Game Design and Development
As a student in the Game Design and Development concentration, you’ll experience the entire game development cycle—from creating concept art and UI & UX for games to coding for artificial intelligence and virtual reality gaming experiences. Students will develop specialized skills that prepare them for cutting-edge careers in one of the most vibrant, multifaceted, and expansive industries ever. Students will acquire the breadth of knowledge needed to build a career not just in game programming but in other industries that use gaming and simulation, from education to healthcare and public policy.
Careers and Earning Potential
- Game/Level Designer: $88,000 (indeed.com)
- Animation VFX: $69,560 (bls.gov)
- Character Concept Artist: $65,000 (indeed.com)
- 3D Character Artist: $65,000 (indeed.com)
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the concentration in Design and Media, students will be able to:
Production Skills and Technical Knowledge
- Demonstrate proficiency with technology related to contemporary game production
- Create design documentation and detailed paper maps for a professional preproduction package
- Effectively use visual and code-based scripting to implement game and level mechanics
Conceptual Thinking
- Identify, gather, assess, record, and research relevant information for a game idea
- Design, organize, and build game prototypes in established game engines
- Analyze and discuss game trends and issues
Written and Oral Communication
- Clearly and professionally present work and ideas
- Evaluate and critique work in chosen game area
Visual Communication
- Integrate objects, environments, characters, and props into a cohesive game experience
- Use appropriate media to communicate ideas throughout the design process
- Draw, design, and render forms (2D/3D) to game industry standards
Professional Readiness
- Produce a professional demo reel or portfolio which meets industry standards
- Work cooperatively and effectively in a professional production environment
- Identify strengths within game development and/or design and develop a portfolio tailored to showcase them
- Practice meeting deadlines and submit work according to professional presentation standards
Prerequisites
Option 1: Students with an earned degree from one of the following programs.
- AS in Television Production (Leeward CC)
- AS in Digital Media (Leeward CC)
- AS in New Media Arts (Kapi‘olani CC)
- AS in MELE (Honolulu CC)
- AS in Communication Arts (Honolulu CC)
- Graduates of other creative media or communications programs will also be considered for admission.
Option 2: UH West O’ahu Creative Media Degree Requirements
Students who have earned an AS from a UH Media Design program may have an adequate background to waive these requirements. Please consult with Sharla Hanaoka.
Undergraduate General Education Requirements
- General Education Requirements (31 Credits)
- Writing Skills Requirement (3 credits)
- Lower Division Math Requirement (0-3 credits)
Creative Media Foundational Requirement: (15-18 credits)
- ART 112 Introduction to Digital Art (Will satisfy general ed DA requirement)
- CM 120 Introduction to Digital Video
Plus, choose 12 credits from the list below:
- ART 101 Introduction to Visual Arts
- ART 107D Introduction to Digital Photography
- ART 113D Introduction to Digital Drawing
- ART 126 3D Computer Graphics
- ART 221 Design for Print and Web
- ART 229 Interface Design I
- ART 231 Art Through Applied Geometry
- ART 240 Typography and Color Design
- CM 140 History of Video Games
- CM 142 Introduction to Video Game Design
- CM 143 Introduction to Game Art
- CM 150 Film Analysis and Storytelling
- CM 151 Pre-Production: Digital Video
- CM 152 Principles of Video Editing
- CM 153 Sound Design for Digital Media
- CM 155 Introduction to Screenwriting
- CM 160 The Mobile Word
- CM 161 Intro to iOS Mobile App Development
- CM 251 Animation and Special Effects
- ICS 101 Digital Tools for the Information World
- ICS 111 Introduction to Computer Science
Core Requirements
Creative Media Core Requirements (21 Credits):
- CM 256 Creatives in Media
- ENG 313 Introduction to Creative Writing (WI)
- CM 314 Music, Sound & Media
- CM 320 Creative Producing
- CM 401 Creative Professionals
- HIST 363: 20th Century Popular, Mass & Counter-Culture
- SD 360: Dynamics of Effective Leadership (WI)
Game Design and Development Concentration Requirement (12 credits)
Complete 12 credits from the following:
- CM 340 The Modern Game Industry
- CM 341 Writing and Storytelling for Video Games
- CM 342 Applied Game Design
- CM 343 Game Level Design
- CM 352 Transmedia and Emerging Media
- CM 358 Web Series Production
- CM 359 Branded Entertainment: Online Video Campaign
- CM 390 Creative Media Internship
- CM 391 Game Design Project
- CM 400(A) Master Class: Advanced Screenwriting (a);Stop-Motion Animation (b); Documentary Arts (c)
- CM 402 Archival Research for Media Makers
- CM 403 Special Topics
Capstone Requirement: 6 UD Credits
- CM 489 Pre-Capstone Experience (WI)
- CM 490 Senior Project or CM 491 Senior Practicum
Electives
Game Design and Development Concentration Electives (9 credits)
