Assignment brief
Qualification Level 3 Extended Diploma in Creative Media Production – Games Design
Unit number and title
L3 Unit 66 3D Modelling – Partial
L3 Unit 13 Understanding the Computer Games Industry – Partial
Start date 3rd
March 2014
Deadline 28th
March 2014
Assessor name Harry Arnold
Assignment title HA5 – Sidekick
The purpose of this assignment is for you to:
Be able to devise 3D models
Be able to create 3D models following industry practice
Be able to use project management techniques commonly used in the games industry
Scenario
Humans have always been intrigued with the idea of creating artificial life to assist with everyday existence.
You are going to conceive and design a robotic sidekick to accompany you through your avatar’s travels within the Linden
Second Life community – www.secondlife.com It can then be put up for sale within the SL Marketplace.
Your robot will need to be fully fleshed out in terms of its appearance, function and character.
You will develop a design pack and then realise this into a 3D prototype, managing the project carefully through each stage of
the production process.
Work to be submitted
NewTek Modeler exercises
Project Charter
Schedule (weekly update minimum)
Sidekick moodboards
Sidekick ideas map
Sidekick design pack
Production Log (weekly update minimum)
Presentation images of finished sidekick model
Evaluation
Tasks Grading
Criteria

Mapping
There is additional guidance that you will need to follow posted to Unit 66’s Moodle course and all evidence produced by you must
be posted to your blog. Where you use the web to carry out your research make sure that you have cited all sources.
Initiation
Task 1 – Project Charter
Read the assignment carefully and reflect on your Newtek Lightwave Modeler work to date and the skills acquired in
using traditional drawing techniques, photography, Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator.
Make sure that the five NewTek LightWave tutorials have been completed and uploaded to Moodle. Produce a project
charter for the assignment; paying particular attention to the timescale. This is the phase or step where you decide the
parameters of the project, listing the reasons for the project, the goals of the project and any limitations.
Remember that you are trying to apply project management techniques to direct a project to a quality that reflects near-
professional standards, working independently to professional expectations.
Unit 13
P4, M4, D4
Planning
Task 2 - Schedule
Create a schedule and start a production log (this will form evidence for tasks 3 – 7). This is where you break down the
tasks within the project from start to finish and put in some milestones. These documents will need to be reviewed and
updated at least once per week.
Remember that you are trying to apply project management techniques to direct a project to a quality that reflects near-
professional standards, working independently to professional expectations.
Unit 13
P4, M4, D4
Task 3 - Research
Produce mood boards that explore existing robotic sidekicks and robotic technology. Source related imagery from as
wide a range of sources as possible. Remember to cite all sources.
Remember that you are trying to generate thoroughly thought through ideas for 3D models showing creativity and flair and working
independently to professional expectations. In addition, you are trying to apply project management techniques to direct a project to
a quality that reflects near-professional standards, working independently to professional expectations.
Unit 66
P2, M2, D2
Unit 13
P4, M4, D4
Task 4 – Ideas Generation
Produce an ideas map that explores what you would want from a sidekick. Consider its function and character. Write,
draw, doodle.
Remember that you are trying to generate thoroughly thought through ideas for 3D models showing creativity and flair and working
independently to professional expectations. In addition, you are trying to apply project management techniques to direct a project to
a quality that reflects near-professional standards, working independently to professional expectations.
Unit 66
P2, M2, D2
Unit 13
P4, M4, D4
Task 5 – Design Pack
Produce a design pack that explains what your sidekick will look like. Remember to follow the principle of form follows
function. I.e. what it looks like is directly affected by what it does. You will need to produce sketches of your sidekick
design from the front, back and side.
Shoot any additional reference imagery and textures, make measurements and draw diagrams to provide you with the
information you need to model your character and any context you wish to place it in.
Your design pack will evolve as the modelling develops.
Remember that you are trying to generate thoroughly thought through ideas for 3D models showing creativity and flair and working
independently to professional expectations. In addition, you are trying to apply project management techniques to direct a project to
a quality that reflects near-professional standards, working independently to professional expectations.
