BA Game Design: 'What I've enjoyed about my course'

Kuba Krysztofiak graduated this summer with a BA Game Design. In their final year, Kuba was a member of a very successful team University of Hull team at the Game Republic Student Showcase. Here, they share highlights of taking part in the student showcase, what they enjoyed about their course and how it has prepared them for their career.

What I’ve enjoyed my course:
I've enjoyed the wide variety in modules on the BA Game Design course. I came into the University quite close-minded about what I would want to do in the games industry (I was quite insistent on sticking to 2D character art), but thanks to the Unity introductory module I found that I actually thoroughly enjoyed designing and coding games.

Despite having never learned any computer science skills at GCSE or A-Level, I was praised on my work and graded highly (my final assignment – a solo game project and game design documentation – scored 90/100). Then, in the second year of the course, I opened myself up to other modules I hadn't considered prior. Moving past my stubbornness for only 2D, I tackled modules around 3D character modelling and animation. Even if I may not be the most proficient or skilled at 3D modelling, the course has allowed me to pick up beginner to intermediate skills in a large variety of fields that fall under the Game Design umbrella. If I wasn't introduced to Unity in the first trimester of the first year, we would've never showcased REDACTION at the Game Republic Showcase.

My course has prepared me for my career:
I strongly believe that by teaching me a large variety of skills that all fall under the Game Design umbrella, I am well prepared for the industry. Since the course covered the basics of various skills, and then let me choose which skills I want to specialise in, I strongly believe I can be a stand-out candidate in games job applications. For example, I have seen job applications that seek 2D character artists, but ask at least for beginner knowledge in 3D modelling despite modelling not being their responsibility, which is exactly what the BA Game Design course has provided me with. Furthermore, by introducing me to all these various skills that range from 2D art to 3D modelling, and from gameplay design to C#, I am now able to create my own games - be it as personal passion projects, for freelance work, or collaborative projects with other BA Games Design alumni.

The highlights of taking part in the Game Republic Showcase were:
The highlights of the Game Republic Showcase were definitely the large audience you could present your game to. You could see proficient 'gamers' and non-tech-savvy people alike try to play your game and find where your game confuses players. You could get equally valid critique from industry professionals and peers who are all passionate about games. You could openly discuss ideas and hear innovative suggestions from everyone who came to your stand.

Such a huge audience can provide an invaluable amount of feedback and critique while online play tests could struggle to reach the same scale audience. The massive amount of feedback will help us keep developing and improving REDACTION. But, aside from all the comments, praise, critique, and notes that you will have to improve your game in the future, I don't think I'll forget seeing people react; seeing people smile in excitement, laugh in amusement, gasp in shock. Seeing REDACTION enjoyed after so many hours of hard work was the greatest reward I could've asked for. And it wouldn't exist if not for the mandatory Unity/Game Design and Prototyping module that I had to take all the way back in the first year.

I enjoyed studying in Hull because:
Studying in Hull has let me know so many wonderful people in and outside of the University. I've met wonderful folk, be they student or lecturer, on a variety of courses. I've met people that I hope to stay in touch with post graduation via the shared accommodations, on-campus events, and even cross-course events – such as a FACE game jam I participated in during the first year, or the crossover between Game Design and Creative Writing as part of the Scriptwriting module. Outside of the University, I have been able to meet people of common interests via community events like Life Drawing Sessions that happen not too far from the University, or the various board game cafes and bars that I was introduced to by fellow students on the Game Design course.

What's next:
I am actively seeking a job in the games industry, be it part-time, full-time, permanent or a one-off contract. I am hoping to find employment as a concept artist, specialising in character art. However, I am also open to other opportunities, such as being a game designer, or teaching art fundamentals (preferably at A-level).

In order to keep developing my skills as I continue my job hunt, I am continuing to develop REDACTION with my friends, and I have started an independent project called Thaumaturge where I am currently creating various character concepts, monster designs and am writing up a Game Design document with the long-term end-goal of developing a Souls-like game.

The concept work I have done so far can be found on my ArtStation (https://www.artstation.com/kubaaak), and my Verdant Cadaver boss design has won me a 2D Art Excellence Runner-Up Award at Gamebridge 2024.

Read more:
Read more about Kuba, Hidden Arts, and REDACTION.
Watch the REDACTION promo here.