Complete 9 credits from the following:
- ART 320 Web Design & Development
- BUSA 300 Principles of Marketing
- BUSA 304 Consumer Behavior
- BUSA 305 Advertising & Promotion Management
- CM 201 Forensic Photography
- CM 311 Audio Post Production I
- CM 315 Interactive Applications
- CM 316 User Experience
- CM 317 Motion Graphics
- CM 321 Representations of Film/TV Productions
- CM 322 Documentary Film Research & Development
- CM 330 Audio Post Production II
- *CM 340 The Modern Game Industry
- *CM 341 Writing and Storytelling for Video Games
- *CM 342 Applied Game Design
- *CM 343 Game Level Design
- CM 350 Creative Strategy
- CM 351 Innovative Advertising
- *CM 352 Transmedia and Emerging Media
- CM 353 Making a Short Film
- CM 354 Short copy for Campaigns
- *CM 358 Web Series Production
- *CM 359 Branded Entertainment: Online Video Campaign
- CM 378 Visual Depictions of the Human Experience and Media Power
- *CM 390 Creative Media Internship
- *CM 391 Game Design Project
- *CM 400(A) Master Class: Advanced Screenwriting (a);Stop-Motion Animation (b); Documentary Arts (c)
- *CM 402 Archival Research for Media Makers
- *CM 403 Special Topics
- CM 430 Mastering Social Media
- ENG 317 Pidgin Creative Writing Workshop
- ENG 300c Introduction to Cultural Theory
- ENG 360 Literature & Film
- ENG 361 History of Film
- ENG 367(A) Film Genres and Directors a) Film Noir; b) The Western; c) Gangster Film; d) Science Fiction Film; e) The Road Movie
- ENG 368(A) Topics in Television Studies a) TV and American Culture; b) The TV Medical Drama; and c) Television Auteurs
- ENG 385 Fairy Tales and Their Adaptations
- ENG 441 Gender & Sexuality in Literature & Film
- HIST 243 Asia Cool: Modern Asia & Pop Culture
- HIST 311 Chinese Culture
- HIST 321 Japanese Culture
- HIST 325 Asian Economies, Business & Consumers
- HIST 326 Japan Cool: Anime, Manga, and Film
- HIST 496 Contemporary Oceanic Film
- HPST 304 Hawaiian-Pacific Traditions
- HPST 461 Traditional Art of Hawaii
- HPST 462 Traditional Art of the Pacific
- HPST 477 Polynesian and Micronesian Mythology
- HPST 478 Hawaiian Mythology I
- HPST 479 Hawaiian Mythology II
- ICS 113 Database Fundamentals
- ICS 184 Network Fundamentals
- ICS 211 Introduction to Computer Science II
- ICS 240 Operating Systems
- MGT 301 Business Ethics
- MGT 320 Fundamentals of Entrepreneurship & Small Business Management
- PHIL 439 Philosophy and Film
*Courses may only be used once to fulfill the Communication & New Media Technologies Concentration OR Concentration Elective requirement
Electives Requirement (17-26 credits)
Check with your College Success Advisor to confirm how many electives are needed.
Program Overview
As a student in the Game Design and Development concentration, you’ll experience the entire game development cycle—from creating concept art and UI & UX for games to coding for artificial intelligence and virtual reality gaming experiences. Students will develop specialized skills that prepare them for cutting-edge careers in one of the most vibrant, multifaceted, and expansive industries ever. Students will acquire the breadth of knowledge needed to build a career not just in game programming but in other industries that use gaming and simulation, from education to healthcare and public policy.
Careers and Earning Potential
- Game/Level Designer: $88,000 (indeed.com)
- Animation VFX: $69,560 (bls.gov)
- Character Concept Artist: $65,000 (indeed.com)
- 3D Character Artist: $65,000 (indeed.com)
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the concentration in Design and Media, students will be able to:
Production Skills and Technical Knowledge
- Demonstrate proficiency with technology related to contemporary game production
- Create design documentation and detailed paper maps for a professional preproduction package
- Effectively use visual and code-based scripting to implement game and level mechanics
Conceptual Thinking
- Identify, gather, assess, record, and research relevant information for a game idea
- Design, organize, and build game prototypes in established game engines
- Analyze and discuss game trends and issues
Written and Oral Communication
- Clearly and professionally present work and ideas
- Evaluate and critique work in chosen game area
Visual Communication
- Integrate objects, environments, characters, and props into a cohesive game experience
- Use appropriate media to communicate ideas throughout the design process
- Draw, design, and render forms (2D/3D) to game industry standards
Professional Readiness
- Produce a professional demo reel or portfolio which meets industry standards
- Work cooperatively and effectively in a professional production environment
- Identify strengths within game development and/or design and develop a portfolio tailored to showcase them
- Practice meeting deadlines and submit work according to professional presentation standards
Sharla Hanaoka, Associate Director Creative Media
Contact an Admission SpecialistClick here to learn more about the various media programs across the UH System supported by the Academy for Creative Media System
Academic PathwaysTo learn more about the Game Design and Development campus click here
