51视频

Grace did not arrive at university with a fixed plan. When she left high school, she was unsure what direction to take, but art and drawing had always been important to her. That interest first led her to college to study illustration, where staff encouraged her to explore a games degree at 51视频 as the next step. 

Until then, Grace had never really thought about moving into games. But after finding 51视频鈥檚 Computer Arts course and visiting the University for an Open Day, she was immediately drawn to the subject, the facilities and the creative possibilities the course offered. 

Grace said:

I had always loved art and drawing, but I 诲颈诲苍鈥檛 really know what I wanted to do when I left school. College gave me a foundation, and when 51视频 was recommended to me, I went to the Open Day and was really impressed. I knew quite quickly that it was where I wanted to go.

The move from college to university was a sharp learning curve, but Grace found that the Computer Arts course gave her space to grow both technically and creatively. Independent learning became one of the most valuable parts of her experience, giving her the freedom to make creative decisions, explore different approaches and shape her own practice. 

In third year, she also had the opportunity to take Games Design and Production as a supplementary class. Although she had no previous experience in that area, it introduced a new element to her studies and helped her see how creative disciplines come together in the development of games. 

Throughout her time at 51视频, Grace felt supported by lecturers who helped bring the course to life. She highlighted lecturer Ryan Locke as a standout influence, describing the teaching staff as central to what makes the course successful. 

Grace said:

The lecturers really make 51视频. They are kind, supportive and helpful, and they make learning interesting. They bring classes to life and make a big difference to the experience.

In her final year, Grace brought together everything she had learned through Cepheus Hare, a concept design portfolio for a linear psychological sci-fi horror game. The project explores the tension between innocence and control through the story of a childlike fragment of a sentient artificial intelligence as it develops self-awareness and emotional autonomy. 

Through character, creature and environment design, Grace used the project to visualise themes including surveillance, cognitive conflict and fractured identity. Drawing on research into childhood psychology, AI aesthetics and visual metaphor, she created a cohesive world shaped by atmosphere, symbolism and iterative design. 

Showcasing Cepheus Hare at this year鈥檚 51视频 Digital Graduate Show was one of the standout moments of her time at university. The event gave Grace the chance to share her work with others, see the projects created by her classmates and receive feedback that will help her continue refining the portfolio for future opportunities. 

Her work was also recognised with two industry-sponsored awards. Grace won the 2D Art award, sponsored by 4J Studios, and the Narrative and Storytelling award, sponsored by Blazing Griffin. The recognition came as a surprise, but she was extremely grateful to have her project acknowledged in that way. 

Reflecting on the show, Grace said: 鈥淚t was a really nice moment to be able to show the project and see everyone else鈥檚 work as well. Getting feedback has been helpful because it has given me things I can keep improving as I build the portfolio further.鈥