry. To those thinking about studying this degree, I would try to have a decent level of knowledge for all disciplines in VFX, but find out what you’re good at/interested in and specialise in that and really aim to be one of the best in the class at it. Having already spent a year in the industry I am surprised at how many VFX graduates who don’t know a programming language, not even the basics. I was taught Python on this course and it has already gained me some recognition at work for a couple of basic tools that I have written. But overall have fun creating some amazing artwork in an ever evolving medium!” Alan Herbert BSc (Hons) CGI and Digital Effects Now, Matchmove Artist at Double Negative, London
....BUT OVERALL HAVE FUN CREATING SOME AMAZING ARTWORK IN AN EVER EVOLVING MEDIUM!
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“I’m a recent graduate of the BSc (Hons) CGI and Digital Effects at Staffordshire University, where my skills grew immeasurably, having experienced many different aspects of visual effects work. I most enjoyed studying a wide range of visual effects techniques., although I have chosen to centre my career in 2D areas, such as compositing and motion graphics, I also have a practical understanding of the 3D aspects, which is both interesting to learn and creates a certain level of appreciation for the artists who focus in this area and the work they produce. My strongest skills currently lie in digital compositing, whilst my passions are expanding into motion graphics for television and online mediums. The project I chose for my Final Year Project included both of these areas, working under my own initiative to produce motion graphics for various purposes, and working with a final year film student on creating visual effects for a movie trailer, alongside title and credit pages. Being a part of university opened up many opportunities to develop my experience in the industry itself, and despite facing some tough challenges they have always been approached with a level head and a mind for client satisfaction. With a growing list of contacts, every project I have taken on to-date has been a success. The skills I learnt have given me the knowledge I need to be able to discuss concepts and solutions with other artists working on the same project, as well as being able to send the most suitable materials, backplates etc, to the next stage in the pipeline. Recently entering the industry, I have been involved in several productions for television, including series two of Animal Fight Night for National Geographic and the ITV documentary series Cilla. Working with Manchester-based studio Flipbook on these projects has been most enjoyable and rewarding. Taking on a longer project with Flipbook presents an exciting opportunity to develop my design skills and experience yet more of the production process. For those wishing to study the CGI and Digital Effects degree I would say to give every task your best shot, even if you don’t think you’ll be the best at it, you might be surprised at the final outcome and find you enjoyed the process more than you thought you would. Also, try not to come in with a definite idea what you want to do when you finish the course, chances are your mind will change as you experience everything the course and fantastically helpful staff has to offer you.” Jess Oldland, BSc (Hons) CGI and Digital Effects Currently Junior Artist, Flipbook Studios, Manchester
Discover more: www.staffs.ac.uk/undergraduate
t: 01782 294400
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A BETTER CAMPUS
AT STAFFORDSHIRE UNIVERSITY, WE’RE COMMITTED TO INVESTING IN YOUR FUTURE – LITERALLY. OVER A PERIOD OF 18 MONTHS, WE’RE SPENDING MILLIONS OF POUNDS ON OUR UNIVERSITY CAMPUSES, SO WHEN YOU JOIN US, YOU’LL BE COMING TO A PLACE WITH EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO START OPENING DOORS AND BREAKING BOUNDARIES.
In recent years, our Stoke-on-Trent campus has undergone a massive transformation, with the students at the heart of our plans. From the amazing Science Centre to environmental improvements, we’re focused on building the best campus for our students. But whilst it’s all well and good a university saying they care what students think, we’re putting our money where our mouth is. This all stems from a decision to make Stoke-on-Trent the main campus of Staffordshire University. In 2016 the majority of students from our Stafford Computing and Technology courses will be
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moving to the Stoke-on-Trent campus. So we’re making sure that when you arrive, you enter a university that is fit for purpose. One with a great mix of study and social spaces. One that feels safe and thrives on the friendly reputation we’ve built. What we found was that a modern edge-of-city campus is ideal. Close enough to the city for the social life, but far enough away to focus on studying. Great transport links around the city, but also great spaces around the campus. The best of both worlds. So, starting in Summer 2015, we’ll be working on the College Road and Leek Road sites of our Stoke Campus. We’ll be creating great social spaces and easy access between the Students’ Union, venues and teaching rooms. Bringing the best teaching facilities together with fantastic student areas – making it feel safe and easy to jump between your lectures and your life outside University. As well as that, we’re also investing £12m in a new Computing and Games facility. This project, called Digital Kiln, will merge beautiful learning space with state-of-theart technology to support all sorts of courses from Cyber Security to Games Design.
This investment is continuing the work we’ve already started to create great social spaces and easy access between the Students’ Union, halls of residence, and other facilities. We’ve committed to doubling the investment that’s already started to create enhanced facilities. Come 2016, it’s going to have the buzz and the feel of the edge-of-city campus that students want. Vice-Chancellor Professor Michael Gunn Healthcare Centres of Excellence This redevelopment work isn’t just happening in Stoke-on-Trent though. Healthcare and Midwifery students won’t miss out with significant further investment in our Centres of Excellence in Stafford and Shrewsbury – adding new student spaces and learning resources to make these campuses totally self-contained and right up to date. So, with all this to come, maybe it’s time you joined us at Staffordshire University?
