Game Design, BA

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Computer game play has emerged as the most popular form of entertainment in our culture and exhibits great promise as a tool for education, science, and industry. Leveraging the strengths of the Interactive Arts and Media Department, the interdisciplinary nature of the faculty, and partnerships with other departments, the Game Design major is designed to educate students for careers in the exciting and fast-growing field of game design and production.

The Game Design major in Interactive Arts and Media provides contextual understanding and competence in this distinctive discipline. Our students develop an understanding of the aesthetics, theory, and culture of games that informs their work and encourages originality in content. Game Design majors learn how to develop games in a strong and collaborative production environment in which teams work together effectively to create games.

Students in the Game Design major complete the Interactive Arts and Media core before enrolling in Game Design courses that accentuate the cultural aspects of game design, game design theory, and concept development. Students then select one of four concentrations in Animation, Game Development, Programming, or Sound, providing the depth of specialization that the game industry demands.

A distinctive component of the Game Design curriculum is the senior capstone course. As students study in their chosen specializations, they are expected not only to accumulate knowledge and skills but also to accumulate original content in order to complete their final capstone experience. The capstone course brings together teams of student specialists in the framework of an advanced production class, where they learn effective team-building strategies and the creation of shared visions, culminating in the production of a working game.

As the field continues to grow and expand, Game Design graduates will find increasing opportunities in entertainment, education, and creative industries.

Learn about the Department

Concentrations

Game Art

The Game Art Concentration provides fundamental introduction to computer art and animation concepts to students with little or no previous experience. Students learn computer generated character modeling, environment modeling, level design and motion capture animation for Game content. Students will emerge with an understanding of the Game industry’s workflow techniques, the 3D gaming community and game types, concepts and strategy for designing and modeling 3D characters, concepts and strategy for designing and modeling 3D environments, the process of directing, capturing and editing motion capture performances and acquiring an advanced ability to use specific 3D software packages to produce 3D game art and animation for a cross-major production.

Program Requirements

Game Development

The Game Development concentration provides an environment for students to creatively author a wide range of games including real-time games, engine-based games, and simulations. After completing the Game Design core students begin the concentration with an introduction to the industry and to developing original games, followed by a series of production courses. The Game Development track prepares students to produce and develop in a team setting as they work with animators, sound designers, and programmers to build a large-scale game in the senior capstone course.

Program Requirements

Sound Design

Sound design in games is reaching new heights. More and more gamers are building extensive audio configurations to satisfy the sound requirements and demands of the next ground-breaking game. The concentration in sound design at Columbia College Chicago focuses on the technical and aesthetic issues surrounding the sound designer’s job. These include knowledge of acoustical and digital audio theory, music theory, aesthetics of sound and picture and the techniques of field recording. Graduates will emerge with the skills needed to work in a professional sound design environment, and a broad knowledge of the game design industry.

Program Requirements