P2 recap

BTEC Extended Diploma in Games Design

Unit 78 Exercise : Computer game graphics

Pixel art :
Resolution
Compression
File extensions
Image capture
Optimizing
Storage Of Image Assets

3D Art:
Vectors
3D polygons
Rendered cut scenes and animations

Heads Up Display

Background graphics
 
Logos, graphic design and typography
 
Packaging
 
Advertising - eg: Posters, Adverts, Point Of Sale, TV adverts, Viral videos, social media
 
Concept art - drawings, photographs, mood board, videos
 
Artistic Styles - e.g: Photorealism, Abstract, Cartoon, Cel Shaded, Anime
 
Texture art

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Unit 78 Exercise : Computer graphics specification
 

 

The dictionary definition of the word "specification" :

 

an act of identifying something precisely or of stating a precise requirement:

"give a full specification of the job advertised"

 

a detailed description of the design and materials used to make something.

"one of the telescope's mirrors had been manufactured to incorrect specifications"

 

 

 

In terms of computer graphics, the term specification could refer to the individual components of what the graphics are made up from. The individual components could cover areas such as:

• Resolution
  - This refers to the how sharp graphics appear on screen

• Compression
  - This refers to how files are shrunk down to reduce their size, and how much this affects image quality

• File extensions
  - Naming conventions that the computer uses to identify types of files

• Image capture
  - Ways of bringing an image into a digital computer environment

• Optimizing
  - Ways of allowing a system or its graphics to run at their very best performance

• Storage Of Image Assets
  - Ways that data and graphics are saved securely within a computer environment

 

These requirements are directly related to the platform, application or operating systems that is displaying the graphics. For example a higher spec machine may be able to handle a greater resolution than a lower spec machine. For example, a PS4 will have a different set of specifications to a 3DS - there will be acute differences in the graphics, resolution, file types, storage of assets and compression.

A specification could also refer to a client brief - they will specify certain parameters for the project from the outset. For example, they might say that they want a 3D fantasy adventure to run on the 3DS. The artistic style should be cel-shaded and be bright, fun and appealing. The client may say that they want a mixture of 3D sprites and 2D backgrounds.

Specification can also include typography - a certain sort of font, look of the graphics' text or design of the games' logo. If the game already has an established brand, the client could opt to specify the inclusion or updating of any existing logos or typography.