BA (Hons) Character Design and Concept Art

If you are studying the BA (Hons) Character Design & Concept Art with Integrated Foundation Year version of this course, key topics of your integrated foundation year will include:

• Fundamental design principles: typography, colour, hierarchy, layout, and imagery
• Developing clear visual narratives, identities, and design systems
• Crafting effective visual storytelling through sequencing, pace, and tone
• Conducting research with cultural, social, and ethical awareness
• Mastery of industry-standard software (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Animate, After Effects, Acrobat, Premiere Pro)
• Managing production workflows from pre-production to post-production
• Critically evaluating design work using relevant criteria
• Creating professional portfolios, slide decks, and pitch presentations.

Key study themes for the 3 year version of this course, and Year 1, 2, 3, of the Integrated Foundation Year version of this course are:

Applying your skills across a range of illustrative applications including: 

• drawing and image-making fundamentals
• understanding and interpreting narrative informed by research
• using digital image-making tools and 3D modelling to bring characters and environments to life.

If you choose to add an Integrated Foundation Year on this course, you will be first introduced to the fundamental principles of design. Your foundation year gives you the time, space and support to explore your strengths, build confidence and prepare for the demands of project-based, industry-focused learning. Modules are as follows*:

• Module 1: Diagnostic exploration - making informed choices
• Module 2: Technical - Technical knowledge in practice
• Module 3: Specialist - Innovating specialist practice
• Module 4: Integration - Integrated practice for progression to Higher Education

Please note: Students starting this course with the Integrated Foundation Year in September 2026/27 will study the 2027/28 approved modules in Years 1, 2 and 3.

Year 1

In Year 1 you will build essential skills in ideation, character design and narrative. You will be introduced to industry standard software such as Photoshop and Cinema 4D and cover the intricacies of world building for the motion picture, animation and video game industry.

Modules include:

• Introduction to Visual Culture
• Introduction to Illustration Practice
• Visual Culture Futures
• Narrative Concepts and Communication
• Professional Life Practice: Developing Your Practice
• Professional Life Practice: Exploring Your Practice

Year 2

In Year 2 you will focus on live briefs from industry and deepen your skill building in digital media (both 2D and 3D) and engaging with visual and textual research to invent new worlds and characters. 

You will also gain valuable work experience in industry as part of year 2.

Modules include:

• Organic Forms - Anatomy & Dynamics
• New Dimensions - From 2D to 3D
• Building Imaginary Worlds - Deconstructing Narrative & Applied Research
• Professional Life Practice: Applying Your Practice
• Work Based Learning

Year 3

During Year 3 you will prepare for the creative industries, working on projects directed towards specific sectors of the industry. You will have access to Industry experts who will guide your portfolio development and you will have the opportunity to showcase your work in public facing venues.

Modules include:

• Pro Level - Live Briefs and Real World Projects
• Professional Life Practice: Situating Your Practice
• Pitch - Major Project
• Concept Art & Character Design Portfolio

Year 1

Build essential skills in ideation, narrative and character design while mastering industry-standard software like Photoshop and Cinema 4D for film, games and animation.

Modules may include:

• Rave Beginnings
• Drawing, Mark-Making & Expression
• History of Visual Culture
• Storytelling & Concept
• Future Directions in Visual Culture & EPC

Year 2

Deepen your 2D and 3D digital media skills through visual research, sequential storytelling and hands-on work placements on live industry briefs.

Modules may include:

• Character Development
• Sequential Narratives
• The Storyteller
• Preparing for Animation & Character Industry 
• Live & Work-based Learning

Year 3

Refine your personal voice through expert-guided sector projects and showcase your final portfolio in public-facing industry venues.

Modules may include:

• Personal Voice & Style
• Competitions & Live Briefs
• Rave Futures
• Major Project Production

All modules are subject to revalidation.

variety of learning and teaching methods are employed in this course. 

