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concept art and experience design 

Concept Art and Experience Design short course

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Course Details

Location

London campus or live online

Start date

24th February 2025

22nd September 2025

Duration

14 or 21 weeks

Contact time

2.5 days per week

Entry requirements

  • Be over 18

  • Have a good understanding of written and spoken English

  • Feel comfortable using a computer

Fees

14 weeks - London campus: £7,845

14 weeks - Live online: £6,100

21 weeks - London campus: £11,080

21 weeks - Live online: £8,590

Apply now

February 2025:

September 2025:

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Course overview

Our full-time courses give you the opportunity to study the first 14 or 21 weeks of our MA Concept Art and Experience Design degree. This option is suited to students who want intensive training without academic qualifications. You’ll complete the first 2-3 modules of the programme and develop specialist skills in Character and Costume Design and Thematic Environment Design.  

Our Concept Art and Experience Design courses focus on digital design for industries, such as games, animation and film, as well as real thematic environments in the areas of experiential design for branded events, theme parks, interiors and museums using a combination of 2D and 3D approaches. 

Why choose this course

  • Designed with industry - this course has been created with Atomhawk, three global, award-winning studios who provide creative support across the full game development pipeline through art, design and technical excellence.

  • Learn from expert Tutor, Jim Russell - former Principal Concept Artist at Creative Assembly with more than 20 years of industry experience.

  • Get to grips with the software used in industry, including Adobe Photoshop, Blender, Photoshop and Unreal Engine.

  • Receive feedback from industry professionals - an opportunity to level-up your work and build connections, ready to embark on your creative career.

  • Benefit from our AfterCare package - we'll help you polish your showreel and find the right job, with access to our studios and showreel clinics for 12 months.

Meet your tutor, Jim Russell

Over the past two decades, Jim Russell has contributed to more than 15 AAA console and PC games, including the epic Total War: Warhammer fantasy game series, where he designed all the architecture and environments. His experience includes various areas of game development, serving as a Lead Environment Artist and more recently as Principal Concept Artist at Creative Assembly in Horsham, UK.

Before transitioning to the games' industry in 2003, Jim has spent several years working as an Architect. He showcases some of his work on Art Station.

Please note tutors are subject to change.

Learn more about Jim

Course modules

These modules are common with the first 14-21 weeks of our MA Concept Art and Experience Design.

Foundations in 2D drawing approaches and Design.

  • Digital drawing style and approaches

  • Perspective and technical drawing

  • 2D technical workshops

  • Tonal approaches

  • Digital Painting

  • Colour Theory

  • Art history 1

  • 3D modelling for Digital Paintovers

  • Introduction to (Blender)

  • Technical workshops

  • Lighting and rendering for illustration

  • Art history 2

Project - Environmental Design for a game

Digital Drawing, Painting and Design of Characters.

  • Digital drawing style and approaches

  • 2D technical workshops

  • 3D technical workshops

  • Character and Costume design history 1

Project - Character and Costume design for an established IP.

Digital Drawing, Painting and 3D Design for Themed Environments.

  • Digital drawing style and approaches

  • 2D technical workshops

  • 3D technical workshops

  • Architectural history 1

Project - Design and concept a themed environment

For more details about modules, see the programme and module specifications.

More Information

Minimum requirements

We welcome and encourage applications from students with a variety of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.

To study this short course, you must:

  • Be over 18

  • Have a good understanding of written and spoken English

  • Feel comfortable using a computer.

If you’d like to discuss your circumstances before applying, contact us!

Non-UK students

We accept international students for our short courses, with no difference in course fees or administration costs. 

The Standard Visitor visa allows students to come to the UK to study for a course of up to six months at an accredited institution. Depending on your nationality, you may need to apply for a standard visitor visa prior to departure from your home country. For more information visit:  

Contact us on admissions@escapestudios.ac.uk or +44 (0) 204 570 5091 for any questions.

We can provide remote access to our workstations during teaching time. Due to availability restrictions, we highly advise you to have your own set up at home to study in your own time.

More things you’ll need:

  • A strong internet connection

  • Cloud storage or external hard drive to back up your work, 1TB+ recommended

  • A three-button mouse or graphics tablet. Please note, the Wacom Intuos Pro range of tablets have the best support for our remote desktop software and provide the best experience.

  • A computer microphone (and optionally a webcam)

  • Note-taking materials.

If you have any questions about learning online or if you need help with what to buy, get in touch at hello@escapestudios.ac.uk.

To apply, complete the relevant online application form linked below.

February 2025:

September 2025:

Our Admissions Team will get in touch to take you through the next steps.

If you have any questions about your application, your portfolio or our entry requirements, get in touch!

Call our Admissions Team on +44 (0) 204 570 5091

Email us at admissions@escapestudios.ac.uk

As part of the application process, you will need to agree to our terms and conditions for your place on the course to be secured.

Fees 

14 weeks - London campus: £7,845

14 weeks - Live online: £6,100

21 weeks - London campus: £11,080

21 weeks - Live online: £8,590

Payment plans

We offer payment plan options for all courses. Following an initial deposit at registration stage, your chosen payment plan will break down your remaining fees into up to three instalments, to be paid before the end of the course.

Visit our admissions page for any questions about fees, funding and payment plans.

  • Photoshop

  • Blender

  • Unreal Engine

This course was created in response to the industry demand for new creative talent and is focused on developing your skills and creativity in preparation for a career as a Concept Artist.

You’ll leave with an Escape Studios Certificate of Completion, along with strong creative and technical skills and some great pieces of work for your portfolio, which you can add to with help from our Aftercare programme. Ready to apply for jobs in the industry!

Check out our Careers Guide for more information about career opportunities and progression routes.

Why Escape Studios?

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