Introduction: More Than Just a Game (10 mins)

Let's talk about Fortnite! What are some of your favorite skins, locations, or visual moments in the game? (Allow student to share). Have you ever thought about *who* designed all those visuals and *how* they decided what Fortnite should look like? Every visual element – from the grassy hills to the wacky character outfits – is the result of deliberate artistic choices. Today, we'll dive into the unique art style of Fortnite and appreciate the design work involved.

What is 'Art Style' in Games? (15 mins)

Discuss: What does 'art style' mean? It's the distinctive visual appearance created by an artist or group of artists. In video games, this includes character models, environments, textures, lighting, and effects. Fortnite has a very recognizable style – it's not photorealistic like some games, nor is it purely cartoonish like others. It blends realism with exaggeration.

Activity: Briefly look at screenshots or gameplay from 2-3 other games with distinct art styles (e.g., 'The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild' - cel-shaded anime style, 'Red Dead Redemption 2' - realistic Western, 'Minecraft' - blocky pixel art). How does Fortnite's style differ? What words describe Fortnite's look (e.g., vibrant, stylized, chunky, friendly, expressive)?

Deep Dive: Analyzing Fortnite's Art (30 mins)

Let's break down Fortnite's visual elements:

• Character Design: Look at various Fortnite skins (e.g., Peely, Fishstick, Cuddle Team Leader, Midas). Discuss their proportions (often slightly exaggerated heads/hands/feet), clothing styles (ranging from tactical to absurd), and overall shape language. How do these designs convey personality or theme? How does the style allow for such diverse cosmetic items while still feeling cohesive?
• Environment Design: Examine different map locations (past or present - e.g., Tilted Towers, Coral Castle, Slurpy Swamp, current POIs). Notice the architectural styles, use of color, and environmental storytelling. How does the environment design support gameplay (e.g., clear sightlines, distinct landmarks)? How does the color palette contribute to the mood (generally bright and inviting, even in 'dangerous' areas)?
• Color Theory: Fortnite uses a very vibrant, often saturated color palette. Why do you think the artists made this choice? How does color help players quickly identify objects, enemies, or loot? Discuss the contrast between character colors and environment colors.
• Animation & Effects: Briefly touch upon how the art style extends to movement (e.g., emotes, running animations) and visual effects (storm closing in, shield potions, weapon effects). How do these reinforce the game's overall aesthetic?

Connecting to Art Principles (15 mins)

Discuss how Fortnite's art uses established principles:

• Stylization: Simplifying or exaggerating reality for artistic effect.
• Shape Language: Using shapes (circles, squares, triangles) consistently in designs to convey traits (e.g., round shapes often feel friendly, sharp shapes more aggressive). Can you see this in Fortnite?
• Composition: How elements are arranged in the environment or character design to be visually appealing and clear.

Activity: Fortnite Design Challenge (25 mins)

Now it's your turn to be a concept artist! Based on our discussion of Fortnite's art style, sketch a concept for ONE of the following:

• A new character skin
• A new harvesting tool (pickaxe)
• A new glider
• A small new Point of Interest (POI) or building for the map

Focus on capturing the Fortnite aesthetic: stylized proportions, clear shapes, potential for interesting color combinations, and a blend of cool/tactical/silly. Don't worry about perfect drawing skills; focus on the *idea* and applying the style elements we discussed. Briefly label or explain your design choices (e.g., 'used bright colors for visibility', 'exaggerated proportions like existing skins').

Wrap-up & Reflection (5 mins)

Share your design sketch and explain your choices. Discuss: Why is a strong, consistent art style important for a game like Fortnite? How does it impact branding and player recognition? What did you find most interesting about analyzing the game's visuals? Does looking at Fortnite through an 'art appreciation' lens change how you see the game?