Reflection on year one, and ambition for year two

Reflecting upon the past year, i have considered it to be a crash course in game production, bringing everyone upto speed with the necessary knowledge and techniques required to function as a game artist. Everyone began the course with a varying amount of skill and knowledge regarding the games industry. Some came equipped with extensive 3d knowledge whereas others had previous artistic degress under their belts, yet by the end of the first year, everyone was given the opportunity to level the playing field and prepare themselves for the much more volatile second year. From my experience over the last year, I dont think I have fully grasped this opportunity. I feel i developed alot throughout the course of the three semesters yet slacked at various points aswell. Through realising this, I am determined to engage myself more in the course and produce much more relevant and better considered work.

Our second year of progression has been defined as a much more autonomous method of learning, we depend highly on self-study and motivation to produce the necessary work. This has been much easier than anticipated, especially since the recent accreditation status that the course has earned last year. A lot of external interest from game companies has been evident
due to a huge increase in guest lecturers and external projects being provided to us. This amount of interest has developed alot of inspiration for myself aswell as many of my coursemates, spurring us to develop high quality artwork.

In terms of my ambition for the second year, i just intend to proceed with the course taking every opportunity that i am being provided with. In a recent lecture With Del Walker, a graduate from the very same course and current employee at Blitz games, the second year provides alot of opportunity to develop contacts within the industry meeting guests, visiting conventions and obviously ex graduates! Personally, I hope to narrow down the artistic sector i desire to work in. So far I am favouring the 3d aspect of the course as it has been capturing my interest alot more over the last year. Throughout the next few months I hope to develop much more in that area and follow in the footsteps of other succesful students.