Game Art

Pursue your passion for game development in the heart of Seattle, home to one of the largest indie gaming scenes in the United States!

Apply How To Apply

Overview

Game Art, BFA

Our curriculum hones your skills in game design, 2D and 3D art, storytelling, programming and interactive media, taught by experienced professionals with successful careers in game design and development. With an average of 8 students per class, you will receive personalized instruction and mentorship and have access to game development labs, digital workstations, VR and AR studios and a motion capture studio.

You will become proficient in industry-standard software such as Unity, Unreal Engine, Autodesk Maya, Adobe Creative Suite and Blender, with the chance to apply skills to real-world projects, from creating animated shorts to developing playable game prototypes. You will create individual and collaborative game projects, participate in workshops, and work on a capstone project in your final year, which involves producing a professional-quality game.

Through the program, you will have opportunities for internships and networking with game studios and tech companies in Seattle and beyond. Graduates pursue careers as game designers, game artists, animators, level designers, character artists, technical artists and game producers, often securing roles based on their strong portfolios and professional networks developed during their time in the game art program.

Program Information

Program Type: Major
Degree: Bachelor of Fine Arts
School: Cornish College of the Arts
Campus: South Lake Union
Learning Format: In-Person
Duration: 4 years
Start Date: August, January
Credits: 120

Course Requirements
Department Info

At-a-Glance

Core Skills & Techniques

The Game Art program at Cornish College of the Arts blends creativity and technical skill, preparing students to create immersive and engaging games. Students learn game design, 2D and 3D art, storytelling, programming, and interactive media. The program emphasizes hands-on projects, collaboration, and industry readiness, equipping graduates for careers in the dynamic field of game development.

Core Software

Game Development Engines:

Unity: A versatile game engine for creating 2D and 3D games, simulations, and other interactive content.
Unreal Engine: Known for high-quality graphics and used in both game development and animation.

3D Modeling and Animation Software:

Maya: For creating 3D models, animations, and simulations.
Blender: An open-source tool for 3D modeling, animation, rigging, and rendering.
ZBrush: For sculpting high-resolution models.

2D Art and Animation Software:

Adobe Photoshop: For creating textures, concept art, and image editing.
Adobe Animate: For creating vector-based animations.
Adobe After Effects: For compositing, motion graphics, and visual effects.

Storyboarding and Pre-Production Tools:

Storyboard Pro: For storyboarding and animatic creation.

Learning Outcomes

The program includes guest lectures, workshops, critiques from industry professionals, and emphasizes portfolio development to ensure students are job-ready upon graduation.