Final Projects
Final projects are the capstone assignments for each semester. They are long-term projects that you work on gradually while completing weekly assignments and unit work. These projects showcase your best skills at that point in the program and prepare you for future coursework.
Good final projects are:
- Planned — you start early and track progress each week.
- Iterative — you revise based on critique and feedback.
- Documented — you save sketches, drafts, and notes.
- Presented — you explain your work clearly to an audience.
Semester 1 Final Project (Midterm)
Focus: Visual storytelling, drawing fundamentals, and concept design.
Task: Build on the skills from Units 2–3 to produce a polished concept art package for a prop or environment in your game world.
- Research references and inspiration
- Produce sketches, thumbnails, and iterations
- Create a final polished design sheet that includes both process and final art
Deliverables:
- Concept art sheet (sketches + final piece)
- Short written reflection explaining design choices
- Presentation of the concept art to the class
You are not graded on artistic skill. What matters is how clearly you can portray a design so that another person could build it without needing to ask for more details.
Think of your project as an instruction manual in visual form — if another student picked up your sheet, they should be able to recreate your prop exactly from what you’ve provided.
Semester 2 Final Project (Final)
Focus: Character design, narrative context, and portfolio presentation.
Task: Create a Character Design Document that demonstrates the fundamentals of character design and ties into your personal game world.
- Develop silhouette and shape studies
- Sketch anatomy and costumes
- Produce a full turnaround (front, side, back views)
- Build a mood board with references for tone and style
- Write a short bio connecting design choices to the story
Deliverables:
- Character turnaround sheet
- Mood board and reference images
- Written notes describing backstory, role, and design choices
- Portfolio entry with final design document
They are long-term projects that will take time to complete. Time management is critical in the creative industry, and this is your chance to practice. Plan ahead, pace your work, and use weekly assignments to build toward your final deliverables.
Portfolio Requirement
By the end of Semester 2, you will submit a starter portfolio that includes:
- Your Semester 1 Concept Art Package
- Your Semester 2 Character Design Document
- Selected weekly assignments that show process and growth
- A short reflection on your goals moving forward
The portfolio is not a one-time assignment. You will continue to update and refine it throughout the 3-year AME pathway. It becomes the showcase of your work for future classes, college, or job applications.
Grading & Structure
Final Projects count for 30% of the semester grade.
They are graded on:
- Creativity & Originality — unique ideas, thoughtful design choices
- Technical Skill — drawing, digital art, or modeling accuracy
- Process — research, sketches, revisions, feedback applied
- Presentation — ability to explain work and connect ideas
- Professionalism — meeting deadlines, following directions, portfolio formatting