On March 15, 16, and 17, The Art Institutes returned for another action-packed Gaming Expo at SXSW, showcasing games from the talented students at The Art Institute of Austin, The Art Institute of Dallas, The Art Institute of Houston, and The Art Institute of San Antonio.
Welcome to one of the hardest things you’ll ever do. If you’re still reading, then you must be up to the challenge. And that’s good, because you’re also in line for a career where you can feed your passion for gaming—and turn the skills you've honed into a career where you do what you love. Your future starts in our Game Art & Design degree programs, where you can learn what you need to become a key player in the game creation process. Using the same kinds of technology professionals use, you’ll explore what it takes to get games into the production pipeline. And get yourself into a dynamic industry. You’ll be surrounded and inspired by other talented, creatively driven students. And you’ll be pushed, challenged, and, above all else, supported by experienced faculty*. It’ll put your talent and commitment to the test. But it could also put you in a position to succeed.
*Credentials and experience levels vary by faculty and instructors.
• Basic Skills - Demonstrate the ability to apply traditional and digital art skills showing a solid foundation of the principles of game art and design according to professional industry standards
• Employ the principles of gaming, balance and usability to plan and create game rules, mechanics, environments, aesthetics and experiences
• Process Skills - Demonstrate the requisite presentation, interviewing, resume-building and game business knowledge critical to seeking an entry-level artist and/or designer position in the industry
• Technology and Production - Demonstrate the ability to apply the skills necessary to create game art assets for use in industry standard engines through all stages of the production pipeline
• Communication - Complete assignments and projects to include designing level play and background stories, creating characters and related environments, and applying knowledge of video and computer games to evaluate game products
• Professional Practice - Demonstrate knowledge of the managerial and developmental aspects of the game production pipeline and demonstrate knowledge of planning, scope, soft skills, problem solving, deadlines and economics that go into making a market-ready game
In this competitive industry, companies are looking for creative people who are passionate about the craft of taking a game from concept to market-ready. The curriculum for Game Art & Design will help you prepare to do just that, as you study:
At The Art Institutes system of schools, creativity is our core, our calling, our culture. Game Art & Design is built on that creative foundation. It’s also built on our knowledge that a creative career is not for the faint of heart. Because it’s tough out there, it’s tough in here. But we temper the tough with the support you need to make your creativity marketable. We provide the mentoring and real-world experience you need to prevail, with faculty* who’ve worked in the field and internship possibilities at successful businesses. Here, you’ll be encouraged and expected to be bold. To take risks. To push yourself and the people around you. So if your heart is telling you that you belong in a creative field, you belong here. It’s the hardest thing you’ll ever love.
*Credentials and experience levels vary by faculty and instructors.
Francys Herrera and Alejandro Barzaga, Bachelor of Arts in Fashion Design students at Miami International University of Art & Design, made big impressions during the 2022 New York Fashion Week.
Diego Rivera, a 14 year employee of Samsung, discusses how to build apps and other games in this episode of Ai LIVE.
Ai LIVE is an online mix of communication, entertainment, and instruction that builds upon your education with a library of fun, informational, industry-relevant shows about creative careers.
