Game Art and Design AAAS

Program Overview

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Summary

Develop perceptual, technical and production skills needed to create professional 2D and 3D game levels. Learn visual design concepts and train on industry software.

On this page

• Summary
• Next Steps
• Related Programs

Completion Award

• Associate of Applied Arts and Sciences

Length of Study

• 117 Credits

Starting Quarter

• Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

Location

• On Campus

What You’ll Learn

1. Develop and apply perceptual skills in creation of 2D and 3D game levels using visual design and game development software
2. Using game development software integrated with design software, demonstrate technical skills, project management and production skills
3. Conceive, plan, design and produce physical prototypes of games with characters and other assets, levels, rules and game strategy

Courses & Requirements

Program Description:

Students will explore creative, multimedia tools and solutions on Mac and PC platforms, using industry-standard software. In addition to General Education requirements, study will take place at three levels: core foundational design training, concentrated study in game design, and software-based and topic-based study in specialized areas. This is not a degree in programming, but students have opportunities to take introductory courses in industry-standard programming languages. Early advising is strongly recommended for this program.

Students are required to maintain a final grade of 2.0 (75%) in each VCT foundational course in order to progress to the next class. If you receive a grade below 2.0, you will be required to either retake the class or pursue an advisor's waiver.

AAAS Degree (115-121 Credits)

GPA of 2.0 or better for the entire program required.

General Education Core Requirements (18-20 Credits)

Communication Skills (5 Credits)

Choose either BTWRT 215 or ENGL& 101.

• Course 1

Quantitative/Symbolic Reasoning (5 Credits)

Choose one of the following courses: BUS 102, BUS 150, MATH& 107, MUSTC 106.

• Course 1

Multicultural Understanding (3-5 Credits)

Choose one of the following courses: HUM 105, BUS 103, CMST 203.

• Course 1

Human Relations (5 Credits)

• CMST& 101 Introduction to Communication

VCT Foundation Requirements (60 Credits)

Studio/Humanities Foundation

• ART 109 Two-Dimensional Design
• ART 131 Drawing 1

Choose one of the following:

Choose one of the following: ART 110, ART 132, or ART 251.

Selected Courses:

• Course 1

Design/Production Foundation

• VCT 101 Graphic Design 1: Typography
• VCT 112 Visual Communications Survey
• VCT 102 Graphic Design II: Identity and Logo Design

Digital Graphics Foundation

Includes self-paced, online technical training component Challenge Tests are available to place out of VCT 124 & VCT 125

• VCT 124 Basic Mac & PC Systems
• VCT 125 Intro to Image Construction, Editing & Output
• VCT 134 Adobe: Illustrator (Vector Graphics)
• VCT 136 Adobe: Raster Graphics w/Photoshop
• VCT 135 Adobe: Animation/Interactive Media
• VCT 170 Adobe: Interactive/Web Design
• VCT 176 Introduction to 3D Modeling and Animation

Degree Concentration Requirements (25 Credits)

Media History (5 Credits)

Choose one of the following courses: VCT 230, ARTH 204, ARTH 210, ARTH 224, ARTH 225, ARTH 226, ART 234.

• Course 1

Track Subjects

**Includes self-paced, online technical training component

• VCT 251 Game & Interactive Design
• VCT 276 3D Modeling & Animation with Maya
• VCT 252 Introduction to Game Art **
• VCT 253 Introduction to Game Development **

Degree Specialization Requirements (12-16 Credits)

Includes self-paced, online technical training component

Students are required to complete a minimum of 12 credits of specialization coursework. Specialization courses consist of three parts: seminar, collaborative lab sessions, and online specialized software training and/or topic-based training with online industry training partners. A Faculty/Student Advising session is required for placement into this set of courses.

Examples of Specialization Software Training:
Maya, 3D StudioMax, Mudbox. ZBrush, Soft Image, Blender, Vue, Lightwave, Unity, Unreal Engine, C++, Javascript, iOS Dev, Premiere, Encore, After Effects, etc.

Examples of Topic-Based Training:
Storyboarding, Matte Painting, Matchmoving, Digital Art, Interface Design, Effects, Compositing, Modeling, Character Rigging, Project Management, etc.

Choose 3-4 of the following courses:

VCT 278 Animating and Compositing with AfterEffects (may be used as one of your specialization courses)

Design Studio/Portfolio: VCT 205, VCT 206, VCT 207**
AdobeCS Studio/Portfolio: VCT 215, VCT 216, VCT 217**
Interactive Studio/Portfolio: VCT 225, VCT 226, VCT 227**
Autodesk Studio/Portfolio: VCT 235, VCT 236, VCT 237**
Video Studio/Portfolio: VCT 245, VCT 246, VCT 247**** Includes self-paced, online technical training component.

• Course 1
• Course 2
• Course 3
• Course 4

Approval To Graduate

Student Name, SID and Date:

Faculty Advisor and Date:

Division Dean and Date:

Credential Approval and Date:

Program Advisor:

Alan Yates Rm 2054Christine Shafner ** Rm 2174Parisa Ghaderi**

For Program Information:
Mary Bonar Rm 2057

Program Information:

Length of Program: 115-121 CreditsCompletion Award: AAAS DegreeEnrollment: Every QuarterApproximate Quarterly Costs: $25-$85
(in addition to tuition, books and parking)
Website:

Plan code: AIVGAAPT

Revised 10/24/2024. Requirement changes effective Winter Quarter 2025. See catalog PDF for Fall 2024 requirements.

