How do you build a computer game from the ground up? This course shows you how. The work showcased demonstrates how young designers and artists at Dudley College have challenged the parameters of game design to present original and imaginative solutions for 2D and 3D game outcomes.
Learners are challenged to ‘think outside of the box’ to explore and question conventions within the world of games design. The course provides learners with the opportunity to creatively develop dynamic conceptual outcomes, while working with industry-standard design and production applications.
Students produce a wide range of game related ideas, from creating and developing proposals for intriguing game play and challenging game mechanics, to learning how to visualise, design and build digital characters for game deployment. The learners also get the opportunity to imaginatively craft and sculpt 3D environments and worlds. The use of industry-standard software is at the core of what we offer.
Programmes such as 3D Studio Max, Unreal Engine 4, World Machine, Mudbox, Z Brush, Qiuixel Suite, Crazy Bump, Visual Studio, GameMaker Studio are embedded throughout the projects our learners undertake. As part of the creative aspect of the course, we encourage our learners to become keen practitioners in areas of conceptual illustration, using applications such as Photoshop and Sketchbook to visually portray aspects of their imagination. I hope that you enjoy viewing and watching examples of their work.
Who knows? In a few years, you could be playing one of their games . . .
Each year, we carefully select students from our courses at Dudley College and Dudley Sixth to receive a ‘Journey of Success’ award for their outstanding achievements during their time with us. Here are their stories…
The Curriculum Manager Award 2023
This year’s Curriculum Manager Award goes to L4 Creative Enterprise student, Connor Broadley, who is progressing to study TV/Film Production at university. Sian Taylor, Curriculum Manager for Digital and Creative says:
“Connor started on L3 Animation, and throughout his time on this course he showed a real commitment to develop his skills. His willingness to learn, and apply this to his own work has seen him progress massively as reflected in his grades. Connor wanted to continue his development and moved on the L4 Creative Enterprise this year. Although this course presented new and different challenges, Connor has continued this attitude and has produced some excellent work.
Connor will do whatever is necessary to complete to the highest standards, and from where he started, he has progressed immeasurably. Connor has successfully been offered a place at University to study TV/Film Production. This will present yet further challenges, but ones I am confident Connor will approach with the same commitment and enthusiasm he has during his time at Dudley College. I wish him the best luck for the future.”
This year our Level 2 students have worked in a diverse range of projects, exploring creative disciplines such as photography, ceramics, print making and 3D. Learners have also had the opportunity to take part in live competitions and events, including Dudley Remembers and The Dudley young photographer of the year.
Students have been engaged in the production of media content for skills development in Script Writing, Cinematography and Video Editing. They have researched, planned and produced videos for various projects, including exploring narrative themes and TV studio multi-camera productions. Students also undertook productions exploring emerging technologies in live web streaming.
The standard of work has been excellent, with students researching, writing and producing final project work including short film, music video and documentary. Productions have benefitted from students having access to TV studio facilities to enable advanced uses of lighting and cinematography.
The work produced this year shows genuine creativity and imaginative uses of industry standard resources.
Stuart McConnell, Lecturer in Media
YEAR 1
The ‘I Don’t Know’ Show – Live Audio Stream
WEAKFINAL – Damien Hayward Astro and Willmoth
YEAR 2
Coree Connup – In Loving Memory
Natasha Darby and Coree Connup – Any Way Out
Natasha Darby – The Letter
Natasha Darby – Typecast
Flynn Hobley – Community Through Crisis
Jacob Jones – The Pursuit (70s TV Version)
Nyall Fairclough Mcintosh, Lacky Rana and Beth Wyld – Confessions of my End
Niall Fairclough Mcintosh – Mellow
Joseph McLeod – Our Hometown
Lacky Rana – When U Come Around
James Shinton – The Trials & Tribulations of a Cake Maker
James Shinton and Mitchell Summers – Lucky People, Waterparks
Level 1 Creative Media students have undertaken projects where they have developed skills and techniques in multiple disciplines, such as comic-book (graphic design), studio photography, filmmaking, audio production and animation. The showreels below showcase their animation, audio and film productions.
Emma Turner, Level 1 Vocational in Creative Media Tutor
Short Film Showcase by L1 Vocational Creative Media Students
Animation Showcase by L1 Vocational Creative Media Students
The animation production course is now in its third year. Students have been engaged in the production of animations for broadcast and on-line distribution including Music Video, Idents, Digital art, Graphic Narrative Production and Final Independent project where students research, design and produce animations based on their own style and techniques.
Students began their studies exploring the 12 Principles of animation which underpin the key creation of movement. This year has seen the students produce excellent 2D animations using hand drawn content, digital illustration and vector/asset-based techniques.
The standard of work has been excellent with most students working at a standard equivalent to year 1 degree level study.
Watch This Video of Our Upcycling Fashion Shoot with Andy Kruczek – January 2023
This creative cohort endured testing times through the COVID-era, at school, but have now built their confidence, cohesiveness and created a collaborative, supportive ethos. In terms of inter-department collaboration, they have photographed most college dance, musical theatre and drama events since the summer. All 2nd years are currently making promotional images for music students. Only one of our students considered going to university at the start of the course. Now 7 or 8 out of 11 are going to university and not only local ones. This year we have organised many talks, including from Gloucester University, Staffordshire University and Coventry University. We have travelled for workshops to The University of Wolverhampton and Hereford College of Arts. Also, previous students from Falmouth University, BCU, etc, have come back to work with us and inspire us.
Since Christmas, we took part in a special cross-curricular upgrade fashion shoot, inspired by Andy Kruczek’s talk and mentoring, later exhibited at the YMCA shop. Recently, we exhibited across 3 campuses for the college’s Equality and Diversity Day, as well as having a Conservation Photography exhibition at The Dudley Archives. Last year’s student Zoo Book raised hundreds of pounds for the orangutans of Indonesia. Following our work with Anand Chhabra, for Historic England, 3 students have been selected to exhibit their High St Heroes work across England, including London and Derby’s Festival of Photography.
This creative cohort endured testing times through the COVID-era, at school, but have now built their confidence, cohesiveness and created a collaborative, supportive ethos. In terms of inter-department collaboration, they have photographed most college dance, musical theatre and drama events since the summer. All 2nd years are currently making promotional images for music students. Only one of our students considered going to university at the start of the course. Now 7 or 8 out of 11 are going to university and not only local ones. This year we have organised many talks, including from Gloucester University, Staffordshire University and Coventry University. We have travelled for workshops to The University of Wolverhampton and Hereford College of Arts. Also, previous students from Falmouth University, BCU, etc, have come back to work with us and inspire us.
We are currently working with staff and students at the IOT, pioneering an educational app for students with communication difficulties, to be used across Dudley Schools. This year, one student won Dudley Young Photographer of the Year and another won a top 10 UK student award, for an image, later exhibited at the national Photography Show. In addition, one student has had a very fruitful work experience engagement with Thomas Dudley. We are currently making a ‘Ronnie and Friends’ Baby Loss Awareness book as well as this excellent yearbook. Following our work with The Holocaust Education Trust and the Dudley Holocaust Memorial, we recently had a meeting with Lord Austin, who together with the Mayor of Dudley, is commissioning us to photograph local refugees to celebrate their contribution to the community, for a forthcoming exhibition. In so many ways, this group have exceeded expectations and we wish them continued success in the future. We’re proud of you! Keep in touch – Class of 23!
Phil Brooks, course leader, photography
Watch this Video Gallery for the Dudley Zoo Exhibition Created by Dudley College Photography Students
