PROCESO PRODUCTIVO

Offered at The Art Institute of Dallas and The Art Institute of Raleigh-Durham

Program Description

The process of designing and producing digital games and other types of interactive multimedia involves a variety of people utilizing specialized skills. Some of these skills are conceptual: designing game concepts and interactions or creating

stories. Some of these skills are artistic: drawing and sketching, creating 3D models, 3D animation, and texture mapping for 3D, using industry standard software; photo manipulation and original creation of 2D art for backgrounds, and characters, and props using imaging software. Some of these skills are managerial: determining budgets and schedules for project completion and assembling the right group of creative people. Game artists may be specialists in one or two aspects of the total game development process, but their value as participants in that process is enhanced by a comprehensive knowledge of the entire operation.

In pursuing the bachelor's degree in Game Art & Design, students are encouraged to master traditional skills through a rich variety of fundamental art courses while learning to use 2D and 3D design tools to create characters, backgrounds, animations, and textures used in producing digital games and related interactive media. In addition, they acquire a level of awareness and knowledge of the terminology used in programming and scripting to be able to converse intelligently with programmers. The bachelor's degree program also provides a unique learning opportunity in the management of projects and game development teams. Anticipated assignments and projects include designing gameplay and back stories; creating characters and related environments; employing 3D modeling and animation software to create game art; employing 2D image software to create backgrounds and 3D textures; and applying knowledge of games to evaluate game products.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the program, graduates should be able to:

• Basic Skills - demonstrate the ability to apply traditional and digital art skills showing a solid foundation of the principles of game art and design according to professional industry standards

• Employ the principles of gaming, balance and usability to plan and create game rules, mechanics, environments, aesthetics and experiences

• Process Skills - demonstrate the requisite presentation, interviewing, resume-building and game business knowledge critical to seeking an entry-level artist and/or designer position in the industry

• Technology and Production - demonstrate the ability to apply the skills necessary to create game art assets for use in industry standard engines through all stages of the production pipeline

• Communication - complete assignments and projects to include designing level play and background stories, creating characters and related environments, and applying knowledge of video and computer games to evaluate game products

• Professional Practice - demonstrate knowledge of the managerial and developmental aspects of the game production pipeline and demonstrate knowledge of planning, scope, soft skills, problem solving, deadlines and economics that go into making a market-ready game

Requirements for Graduation

Credit Hours: 180

Number of Weeks: 132 (12 quarters) Contact Hours: 2,488

Program-Specific Credits: 132

• FND105 Design Fundamentals 3 credit hours

• FND110 Observational Drawing 3 credit hours

• FND120 Perspective Drawing 3 credit hours

• FND135 Image Manipulation 3 credit hours

• FND150 Digital Color Theory 3 credit hours

• GAD1213 Introduction to Game Development 3 credit hours

• GAD1323 Interactive Storytelling 3 credit hours

• GAD1433 Game Design and Game Play 3 credit hours

• GAD2113 Texture Mapping for Games 3 credit hours

• GAD2133 Game Modeling 3 credit hours

• GAD2223 Interior Spaces and Worlds 3 credit hours

• GAD2233 Game Production Pipeline 3 credit hours

• GAD2313 Level Design 3 credit hours

• GAD2333 Programming for Artists 3 credit hours

• GAD2413 Advanced Level Design 3 credit hours

• GAD2423 Game Prototyping 3 credit hours

• GAD2433 Project Management for Game Art and Design 3 credit hours

• GAD3113 Team Production Planning 3 credit hours

• GAD3123 Advanced Game Prototyping 3 credit hours

• GAD3133 Interface Design 3 credit hours

• GAD3143 Game Animation 3 credit hours

• GAD3223 Sound Design for Games 3 credit hours

• GAD3234 Advanced 3D Animation 3 credit hours

• GAD3313 Production Team I 3 credit hours

• GAD3323 Portfolio I GAD 3 credit hours

• GAD3333 3D Scripting 3 credit hours

• GAD3413 Production Team II 3 credit hours

• GAD3423 Portfolio II GAD 3 credit hours

• GAD3523 Internship or Special Topics 3 credit hours * (or Special Topics Elective**)

• MAA1413 Figure Sculpture 3 credit hours

• MAA3123 Motion Capture 3 credit hours

• MAAA102 Life Drawing and Gesture 3 credit hours

• MAAA111 Animation Principles 3 credit hours

• MAAA122 Drawing and Anatomy 3 credit hours

• MAAA202 Character and Object Design 3 credit hours

• MAAA213 3D Modeling 3 credit hours

• MAAA222 Storyboarding and Animatics 3 credit hours

• MAAA223 Hard Surface and Organic Modeling 3 credit hours

• MAAA232 3D Animation 3 credit hours

• MAAA242 Character Modeling 3 credit hours

• MAAA252 Background Design and Layout 3 credit hours

• MAAA303 3D Character Rigging 3 credit hours

• MAAA313 Advanced Lighting and Texturing 3 credit hours * Minimum of 88 internship hours for the quarter

General Education Credits: 48

• MAT100 College Mathematics 4 credit hours

• COM101 Oral Communications 4 credit hours

• PSY101 Psychology 4 credit hours

• HUM101 Introduction to Humanities 4 credit hours

• ENG104 Composition 4 credit hours

• GE2084 Writing II 4 credit hours

• GE2024 Art History I 4 credit hours

• GE3004 Art History II 4 credit hours

• GE2054 Social Psychology 4 credit hours

• GE2114 Physics of Light, Sound and Motion 4 credit hours

• GE3014 Perspectives in Global Economics 4 credit hours

Humanities/Fine Arts Electives: (Select 1)

• ENG307 Twentieth Century Poetry 4 credit hours

• ENG310 Topics in American Literature 4 credit hours

• ENG311 Topics in British Literature 4 credit hours

• ENG312 Women in Literature 4 credit hours

• GE3034 Transformations & Adaptations 4 credit hours

• GE3054 Myths & Mythology 4 credit hours

• GE3084 Creative Writing 4 credit hours

• GE3114 Film Appreciation 4 credit hours

• GE4014 Survey of World Religions 4 credit hours

• GE4024 Western Civilization 4 credit hours

• GE4044 Southern Fiction 4 credit hours

• GE4064 Spanish 4 credit hours