Game Art & Game Design

VIDEO GAME IN 5 YEARS (Master’s degree equivalent)

Goals of the Video Game Cursus

• Acquire advanced artistic and technical skills in the field of gaming: video games, traditional games and new forms (Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, Alternative Reality)
• Learn how to learn and how to understand what you learn
• Master professional studio habits: knowledge of the trades and the video game industry, iterative development methodology, artistic direction, production management and follow-up, audiovisual law, management, business creation
• Master the software: UE4, Unity 5, Game Maker Studio 2, CryEngine, 3ds Max, Painter / Designer Substance, Maya, Zbrush, SpeedTree, Houdini, etc.

GAME DESIGN OR GAME ART - CHOOSE BETWEEN 2 SPECIALIZATIONS

Beginning in the third year, the student must focus on a specialization to refine his profile and skills.

Game Design

Goals of Game Design Specialization

• Become the master of the game and convey a message through a fun experience
• Master the methods of design and interactive narration
• Know and understand human psychology and player theories
• Develop the ability to analyze fun systems
• Demonstrate the ability to communicate across fields and supervise teams developing video games

Game Design Courses

• Game & Level Design
• Scripting
• Ergonomy
• Concept Development
• Using collaborative tools
• Transmedia/Crossmedia
• Serious Game
• Gamification
• Connectivity and Collective Intelligence
• Iterative conception

Game Designer Profile

As a film director, the Game designer builds the game: story, rules, goal… The Game design is very important in a video game production process. He designs the gameplay (game concept) and game mechanics. His first goal is to make a game the more attractive possible.

Qualities :

• Curious and open minded
• Attentive to the world and its evolutions
• Multi-skilled

Game Art

Goals of Game Art Specialization

• Live interactive experiences
• Master the methods of creating 2D and 3D universes
• Know and understand the human and animal physiognomy
• Ensure the artistic direction of a game: from concept to the realization of animated assets integrated into the game

Game Art Courses

• 2D Graphic Design
• 2D & 3D animation
• 3D modeling
• Texturing and lighting
• Ambiance and narration
• Game engines
• GUI Design
• Character and Environment design
• Motion design
• Ergonomy and User Experience
• Concept Art
• Artistic direction
• Research and Development around new game technologies (ARG, AR, VR)

Game Artist Profile

The Game artist creates the art concept and the graphic universe of the video game (character design, colors, textures, and backgrounds…). He is in charge of the artistic direction of a game: from the concept to the integration of animated assets into the video game.

Qualities :

• Profile of versatile 2D / 3D artist
• Solid skills in CG
• Creative, inventing, and innovating

3RD YEAR / GAME DESIGN OR GAME ART SPECIALIZATION

Learning about Video Games: Being Relevant

Goals

• Comportment: develop attentiveness and goodwill
• Knowledge: develop skills around gaming genres and digital arts
• Know-how: create digital works and design play objects (maps, 3D models, stories, etc.)

Admission Process

• BAC (or equivalent) +2 years of higher education studies
• Present an artistic portfolio demonstrating skills around the specialization you want to pursue
• Participate in an individual interview and complete a written exam

4TH YEAR / EXPERIMENTATION > GAME DESIGN OR GAME ART

The Future of the Game: Envisaging the Scope of a Project

Goals

• Comportment: develop erudition and pedagogical techniques
• Knowledge: developing knowledge around the new video game uses and media
• Know-how: carry out digital work and design fun products (prototypes, game jams, external collaborations, etc.)
• Creation of a professional portfolio
• Professional internship opportunity

5TH YEAR / GAME CREATION > GAME DESIGN OR GAME ART

Creation of an Original Game, Graduation Jury & Preparation for the First Professional Position

This year is entirely devoted to the development of a graduation project and the transition into a professional environment.

During this year, students test their ability to supervise a team and projects in conditions identical to those within production studios.

Professionals intervene throughout the year to bring their expertise and share their experience.

The fifth-year concludes with the presentation of an original game prototype in front of an audience of players and professionals. The game testing and formal presentation allow professionals to measure the quality of students’ profiles.

Goals

• Comportment: develop autonomy and solidarity
• Knowledge: developing knowledge about the industry and entrepreneurship
• Know-how: produce a fun prototype of the original game and create digital communication materials around this prototype

Admission Prerequisites

• 1st YEAR : BAC (or equivalent) + artistic portfolio + individual interview + written exam
• 2nd YEAR : BAC (or equivalent) + 1 year of higher education courses (preferably in Fine Arts) + artistic portfolio + individual interview + written exam

Annual Tuition & Fees (2019/2020)

Year 1: 6 900 €

Years 2 to 5: 7 900 € per year

• Registration fees (EU student) : 1st time (350 €) / renewal (250 €) / Additional costs to anticipate (Social Security, equipment and school supplies) Beginning in their second year of studies, all students are required to have a personal computer.
• Registration fees (Non EU student) : 1st time (850 €) / renewal (350 €) / Additional costs to anticipate (Social Security, equipment and school supplies) Beginning in their second year of studies, all students are required to have a personal computer.

