| Ranking | School | State |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Southern California | California |
| 2 | New York University | New York |
| 3 | Carnegie Mellon University | Pennsylvania |
| 4 | Savannah College of Art and Design | Georgia |
| 5 | Gnomon | California |
| 6 | Northeastern University | Massachusetts |
| 7 | Ringling College of Art and Design | Florida |
| 8 | The New School | New York |
| 9 | College Temporarily Paused By Publisher | |
| 10 | The Ohio State University | Ohio |
| 11 | Laguna College of Art and Design | California |
| 12 | University of Wisconsin–Stout | Wisconsin |
| 13 | George Mason University | Virginia |
| 14 | Columbus College of Art and Design | Ohio |
| 15 | Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design | Colorado |
| 16 | Otis College of Art and Design | California |
| 17 | College for Creative Studies | Michigan |
| 18 | Cleveland Institute of Art | Ohio |
| 19 | University of Connecticut | Connecticut |
| 20 | New York Film Academy Los Angeles | New York |
| 21 | Maryland Institute College of Art | Maryland |
| 22 | Maine College of Art and Design | Maine |
| 23 | Fashion Institute of Technology | New York |
| 24 | Woodbury University | California |
| 25 | Moore College of Art and Design | Pennsylvania |
For our undergraduate degree rankings, we have evaluated game design schools and programs with the best Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), and Bachelor of Science (BS) options. To determine which degree matches your career goals, it is important to understand how each qualification differs.
The Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree is the principal liberal arts degree. Most BA programs require 30-some or 40-some credits, which leaves plenty of flexibility in the form of free electives. BA students can use the free electives to sample widely from other course offerings or to earn an additional credential (a second major, a minor, or some combination of additional credentials).
The Bachelor of Science (BS) degree is offered in areas such as Computer Science, Mathematics, Psychology, Statistics, and each of the natural sciences. The BS is best suited to the student who wants to focus more on courses in the major and on 'collateral' courses (like chemistry or mathematics for a major in Geological Sciences) and is willing to give up some of the flexibility of the BA in return for the greater focus.
The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree is considered the most prestigious bachelor's degree that you can receive in the visual arts. This option is for students who wish to gain as much experience and skill in the arts as possible.
Below are the Top 25 Schools and Colleges with Game Design BFA Programs for 2025.
University of Southern California (USC) is home to the School of Cinematic Arts (SCA). Founded in 1929 by directors and screenwriters such as D.W. Griffith and William Churchill De Mille, the SCA houses eight academic divisions, including Interactive Media and Games (IMGD). Undergraduate IMGD degree programs include the Game Development and Interactive Design BFA; the Game Art BFA, and a BFA in Themed Entertainment.
All options allow students to add a specialization or minor such as Game Design; Immersive Media; Game Audio; Documentary; Game Studies; Game User Research; or Game Entrepreneurism. Students may also create their own focus area through electives. Across all BFA programs, students will explore the art, design, and production of games. All classes are immersive and hands-on, with opportunities to work on projects with peers across all degrees.
Other program benefits include access to a number of game development labs open from 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. seven days a week; a Mixed-Use Lab featuring systems for VR/AR development, advanced engineering systems, large-scale game testing spaces, and 15 HD monitors with attached gaming consoles; two 100+ person theaters with lobbies that allow students to display their work; and a Console Development Laboratory with PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo development kits.
Other facilities include the SCA Motion Capture Stage; the Esports Lab; the Ganek Immersive Media Studio; the Game Innovation Lab; the Creative Media and Behavioral Health Center; and the MFA Thesis Lab.
The BFA programs at USC culminate with the Advanced Games Projects Capstone and possible participation in the USC Games Expo. At the end of each year, this event showcases the best student and recent graduate games.
Graduates are prepared to pursue advanced roles in all areas of the games industry. Program alumni have gone on to develop and sell their own games; launch their own independent studios; or land a position at a major game studio such as Riot Games or Epic Games. Graduates have also been hired at places such as Disney, Apple, CBS Interactive, and ESPN.
New York University (NYU) is home to Tisch School of the Arts (NYU Tisch). Founded in 1965 as the School of the Arts, the school was renamed in 1982 after receiving a gift from billionaire brothers and businessmen Laurence A. and Preston Robert Tisch. Today, NYU Tisch provides BA, BFA, MA, MFA, MPS, and PhD degrees in areas such as cinema studies, collaborative arts, film and television, game design, interactive media arts, performance studies, and recorded music.
NYU Tisch also houses the Department of Game Design. Founded in 2008 and known as NYU Game Center, the department hosts workshops, academic seminars, playtests, tournaments, and other events such as NYU Game Center Lecture Series; No Quarter Exhibition (est. 2010); the annual Strategy Guide—Breaking into the Game Industry Workshop; and the professional game conference PRACTICE—Game Design in Detail.
Other NYU Game Center highlights include access to the Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music; the Game Center Open Library; hands-on experiences in the center’s development studios and play labs; internship opportunities at places such as Blizzard Entertainment, Riot Games, and Disney; and the opportunity to participate in study away programs at NYU’s other campuses in Abu Dhabi and Shanghai, and academic centers in London, Paris, Washington, D.C., Prague, Berlin, Tel Aviv, Buenos Aires, Sydney, Florence, and Madrid.
NYU Game Center students may also participate in The Game Center Incubator. Launched in 2014, the incubator provides expertise, funding, and space for projects with commercial potential. Incubator leaders help select students see projects through to a public launch.
NYU Game Center undergraduate degree options include a BFA in Game Design. This 128 credit hour program has a strong foundation in the liberal arts. This means students will complete a significant amount of coursework in social sciences, humanities, explanatory writing, and hard sciences (biology, chemistry, physics, etc.). BFA students will also explore different styles of creative production by taking a production course in another NYU Tisch department.
The Game Design BFA curriculum consists of primary areas including game design, game development, and game studies, as well as production areas such as programming, visual design, game business, and audio design. Course examples for the program include Introduction to Game Design; Level Design Studio; 3D Development; Modern Tabletop Literacy; Pixel Prototype; The Immersive SIM; Programming for Games; 3D Modeling for Games; Art Direction for Games; XR Studio; Music and Gameplay; Games in Narrative; Shade Lab; Roleplaying on the Margins; 2D Animation for Games; and Business of Video Games.
The Game Design BFA program at NYU culminates with the Senior Capstone. This final project can be a group or solo game, curated exhibition, or research paper—student’s choice.
NYU Game Center BFA graduates will enter the job market with a resume, several finished games or related works, and the assistance of NYU’s extensive Wasserman Career Center. As part of Tisch School of the Arts, NYU Game Center graduates also have access to the school’s own Office of Career Development, which helps alumni launch their creative careers.
