World Building & Natural Aesthetics in Unreal Engine Certificate

Program Summary

This six-week online course introduces the fundamentals of worldbuilding and environment design for digital worlds using Unreal Engine. It focuses on creating compelling worlds inspired by nature, teaching both conceptual frameworks and practical techniques. The course covers Unreal Engine's environment design tools, use of Quixel Megascans, and the application of aesthetic principles inspired by natural phenomena.

Outcomes/Objectives

Upon completion of this workshop, participants are able to:

• Understand the basics of Unreal Engine’s environment/level design tool set (Landscapes, Foliage, Materials, Lighting, Effects, Camera)

• Leverage the Quixel Megascans asset library to quickly prototype diverse environments.

• Apply aesthetic principles inspired by natural phenomena to scenes in Unreal Engine.

• Identify and interrogate personal, technological, and societal trends between humans and the natural world.

Deliverable

The deliverables include:

• Creation of three short digital/virtual projects inspired by nature, from concept to production

• Hands-on exercises using Unreal Engine's Landscape, Foliage, and Water tools

• Development of materials using the Materials editor

• Implementation of lighting systems and real-time atmospheric effects

• Creation of cinematic sequences using the Sequencer tool

• Participation in conceptual explorations and practical applications

Program Duration

6 weeks

As of June 2023, World Building & Natural Aesthetics in Unreal Engine is no longer being actively awarded.