New Goldsmiths degree shapes next generation of computer game artists and designers

This week Goldsmiths, University of London welcomes its first cohort of students to our MA Computer Games Art & Design.

A course focusing on games design, art and animation, programming and entrepreneurialism that addresses the pressing need for high-quality postgraduates to work in the gaming and entertainment industries.

MA Computer Games Art & Design students can expect teaching from computer games and art pioneers from both the research and professional world. They will also have the opportunity to work with top industry partners – vital work experience that has led to a 100% employability success rate on other Department of Computing degrees, such as the Creative Skillset-accredited MSc in Computer Games & Entertainment (CGE).

From Sony to Supermassive, Rebellion to Ideaworks, Ubisoft Reflections to Jagex, students studying on the one year (or two years part-time) course will be secured industry placements at the games development studios shaping the industry. They will also work as “creatives” on assignments and games projects, emulating the indie start-up scenario, working in collaboration with MSc CGE students.

The games and interactive entertainment business is a fast-growing multi-billion dollar worldwide industry, and in recent years the influence of computer games has also spread to other digital industries. Games-based learning, social machines and interactive visualisation of scientific, health and financial data are all exploiting techniques from computer games.

Graduates will be equipped to design and implement small and large-scale games, either independently using specialised software solutions, or in collaboration with programmers, developing the skills and knowledge needed to operate at a professional level.

MA in Computer Games Art & Design is run by Ian Palmer, Professor William Latham and Professor Frederic Fol Leymarie. Modules on the course include Modelling and Animation, Games Design and Games Analytics and Games and Interactive Entertainment Business and Practice. Students will also complete modules in The History of Computer Games Art and Animation, An Introduction to Programming for Games and Interactive Graphics and Physical Computing.

The MA’s co-director Ian Palmer, former Studio Art Director at Codemasters and Lead Artist at EA comments: “I’m looking to approach the course from a very practical standpoint and want to teach the students both industry relevant practices and put them in similar scenarios which they will face while working in a development studio.

“Employability is my key focus on this course – ensuring that students have the knowledge, insight and relevant skills to make an impact as soon as they start working for their first employer.” 

• Goldsmiths’ Department of Computing offers a wide range of postgraduate qualifications, including MSc Computer Games & Entertainment and MSc Computational Arts.
• This year students and graduates have worked on a major art installation at White Cube, won a 48hr game jam, and took home a BAFTA at top studio Roll7.
• The 2014 Research Assessment Exercise judged 96% of the Department of Computing’s academic research to be 'internationally recognised', of which 68% was classed as 'internationally excellent'. Goldsmiths Computing is in the top 20 computer science departments in the UK for research intensity - and in the top four in London.

Find out more about MA Computer Games Art & Design

Find out more about the Department of Computing