Game Art

Associate in Applied Science Degree

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This program provides the skills and knowledge required for 3D artists to communicate effectively in a written and verbal format; to prepare students to use creative methodology to solve visual problems; to provide advance knowledge of arts through diverse global, cultural, and historical perspectives; to utilize industry software and technologies to create 3D artwork; and to prepare students for careers in game art.  Graduates will be prepared to enter the fields of game art and animation as 3D Generalists Artists, Concept Artists, Character Artists, Environment Artists, Hard Surface Artists, Texture Artists, and Lighting Artists.   

Goal 1 To provide the skills and knowledge required to communicate effectively in visual and verbal format

  • Students will articulate an understanding of the visual problem-solving process.
  • Students will collaborate in project critiques demonstrating the ability to discuss both their own work and the work of their peers.
  • Students will demonstrate appropriate communication with instructor and peers via critique, written assignments, and class interaction.
  • Students will recognize the principles of animation visual language including anticipation, overlapping, squash and stretch, and timing among others.

Goal 2 To prepare students to use creative methodology to solve visual problems

  • Students will demonstrate creative problem-solving methodology using visual art development procedures including research, brain-storming, thumbnails, sketches, and final art.
  • Students will demonstrate knowledge of the creative process, i.e. analysis, incubation, illumination, and verification.
  • Students will demonstrate knowledge of different ways and means to communicate information through various media and software.

Goal 3 To provide advance knowledge of animation through diverse global, cultural, and historical perspectives

  • Students will demonstrate knowledge of art on a global scale within a historical context.
  • Students will recognize the works of numerous masters from various backgrounds and cultures in animation and the arts.
  • Students will discuss work in comparison to contemporary and historical masters.
  • Students will discuss how the history of art and animation reflects significant historical and cultural events.
  • Students will research and organize resources to broaden their understanding of the field of animation.

Goal 4 To utilize industry software and technologies to create 3D artwork

  • Students will demonstrate competency in a variety of software packages pertinent to digital animation.
  • Students will demonstrate competency in selecting various frame rates and corresponding time configurations.
  • Students will produce and record a demo reel using video editing software and equipment.
  • Students will recognize foundational concepts in modeling, texturing, animating, and lighting.
  • Students will effectively manage files and document assets. 

Goal 5 To prepare students for a career as a 3D artist 

  • Students will create a quality portfolio consistent with industry practices and standards that can be used to present themselves in the job market.
  • Students will demonstrate an understanding of the methods of self-promotion and representation that are common to the field of animation.
  • Students will use traditional and contemporary information technology.
  • Students will identify, access, and appropriately use authoritative sources of information.

Total Credit Hours: 64

First Semester

This course is an opportunity for students to develop the skills necessary to be successful in college. Students learn the importance of the faculty-student and advisor-advisee relationship, develop time management techniques, apply effective study skill techniques, recognize the implications of living in a diverse society, utilize college resources, and explore career and transfer requirements. Collaborative projects are included. Students matriculated in a degree program must take this course in their first term of study.

This course focuses on several kinds of writing-self-expressive, informative, and argumentative/persuasive, and others. A minimum of five essay compositions are required. The course emphasizes the composition of clear, correct, and effective prose required in a variety of professions and occupations. Prerequisites: Appropriate high school GPA or placement test score or EN090 Basic Writing Skills or SL116 ESL4: Advanced Composition or SL145 ESOL Advanced Composition

This course introduces students to the fundamental principles of visual communication and creativity with an emphasis on understanding historically significant art styles. Students explore various types of visual expression and apply creative problem-solving principles to both two-dimensional and three-dimensional projects in a variety of media. Emphasis is placed on formulating basic design and layout principles, with particular stress on application. Students are introduced to the masters, practices, and careers of painting, sculpture, graphic design, animation, film, digital media, illustration, and photography.

This course introduces the tools, media, and theory used in the creation of a drawing. It includes the fundamentals of perspective, the theory of light and shade, and a survey of graphic representation. Projects are executed focusing on proportion and placement, volume and structure, and value with tone.

Studio laboratory fee: $20

This course introduces digital sculpting techniques for creating characters. Emphasis is placed on human anatomy as well as stylized character design. In addition to digital sculpture, this course investigates approaches to the creation of 2D art for anatomy and character design. Students develop the knowledge and technical skills necessary to translate 2D concept art into 3D digital sculpture.

This course explores the principles of animation for 3D artists. Students demonstrate their understanding of the 12 principles of animation by animating a variety of 3D objects.