These include but are not limited to;

Briefings, lectures, seminars, practical workshops, studio-based project work, demonstrations, collaborative activities, group discussions, individual and group tutorials, critiques, presentations, industry guest lectures, studio visits, industry-informed briefs, field trips, gallery visits and self-directed independent study.

The course is assessed entirely by coursework.

Study hours

BA (Hons) Character Design and Concept Art with Integrated Foundation Year

• 1152 hours of face-to-face taught
• 3648 hours of independent study learning

BA (Hons) Character Design and Concept Art

• 864 hours of face-to-face taught
• 2736 hours of independent study learning

Drawing supplies and other technical costs approximately 300 per year.

Note on laptop costs: Students are strongly recommended to have a personal laptop suitable for design software. If a new purchase is needed, budget approximately £600–£1,200 as a one-off cost, ideally timed for the start of Year 1. Shared studio computers are available on campus for students who do not yet have their own device.

Our campus 

You'll study in a building designed to encourage collaboration between the different disciplines and practices within Ravensbourne, and to stimulate the work of innovative professionals and creative collaboration.

It features a variety of workspaces, including social and quiet areas, high-tech creative suites, technology hubs, design studios and more. 

Want to see where you'd be studying up close? When you book a guided building tour, you can see our fantastic facilities for yourself and find out more from one of our helpful student ambassadors.

Our local area

Ravensbourne is ideally connected - North Greenwich station is just a 2-minute walk away from our campus and offers amazing views from the Greenwich Peninsula.

These transport links offer an easy route to some of London's major business hubs, perfect for reaching possible placements or networking events with employers in the worlds of business or technology.  

At Ravensbourne we accept a wide range of qualifications for entry onto our courses, whilst also considering the context in which they were achieved. For this course, we would usually require a GCSE Grade 4 or above in English in addition to any of the below;

• Two A Levels at grade CC or above
• BTEC Extended Diploma at grade MPP
• UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma
• T Level (pass or above)
• Access to Higher Education Diploma
• International Baccalaureate at grade 24 or above
• Other/Mixed qualifications equivalent to 64 UCAS Tariff points

At Ravensbourne we take a flexible approach to admissions, as we want you to know exactly what you need to achieve in your exams to guarantee a place on the course. We still think exams are important and look forward to hearing about your successes, but we place just as much importance on the work you will share with us as part of our portfolio process.

Interview and portfolio requirements

Admission onto this course is also subject to successful completion of a portfolio (or showreel). 

We are looking for aspiring illustrators who are passionate about image-making, and want to take part in shaping the future of visual communication.

We are not seeking industry-ready professionals, or people with established styles - we are simply looking for students who are excited and intrigued by character design and concept art, and have the curiosity and motivation to approach it with the energy and focus it needs.

This means that we have no specific requirements for what should be in your portfolio, but we would like to see evidence of how you like to make images (it doesn’t matter if that’s drawing, painting, digital work, collage, photography, animation - that part is up to you), as well as roughs, sketchbooks and development, so that we can get an idea of how you create your work.

Technical and digital skills are useful, but not mandatory - digital workshops run throughout the course, and will get you up to speed on everything you need to learn to create industry-ready work.

This page offers great tips for completing your portfolio/showreel.

At Ravensbourne we accept a wide range of qualifications for entry onto our courses, whilst also considering the context in which they were achieved. For this course, we would usually require a GCSE Grade 4 or above in English in addition to any of the below;

• Two A Levels at grade DD or above
• BTEC Extended Diploma at grade PPP
• Other/Mixed qualifications equivalent to 48 UCAS Tariff points

At Ravensbourne we take a flexible approach to admissions, as we want you to know exactly what you need to achieve in your exams to guarantee a place on the course. We still think exams are important and look forward to hearing about your successes, but we place just as much importance on the work you will share with us as part of our interview and/or portfolio process.

Selection criteria

You should ideally have a background in art, creative media or design.

There are no interview or portfolio requirements for this course.