Unit 66
P2, M2, D2
Unit 13
P4, M4, D4
Execution
Task 6 - Production
You will draw together the skills you have developed in building the LightBot and associated applications (Adobe
Illustrator and Photoshop) and build your character from your design pack using Newtek’s LightWave, both Modeler and
Layout. Remember to assign surfaces to your character as you create each element, setting pivots and the parenting
hierarchy.
Ensure that you save your work by date and incrementally.
Remember to review your progress against your plan regularly and update as necessary. Screenshots will be a useful
form of evidence for your production log; showing the development of your character and working process.
Unit 66
P3, M3, D3
Unit 13
P4, M4, D4

Remember that you are trying to create 3D models to a technical quality that reflects near-
professional standards following industry practice, showing creativity and flair and working
independently to professional expectations. In addition, you are trying to apply project management techniques to direct a project to
a quality that reflects near-professional standards, working independently to professional expectations.
Task 7 - Presentation
Load your character object into Layout, and then shoot a range of virtual photographs and render them out as high
resolution Jpegs. These will be combined with your design pack to form the basis of your character design. You will
need to include a brief character profile of your sidekick.
Remember that you are trying to create 3D models to a technical quality that reflects near-professional standards following
industry practice, showing creativity and flair and working independently to professional expectations. In addition, you are trying to
apply project management techniques to direct a project to a quality that reflects near-professional standards, working
independently to professional expectations.
Unit 66
P3, M3, D3
Unit 13
P4, M4, D4
Closure
Task 8 - Review
Write an evaluation of your project. Use your plan, production log and blog posts to identify the strengths and
weaknesses of your design process. Try to establish whether or not your finished product has achieved the aim of the
project. Take into consideration anything said by interested parties.
Remember that you are trying to create 3D models to a technical quality that reflects near-professional standards following
industry practice, showing creativity and flair and working independently to professional expectations. In addition, you are trying to
apply project management techniques to direct a project to a quality that reflects near-professional standards, working
independently to professional expectations.
Unit 66
P3, M3, D3
Unit 13
P4, M4, D4
This brief has been verified as being fit for purpose
Assessor
Signature Date
Internal verifier
Signature Date
Unit 66: 3D Modelling
P1 summarise accurately theory and
applications of 3D with some
appropriate use of subject
terminology.
[IE]
M1 explain theory and applications of
3D with reference to detailed
illustrative examples and with
generally correct use of subject
terminology.
D1 comprehensively explain theory
and applications of 3D with elucidated
examples and consistently using
subject terminology correctly.
P2 generate outline ideas for 3D
models working within appropriate
conventions and with some
assistance.
[CT; SM]
M2 generate detailed ideas for 3D
models showing some imagination and
with only occasional assistance.
D2 generate thoroughly thought
through ideas for 3D models showing
creativity and flair and working
independently to professional
expectations.
P3 create 3D models following
industry practice, working within
appropriate conventions and with
some assistance.
[CT; SM; RL]
M3 create 3D models to a good
technical standard following industry
practice, showing some imagination
and with only occasional assistance.
D3 create 3D models to a technical
quality that reflects near-professional
standards following industry practice,
showing creativity and flair and
working independently to professional
expectations.
Unit 13: Understanding the Computer Games Industry
P1 describe organisational structures and job
roles in the games industry, with some
appropriate use of subject terminology.
[IE]
M1 explain organisational structures and job roles
in the games industry with reference to detailed
illustrative examples and generally correct use of
subject terminology.
D1 comprehensively explain organisational
structures and job roles in the games industry with
reference to elucidated examples and consistently
using subject terminology correctly.
P2 describe current market trends and financial
issues in the games industry with some
appropriate use of subject terminology.
[IE]
M2 explain current market trends and financial
issues in the games industry with reference to
detailed illustrative examples and generally
correct use of subject terminology.
D2 comprehensively explain current market trends
and financial issues in the games industry with
reference to elucidated examples and consistently
using subject terminology correctly.