Careers & Opportunities

There are expanding opportunities within this field for creating visual images for multimedia product development including game artistry and animation. Graduates are hired as game level designers, game artists, modelers, animators, riggers, lighting artists, texture artists, character artists, storyboard artists, promotional artists and assistant project managers in design and production.

Potential employers include: Game studios, video studios, advertising agencies, publication houses, visual support departments, news and sales agencies, public relations firms and multimedia firms.

Tuition & Fees

Estimated Tuition & Fees

(does not include additional program or course fees, books, or supply costs)

Per Quarter
| WA-Resident | Non-WA resident,
US citizen, &
Eligible non-citizen
On Campus | Non-WA resident
Non-US citizen¹ | Non-WA resident, US citizen
Online Only
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1 credit | $126.47 | $246.49 | $327.01 | $144.67
5 credits | $632.35 | $1,232.45 | $1,635.05 | $723.35
12 credits (full-time) | $1,387.14 | $2,487.04 | $3,408.94 | $1,571.08
15 credits | $1,570.80 | $2,520.25 | $3,617.20 | $1,757.65

¹ Includes all International Students, both on campus and overseas online

Additional Program Fees

Approximately $60 - $200 per quarter, depending on courses selected

Ways to pay for school

Federal aid, scholarships, grants, and more are available to help you pay for school.

Related Program Options

• Computer Graphics Foundation Certificate
• Web Design Certificate
• Digital Video Certificate
• Digital Photography Certificate
• Creative Project Management AAAS
• Graphic Design AAAS
• Visual Communications Foundation Certificate
• Visual Communications Business Foundation Certificate
• Art and Design Foundation Certificate
• Digital Illustration/Animation Certificate
• Visual Communications Foundation with Specialization Certificate
• Humanities Pre-Major
• Foundation Studio Art AFA
• Photography AFA
• Art History Pre-Major
• Animation/Video for Multimedia AAAS
• Visual Communications Computer Foundation Certificate

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

Associate of Applied Arts and Sciences degree in Game Art and Design, developing perceptual, technical, and production skills to create 2D and 3D game levels. Focus on visual design concepts and training on industry-standard software.

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Objectives:

• Enhance perceptual abilities in developing 2D and 3D game levels through visual design and game development software
• Combine game design software with design software, demonstrating technical expertise, project management, and production capabilities
• Develop physical game prototypes, including characters, levels, rules, and strategies

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Outline:

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General Education Core Requirements (15-20 Credits)

• Communication Skills (5 Credits)
• Quantitative/Symbolic Reasoning (5 Credits)
• Multicultural Understanding (3-5 Credits)
• Human Relations (2-5 Credits)

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VCT Foundation Requirements (65 Credits)

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Studio/Humanities Foundation

• Drawing 1
• Two-Dimensional Design
• Three-Dimensional Design
• Humanities or Studio Arts elective

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Design/Production Foundation

• Graphic Design 1: Typography
• Visual Communications Survey
• Graphic Design II: Identity and Logo Design
• Basic Mac & PC Systems Operations
• Introduction to Image Construction, Editing & Output
• Adobe: Raster Graphics with Photoshop
• Adobe: Illustrator (Vector Graphics)
• Introduction to 3D Modeling and Animation
• Adobe: Animation/Interactive Media
• Adobe: Interactive/Web Design

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Degree Concentration Requirements (25 Credits)

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Media History (5 Credits)

• VCT 230: Digital Media History and Theory OR ARTH 204-226: Art History courses

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Track Subjects (20 Credits)

• Game & Interactive Design Theory and Application
• 3D Modeling & Animation with Maya
• Introduction to Game Art
• Introduction to Game Development

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Degree Specialization Requirements (12-16 Credits)

• Students select 3-4 courses from:
• VCT 205-207: Design Studio/Portfolio
• VCT 215-217: AdobeCS Studio/Portfolio
• VCT 225-227: Interactive Studio/Portfolio
• VCT 235-237: Autodesk Studio/Portfolio
• VCT 245-247: Video Studio/Portfolio

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Assessment:

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Course grades:

Students are required to maintain a final grade of 2.0 in each VCT foundation course to progress.

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Other assessment methods may include:

• Projects
• Portfolios
• Presentations
• Exams

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Teaching:

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Teaching Methods:

• Lectures
• Discussions
• Demonstrations
• Hands-on lab work
• Group projects
• Individual mentoring

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Faculty:

Experienced professionals in the field of game design.

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Unique teaching approaches:

• Real-world project-based learning
• Industry guest speakers
• Collaboration with local game development companies

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Careers:

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Potential Career Paths:

• Game level designers
• Game artists
• Modelers
• Animators
• Character artists
• Storyboard artists
• Promotional artists
• Assistant project managers

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Potential Employers:

• Game studios
• Video studios
• Advertising agencies
• Visual support departments
• News and sales agencies
• Public relations firms
• Multimedia firms