Advanced Diploma in Entertainment Design (9 Months) | MAGES

ADVANCED DIPLOMA IN ENTERTAINMENT DESIGN

9 Month Full-Time

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Transform concept art into production-ready 3D game assets.

Build professional 3D game art skills for the entertainment industry.

Programme Glance

Qualification Advanced Diploma in Entertainment Design
Awarded by MAGES Institute of Excellence, Singapore
Duration 9 months
Full-time schedule 5 days a week, 3 hours a day
Part-time schedule 3 days a week, 3 hours a day
Mode of delivery Classroom
Student-to-lecturer ratio 18 : 1
Minimum age 17 years
Modules 5 – Hard Surface Modelling, Asset Development (Studio), Character Sculpting, Environment Creation, Production Art – Organic
Software [3ds Max / Blender], ZBrush, Substance Painter, Marmoset Toolbag, Unreal Engine
Assessment Project-based across all modules
Fees — Singapore Citizens & PRs SGD 19,061.92 (incl. 9% GST)
Fees — International students SGD 22,113.92 (incl. 9% GST)
Application fee SGD 545.00 local / SGD 817.50 international
Next intake TBC
Campus 2 Orchard Link, SCAPE #05-11, Singapore 237978
Progression BA Computer Arts, Abertay University (Stage 3 Direct Entry)
Accreditation EduTrust certified — Cert. No. EDU-2-2054

Who This Advanced Diploma Is For

The Advanced Diploma in Entertainment Design is built for students who want to work in 3D game art production rather than 2D concept design.

This programme suits you if you:

  • Have completed the Diploma in Concept Art & Entertainment Design, or a comparable qualification in art or design
  • Can already design characters, props or environments in 2D
  • Want to take your own concepts through to finished, engine-ready 3D assets
  • Are aiming at studio roles such as 3D game artist, character artist or environment artist

Consider a different MAGES programme if you:

Advanced Diploma vs Diploma: What’s Different

MAGES offers three art qualifications. They differ by discipline, duration and stage.

Diploma in Concept Art & Entertainment Design Diploma in 3D Modelling & Game Art Advanced Diploma in Entertainment Design
Discipline 2D concept design 3D art, fundamentals to production 3D production art
Duration 12 months 12 months 9 months
Intended stage First qualification First qualification After a first qualification
Main output 2D concept portfolio Real-time 3D portfolio Advanced 3D production portfolio
Typical next step Advanced Diploma, or industry Advanced Diploma, or industry BA Computer Arts, or industry

The practical difference between the Diploma in 3D Modelling & Game Art and the Advanced Diploma in Entertainment Design is the starting point.

The Diploma spends 12 months building 3D skills from the ground up. The Advanced Diploma runs 9 months and is designed for students who arrive able to design, so the time goes to production craft – sculpting, texturing, environment assembly and optimisation – rather than fundamentals.

Careers After the Advanced Diploma

Graduates of the Advanced Diploma in Entertainment Design are prepared for production art roles across games, animation and immersive media.

  • 3D Game Artist – models and textures assets to studio specification
  • Character Artist – sculpts characters and prepares them for real-time use
  • Environment Artist – builds game levels, terrain and architecture
  • Real-Time Environment Artist – assembles and optimises scenes inside a game engine
  • Prop Artist – produces weapons, vehicles, tools and set dressing
  • Asset Artist – delivers finished assets into a studio production pipeline
  • Junior Technical Artist – works between art and engineering on shaders, tools and performance

Students graduate with a portfolio built from five module projects. Recent student work is published on ArtStation.

Progression to a UK Degree

Graduates of the Advanced Diploma in Entertainment Design can progress to the BA Computer Arts at Abertay University, delivered in Singapore at MAGES.

The programme is a Stage 3 Direct Entry route, which means eligible diploma holders enter the third year of study and complete the degree in 12 months, building on prior qualifications in art, design, animation or games.

PROGRAMME OVERVIEW

The Advanced Diploma in Entertainment Design (Progression from Diploma in Concept Art & Entertainment Design) is designed for graduates seeking to advance from 2D concept design into professional 3D game art production.

