Investigate Popular Pixel Art

​Investigate & Plan

Learning Intentions
  • Investigate pixel art/sprite examples from popular games
  • Identify how purpose, audience, context, platform, conventions and design principles shape the outcomes
  • Plan an original outcome that applies these findings
Success Criteria
  • I can describe purpose, audience, platform and key conventions/design principles from 1–2 game examples
  • I have a clear design brief and technical plan (canvas size, style, naming, folder structure)
In a previous lesson we analysed some existing character art, today we are continuing this using examples of pixel art from popular media.

Activity
Choose 1–2 games and investigate:
  • Purpose of the art style
  • Audience and platform
  • Conventions (palette, proportions, outlines, animation style, sprite use)
  • Design principles (simplicity, consistency, contrast, readability)
Write a short design brief for a new character of your own. Imagine that you are making a character sprite for a game of your own that matches the art style/aesthetic of your chosen examples.

Design, Develop, Manage & Refine

Learning Intentions
  • Design and develop an original pixel art/sprite outcome that applies investigated conventions and design principles
  • Create, manage and refine digital assets using professional workflows
Success Criteria
  • My outcome clearly applies conventions and design principles from the examples
  • I have used appropriate tools, formats, clear naming, versions, exports, backups and evidence
Having made our plan in the previous section, we are now going to create our own character, applying the planned conventions and principles. Your character needs to be no larger than a 64x64 canvas. Your main focus needs to be on the initial frame, once you have an initial high quality sprite it is easier to make changes for future frames.

As you complete your work ensure to:
  • Clearly name layers and files
  • Save versions as you refine (v0.1, v0.2, v0.3)
  • Export correctly (PNG / sprite sheet / GIF)
  • Organised folders + backup
  • Get feedback from peers