Module: GDT6002-20 Industry Ready

Level: 6

Credit Value: 20

Module Tutor:  James Newman

Module Tutor Contact Details: j.newman@bathspa.ac.uk

1. Brief description and aims of module:  

The aim of this module is to help you prepare for the next steps of your career. This

could be finding your first role in a creative company, starting your own studio or

developing your practice through further study. Throughout this module you engage

activities for getting ‘industry ready’. This includes, amongst other activities, taking

time to build a critical understanding of the game sector as it stands today, as well as

identifying the various pathways you may take towards employment.

Creative studios range in size, creative focus, platform specialisms, and working

practices. Reviewing the activities that take place in professional studios will help you

to decide on your future direction. Through writing a focused case study on a studio,

developer or creative technologist you admire in this module, you gain an awareness

of the type of knowledge and skills you need to showcase to secure a role in the

creative industries. Importantly, it also gives you insight into the motivations,

approaches and trends that makes the creative economy tick.

Accessing networks and getting your work in front of the right people is critical to

finding professional opportunities. In Industry Ready, you gain an understanding of

where to find and how to access the types of professional networks that may support

you in finding a role in your field of interest. You learn methods of communicating the

soft-skills you have developed throughout your degree - including teamwork,

adaptability, communication and creative thinking. All are essential in the workplace,

and so your ability to highlight these to future employers and collaborators is key to

your future success.

Another key tool for showcasing your capabilities is a convincing, easily accessible

portfolio. This module offers dedicated time and practical advice on how to develop a

portfolio, as well as how to leverage online networks to share it with the people that

matter.

2.Outline syllabus:

● Communicating professional knowledge and skills

● The structure, culture and working practices of professional studios

● The importance of soft skills

● Writing a creative personal statement

● Networking (online and face-to-face)

● Professional communities and where to find them

● Curating and showcasing your practice

● Building a web portfolio

3.Teaching and learning activities:

Class Hours

Workshops and seminars introduce core concepts focused on developing your

understanding of working practice, workplace culture and recruitment in the games

industry. You are introduced to industry standard methods for showcasing your

knowledge, skills and practical experience to potential employers, funders and

collaborators. Tutors work with you to develop a creative personal statement and

build a professional web portfolio.

Independent Learning

This module offers an opportunity to consider where you want to go after graduation,

and what you need to do to get there. Research outside of class into companies and

figures within the games industry is essential if you are to develop an appropriate

understanding of the sector. A web portfolio is the ongoing documentation of your

work, highlighting your best skills. You need to continue to develop this outside of

class through producing high quality images, film and demos evidencing your

practice.

Assessment Item 1:

• Assessment Type: CW

• Description: Web portfolio.

• % Weighting: 50%

Assessment Item 2:

• Assessment Type: CW

• Description: Case study (2,500 words).

• % Weighting: 50%