Game Design Certificate

An introduction to management concepts, including topics of planning, organizing, leading, managing, and motivating available human resources and business assets to optimally and ethically accomplish performance goals. This class may include students from multiple sections. 

Learn about computer systems and the physical components that make them work. We will explore how software interacts with hardware as well as alternate computing hardware such as mobile and tablet devices. We will also cover performance characteristics of hardware components and how to mitigate bottlenecks in software. The internet is the backbone of connected services. Learn to make web applications and utilize the cloud infrastructure to build robust and scalable websites.

Games are complex systems that use software code to simulate your fantasy world. Learn about how to manage object state and use object oriented design to organize your game system into manageable parts.

Since good games don't just happen, it is important to create a comprehensive script defining your game world and what the player should experience. Learn to create detailed Game Design Documents (GDD) and storyboards.

Creating art assets for video games can be a demanding process. It is impossible to build good concept art for games without basic drawing skills. Improve your artistic abilities and learn how to apply those abilities in the digital world using tools such as Photoshop and Blender.

Learn to take your sketches and turn them into 3D objects. This class teaches you to use your concept art to create a mesh, paint the mesh with textures, and adjust 3D lighting and material effects in Blender and GIMP.

Modern 3D games employ many techniques such as motion capture, inverse kematics and key frame animation to achieve realistic movement for game characters. Learn to set up 3D characters with bones so that they can respond normally to outside events or play back in scripted moves.

Learn to create your own 2D video game. Work with a small team to create the game design document and use team members to create program code and art assets to assemble your game and present it for others to play.

Learn to create your own 3D video game. Work with a small team to create the game design document and use team members to create program code and art assets to assemble your game and present it for others to play.

Active reading, effective writing, and critical thinking, using subjective and objective approaches. Introduction to research techniques. This class may include students from multiple sections. (Communication Skills)

A study of a variety of mathematical topics for non-science majors. The topics covered may differ between sections, but may include problem solving strategies, logic, set theory, number theory, mathematics of finance, probability and statistics, or geometry. This class may include students from multiple sections. (Quantitative Skills, Natural Sciences, Elective)

Introduction to the formal elements of graphic design. Explore contemporary design issues and examine the history and psychology behind design communications. Use page layout software to create materials for publication and produce a final printed portfolio of student work.  This class may include students from multiple sections.