Master's Degree in Concept Art | October 5, 2026
The Master's Degree in Concept Art is a professional course for creating visual worlds and storytelling through images. This program trains artists to bring characters, environments, and scenarios to life for films, video games, and communication campaigns.
The program combines a solid foundation in art and storytelling with the use of advanced digital tools for visual development. Students acquire the skills to design and develop the visual concept of complex projects, from the initial phase to the final artwork. The course prepares specialized professionals such as concept artists, character designers, and environment artists, combining creative vision with the most innovative techniques in the industry.
DURATION
38 WEEKS
IN PERSON
LANGUAGE
ITALIAN
ENGLISH
START DATE
OCTOBER 5,
, 2026
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
DESIGN CAPACITY
LIMITED ENROLLMENT
10 PLACES AVAILABLE
what's new
Planning and new tools to prepare you for the world of work
Challenges accepted
The lessons of the Master's in Concept Art alternate between explanation and practice, exploring a different subject each week. At the end of each module, you will face a final challenge by creating a personal or group project. This is an opportunity to apply the skills you have acquired in practice and start building your final portfolio.
AI powered
After more than five years of experimentation, BigRock is pursuing a vision in which Artificial Intelligence is increasingly integrated into production pipelines at every level. From small agencies to large productions, knowing how to use this "new pencil" consciously is a key skill for tackling tomorrow's world of work.
Portfolio-Oriented
The Master's program in Concept Art has been completely revised to allow you to carry out various projects step by step, just like in a real professional studio. You will then be taught how to layout and present your final portfolio, with all the personal and group work you have done during the course.
Created by students
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Possessing critical/artistic skills and knowledge of production processes through the cross-functional use of various software programs: this is what tomorrow's job market will demand.
The Master's Degree in Concept Art therefore aims to train future digital artists with a comprehensive educational program that can be applied in many professional fields.
The skills that a BigRocker will acquire will therefore be sufficient to enter the job market as a
Concept Artist
Character & Prop Designer
Environment Designer & Matte Painter
Storyboard Artist
Digital Illustrator
Visual Development Artist
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM
The teaching program is divided into modules lasting one or more weeks, each with the aim of preparing you for the various facets of concept art and helping you acquire, step by step, increasing creative autonomy.
Classes are held Monday through Friday, from 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
The morning hours will be spent in class, guided by the instructor, discovering production techniques day by day.
The afternoon, on the other hand, will be entirely at your disposal to practice or attend one of the preparatory workshops on offer.
Classes end at 6:00 PM, but you can stay in the classroom until 10:00 PM if you need more time to practice.
Each week is dedicated entirely to a single subject, so that the information is fully absorbed and you have time to take in and consolidate the concepts you have learned. In addition, the program is punctuated by challenges to be carried out alone or in groups to consolidate what you have learned.
The final weeks of the course involve a broader project phase in which you will develop the concepts for the various theses for the Master's Degree in Computer Graphics and Video Games.
It all concludes with a final challenge to create your final portfolio and tackle the world of work.
3 Weeks
FOUNDATIONS
You will start getting to grips with Photoshop and Procreate: the two main software programs used in the course, looking at the interface, tools, and shortcuts. You may already be familiar with these topics, but a refresher never hurts.
- Visual Design 1
- Introduction to Photoshop
- Introduction to Procreate
2 weeks
COLOR & AI
Let's explore the fundamentals of design by applying color theory and learn how to use the first AI tools for generating references.
- Color Theory
- Intro AI Image Gen
6 Weeks
NARRATIVE AND ILLUSTRATION BY
When the concept artist becomes a key player in storytelling. We will explore storyboarding techniques for visual storytelling.
- Storyboard & Visual Storytelling
- Traditional Drawing
- Digital Painting Fundations
- Visual Design 2
6 Weeks
CHARACTER
DESIGN
A module focused on designing and constructing characters for cinema, video games, and illustration.
- Anatomie et proportions humaines
- Traditional Drawing 2
- Character Design
- Advanced Character
- Creature Design
5 Weeks
ENVIRONMENT
Learn how to create consistent environments for films, animation, and video games, with the help of 3D programs and AI tools.
- Worldbuilding
- Perspective
- Environment 2D
- Blender Introduction
- Environment Advanced
2 weeks
PROP DESIGN
Design props: weapons, spaceships, jewelry, or anything else that helps tell the story better.
- Industrial design and hard surfaces
- Prop organic
1 Week
ANIMATION
Learn how to animate a storyboard, along with some tricks to make your movieboard effective.
- Animation and compositing
3 Weeks
Class x
Always one of the fixed points in the Master's program, Class X is a challenge that students tackle in groups by responding to a brief from an external client. It is a race against time to produce a usable concept while respecting timelines, deadlines, constraints, and restrictions. It is a fundamental moment for artistic and personal growth, optimizing production times.
5 Weeks
Thesis
You will work together with the whole class on developing the theses for the CG and Videogames Master's degree, creating the basic concepts and providing artistic support during production.