 

Building on the Diploma’s foundation in concept art, visual storytelling, character and environment design, and digital painting, the programme equips students with the technical skills required to create production-ready assets for the interactive entertainment industry.

Students develop expertise in 3D modelling, digital sculpting, texturing, material creation, lighting, optimisation, and real-time asset integration using industry-standard software such as Blender, ZBrush, Substance 3D Painter, and Unreal Engine.

 

Emphasising modern studio pipelines and collaborative workflows, the programme mirrors real-world game development, enabling students to transform concept art into optimised assets for games and immersive experiences.

 

Through industry-focused projects and mentorship from experienced practitioners, graduates build a professional portfolio showcasing both creative and technical excellence, preparing them for careers as 3D Game Artists, Environment Artists, Character Artists, Prop Artists, Technical Artists (Junior), Asset Artists, and Real-Time Environment Artists.

DURATION: 5 days * 3 hours a day per week. Duration of the course: 9 months. (Full Time)
3 days * 3 hours a day of Lecture classes in a week. Duration of the course: 9 months. (Part Time)

STUDENT-TO-LECTURER RATIO: 18 Students : 1 Lecturer

MODE OF DELIVERY: Classroom. Learners are not allowed to switch Modes after program commencement.

NOTE: A Pass in all Modules within the maximum study period is required for Graduation.

SOFTWARE TAUGHT: Open Office, 3ds max, substance painter, ZBrush, Marmoset, Unreal Engine

HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS: Windows Laptop with a Minimum of i7 (13th Gen) Processor or Ryzen 7, 16 GB RAM (32 GB recommended), RTX 2060 or above, 500GB SSD (1TB recommended), Drawing Tablet (Wacom One recommended)

MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION AND ASSESSMENT: Lectures & Practical (Hands-on Application), Project-based Assessment for all modules

9 MONTH PROGRAM

GRADUATE WITH AN INDUSTRY-STANDARD PORTFOLIO
Game Art Diploma
Game Art
Game Art
Game Art Diploma
Game Art
Game Art

HARD SURFACE MODELLING

This module provides students with a foundational understanding of 3D modeling concepts, techniques, and industry practices. Students will learn how to create, manipulate, and refine 3D models for use in interactive media and games.

 

The course covers essential topics such as modeling techniques for both organic and hard-surface assets, understanding topology for clean and efficient models, and the basics of UV mapping. By focusing on industry-relevant workflows, students will develop skills to produce game-ready models that adhere to quality and performance standards.

Term 1 Game Art
Term 2 Game Art
Term 3 Game Art
Term 1 Game Art
Term 2 Game Art
Term 3 Game Art

ASSET DEVELOPMENT (STUDIO)

This module provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the workflow involved in creating game assets, focusing on developing high-quality, optimized elements for interactive environments.

 

Students will learn the complete production pipeline, from concept and modeling to preparation for interactive environments, emphasizing efficiency, visual consistency, and adherence to performance standards.

Term 4 Game Modelling
Term 5 Game Modelling
Term 5 Game Modelling
Term 4 Game Modelling
Term 5 Game Modelling
Term 5 Game Modelling

CHARACTER SCULPTING

The design of a character plays a crucial role in connecting players to the game or story. In this module, students will learn the art of character creation, exploring anatomy, form, and intricate details to bring characters to life.

 

They will focus on developing organic shapes, with an emphasis on proportion, silhouette, and expressive details. The module covers the entire character sculpting workflow, from initial concept to refined output, emphasizing both artistic expression and technical precision to prepare students for character development across different media pipelines.

Term 4 Game Modelling
Term 5 Game Modelling
Term 4 Game Modelling
Term 5 Game Modelling

ENVIRONMENT CREATION

This module focuses on designing, modeling, and texturing immersive game environments that evoke mood and atmosphere, supporting narrative and gameplay elements. Students will learn how to create assets that align with a game’s artistic vision and bring environments to life.

 

The module covers the entire environment creation process, including concept development, modeling, and detailing, while emphasizing visual consistency and performance optimization to meet industry standards across various platforms.

Term 4 Game Modelling
Term 5 Game Modelling
Term 4 Game Modelling
Term 5 Game Modelling

PRODUCTION ART – ORGANIC

This module focuses on performing successfully while managing al