Degree Overview: Bachelor of Game Art and Design Degree Program
Majors Overview April 16, 2015Get information about Bachelor of Game Art and Design degree programs and their education requirements, coursework, career choices, job and wage outlook, and continuing education choices.
Bachelor of Game Art and Design Programs
Bachelor’s degree programs in game art and design are devised to teach enrolled students modes of creating and implementing various effects that feature in gaming programs; these include objects and characters, among others. These students use art and animation techniques in generating designs for specific platforms and audiences. Practical design, storytelling, design integration, or design theory are some of the areas of concentration offered in some bachelor’s degree programs.
Technical schools, universities, and colleges are among those that typically offer these four-year programs; the program is offered online by some institutions. Over the duration of the program, students are required to develop a portfolio of industry-appropriate samples of their talent. Those who complete bachelor’s degree programs in game art and design are ready for careers such as animators, artists, and game designers.
Education Requirements
Students of bachelor’s degree programs in game art and design may be required to submit samples of their artwork before they are admitted to the program. The department can then determine students’ placement within drawing courses.
Specific computer software programs may be requirements for completion of coursework by students pursuing online courses. Admission criteria typically require applicants to hold a GED certificate or a high school diploma, in addition to providing a portfolio of personal artwork.
Coursework
The primary focus of coursework is on computer programming and design. Students enrolled in the program must also complete general education requirements. Core coursework may include topic areas such as the following:
•Color theory
•Digital design aesthetics
•Interactive design
•Game development
•3-D game scripting
•Character modeling
•Map modeling
Career Choices
Those who complete a bachelor’s degree program in game art and design can seek entry-level jobs in the graphic design and gaming industries, jobs that encompass the creative areas of game design, such as level building, game plots, and character generation. They may pursue job titles such as:
•Animator
•Game-play tester
•3-D character modeler
•Lead artist
•Game designer
Job and Wage Outlook
Over the 2012 – 2022 decade, job growth rate of six percent have been predicted for multimedia artists and animators overall (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). In 2012, multimedia artists and animators brought in an average annual wage of $61,370, while artists and animators in the motion picture and video industries grossed $84,410 on average that year (BLS).
Continuing Education Choices
Those who complete a bachelor’s degree program may seek entry-level careers or continuing education by earning graduate certificates or a master’s degree in game design. Apart from courses about industry tools and design skills, teamwork and leadership skills are also emphasized in master’s degree programs that may also include a capstone project and a thesis.