Application Period

Online application period: November 2018 to May 2019 .

ARTFX: TRAINING CREATIVE ENTREPRENEURS OF TOMORROW

FUTURE-ORIENTED TRAINING TO MAXIMIZE THE DEVELOPMENT OF YOUR SKILLS!

Gateway to an international career

• Courses prepare students for a successful transition to a professional working environment immediately following graduation: alumni receive their first job offer within an average of 20 days
• State-of-the-art education fully aligned with the job market thanks to ArtFx’s ties to professionals within the field.
• The graduation jury has become a must-attend event for recruiters from French and international studios of 3D animation, VFX and video games.
• A network of over 450 alumni working on the biggest productions in some of the largest studios around the world: Illumination Mac Guff, Double Negative, Framestore, Warner Bros, Industrial Light & Magic, Ubisoft, Mikros, MPC, Weta, The Mill, Mathematics, etc.
• Preparation for an international career thanks to courses in English: Many subjects are taught in English beginning in the first year; From the 2nd to the 5th year of studies, it is possible to enroll in the International Class where 100% of the subjects are taught in English.

Preparing students for the most in-demand jobs

Video Games are leading the world’s cultural industry ($115 billion in 2016) and are ranked 3rd in the world’s 3D animation industry. ArtFX opens the doors to the most sought-after and dynamic sectors: 3D animation, visual effects, computer graphics, video games, VFX/Game programming, advertising, etc. Through ArtFX, you have access to highly sought-after positions where qualified competition is rare!

Here are just a few of the positions you can obtain after ArtFX:

• 3D Animator
• VFX Supervisor
• CG Artist
• Artistic Director
• Director of Production
• 3D Lead
• Game Designer
• Game Artist
• Character Designer
• Level Designer
• Rigging Artist
• Matte Painter
• Environment Artist
• FX Artist
• VFX/Game Programmer
• Motion Designer
• Compositing Artist
• Gameplay Designer, etc.

STRONG VALUES

Know-how and professional demeanor are at the heart of the school’s pedagogic program

HIGH-QUALITY TRAINING APPROVED BY PROFESSIONALS

4TH BEST VFX SCHOOL / 8TH BEST 3D ANIMATION SCHOOL IN THE WORLD

ArtFX is a benchmark for schools in France and abroad

• In France: ArtFX is one of the only schools training VFX/Game Programming and 3D animation at the heart of a VFX cinema environment
• Worldwide: Ranked 4th best VFX school & 8th best 3D Animation school

Master’s Degree programs recognized by the RNCP

• Digital Director Diploma: 5-year curriculum (Master’s Degree equivalent) (specializations: 3D Animation, VFX, CGI)
• Video Games: 5-year curriculum (specializations: Game Art & Game Design)
• VFX/Game Programming: 2-year curriculum

Innovative pedagogy combining state-of-the-art techniques and traditional know-how

ArtFX offers an innovative pedagogical program. The courses are in the form of workshops, using the principle of the inverted classes to promote active learning and initiative throughout a project.

• Learning the most up-to-date techniques on advanced software.
• Developing fine art skills and building an artistic culture (sculpting -3D modeling, drawing, photography, concept art, video game creation, etc.).
• Students are actively involved in the learning process. The objectives of the ArtFX program are based as much on know-how as on the personal development of each student: autonomy, maturity, professionalism, culture, artistic and technical abilities, creation, production, innovation, curiosity, and solidarity.

Mastering the latest software

Exclusive partnerships with software companies give us access the most advanced software and plugins: Houdini, Affinity Photo, Maya, Nuke, Unity, Unreal Engine 4, Zbrush, Substance Painter, Substance Designer, Arnold, etc.

CERTIFIED TRAINING

In July 2017, ArtFX was certified by SideFX software as an official Houdini trainer.

THE SCHOOL CAMPUS: A PROGRESSIVE SPACE

Optimal learning conditions

• An infrastructure of 3000 square meters
• The building is located on a tree-lined campus and is easily accessible from major access roads and public transportation (tram and bus lines)
• The setting is ideal for productive and convivial teamwork.
• The numerous classrooms are available for student use (animation room with light tables and line test machines, computer labs, sculpting and drawing studios, digital editing and color grading rooms, a photo studio, a video game room, and more.
• Relaxation areas
• A media library
• A cafeteria with an on-site chef and a large terrace

High tech equipment available

Regardless of their specialization, students have access to all the professional materials and equipment they need to learn about the complete digital directing process.

• A filming studio with a cyclorama green screen,
• A camera crane, Steadicam, dolly tracks, etc.,
• Top of the line equipment (HD video cameras, a drone, projectors, flashes, and lighting accessories, professional sound recording equipment, digital cameras, and more) thanks to partnerships with Nikon, Canon, Leica, Broncolor…