Across programs, graduates are prepared to pursue advanced roles in all areas of games. Program alumni have been hired at places such as Blizzard Entertainment, Riot Games, Disney, Nickelodeon, ESPN, Amazon, Tencent Holdings, Avalanche Studios Group, Take-Two Interactive Software, Arkadium Games, and the International Game Developers Association Japan (IGDA Japan).
Some NYU Game Center alumni have also gone on to launch their own studios, write books, organize festivals, and win awards.
Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) is home to the Integrative Design, Arts, and Technology Network (IDeATe). The IDeATe curriculum is delivered across 15 different academic departments at CMU. IDeATe programs are housed in a making facility in CMU’s Hunt Library (HL). The building opened in 1961 through a gift by Mr. and Mrs. Roy Hunt. The HL is CMU’s largest library, and the IDeATe houses 10 undergraduate minors that fuse technology and the arts. This includes a Game Design minor.
IDeATe programs take place in collaborative classrooms, with access to a black box studio; dedicated physical computing and fabrication labs; and a soft technologies studio. Students in both programs have access to workshops; internship opportunities; and winter, spring, or summer study abroad experiences in places such as Nantes, France.
Open to all majors, the ETC IDeATe Game Design minor also has an endless number of major/minor combo options. One of the most popular is the Art BFA/Game Design program.
The Game Design minor requires a minimum of 45 credit hours across computing and game design. Course examples include Intermediate Studio - Creative Coding; Fundamentals of Computing for Creative Practice; Little Games/Big Stories - Indie Roleplaying Game Studio; Introduction to 3D Animation Pipeline; Story and Sound; Digital Realities - Introducing Immersive Technologies for Arts and Culture; Computer Game Programming; Game Design, Prototyping, and Production; Distributed Game Studio - Game Art Pipeline; Dynamic Motion and Game Experience; and Reality Computing Studio.
The CMU IDeATe Game Design minor cat Carnegie Mellon University culminates with a final project consisting of an original video game created in collaboration with a faculty mentor. Graduates are prepared to pursue roles in areas such as game design and development, film and video, animation, software development, digital advertising, and fine art.
CMU graduates are routinely hired by companies and studios such as 2K Games, Epic Systems, Nvidia, Sony, Microsoft, Google, Amazon, ESPN, Apple, Oracle, IBM, VMware, and Meta.
Located in Savannah’s National Historic Landmark District, Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) provides more degrees and specializations than any other art and design school in the U.S. This fully accredited, nonprofit institution also houses six galleries that focus on fashion, film, educational events, and special collections.
For students interested in studying games, Savannah College of Art and Design provides nearly a dozen options leading to a BA, BFA, MA, MFA, or minor. Students can complete all programs in person at the Atlanta or Savannah campus. With the exception of the Game Development BFA, all programs may also be completed online via SCADnow. Courses stream online in real time or students may access the courses on their own schedule.
BFA program benefits include the option to add a minor in Concept Design for Animation and Games, Game UX, Visual Effects (VFX), Concept Art for Games, Character Technical Direction, or Themed Entertainment Design; opportunities to gain hands-on experience through internships with local and national studios; and participation in team projects that take place in state-of-the-art customized facilities within the SCAD Digital Media Center and Montgomery Hall.
Launched in the Fall of 2009, the SCAD Digital Media Center is a 60,000 square feet facility that houses SCAD Film Studios, an in-house theater, a green screen lab, and a real-world studio environment. The Center sits in the former home of the Atlanta TV Station WXIA. Montgomery Hall has more than 130,000 square feet of space including studio classrooms; 800+ computers; stop-motion sets; a green-screen stage; motion-capture technology; and AR/VR labs.
Other BFA program benefits include quarterly meetings with industry professionals from studios such as Electronic Arts (EA), Zynga, and Activision Blizzard. During these meetings, SCAD game design students have the opportunity to interview and present their portfolios.
The SCAD Game Development BFA requires 180 credit hours. As mentioned, students can enhance the degree through a minor and/or up to 25 credits of free electives. Course examples for the program include Game Art; Speaking of Ideas; Digital Design Aesthetics; Game Tech; Information Architecture; Programming; Game Design; Digital Communication; and Interactive Web Design. BFA students will also complete the Game Development Portfolio course, Game Development Studio II; and Game Development Postproduction.
Graduates of the Game Development BFA program at Savannah College of Art and Design are prepared to pursue careers in all areas of game design and development, augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR), animation, film and video, software development, education, research, advertising, and more.
Program alumni are routinely hired places such as Electronic Arts (EA), Apple, Epic Games, Activision Blizzard, Riot Games, Gearbox Software, Microsoft, Adobe, YouTube, Meta, Zynga, Sucker Punch Productions, Firaxis Games, and Bethesda.
Gnomon has been educating digital artists for nearly 30 years. Located in Hollywood, California—the heart of the entertainment industry—the school is known as the MIT of Visual Effects. Gnomon’s immersive, hands-on programs take place in a studio environment designed to mimic some of today’s top production studios.
For students interested in studying games, the school has a Digital Production BFA that requires 180 total units, including 135 in career-focused studies and 45 in general education. Students may choose from three specializations including 3D Generalist, Game Art, and Visual Effects (VFX).
Across options, students will receive intensive training in industry software such as Maya, After Effects, Houdini, Marmoset Toolbag, Nuke, V-Ray, Substance Painter and Designer, Unreal Engine, ZBrush, and Photoshop. Course examples include Props and Weapons for Games; Animation and Visual Effects; Storyboarding; Game Creation 1-4; Level Design; Houdini 1-2; Texturing and Shading for Games; Digital Sets; Character Creation for Games; Hard Surface Modeling; Character Rigging Fundamentals, Environment Creation for Games; Dynamic Effects; May Modules; and Animation for Games.
The Digital Production BFA at Gnomon can be completed in as few as three years. For the culminating experience, students will produce a professional demo reel across four courses (Demo Reel 1-4). Graduates are prepared to pursue advanced roles in game design and development, animation, visual effects, live-action film, and more.
To date, Gnomon has more than 900 industry-employed alumni working at major studios such as Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), DreamWorks, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Sony Pictures Imageworks, Electronic Arts (EA), Marvel Studios, Nickelodeon Animation, Blizzard Entertainment, Amazon Games, Weta FX, Riot Games, DNEG, Digital Domain, Reel FX, Bioware, Framestore, and Naughty Dog.