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Second Semester

This course introduces probability and statistics. Topics include graphs, tables, frequency distributions, measures of central tendency and dispersion, normal distribution, correlation and regression, probability, and inferential statistics. This course is available in two formats: lecture only, or lecture plus laboratory using technology. Prerequisite: Appropriate high school GPA or placement test score or MA089 Arithmetic.

This is an introductory course in drawing the human figure, focusing on the body’s geometric and anatomical structure. Classroom work consists of drawing from the live model and plaster sculpture casts. A hierarchy of form, working from general to specific, is emphasized. Studio work is supplemented by lectures and critiques on the principles of accurate representation of the human form in pictorial space, including gesture, proportion, anatomy, and light on form. Studio laboratory fee: $20

This course introduces the concepts of UV Unwrapping and Texturing to the polygonal modeling production pipeline. Students learn about model UVs, proper unwrapping techniques, texel density, repeating textures, and the creation of materials for use in a variety of contemporary 3D platforms.

This course explores the principal techniques and methodologies involved with polygonal model creation utilized in industries such as 3D game art and animation. Topics include polygon modeling, working with references, proper project and file organization, and introductory rendering and lighting techniques. Projects focus on low-poly modeling, proper edge flow, creating dynamic silhouette and form, and the interpretation and construction of 3D models based off of 2D references.

This course introduces the principles and techniques used in the creation, practice, and production of storyboards for animation, multimedia, and filmmaking. It covers scriptwriting, along with the fundamental principles of storyboarding through traditional techniques and practice. Drawing skills and composition are applied to set location, cinematography, sound, special effects, and character actions along with fluid storylines in a variety of genres. The results are more proficient visual communicators in industry applications, including animated films, cartoons, commercials, documentaries, live-action feature films, industrial and institutional films, and video gaming. Prerequisite: FA101 General Drawing

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Third Semester

This course explores the creation of complex 3D models for use as props in real-time 3D game engines. Students learn and demonstrate techniques and skill sets employed in current game art production pipelines. Projects focus on the representation of complex objects to stylized and simplified forms, realistic material creations, and the construction of game assets utilizing predetermined polycounts and texture resolutions. Prerequisite: GA104 Modeling 1: Introduction to Modeling

This course introduces techniques and concepts in lighting and rendering for 3D content creation. Students learn how to set up and edit virtual cameras, create natural and artificial lighting solutions, and construct model turntables and environment walkthroughs. This course also covers ways to apply post processing effects to achieve enhanced pre-rendered and real-time output.

This course introduces modeling and character setup for 3D characters. Various modeling and character setup techniques are used to prepare animation production-ready characters. Emphasis is placed on constructing characters that include proper mesh topology, UVs, textures, and rigging. Prerequisites: GA103 Digital Sculpting and GA104 Modeling 1

This course encourages a deeper understanding of human nature and the human condition through the study of ideas and values expressed in imaginative literature. Emphasis is placed on the use and development of critical thinking and language skills. Library-oriented research is required. Prerequisite: EN101 English 1: Composition or EN105 English Composition for Speakers of Other Languages or EN106 English 1: Composition & Reading.

This course examines the development of film as a medium of artistic expression. Topics include cinematic vocabulary, camera techniques, editing, sound, auteur theory, and personalities. Feature films are analyzed during the laboratory component.

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Fourth Semester

Any General Education Natural Science course

This course explores the creation of interactive 3D game environments using real-time game engines. Students design, model, texture, and assemble custom game levels utilizing current industry leading game engine software. Prerequisites: GA201 Game Asset Production

This course covers the theory, role, scope, and practice of emerging 3D technologies for digital animation students. Emphasis is placed on creating projects using 3D printing, photogrammetry, virtual reality, and other technologies relevant to 3D content creation. This course investigates approaches to tool and material use, utilization of software, interfacing with 3D printers, and finishing techniques for 3D prints. Prerequisites: GA203 Character Creation

This course gives an understanding of and a feeling for the society in which we live. The concepts and theories discussed relate to humanity, its culture and society, and to those forces that contribute to the smooth operation of this society as well as those forces that contribute to conflict and social problems. Topics include culture, socialization, stratification, population, and patterns of social organization.

This course prepares students for entry into the field of Game Art as practicing professionals through the creation of capstone projects that encompass the skills inherent in the curriculum. Projects are customized by preference and requirements, and additional works may be introduced through direction or proposal. Career materials such as a resume, cover letter, and portfolio are developed. Prerequisites: GA201 Game Asset Production, and GA203 Character Creation

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