4 Weeks
portfolio
Finally, you will have the last four weeks of the course to perfect or carry out personal projects to include in your first real portfolio, under the supervision of BigRock teachers and external mentors.
FOUNDATIONS
You will start getting to grips with Photoshop and Procreate: the two main software programs used in the course, looking at the interface, tools, and shortcuts. You may already be familiar with these topics, but a refresher never hurts.
- Visual Design 1
- Introduction to Photoshop
- Introduction to Procreate
COLOR & AI
Let's explore the fundamentals of design by applying color theory and learn how to use the first AI tools for generating references.
- Color Theory
- Intro AI Image Gen
NARRATIVE AND DRAWING
When the concept artist becomes a key player in storytelling. We will explore storyboarding techniques for visual storytelling.
- Storyboard & Visual Storytelling
- Traditional Drawing
- Digital Painting Fundations
- Visual Design 2
CHARACTER DESIGN
A module focused on designing and constructing characters for cinema, video games, and illustration.
- Anatomie et proportions humaines
- Traditional Drawing 2
- Character Design
- Advanced Character
- Creature Design
ENVIRONMENT
Learn how to create consistent environments for films, animation, and video games, with the help of 3D programs and AI tools.
- Worldbuilding
- Perspective
- Environment 2D
- Blender Introduction
- Environment Advanced
PROP DESIGN
Design props: weapons, spaceships, jewelry, or anything else that helps tell the story better.
- Industrial design and hard surfaces
- Prop organic
ANIMATION
Learn how to animate a storyboard, along with some tricks to make your movieboard effective.
- Animation and compositing
CLASS X
Always one of the fixed points in the Master's program, Class X is a challenge that students tackle in groups by responding to a brief from an external client. It is a race against time to produce a usable concept while respecting timelines, deadlines, constraints, and restrictions. It is a fundamental moment for artistic and personal growth, optimizing production times.
MAJOR
At this stage, you will be asked to choose one of the two specializations offered, both designed to provide you with a solid foundation in their respective professional fields.
3D ANIMATION & VISUAL EFFECTS
This major aims to explore in greater depth the concepts of computer graphics related to the field of cinema and television series.
- Modeling
- Texture
- Animation
- Compositing
3D PRODUCT & SPATIAL DESIGN
This major is aimed at students who prefer a different approach, focused on the world of product and visual production for advertising.
- Geometry Nodes
- Advanced Motion Graphics
- Archive
- Advanced 3D Fashion
THESIS
You will work together with the whole class on developing the theses for the CG and Videogames Master's degree, creating the basic concepts and providing artistic support during production.
EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES
Throughout the Master's program you will face, in conjunction with the lectures, workshops preparatory to your work in 3D. These are all essential experiences to sharpen your perception of reality, often using the same tools you will find in the software.
photography
Learn live what it means to light and photograph a character or scene to achieve the desired emotional effect.
models
Refine your perception of a character's volumes and proportions by sculpting it directly on plasticine with your own hands.
3D printing
Learn how to optimize your models and 3D sculptures for printing and create your first prototypes at school with printers provided by PRUSA.
Letterpress
Visit one of the oldest and best-preserved printing houses in the area to learn the art of using movable type before the advent of digital technology.
live perspective drawing
We wander through the hidden streets of Venice, sketching the surroundings from life and learning to perceive perspective.
scripting
A story may or may not be good. Much depends on how you tell it. Learn how to put down ideas and write your own scripts.
miniature painting
Learn to paint lights and reflections on characters and props consciously by experimenting first on collectible miniatures.
live anatomical drawing
A humanoid character must comply with physical modeling and posing standards in order to appear realistic. Learn these standards by drawing Canova's marble statues in person.
THESES
The thesis is a fundamental part of the Master's program in Concept Art: a final project that involves students in the creation of a complete concept for a short film and a video game, which are then produced by their classmates in Computer Graphics and Video Games.
During the thesis, you are racing against time: just a few weeks and a professional project to complete, just like in a real studio. There is no time for grandstanding or friction; everyone must work together to complete the project.
Concept's work will then be collected in a final artbook that will be printed and delivered to students on the last day of school.
MENTORS
For BigRock, teaching is not just about imparting knowledge, but rather an experience that combines technical expertise and personal growth.
Mentors are a fundamental resource for students: selected not only for their solid skills, but above all for their ability to support, inspire, and accompany those who are taking their first steps toward their professional future.
EVERY DAY IN BIGROCK IS A GOOD STORY
Attending BigRock is not just about taking a course. The months you spend within these walls will be first and foremost a true life experience, where every day will count and turn into an indelible memory.
You won't have classmates: you'll have people who share your passions and, why not, even a bit of the same story as you. They will be the essential wingman with whom you write a new chapter in your life and from whom you will learn the value of teamwork.
You will meet characters and discover realities and jobs you didn't even think could exist, which will inspire you to choose your own path.
And before you know it, whole months of the course will go by as fast as a butterfly's beat.
One piece of advice? Enjoy every single second!