Northeastern University (Northeastern) houses the College of Arts, Media, and Design (CAMD), home to the Game Design, and Game Art and Animation BFA programs. All CAMD programs are interdisciplinary, with courses led by industry professionals. Across BFA options, course examples include Game Studio; Narrative Basics; Rapid Idea Prototyping for Games; Level Design and Game Architecture; Building of Game Engines; Advanced Topics in Game Design; Game Concept Design; Human-Computer Interaction; Game Artificial Intelligence; Game Interface Design; Games and Society; and Generative Game Design.
In addition to a wide range of in-demand courses taught by faculty experts, BFA students can participate in the Northeastern’s co-op program. This allows undergraduates to gain up to 18 months of hands-on, professional (paid) experience.
Northeastern University partners with more than 20,000 co-op employers nationwide and across more than 65 countries. Examples include Hasbro, Live Nation, Harmonix, Mass DiGi, Splash Damage Games, Jamspot, Demiurge Studios, and Greenbrier Games.
Other program highlights include access to The Games Studio, which allows students to work on projects and be credited on up to four shipped titles; exhibitions; hands-on learning in collaborative classrooms and studios; the Media Studios Organization, which houses state-of-the-art labs, studios, and making spaces; guest lectures; the Center for Design—a space for collaborative and interdisciplinary design research; and immersive workshops.
CAMD alumni have been hired at major companies and studios such as Google, Xbox Game Studios, Amazon, Hasbro, Zynga, Cognizant, Boeing, Harmonix, Arc Games, Greenbrier Games, Splash Damage Games, Demiurge Studios, HireIO, Digital Eclipse Entertainment Partners, and Lucid Motors.
Ringling College of Art and Design (RCAD) is the only freestanding art and design school in the state of Florida. For students interested games, the school has BFAs in Game Art and Virtual Reality Development. Students in both programs have opportunities to gain hands-on industry experience working on real world projects through RCAD’s experiential learning initiative—INDEX.
INDEX activities take place in the classroom, the Design Center, studio labs, the Maker Space, and through the ART Network. INDEX also highlights client competitions, immersive experiences, internships, elective courses, and volunteering. All students also benefit from industry critiques by successful visiting artists and participation in the Game Developers Conference (GDC) in San Francisco.
The Game Art BFA program at Ringling College of Art and Design follows the studio model of teaching, which emphasizes learning by doing. Students in this 120 credit hour program will work on team projects to develop collaborative, technical, and communication skills. Students will create works in state-of-the-art facilities equipped with the latest software used by both AAA and indie studios. Examples include Houdini, Adobe Substance Suite, Unreal Engine, Maya, and ZBrush.
Of the 120 credit hours required to complete the Game Art BFA, 48 are in the major. Course examples include History of Game Art; Digital Painting for Game Art; Game Design I-III; Color and Perspective Drawing; 2D and 3D Design; Visual Development for Games I-II; Programming for Artists; 3D for Games I-IV; Development of Art and Ideas; and 3D Modeling.
The Game Art BFA culminates with the Game Thesis Project completed across four courses including Game Thesis Preproduction; Game Thesis Project 1A; Game Thesis Project 1B; and Game Thesis Project II. The Thesis totals 15 credit hours.
The Virtual Reality Development BFA at Ringling College of Art and Design is a 120 credit hour program that focuses on the creation, design, and analyzing of immersive experiences. This includes mastering story structures; utilizing game engine technology in the creation of immersive experiences; innovating VR ideas; navigating the production pipeline for 3D VR; and utilizing specific software for creating 3D databases. Through projects and coursework, students will also master the art of communication, develop collaboration skills, and become well-versed in professional practices.
Of the 120 credit hours for the Virtual Reality Development program, 51 credits are dedicated to the major. Course examples include Introduction to Virtual Reality; 2D and 3D Design; Concept Development for Virtual Worlds; Immersive Media Design I-IV; 3D Technical Art; Iterative Design; Visual Scripting; Programming for Immersive Media; and Visual Development: UI/UX Design.
Open electives totaling 12 credit hours allow students to enhance the degree by specializing in an area of interest. Students may also select six credit hours of general electives and 12 elective credits in art and design history.
The RCAD Virtual Reality Development BFA culminates with the VR Thesis/Capstone completed across three courses: VR Thesis Preproduction, VR Capstone Project I, and VR Capstone Project II. This culminating experience totals 15 credit hours.
Graduates of the Game Art and Virtual Reality Development BFA programs are prepared to pursue careers in game art, design, development, and programming; virtual reality design, development, and programming; and user interface/user experience (UI/UX) design; architecture; military and law enforcement; education and training; advertising and marketing; art and design; healthcare and fitness; sports; tourism and travel; wellness; and automotive.
The Game Art BFA attracts recruiters from major studios such as Blizzard Entertainment, Epic Games, Riot Games, and Bungie. RCAD Game Art graduates have been hired at these and other major companies and studios such as Electronic Arts (EA), Rockstar Games, Microsoft, Hasbro, Netflix, Bethesda, Naughty Dog, and Meta.
Virtual Reality Development graduates have the opportunity to work at places such as Epic Games, ILM Immersive (Lucasfilm’s storytelling studio), Microsoft, General Motors (GM), Meta, Kinetic Vision, Baobab Studios, 3D Forensic, Immersive Health Group, Vu Studios, Halon Entertainment, AECOM, and Mote Marine Labs.
The New School houses Parsons School of Design (Parsons). Serving more than 5,700 students, Parsons is The New School’s largest school. For game designers seeking an undergraduate degree, Parsons provides a Design and Technology (DT) program leading to a BFA. This STEM-designated interdisciplinary features studios and lab courses led by experts in the field.
Other program highlights include industry internships; collaborations between artists and designers across The New School; networking opportunities and sponsored projects with external partners; and study abroad experiences in places such as Florence, Paris, and London.
The Parsons DT BFA is a 120 credit hour program that explores media storytelling, emerging art and design practices, and interaction technologies. Two paths are available including Game Design and Creative Technology. Game Design students will work on original projects that explore socially conscious video games, wearable technology, and digital art. Creative Technology students will tour and work on projects with major companies and studios such as Nickelodeon, Atari, MTV, Apple, Rockwell Interaction Lab, and UNESCO.
Students in both paths have access to courses such as Creative Coding; Digital Asset Creation 2D and 3D; Game Design as Play Design; Environments; Anatomy and Perspective for Visual Storytellers; CG 1 and 2; Interaction Studio; Motion Graphics; Experimental Animation; Drawing/Imaging; Communication Design Studio: JavaScript; Physical Computing; Communication Design Foundations-Interaction; Data Visualization and Information Aesthetics; Web Design; Light and Image; and Critical Computation Lab.
In the fourth year of the DT BFA program, students will complete a thesis project. The Pro Launch Studio course prepares students for careers in the industry.
