Game Art (BFA)

Statement of Purpose

The primary mission of the Game Art major is to provide students with the balance of technical and conceptual skills necessary to become innovative, responsible and productive interactive entertainment industry professionals. Game Art students acquire the ability to design, create, and analyze visually sophisticated game art that supports and strengthens the interactive experience.

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Concept and Creative Problem-Solving. Demonstrate the ability to generate ideas appropriate to games, turn those into appealing experiences, and plan execution and feasibility for production in the 3D environment.
   1. Design, create, and analyze the visual components of games.
   2. Understand the value of process in the creation of the visual components of computer games.
   3. Generate and refine effective and original ideas for computer games.
   4. Understand the theories of effective game design.
   5. Create a non-linear narrative that demonstrates effective use of mechanics, meaningful play, and interactivity.
   6. Plan interactive worlds through the effective use of the preproduction process.
   7. Possess good critical and analytical problem-solving skills.
2. Environmental Design. Create characters, environments, and worlds that make for a compelling and believable experience. Apply the principles of animation to create expressive motion that brings design concepts and characters to life.
   1. Create characters, environments, and worlds that make for a compelling and believable experience.
   2. Translate 2D concepts into 3D animated forms.
   3. Demonstrate knowledge and use of the principles of animation.
3. Methods and Technologies. Successfully use the characteristics and capabilities of various methods and technologies in creative and project development contexts.
   1. Demonstrate proficiency in utilizing specific 3D animation software.
   2. Demonstrate proficiency in utilizing specific 3D game engine software and the techniques of art production for real time rendering.
   3. Demonstrate a basic level of scripting (programming) skills appropriate for artists.
   4. Understand and utilize our game art asset production pipeline.
4. Professional Practices. Demonstrate knowledge of professional practices.
   1. Demonstrate good professional attitude and strong work ethic.
   2. Possess a working knowledge of the history of computer gaming.
   3. Form realistic expectations of the professional working environment.
   4. Assemble a portfolio, body of work and job application packet.
   5. Produce either a 3D interactive experience or a high-quality game cinematic that might be used to market a game concept.
5. Collaboration and Communication. Effectively collaborate and communicate with all members of teams at multiple stages of game art project development and in associated production processes.
   1. Collaborate with others
   2. Present and defend their work.