Game Art

Introduction to fundamentals of digital design, drawing, painting, and storytelling through game asset designs. Prerequisite(s): MEDA 111 and MEDA 112, or with instructor permission.  Recommend prior experience in 3D design, such as MEDA 123 or equivalent. 

Emphasizes the creation of functional game art assets for real-time environments. Students develop skills in hard-surface modeling, modular kit design, and lighting workflows using Maya and Unreal. Through projects such as props, modular environments, and mechanical assets, students learn to integrate design fundamentals into professional production pipelines and communicate function and aesthetics within interactive spaces. Prerequisite(s): MEDA 123C or MEDA 123D

This course will focus on Physically Based Rendering (PBR) materials and their lighting response. The course will focus on establishing a foundation of PBR mathematics and principles.  Using industry-leading software packages, students will learn to author materials that mimic real-world surfaces. Students will focus on creating maps, functions, procedural-vector masks and advanced instances. Additionally, they will be able to create surface architectures that are efficient, responsive and user-friendly for a team based pipeline.

Artists will be introduced to scripting in Python using an integrated development environment focusing on foundational programming concepts, creative coding, and programming tools in an industry-standard animation software package and required libraries. Topics covered include principles of technical art, technical design, tool creation, and generative art.

In this hands-on studio class, students will explore, experiment, and gain firsthand knowledge of the purpose and practice of creating visual effects for real-time games. Emphasis will be placed on the analysis of motion in nature and the principles of animation through the lens of preparing and choreographing effects sequences. The student will learn workflows, processes and how to utilize Maya, Houdini, and the NIagara editor in the Unreal engine to create real-time effects. Students will also increase their knowledge of performance and optimization technical terminology including overdraw, draw calls, shader complexity, particle and emitter counts. 

Introduction to principles of 3D environment design. Considers theatrical sets, architectural simulation, and level design. Conceptualize and create game-specific environments, including: landscapes; terrain; objects; and structures. Continue work with 3D software and visualize work in an interactive environment using middleware game engine package; make refinements based on feedback.

Visual Development study focused on methodologies for creating professional-level concept art for environment-based gameplay. Emphasis is placed on visual exploration, idea generation, and the development of characters, props, and set designs with potential for interactivity and visual interest. Covers foundational principles of art direction and project management, while reinforcing sound draftsmanship and the creation of original designs suitable for the entertainment industry pipeline.

Continuation of GAME 335 - Visual Development for Games I. Continued study in visual development artwork. Focus on exploration of ideas and generation of character, prop, and set designs with compelling potential for interactivity and visual sophistication. Emphasis on sound draftsmanship, cohesive art direction, and creating original designs for use in the entertainment industry pipeline.

Continuation of GAME 440 - Game Thesis Project 1A. Advanced concepts in design and production of computer-generated assets for the gaming environment with a heavy focus on modeling and effects. Continued production of game prototype for group thesis project demonstrating creativity, ability to work collaboratively, and knowledge of sophisticated production techniques. Note: Failure to successfully complete GAME 441 will require student to repeat GAME 440 and GAME 441.