Graduates of the Design and Technology BFA program at The New School are prepared to pursue leadership roles across the game design, entertainment, advertising, and web design industries, among others. New School alumni have been hired at major companies and studios across the U.S. and abroad. Examples include Amazon, IBM, Epic Systems, Apple, Google, ESPN, Meta, 2K Games, and 31st Street Studios.
Laguna College of Art and Design (LCAD) houses a collection of Game Design programs with options leading to a BFA, MFA, and minor. Across all options, students work and learn in a project-based environment that promotes creativity, innovation, and collaboration. BFA students also have opportunities to work in teams with graduate MFA students to design industry-ready games that could be featured at the Independent Games Festival (IGF).
Held as part of the Game Developers Conference (GDC) in San Francisco, this annual festival showcases independent games (on the Expo floor), with winners announced during the week-long GDC. All LCAD Game Design students will also participate in workshops led by artists and designers such as Animation and Film Artist Bill Perkins; Game Designer Chris Bateman; and former Blizzard Entertainment Art Director Justin Thavirat.
Specific undergraduate degrees for students interested in games include the Game Art BFA and Game Art minor. Across options, students will take courses such as Fundamentals of Game Art; 2D Development Studio; Level Design; Rigging and Animation for Games; and Development Team. The minor culminates with a final project.
LCAD’s Game Art BFA requires 122 credit hours of study. Course examples include Drawing and Perspective for Games; Robots, Vehicles and Spaceships; Game Design; Advanced Real-Time VFX; Scripting for Games; 3D Character Design; Special Topics in Games; Visual Storytelling; Character Design for Games; Environment Design for Games; Prototyping; Game Industry 101; 2D Development Studio; Modeling for Games; Digital Painting; UI/UX for Games; 3D Environment Design; Advanced Technologies for Games; Digital Analytical Figure; Game Pipeline; Advanced Shaders and Materials; Professional Studies for Game Artist; Advanced Sound Design; Creatures and Characters; and Combat Design.
The culminating experience for the Game Design BFA at Laguna College of Art and Design is creation of a final, marketable game. Graduates are prepared to pursue leadership roles in the games and entertainment industries. Program alumni have been hired at major companies and studios in the U.S. and abroad. Examples include Sony Interactive Entertainment, Riot Games, Microsoft Studios, DreamWorks, Blizzard Entertainment, Marvel, 20th Century Fox, Disney Animation Studios, The Jim Henson Company, Insomniac Games, and Obsidian Entertainment.
University of Wisconsin-Stout (UW-Stout) is the state’s polytechnic university and one of just 125 polytechnic universities in the U.S. The school also houses the first and only Game Design and Development BFA in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Iowa. A Game Design and Development concentration is also available in the College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics and Management (CSTEMM) is also available.
Housed in the School of Art and Design—the largest school of its kind in the upper Midwest—the Game Design and Development (GDD) BFA is accredited by the National Association for Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Program highlights include collaborative studios with computer science students; opportunities to gain hands-on experience in UW-Stout labs, studios, and galleries; faculty-led trips to LA and San Francisco; industry projects with the Jim Henson Company and the National Park Service; access to AAA development kits, Intuos Cintiq Displays, and virtual reality equipment; and more than 300 study abroad programs across 40+ countries.
The GDD BFA consists of 120 credit hours of study, with 80 credits in the major. The curriculum covers areas such as 3D modeling and animation, game design principles, programming, graphic and user interface design, 2D pixel art and animation, concept art, and character design. Course examples for the program include Introduction to Programming; 3D Game Art and Engines; Design Drawing and Concept Visualization; Exploratory Game Design and Development; 3D Modeling and Animation; Virtual and Augmented Reality Video Applications; Visual Effects and Compositing; and Digital Sound Studio.
The culminating experience for the Game Design and Development BFA at UW-Stout is the Game Art, Design and Development Capstone and final portfolio presentation at the Stout Game Expo (SGX). Graduates are prepared to pursue positions in all areas of game design and development, the broad technology industry, animation and film, digital marketing, visualization and simulation, and architecture.
UW-Stout alumni have been hired at major companies and studios such as DreamWorks Animation, Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, HP, Procter & Gamble (P&G), and Abbott Laboratories. They also work at regional and local studios such as Big John Games, 20 Credits Studio, Pixel Farm Digital, and Finn Daniels Architects.
George Mason University (GMU or Mason) has one of the most well-known game design programs in the South Atlantic Region. The school’s Korea-based campus (GMU Korea), in collaboration with the U.S. Embassies in Korea and Japan, and e-commerce giant Coupang, hosts the 2025 Korea-U.S.-Japan eSports Tournament. This global initiative attracts gamers from Korea, the U.S., and Japan to participate in weekly activities, online training, and esports matches.
Back in the U.S., GMU Games consists of the Computer Game Design BFA, MA, and minor; a Sport and Computer Game Design minor; and a BS in Applied Computer Science (BS ACS) with a Computer Game Design concentration. Students in all programs have access to the Virginia Serious Game Institute (VSGI).
Housed at Mason’s Science and Technology Campus, the VSGI focuses on research, start-ups, and job creation. In collaboration with companies, government agencies, and non-profit organizations, the Institute develops research projects in areas such as EdTech Game platform development, mobile and wearable game technologies, AR/VR diagnostic and training solutions, and Cyber-Game education.
The VSGI also houses the Mason Game and Technology Academy (MGTA). Founded in 2013, the MGTA provides opportunities for students to develop skills in game design and programming, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning.
The Computer Game Design BFA is part of Mason’s College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA). Established in 2001 and accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), the CVPA serves close to 1,800 students across dozens of degree and minor programs.
The Computer Game Design BFA consists of 120 credit hours of study including 10 in the Mason Core, and 51-52 in the major. Non-specific core requirements, along with visual arts, digital media, and general electives make up the remaining credits. The Mason Core consists of courses such as Physics and Everyday Phenomena, and New Media in the Creative Arts.
Major course examples include Computer Game Platform Analysis and Lab; Applied Coding for Game Designers; RS-Story Design for Computer Games; Digital Game Design; Gameplay Scripting Implementation; and Advanced Game Design Studio. Elective examples include 2D and 3D Experimental Animation; Digital Painting for Games; Drawing I and II; Video Art; and Advanced Game Animation.
All Computer Game Design BFA students will complete an internship totaling 180 hours. A Portfolio course is also required. In this one-credit course, students will create and refine a web portfolio of class projects and presentations.
The Computer Game Design BFA at George Mason University culminates with the Senior Game Design Capstone, consisting of a case study and public lecture. Graduates are prepared to pursue careers in game design and development, the broad technology sector, serious games, animation, visualization and simulation, and education.