P3 describe contractual, legal and ethical
obligations in the games industry with some
appropriate use of subject terminology.
[IE]
M3 explain contractual, legal and ethical
obligations in the games industry with reference
to detailed illustrative examples and generally
correct use of subject terminology.
D3 comprehensively explain contractual, legal and
ethical obligations in the games industry with
reference to elucidated examples and consistently
using subject terminology correctly.
P4 apply project management
techniques to direct a project with
some assistance.
[SM]
M4 apply project management
techniques to direct a project
competently, and with only
occasional assistance.
D4 apply project management
techniques to direct a project to a
quality that reflects near-professional
standards, working independently to
professional expectations.
P5 prepare personal career development material
using basic formal language.
M5 prepare carefully produced personal career
development material using generally correct
D5 prepare personal career development material
to a quality that reflects near professional

[RL] formal language. standards consistently using
correct formal language.
Unit 1: Pre-production Techniques for the Creative Media Industries
P1
outline requirements and sources of
requirements for a specific media
production.
[IE]
M1 explain in some detail and
competently present requirements
and sources of requirements for a
specific media production.
D1 comprehensively explain and
present to a quality that reflects
near-professional standards fully
detailed requirements and sources of
requirements for a specific media
production.
P2
generate outline preproduction
documentation for a specific media
production with some assistance.
M2 generate competent, carefully
presented and detailed pre-
production documentation for a
specific media production with only
occasional assistance.
D2 generate thorough and
comprehensively detailed pre-
production documentation for a
specific media production, working
independently to professional
expectations.
P3
apply pre-production planning to a
specific media production working
with some assistance.
[TW, SM]
M3 apply pre-production planning to a
specific media production
competently with only occasional
assistance.
D3 apply pre-production planning to a
specific media production to a quality
that reflects near-professional
standards, working independently to
professional expectations.
Unit 2: Communication Skills for Creative Media Production
P1 use appropriate techniques to
extract relevant information from
written sources.
M1 use appropriate techniques to
extract information from written
sources with some precision.
D1 use appropriate techniques to
extract comprehensive information
from written sources.
P2 present a media production report
which conveys relevant information.
[IE]
M2 present a structured and detailed
media production report which
conveys information and explains
conclusions with clarity.
D2 present a well-structured and
substantial media production report
which conveys information with
precise exemplification and justifies
conclusions with supporting
arguments.
P3 review reports to make changes
with occasional beneficial effects.
[RL]
M3 review reports to make changes
with frequent beneficial effects.
D3 review reports to make changes
with consistently beneficial effects.
P4 deploy and manage appropriate
technology to pitch a media
production proposal.
[SM]
M4 deploy and manage technology to
pitch a media production proposal
effectively and with some
imagination.
D4 deploy and manage technology to
pitch a media production proposal
with creativity and flair and to near-
professional standards.
P5 employ appropriate forms of
address in a media production pitch
to communicate ideas.
[CT]
M5 employ forms of address in a
media production pitch to
communicate ideas effectively.
D5 employ forms of address in a
media production pitch with flair to
communicate ideas with impact.
Unit 3: Research Techniques for the Creative Media Industries
P1 describe the nature and purposes
of research in the creative media
industries with some appropriate use
of subject terminology.
[IE]
M1 explain the nature and purposes
of research in the creative media
industries with detailed illustrative
examples and with generally correct
use of subject terminology.
D1 comprehensively explain the
nature and purposes of research in
the creative media industries with
elucidated examples and consistently
using subject terminology correctly.
P2 apply research methods and
techniques with some assistance.
[IE]
M2 apply research methods and
techniques competently with only
occasional assistance.
D2 apply research methods and
techniques to near-professional
standards working independently to
professional expectations.
P3 present results of research. M3 present results of research
competently.
D3 present results of research to
near-professional standards.
:PLTS: This summary references where applicable, in the square brackets, the elements of the personal,
learning and thinking skills applicable in the pass criteria. It identifies opportunities for learners to demonstrate
effective application of the referenced elesments of the skills.