Mar 28, 2024  
2016-2017 University Catalog 
    
2016-2017 University Catalog [Archived Catalogue]

Game Art, Bachelor of Fine Arts


Programs   >  Programs in the College of Art, Media, & Design  
Contacts     Description     Program Objectives     Program Requirements
 


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Contacts

Michelle Rothwell \ mrothwell@uarts.edu \ 215.717.6571
Program Director

Description

The Game Art program is designed to direct each student’s quest for creative self-expression and to lead to productive careers. We are creating fine artists –with a strong core foundation– who use contemporary technology. Students will be prepared to be effective creative partners, whether serving as part of a small indie-game development team or working on a large AAA title.
 
Successful creative practice engaging Gaming, Virtual-, and Real-time technologies requires a deep foundation in traditional methods and approaches in the visual arts. Drawing on the 139-year history of The University of the Arts in both applied and fine arts, our program is positioned to accomplish this goal. Our approach uses a cross-college, interdisciplinary framework to create skillful virtual 3D artists who can create compelling, complex digital worlds from concept through realization. 

Our approach balances the development of the artist’s creative voice with in-depth, systematic, progressive technical instruction. Students are exposed to broad historical contexts in order to develop rich aesthetics that push the boundaries of imagination. By emphasizing the artistic components of immersive media creation, we are able to re-think and re-frame the visualization of game worlds and experiences. 

The students’ skill sets apply to industries ranging from entertainment to serious games, such as medical visualization, scientific modeling, educational applications, and others. Their job titles can include 3D Generalist, 3D Modeling (Environment, Props, and Characters), Animation for Games, Level Building, Game Design and in-game Visual Effects. 

Program Objectives

Our students will:

  • Demonstrate an ability to utilize 3D-game development tools and systems to produce technically competent works of art; 
  • Demonstrate an ability to imagine and express creative, innovative, visually engaging virtual worlds and characters;
  • Demonstrate the ability to participate and collaborate successfully as effective members of creative development teams; 
  • Demonstrate the ability to develop meaningful 3D virtual objects, characters and worlds across a wide range of aesthetic styles, while adapting to rapid changes in industry;

Program Requirements (126 credits)

University Common Curriculum (4.5 credits)


Additional information available on the University Common Curriculum  page.

CAMD College Core (18 credits)


Required CAMD Core


Image/Time


  • Select 1 course from subjects: IMAG or TIME

Object/Environment


  • Select 1 course from subjects: OBJT or ENVI

Image/Time/Object/Environment


  • Select 2 courses from subjects: IMAG, TIME, OBJT, or ENVI

CAMD School Core (6 credits)


All CAMD students are required to complete 6 credits of School Core coursework during their first three semesters.  Students are free to select courses from any school or cross-college program.  Refer to the CAMD School Core  page for additional information.

Discipline History (12 credits)


Liberal Arts Distribution (30 credits)


Humanities Seminar (3 credits)


  • Select 1 course from subject HUMS

Period Interpretation (6 credits)


  • Select 1 course from subject PIPT
  • Select 1 course from subject PITC

Scientific Inquiry Foundation Track (3 credits)


  • Select 1 course from subject SIFT

Liberal Arts Electives (12 credits)


  • Select courses from subjects:
    • AHST (Art History), HIST (History)
    • ARAB (Arabic), FRCH (French), ITAL (Italian), LITT (Literature)
    • PHIL (Philosophy), RELI (Religion)
    • MATH (Math), SCIE (Science)
    • ANTH (Anthropology), PHIL (Philosophy), PSYC (Psychology), SOCI (Sociology)
    • STCU (Cultural Studies), STDA (Dance Studies), STGS (Gender & Sexuality Studies),
      STMU (Music Studies), STPF (Performance Studies) 
  • Select courses from  : Art History or LA Elective.

Free Electives (16.5 credits)


Complete 16.5 credits of free electives. This requirement is satisfied by any undergraduate course that isn’t required by the program.