Program alumni have been hired at companies and studios such as Epic Games, Amazon, Microsoft, Bethesda Softworks, 2K Games, Booz Allen Hamilton, Citadel Studios, Little Arms Studios, Big Huge Games, and Rudel Studios. Some GMU Games graduates have also gone on to launch their own studios or freelance businesses.
Columbus College of Art and Design (CCAD) is one of approximately 328 schools accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). The school also requires all undergraduates to complete the First-Year Experience (FYE). During this introductory year, students will collaborate with peers on projects and take courses such as Systems of Drawing; 2D Creative Spaces; 3D Making with Care; and Drawing for Entertainment Design. Upon completion of the FYE CCAD students will advance into their major course of study.
For students seeking a game design degree, CCAD houses a Game Art and Design BFA. Program benefits include participation in community game forums; courses and projects led by expert faculty members; participation in game jams; the CCAD Internship Program; visiting artists; participation in student-led organizations such as the Game Development Guild, the Tabletop/Role Play Game Club, and the Battle Game Alliance; and participation in regional events such as the annual tabletop gaming convention—Origins Game Fair, and GDEX (gaming expo).
Students in the program also have access to state-of-the-art labs, equipment, and facilities such as the Cloyd Family Animation Center's Stop Motion Lab; play-testing areas; sound rooms and editing suites; tetherless VR and AR kits; Makey Makey and Arduino alternative controller kits; and Mac and PC computer labs outfitted with the latest industry-standard software.
Course examples for the program include Introduction to Game Art and Design; Game Theory and Design; Tabletop Rules at Play; Level Design for Games; Programming for Play; Game Art Production; Digital Playscapes; History of Games; and Pipeline to Product Fundamentals.
The CCAD Game Art and Design BFA program culminates with the Game Pipeline Capstone I and Game Projects Capstone II courses. Graduates are prepared to pursue positions in all areas of game design and development. Program alumni have been hired at places such as Electronic Arts (EA), Insomniac Games, Riot Games, Multivarious Games, Google, Nike, McGraw-Hill Education, BioWare, GuessworkVR, AfroDuck Studios, Mindstream Interactive, Super77, Legio Vox Studios, and GameU.
Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design (RMCAD) is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). The school is also an Unreal Engine Academic Partner that houses a Game Art BFA provided year-round both on campus and online. Although campus-based students will spend most of their time face-to-face with instructors and peers, a small portion of the program must be completed online.
The Game Art BFA requires 123 credit hours with 48 in the major and six in studio electives. The remaining courses come from liberal arts and foundations. Led by industry professionals, all courses are collaborative and immersive, with small class sizes and interactions with students from other RMCAD programs.
Other program benefits include access to state-of-the-art production facilities; participation in Game Art Events; the speaker-series featuring game art professionals; and the opportunity to apply for a Spivak Student Studio space. Consisting of 12 coveted studios, Spivak is a dedicated campus-based creative space where students can collaborate, network, exhibit and critique works, and connect with visiting artists.
The Game Art BFA consists of foundations and liberal arts courses such as Art Historical Methods and Theories; Sound Studies; The Art of Math; Acoustics of Music; History of International Animation; Seminar in Contemporary Art; 2D Design; Time-Based Media; Life Drawing I-II; 2D Design-Elements and Principles; and 3D Design-Space and Materiality. Before advancing into the Game Art major, students will complete the Animation and Game Art Sophomore Portfolio Review.
Examples of Game Art major courses include Introduction to Animated Storytelling; 3D Modeling; Game Shader Development; 3D Computer Fundamentals; Rigging for Animation and Game Art; 3D Computer Animation Motion Studies; Game Creation Fundamentals; Character and Level Design; Digital Painting for Film and Games; 3D Computer Lighting and Materials; Strategy and Psychology in Games; Business Ethics and Copyright; Digital Sculpting; and Game Art Junior Portfolio Review.
Electives allow students to complete an internship or focus in specific areas of games, animation, and art. Elective examples include Worldbuilding; Game Animation and Motion Capture; Vector Illustration; Drawing and Acting for Animation; The Art of Villainy; Scriptwriting for Animation; Layout Design; Experimental Animation; 3D Character and Production Design; Raster Imager Processing; Character Animation and Motion Studies; Figurative Sculpture; Digital Post Production; and Special Topics.
The Game Art BFA program at Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design culminates with two courses: Senior Project I-Portfolio Preparation, and Senior Project II: Portfolio Delivery and Review.
Graduates are prepared to pursue roles in the game design industry, animation, film, and digital advertising, among others. Examples of potential job titles include Game Artist, Computer Animator, Game Designer, Concept Artist, Environment Designer, UI/UX Artist, Character Designer, Texture Artist, 3D Modeler, and Lighting Artist.
Otis College of Art and Design (Otis) is LA’s first professional school of the arts. With many programs accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), the school also employs more than 430 professors who are all active professionals in the fields of art and design.
For students seeking a professional games program, Otis College of Art and Design houses a Game and Entertainment Design BFA. Coursework is hands-on, with collaborative projects that explore all areas of games. Throughout the program, students will also develop advanced skills in industry software such as Houdini, Unreal Engine, Maya, ZBrush, Adobe Suite, and Blender.
The Otis Game and Entertainment Design BFA consists of courses such as Contemporary Studio and Creative Action; Game Design I-II; Programming/Scripting for Games; 3D for Games and Entertainment I-III; Theory and Trends in Contemporary Art, Media, and Culture; Technical Game Arts; and VFX for Games. Students can enhance the degree through advanced and specialized elective courses.
Examples include Robots, Vehicles, and Spaceships; Animal and Creature Drawing; Blender for 2D Artists; Advanced Game Creative with USC I-III; Advanced Texture Painting; and Art of Costume in Games.
The Game and Entertainment Design BFA program at Otis College of Art and Design culminates with a capstone project. Graduates are prepared to pursue advanced roles in the games and broader technology industries, animated films, digital advertising, simulations, education, visualization, architecture, research, and consulting.
Graduates are prepared to pursue careers in areas such as games for entertainment, serious games, animation production, digital advertising, architecture, simulations, and visualization.
Otis College of Art and Design alumni have been hired at major companies, organizations, and studios such as Riot Games, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Activision Blizzard, Pixar, DreamWorks, Google, Sony Pictures Animation, Nike, Disney, Apple, Marvel Studios, Nickelodeon, Paramount+, Mattel, Netflix, Reel FX, Northrop Grumman, MGA Entertainment, NFL Network, Ntropic, the Paris Olympics, Huntington Gardens (Design Lab), Ralph Lauren, and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA).