Discover more: www.staffs.ac.uk/undergraduate
t: 01782 294400
KEY FACTS WORK STARTS: SUMMER 2015 ADDITIONAL £40M INVESTMENT IN STOKE-ON-TRENT CAMPUS MULTI-MILLION POUND INVESTMENT IN STAFFORD CENTRE OF HEALTHCARE EXCELLENCE AND SHREWSBURY CENTRE OF HEALTHCARE EXCELLENCE COMPLETION DATE: AUTUMN 2016.
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CHOOSE
MORE AT STAFFORDSHIRE UNIVERSITY, WE WANT TO GIVE YOU AN EDGE OVER THE COMPETITION. WE WANT YOU TO TAKE AWAY SOMETHING EXTRA. SO WE MAKE SURE YOU’LL GET SOMETHING EXTRA WHEN YOU’RE HERE. A LOT EXTRA ACTUALLY. To help you open doors as well as your mind, we’re spending millions of pounds on our edge-of-city campus. When you’re here, you’ll be able to work with brilliant academics and access a whole load of cutting edge facilities; from animation studios to photography darkrooms to surface decoration workshops. Past students have gone on to exhibit at prestigious galleries, museums and festivals across the world.
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You can also get more back with grants, loans and bursaries to help fund your study whilst enjoying a cost of living ranked the third lowest in the UK.
MAKE MORE OF YOUR TIME HERE • Improve your skills with online training platform Lynda.com and access over 3,000 online tutorial videos • Want to get fit while you study? Take advantage of our special student rate gym memberships • Don’t just learn while you’re with us, earn. Take a job at the Students’ Union, become a paid Student Ambassador with Unitemps or turn working while you study upside down with a seasonal role at Alton Towers Resort • Then spend. We’re a hop, skip and a short walk from shops, boutiques, restaurants, bars and clubs • Catch the latest musicals, opera, drama at the Regent Theatre and Stafford Gatehouse
MORE WAYS TO STUDY YOUR WAY • Grants, loans and bursaries to help fund your study • More hands-on, real world learning, fewer lectures • Hit the books whenever you want - access to our 24- hour library • Get all the software you need including access to the Adobe Creative Cloud Suite and download Microsoft Office 365 on up to five devices for free • Professional guest lecturers - previous presentations included Microsoft, Marvel Comics and Epic Games
At Staffordshire University, you’re in the best place to do more, with City Centre shops, boutiques, restaurants, theatres, bars and clubs all just a short stroll away. Plus, with student rate gym memberships and over 100 sports, clubs and societies to join – including skydiving, snow sports and our very own Beard Society – you can experience more too. So, if you’re looking for a place that gives you exactly what you need to succeed (and more), then open the door and your mind to Staffordshire University.
A CAMPUS WITH MORE TO OFFER • We’ve spent and continue to spend millions of pounds on our edge-of-city campus • We’re a place literally in the middle of things with easy access to Manchester, Birmingham, London • Get your film fix at our on-campus Film Theatre • Take advantage of our brilliant and friendly Student Support team • Stay fit and well with our NHS Healthcare centre with two doctors • Enjoy a cost of living ranked third lowest in the UK
Discover more: www.staffs.ac.uk/undergraduate
t: 01782 294400
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There’s only one real way to experience Staffordshire University, and that’s to come and see it for yourself.
University is where you’re due to spend the next few years of your life, so before you decide on somewhere, it makes sense to have a good look around. That’s where an Open Day comes in. This is your opportunity to get to know the place. Test it out. Immerse yourself in every aspect of Staffordshire University and see if it’s right for you. We’ll give you the chance to see everything, from the Students’ Union and the library to the IT suites and our impressive sports facilities. We’ll also show you the halls of residence, so you can start planning exactly where to put your TV and laptop. You’ll then meet our expert lecturers, see live demonstrations of lab and studio sessions, and delve deeper into your chosen subject with an informative talk. Advice is available on managing your student finances and ways to fund your study, as well as tips on writing a strong personal statement to include in your application.
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Best of all, you’ll have time to speak with current students about their experiences of Staffordshire University – which means you can hear exactly what it’s like to be at the heart of things in the centre of the country. It’s the best way to get a real feel for life here. Our Open Days give you an idea of everything Staffordshire University has to offer, so you’ll be ready to make one of the most important – and most exciting – decisions of your life.
LEARN MORE OR BOOK YOUR PLACE AT
www.staffs.ac.uk/opendays GO ONLINE TO WATCH OUR VIRTUAL TOURS
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CLEARING
The UCAS clearing process gives students another opportunity to find a place.
MISSED THE UCAS DEADLINE?
Don’t worry, apply via UCAS until the end of June and if we have vacancies left on your course we’ll consider your application. We accept CLEARING applications from mid July. Visit: www.staffs.ac.uk/clearing
Discover more: www.staffs.ac.uk/undergraduate
t: 01782 294400
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For more detailed information on courses or studying at Staffordshire University, visit: www.staffs.ac.uk/undergraduate
www.staffs.ac.uk/socialmedia The information in this guide is correct at time of publication, but may be subject to change.
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