BFA Game & Entertainment Design

Game and Entertainment Design student work will demonstrate:

• Disciplinary Knowledge and Skills:
  Mastery of Game art Pipeline principles, including concept art, Digital content creation, level design, and storytelling for interactive, Immersive, and realtime media.
• Proficiency in Industry-Standard Skills, Technologies, and Processes:
  Expertise in utilizing industry-standard tools such as Unreal Engine, Maya, Houdini, and Substance Painter to create high-quality assets, environments, and gameplay experiences.
• Cross-Disciplinary Awareness and Practice:
  Collaboration across disciplines such as Digital Content Creation, visual development, Real time engine practice, and Team based production to produce cohesive and innovative projects; and ability to critically analyze the historical, social, and cultural impact of games towards the production of socially responsible projects.
• Audience-Focused Research, Historical Context, and Field-Specific Discourse:
  Ability to apply player-centered design through audience research, analysis of historical games, and engagement with current trends and discourse in the game development field.
• Capacity to Identify and Solve Creative Problems:
  Development of original, iterative solutions for complex design challenges, with a focus on optimizing user experience, balancing aesthetics and functionality, and meeting performance benchmarks.

Game and Entertainment Design student work will demonstrate:

• Innovation
  A strong foundation in developing unique ideas that reflect both technical expertise and personal vision, integrating emerging technologies and methodologies to push the boundaries of game and entertainment design
• Experimentation and play
  Ability to explore diverse approaches to problem-solving, using experimentation and iterative processes to develop solutions in their projects. 
• Challenge to the status quo
  The capacity to critique and question existing game and design solutions, identifying areas for improvement and innovation. They will engage in critical analysis to propose forward-thinking alternatives that challenge conventional practices.
• Bravery in their work and their interactions with others
  Students will develop courage to persist through challenges, engaging with complex, unconventional ideas while maintaining openness to feedback and collaboration. This bravery extends to both their creative work and their interactions within the classroom and industry environments

Game and Entertainment Design student work will demonstrate:

• Self-Awareness:
  Recognition of their own creative process, strengths, and areas for growth, along with the ability to adapt and refine their practice in response to feedback and challenges.
• Capacity to Communicate (Orally, Written, and/or Visually) About Their Practice:
  Proficiency in articulating design choices, project goals, and creative concepts through compelling presentations, documentation, and visual storytelling.
• Capacity to Seek, Assemble, Evaluate, and Ethically Apply Information and Ideas from Diverse Sources:
  The ability to conduct interdisciplinary research and critically evaluate cultural influences and ethical considerations, applying this knowledge to create innovative and inclusive game designs that reflect diverse perspectives and responsibly sourced ideas.
• Analysis of Both Ethical and Aesthetic Impacts of Art and Design:
  Critical examination of the social, cultural, and environmental implications of their work, demonstrating responsibility in crafting experiences that engage and resonate with diverse audiences.

Game and Entertainment Design student work will demonstrate:

• Understanding of Themselves as Parts of a Larger Whole Made Up of Human and Non-Human Beings:
  Consideration of the interconnectedness of their work with global communities, cultures, and the environment, promoting inclusivity and sustainability in their designs.
• Awareness of Positionality – In the World, Their Field, Their Communities:
  Reflection on their unique perspectives, privileges, and responsibilities as creators, and their role in shaping the future of the game and entertainment industry.
• Ability to Work Well, Collaborate, and Build Relationships Across Differences in Identity, Perspective, Aesthetics, and Disciplines:
  Respectful and effective collaboration with diverse teams, embracing varied viewpoints to enrich creative processes and outputs.
• Integration of Skills, Information, and Concepts:
  Seamless synthesis of technical, artistic, and conceptual knowledge to create meaningful, innovative, and cohesive game and entertainment experiences.

Game and Entertainment Design student work will demonstrate:

• Ability to Define Aspirations, Future Goals, and Their Role Within the Creative Economy:
  Clear articulation of personal career objectives and intended contributions to the game and entertainment industry as innovative and responsible Artists and Designers.
• Awareness of Audience and Ability to Cultivate Relationships with Others in Their Chosen Fields:
  Skill in networking, professional branding, fostering professional relationships, and engaging with industry professionals and collaborators to expand their opportunities and influence.
• Compelling Presentation and Exhibition Skills, Through Annual Exhibition, Capstone, and Portfolios:
  Development of high-quality portfolios and projects that effectively showcase technical mastery, creative vision, and professional readiness.
• Proficiency in Budgeting, Time, and Project Management:
  Effective management of project timelines, resources, and team workflows to meet deadlines and achieve ambitious creative goals.
• Career Readiness:
  Strong interpersonal skills, adaptability, self-advocacy, and the ability to thrive independently or in team environments, along with openness to constructive feedback and a commitment to continuous growth.