College for Creative Studies (CCS) is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Founded in 1944, this prestigious organization accredits less than 330 institutions nationwide. In addition to NASAD-accreditation, CCS houses a STEM-designated Entertainment Arts (EA) program that has Game Design, Animation, and Concept Design majors.
A Toon Boom Center for Excellence and Authorized Unreal Instructor, the Entertainment Arts program at CCS also features sponsored projects with major companies and studios such as Epic Games, GM, and Unity 3D; courses taught by Hollywood insiders and Unreal Authorized Instructors (UAI); access to state-of-the-art facilities and equipment including PC and MAC equipment, gaming labs, editing suites, and full VR capabilities with Vive goggles and sensors; and internship opportunities with local and regional studios.
Students may also participate in the study abroad program, which features faculty-led and independent experiences in places such as India, Paris, Ireland, Sweden, London, Spain, and Italy.
Leading to a BFA, the Entertainment Arts program begins with the First Year Experience (FYE) consisting of courses such as Digital Techniques; Animation I; Process and Making; Drawing I-Rapid Concept; 2D Design Principles; and Drawing II-Style and Skill.
Game Design majors will complete a total of 120-121 credits, with courses that explore environment design for game, animation, and film; 2D and 3D; traditional drawing and CGI tools; augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR); mobile platforms; and immersive gameplay.
Course examples for the program include Intro to 3D Computer Graphics; History of Video Games; Game Art I-II; Process and Making; Game Ideation; Modeling and Texturing; Game Trends; Advanced Computer Generated Environments; Game Professional Futures; Lighting and Rendering; Game-Concept and Technology I-II; Computer Character Animation; Digital Techniques; and Visual Narration-Asia.
Students can explore other areas of interest or even create their own specialization through electives. Examples include Animation I; Advanced Creature Creation; 2D Digital Animation; Stop Motion I-II; Experimental Animation; Sound Design; Anatomical Figure Illustration; and Concept Design.
The culminating experience for the EA Game Design BFA program at College for Creative Studies is the Game Senior Studio, complete across two courses. Graduates are prepared to pursue roles in the game design industry, animation production, digital advertising, and other related areas. EA Game Design alumni have worked on more than 15 Marvel movies; created game environments for Blizzard Entertainment’s World of Warcraft; and designed one third of the six Batmobiles.
CCS Game Design graduates have been hired at major companies and studios such as Epic Games, Nickelodeon, Disney Animation Studios, Paramount, Pixomondo (PXO), General Motors (GM), Ustwo Games, Funcom, Certain Affinity, Turn 10 Studios, Outloud Media, Wedoo, and Monomi Park.
The Game Design Department at Cleveland Institute of Art (CIA) houses a BFA program that provides opportunities to work on projects with partner clients such as NASA, Hearst Foundations, and General Motors (GM). The program is also collaborative, so students will work in teams to complete everything from console games to mobile apps—from concept to publishable product. CIA partners with Case Western Reserve University (CWRU), so team members will come from the school’s Department of Computer and Data Sciences’ (CDS) Computer Gaming minor.
In addition to collaborative projects, the curriculum for the Game Design BFA at CIA combines in-demand courses, immersive labs and studios, and intensive training in game engines such as Unreal and Unity. Course examples for the program include Studio Discovery; 2D Game Design; 3D Texture Mapping and Digital Lighting; Safety Lab; Tabletop Game Design; Screenwriting; 3D Modeling for Game Engines; Virtual + Augmented Reality Aesthetics + Design; Writing I-III; 3D Animation for Game Engines; Digital I-II; and Game Development Pipeline-Team Project.
All Game Design BFA students have access to state-of-the-art production facilities on the CIA campus including the new Interactive Media Lab (IML), as well the Larry Sears and Sally Zlotnick Sears think[box]—a seven-story, 50,000 square foot innovation center and makerspace on the CWRU campus. The IML is a 14,297 square feet space that houses a virtual production studio (one of the few in Ohio); an in-house arcade for testing video game concepts; an image and data capture studio; the innovation studio; a rapid prototyping lab; and a multi-format screening room.
In the final year of the Game Design BFA program at Cleveland Institute of Art, students will complete the Serious Game Design and BFA Research and Preparation courses. The program culminates with the BFA Thesis and Exhibition.
Graduates are prepared to pursue titles such as Game Designer, Modeler, Game Art Lead, Visual Effects (VFX) Developer, Game Programmer, Animator, Senior Game Developer, Storyboard Artist, Game Production Lead, Layout Artist, Virtual Reality (VR) Designer, Art Director, Visualization Artist, Simulation Designer, and Art Educator.
CIA alumni have worked with or been hired at places such as Thatgamecompany, MIM Software, Inc., Halo Media Works Roundtable Learning, American Greetings, George Mason University, Bio Enterprise, Columbus College of Art and Design.
The School of Fine Arts (SFA) at University of Connecticut (UConn) is one of approximately 328 schools accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Founded in 1944, the NASAD establishes national standards for degrees in art and design. Within the SFA is the Department of Digital Media Design (DMD), which serves more than 375 students enrolled in BA, BFA, and MFA DMD programs.
All programs take place in a collaborative learning environment consisting of hands-on projects, workshops, and mentoring by visiting artists. Across programs students have access to state-of-the-art production facilities and studios such as the Cintiq Lab, Motion Capture Studio, and the VR/Gaming Studio; clubs such as the Gaming Club and the Game Development Club; and the internship program with opportunities to work at Disney, Pixar, HBO, Adobe, and ESPN.
The DMD BFA program at UConn explores digital media and design applications. This professional arts degree focuses on studio-based learning. This means around 65% of coursework is dedicated to the study and creation of art and design.
Students in all DMD programs at University Connecticut may add a concentration. Examples include Game Design, Motion Design and Animation, and Digital Film/Video Production. The Game Design concentration explores game development for entertainment, science, education, and research. This may include digital games, carnival and amusement park experiences, geocaching, augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR), card games, board games, and casino games.
Courses for the programs are led by industry professionals. BFA course examples include Fundamentals of Programming for Game, Web, and Interactive Media Design; Interactive Storytelling; Game Systems Design; 3D Virtual World and Simulations; Game Production; Wearable Electronics and Interactive Objects; Disruptive Technologies; Advanced Game Scripting; and Multiplayer Game Development.
The culminating experiences for BFA students are the Portfolio and Professional Development courses, the Senior Project, and participation in the BFA Senior Exhibition. DMD graduates are prepared to pursue positions in all areas of game design, as well as animation, film, television production, simulations, visualization, digital advertising, education, research, and consulting.
