Diploma in Concept Art & Entertainment Design at MAGES Institute of Excellence

Turn imagination into characters, worlds and visual stories. The Diploma in Concept Art & Entertainment Design at MAGES Institute of Excellence is a focused 12-month program for students who want to create visual concepts for games, films, animation, illustration and entertainment production.

Build both artistic fundamentals and professional design thinking. You will move from perspective, sketching and digital painting into character, environment and production design, finishing with a portfolio that communicates your ideas clearly to studios, clients and universities.

Why choose Concept Art & Entertainment Design at MAGES?

• Develop drawing, painting and visual communication skills through a structured three-term pathway.
• Design characters, creatures, props, vehicles and environments for entertainment projects.
• Learn from working artists and mentors with experience across games, film, animation and visual development.
• Train with Blender, Adobe Photoshop, PureRef and Quixel Bridge as part of an integrated creative workflow.
• Receive project-based feedback and portfolio guidance in classes of up to 18 students per lecturer.
• Progress from art fundamentals to studio-style briefs, presentation and portfolio development.
• Prepare for further study through the Advanced Diploma in Entertainment Design or another eligible pathway, subject to admission.

Program at a glance

• Qualification: Diploma in Concept Art & Entertainment Design
• Awarding institution: MAGES Institute of Excellence Pte. Ltd., Singapore
• Duration: 12 months full-time
• Structure: Three progressive terms
• Campus: *SCAPE, 2 Orchard Link, #05-11, Singapore 237978
• Delivery: Full-time classroom study
• Medium of instruction: English
• Assessment: Lectures, practical work and project-based assessment across all modules
• Student-to-lecturer ratio: Up to 18 students per lecturer
• Minimum age: 16
• Core software: Blender, Adobe Photoshop, PureRef and Quixel Bridge

Term 1: Discover the fundamentals

Build the visual foundation needed to communicate ideas with confidence. Students develop perspective, design sketching, digital painting and the ability to represent form, space and material clearly.

• Perspective and drawing in three-dimensional space
• Design sketching and visual communication
• Forms, materials, lighting and composition
• Digital painting fundamentals and research-led ideation

Term 2: Design environments and characters

Transform research into original worlds and believable designs. The second stage expands your visual library through history, culture, nature and functional design while building a faster, more consistent workflow.

• Character, creature and prop development
• Environment composition and worldbuilding
• Design process and visual development
• Using 3D tools to support concept creation and presentation

Term 3: Build an industry-relevant portfolio

Apply your skills to larger entertainment and production-design projects. You will respond to feedback, manage workload and present finished concepts with a clear design process and professional visual standard.

• Entertainment and production design
• Portfolio selection, refinement and presentation
• Studio-style briefs and critique
• Personal creative workflow and client-facing communication

Entry requirements

Applicants must be at least 16 years old and normally meet one of the following academic pathways:

• Two credit passes at Singapore GCE O-Level in subjects excluding English, or an accepted equivalent.
• Five GCSE or IGCSE subject passes, including English, at grades A to C.
• ITE NITEC, Higher NITEC or another accepted post-secondary qualification.
• Completion of Singapore Integrated Programme Year 4.
• An accepted foundation or certificate qualification in art, animation or a related discipline.
• For international applicants: a qualification equivalent to Year 10 in the applicant’s home country, normally with an average of at least 65% and proof of a pass in English.
• Alternative admission may be considered through portfolio submission, an interview with the Academic Director and Academic Board assessment.

English-language requirements

• IELTS 5.5, or
• A pass in English at Singapore GCE O-Level or an accepted equivalent qualification, or
• A pass in the MAGES English Proficiency Test when approved through the admissions process.

Asia Pathway can help you compare your qualifications, prepare a portfolio or Art Test submission and confirm the most suitable entry route.

Mature applicants

The mature-candidate route applies from age 30 and requires eight years of relevant work experience. Admission remains subject to MAGES assessment.

Tuition and compulsory fees

• International-student program fees payable: SGD 27,127.92.
• International-student administration fee: SGD 2,616.00.
• Total payable for international students: SGD 29,743.92, inclusive of 9% GST.
• International application fee: SGD 817.50, inclusive of 9% GST and charged separately; this fee is non-refundable and is not included in the total above.
• Approximate tuition and administration planning figure: USD 7,780 per term across three terms.
• Grants and scholarships may be available. Eligibility and current terms must be confirmed before application.

The USD amount is an approximate planning conversion and will change with exchange rates. The binding payment schedule is provided in the MAGES Student Contract and official invoice. Eligible course fees are protected through the applicable Fee Protection Scheme.

Technology requirements

Students need a suitable Windows laptop and drawing tablet for digital art and 3D-assisted concept workflows. Confirm the current processor, memory, graphics and storage requirements with Asia Pathway before purchasing equipment.

Career directions

• Concept Artist
• Character or Creature Designer
• Environment Concept Artist
• Prop or Vehicle Designer
• Illustrator or Visual Development Artist
• Storyboard Artist
• Game Illustrator
• Theme Park or Toy Designer

Career outcomes depend on portfolio quality, artistic development, communication skills and individual employer requirements. Completion does not guarantee employment or degree progression.

Study creative arts in central Singapore

MAGES is based at *SCAPE on Orchard Link, close to Somerset MRT and Singapore’s creative, cultural and commercial districts. Students can combine intensive studio learning with access to exhibitions, design events and an international city environment.

Build your application with Asia Pathway

Asia Pathway can help you assess eligibility, prepare academic documents, understand portfolio expectations and the Art Test, plan for the Student’s Pass and confirm the latest equipment and payment schedule.

Contact Asia Pathway for a personalised eligibility and portfolio assessment before applying.