Approximately 90% of University of Connecticut DMD graduates are employed in the industry within one year of graduation. Program alumni have been hired at companies and studios such as Disney, Epic Games, NBC Universal, Google, Viacom, Blur Studio, Sony Music Entertainment, Adobe, HBO, Verizon, ESPN, Owlchemy Labs, NBC Sports, Deck Nine Games, PreviewLabs, and Worldwalker Games.
New York Film Academy Los Angeles (NYFA Los Angeles) is located in the historic media district of Burbank surrounded by studios such as Nickelodeon, Walt Disney, and Warner Bros. Consisting of two main buildings, the school provides access to state-of-the-art equipment, studios, and labs; ready-to-use film and television sets; and numerous theaters.
The Riverside Building at NYFA is located adjacent to Gate Five at Universal Studios. The heart of NYFA Los Angeles, the building houses most of the school's facilities as well as the Departments of 3D Animation and Visual Effects; Filmmaking; Producing; Game Design; Screenwriting, Cinematography; Documentary; and Photography. The Riverside Building also hosts exclusive on-campus events such as guest lectures with industry experts.
The Game Design School (GDS) at New York Film Academy Los Angeles (NYFA LA) has a Game Studio course that provides the opportunity for students to run their own game studios. Students in this semester-long course will receive guidance and support from professional game designers, developers, and programmers. The course is repeated throughout the Game Design degree programs, allowing students to complete several or more games and build a sizeable portfolio of their best work.
The NYFA LA Game Design School also features hands-on, project-based learning combined with in-class exercises, lectures, and exclusive guest speaker events with professional game designers, filmmakers, and animators.
Specific GDS programs include the AFA, BFA, MFA, and certificate in Game Design. The BFA is a four-year program that focuses on narrative storytelling, programming, design, and game analysis. Course examples include 3D Game Design; Game Design Studio I-IV; Playcentric Design; Art Direction for Game Designers; Sound Design for Games; Game Coding with Unity and C#; Publishing Video Games; Level Design; Multiplayer Game Design; Mobile Game Design; and Business of Video Games.
Graduates of the Game Design School at New York Film Academy Los Angeles have been hired at both AAA and independent studios. They have worked on games and productions such as Star Wars: The Clone War, Pokemon, Call of Duty: Ghosts, HALO, Tron Evolution, Lords of the Fallen, Clash of Clans, ToonTown, and Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon.
Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) is one of approximately 328 institutions accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). MICA is also home to the Game Lab, which houses the schools Game Design BFA program.
As part of the Game Lab, students receive support with game projects and access to partners and resources such as MICA’s Center for Design Practice; the Computer Science Department at Johns Hopkins University's Whiting School of Engineering; and the Institute of Play—a New York-based organization for the research and development of games as teaching tools.
Game Lab students also benefit from partnerships with local game studios such as Big Huge Games and Firaxis Games, and the opportunity to participate in Come Out and Play—an annual international festival for innovative street games and play. Other Game Lab benefits include access to state-of-the-art labs and studios; visiting artists and lecturers; the option to complete an internship or undergraduate teaching assistantship (BFA); and semester and summer study abroad programs.
All MICA students will complete the First Year Experience (FYE), which provides a foundation in art and design. By the end of the experience, students will be prepared to begin upper-level study within MICA’s undergraduate studies (UGS) programs. FYE course examples include Contemporary Visual Languages; Color Design (2D); Ways of Writing; New Media (4D); Forum II: Independent Studio; Drawing (Fundamentals); and Modernisms.
The Game Design BFA consists of 120 credit hours, including 30 FYE; 12 in Art History; 24 in Humanistic Studies; and 54 in the major. Examples of required courses include Game/Play; Introduction to Unity Engine-2D Game Design; Unity Engine 2: Advanced 2D Game Design; Advanced 3D Game Design; Level and Player Experience Design; and 3D Game Design. The program culminates with the Senior Thesis Visual Development course, worth six credits.
Graduates of the Game Design BFA program at MICA are prepared to pursue positions in game design, animation and film, digital advertising, science and medicine, museums, education, architecture, research, and consulting.
MICA alumni have been hired at companies and studios such as Electronic Arts (EA), Google, Insomniac Games, Sega, Big Huge Games, Sparkypants Studios, Firaxis Games, and Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum at the Andre Carnegie Mansion in Manhattan.
For students seeking a degree that can prepare them for careers in games and other areas such as VR/AR, experience design, and robotics, MICA also houses an Interactive Arts (IA) BFA. Course examples include Creative Coding; Interaction as Art; 3D Unity for Artists; Immersive Experience Lab; Sound Art; Robotics Arts Introduction; Synesthesia; the Soundscape; and Immersive/Interactive Studio.
IA BFA Students will also gain professional experience through an internship at places such as Discovery Communications; Digital Harbor Foundation; and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA).
The culminating experience for the Interactive Arts BFA program at MICA is the Senior Thesis Visual Development course. Students may produce this final project through the Game Lab or the Animation or Illustration departments. Throughout the course, students will work individually and in teams; interact with visiting artists, critics, and lecturers; and take field trips to places of interest. Final projects will be reviewed in individual and group critiques.
Graduates of the Interactive Arts BFA program at Maryland Institute College of Art are prepared to pursue careers in the games industry, interactive design, digital advertising, fine art, and graphic design, among others. Program alumni have been hired at places such as Pixar, Apple, DreamWorks Animation, Cartoon Network, Google, Firaxis Games, the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), and Big Huge Games.
Maine College of Art and Design (MECA&D) houses the Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA), which hosts exhibitions by living artists and students, artist talks, and public programming. The school also houses BFA, MA, and MFA programs that provide 24/7 access to private studios and state-of-the-art production facilities and tools. This includes computer labs; stop-motion animation workspaces; VR workstations; the FabLab collaborative studio space; and audio production and mastering studios.
The computer labs at MECA&D are equipped with PCs and Macs paired with Cintiq drawing tablets and industry-standard programs such Maya; Adobe Illustrator, Animate, Photoshop, After Effects, and Audition; Toon Boom Harmony and Storyboard Pro; Blender; Unreal Engine; Substance Painter; Unity Real-Time Development Platform; Dragonframe; Mudbox; and Stencyl.
For aspiring game designers, Maine College of Art and Design provides an Animation and Game Art (AG) program that begins with the Foundation Year. Course examples include Introduction to Drawing; Two-Dimensional Design; 3D-Materiality; Art History Survey; and 4D-Space and Temporality.
In the second year, students will take courses such as Introduction to Game Development; Animation and Game Art Concepts and History; Animation I; Sophomore Production Lab; and Critical Approaches to Contemporary Art.
During the third year of the program, students will spend most of their time in the Major Production Studio and the Collaborative Productions courses. In the final year of the AG program, students will have the opportunity to focus in an area of interest through electives.
The AG BFA program at Maine College of Art and Design culminates with the Professional Studio and Capstone Production courses. Graduates are prepared to pursue careers in all areas of game design and animated film production.
Program alumni have been hired at companies and studios such as Hasbro, Walt Disney Animation Studios, LAIKA, Chickadee Games, Massachusetts Digital Games Institute (MassDigi) at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), Calypso Communications, Lone Wolf Media, Fort House Studios, Digital Mill, Shoestring Theater, Big Room Studios, P3 Studios, and White Dog Arts. Some program alumni have also gone on to launch their own studios or freelance businesses.
Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). It is one of approximately 328 schools to hold this distinction. FIT also houses the School of Art and Design, which provides 17 majors in the areas of fashion, art, and design. The school also houses eight minors in areas from Brand Design to Creative Technology. All programs focus on collaboration, innovation, hands-on training, and global studies.
For FIT students interested in game design, the school has an Animation, Interactive Media, and Game Design BFA that takes place in an environment designed to mirror professional production pipelines. Students will explore game design, immersive environments (AR/VR), interactive storytelling, and animation, while mastering the techniques, tools, and technologies used in the games and entertainment industry.
Led by accomplished industry professionals with extensive experience in the latest technologies, the program highlights guest speakers, site visits, and industry events. Course examples for the program include Programming Concepts; Interactive Production; Storyboard and Storytelling; Advanced 3D Animation; Music and Sound Design; Interface Design; Drawing for Animation I-II; Computer-Assisted Post-Production; Motion Graphics; and Design and Authoring for Interactive Media II.
The culminating experience for the FIT BFA program is the Senior Project, consisting of an individual short or interactive work. Students will also create the soundtrack for their projects through the Music Production for Interactive and Animation Thesis Projects I-II courses. Final projects will be presented at the Graduating Student Exhibition for the School of Art and Design.
Graduates are prepared to pursue careers in all areas of game design and animation, as well as live action films, sound design, digital advertising and marketing, architecture, television production, graphic design, and publishing.
FIT alumni have been hired at places such as Electronic Arts (EA), Activision Blizzard, Epic Games, Pixar, Nickelodeon, LEGO, DreamWorks, Disney, LucasArts, Warner Bros., Marvel Studios, Sony Pictures Imageworks, HBO, Weta, BBDO Worldwide, Framestore, MPC, R/GA, Atlantic Records, CNN, Sony Music, Vogue, ESPN, MoMA, MTV, Psyop, The Mill, Hyperkat, and Think Brands.
Woodbury University (Woodbury) houses the School of Media, Culture and Design, which provides seven programs leading to a BA, BDes, or BFA, and a Design Foundation option that focuses on core studies in drawing and design. All programs take place in an interdisciplinary environment with access to state-of-the-art facilities and workshops such as Digital Compositing and Stop Motion Animation.
Among the prorgams in the School of Media, Culture and Design is a Game Art and Design BFA. Students may concentrate in Game Art or Game Design. Game Art explores 2D and 3D character design, animation, and environmental design. Game Design focuses on prototyping. game conceptualization, program flow, storytelling, play mechanics, scoring systems, and game rules.
Students in both concentrations will complete the same game core and senior courses. Students also have access to the same supporting courses. Examples of common courses include Game Design Practices; Narrative Design Fundamentals; History of Games; Storyboarding; Animation Principles; Sound Design; Digital Practice; Screenwriting; and Building on the Foundations Laid in Mixed Reality.
Game Art course examples include Character Design and Modeling; 3D Cinematic Animation; Character Rigging; and Advanced 3D Sculpting. Game Design course examples include Game Engine Techniques; Level Design; Game Prototyping; Experimental Technology for Games; Game Programming Techniques; and Game Player Analysis.
In the senior year of the program, all Game Art and Design BFA students will complete the Game 390 Internship course consisting of 120 hours of work experience in the video game, interactive, or entertainment industry. Game Art and Design students have interned at places such as Insomniac Games, Disney, Activision Blizzard, Nickelodeon, Microsoft, Lionsgate, IMAX, and Ripple Effects Studios (an EA studio formerly known as DICE LA).
Other senior requirements include Professional Practices of the Game Industry and the culminating degree project completed across two courses: Degree Project R&D and Degree Project Production. Degree projects are formally presented and assessed in a final faculty review.
Graduates of the Game Art and Design BFA program at Woodbury University are prepared to pursue advanced roles across the games, animation, and film industries, among others. Program alumni are often hired by the companies they have interned with. Other examples include Bethesda Softworks, Catlilli Games, Citadel Studios, and Big Huge Games.
Moore College of Art and Design (Moore) is the only art and design college in the U.S. to provide a $1,000 paid internship for every single student. Students have interned at places such as Twitch, Quadratron Games, Viastat, ARG! Cartoon Animation, Brazen Animation, KiwiCo, and Duolingo. Many of these internships lead to offers for full-time employment.
For students seeking game design degree, Moore College of Art and Design has an Animation and Game Arts BFA that provides access to state-of-the-art facilities such as animation labs, Mac studios, editing bays, stop-motion studios, a gaming lounge, and a green screen studio. Students in the program also benefit from features a hands-on, project-based curriculum; participation in “AniJams” with fellow students and alumni; and the opportunity to enhance the degree by adding a minor such as Comics, Creative Writing, Film and Digital Cinema, Fine Arts, Graphic Design, or Illustration.
All Moore College programs begin with the First-Year Foundation Experience. This includes courses such as 2D and 3D Design; Animation I; Visual Thinking; Creative Design; and Color Theory. After the Foundation Year, students will enter their chosen major.
Throughout the remainder of the program, students will take courses such as Game Art and Design Studio; History of Animation and Game Arts; 2D Character and Environment; 3D Modeling; Surface Design for Games; Digital Sculpting for Games and Animation; Storyboarding; Game Strategies Studio; Time-Based Media Projects; Design for Tabletop Games; Animated Short Film; Contemporary Interactive Culture Seminar; and Professional Development.
In the final year of the Moore Animation and Game Art BFA program, students will complete the internship requirement and Senior Studio course. The program culminates with the Senior Thesis. Graduates are prepared to pursue careers in game art and design, animation, live-action film, interactivity, and digital advertising, among others.
Around 97% of Moore College BFA alumni are employed or in graduate school within one year of graduating. Examples of companies that have hired Moore graduates include Nickelodeon, Twitch, Tyco Toys, Penguin Group, Brazen Animation, the Smithsonian Institution, Duolingo, KingsIsle Entertainment, mock5 design, Studio Yotta, Kodable, Flight Safety International, Quad, Deux Wave, the Philadelphia Zoo, Dynamite Entertainment, Super Signs, and Carter’s.
