The Game Art Certificate Program

The Game Art Professional Certificate program provides students with a foundation in 3D modeling, imaging, and animation for video games.

Core courses explore the challenging modeling, texturing, and animating 3D characters and environments using Autodesk Maya and Photoshop. Elective courses provide an array of options for development in game art, game design, as well as digital art, fine arts, and design.

The Game Art Professional Certificate is a cutting-edge program built to your schedule and learning needs. Each class is exciting, relevant, and challenging—and developed with projects geared to art and development processes used by leading game studios today.

You’ll study with outstanding instructors, getting the feedback and mentoring you need to prepare for a professional environment.

• Complete the entire program online in 12 months or less. (Extensions available to students that need more time.)
• Complete eight (8) classes: Four (4) Required classes and four (4) Electives. Program advisors will help you build a learning path that meets your goals.
• Required classes focus on modeling, texturing, animation, color, and lighting.
• Electives broaden your skills in game art, digital imaging, digital photography, fine arts, and 2D and 3D design. Elective options include a Game Art Portfolio and Reel class that can be taken at the end of the program.

Curriculum

Certificate students must complete the following four required classes and four electives from the options listed below. Electives may be selected from any area of concentration. All classes are either three lessons (3L) or six lessons (6L) in length. The certificate program is a 420 clock hour program, to be completed in 45 weeks.

Required
8025	maya basics
8050	tiling textures
8067	game lighting and color
8085	character animation

Game Art Electives
8090	character setup and rigging
8065	game analysis and criticism
8095	photoshop for game artists
8026	maya advanced
8060	intro to game development
8061	history of video games
8088	game art portfolio and reel

Digital Imaging Electives
4018	photoshop basics
4240	photoshop advanced
4280	photo retouching

Design Electives
4017	color theory
4020	design and composition

Multimedia Electives
7002	digital photography I
7004	digital photography II
6225	digital video editing

Program Objectives

In the Game Art Professional Certificate program, students learn both technical and artistic skills, applying professional approaches to digital imaging, 3D modeling, model texturing, game animation, color, and lighting. Classes are structured around practical projects that mirror current practices in game development. The projects are demanding, and Faculty members critique your assignments to help you create your best work. If you’ve got the creativity and commitment, we can help you succeed.

A secondary focus of the program is building the analytical and communication skills that game industry employers seek. To succeed in game development, you must understand how video games work, and be able to express your ideas clearly (in writing and discussion). Theory courses with essay and critique components will challenge your critical thinking skills, give you insight into the video game production process, help you learn the tools of the trade, and explore where the industry is headed.

The program is structured to take advantage of an array of complementary electives in the art and design of games. The game industry needs qualified artists, period. And you will become a better game artist if you are skilled in digital imaging, freehand drawing, photography, and the digital arts. Even if your ultimate goal is to be 100% focused on games, most industry pros agree that your 3D artwork will benefit from getting a broader arts education.

Program Requirements

Students are required to have specific hardware and software equipment to complete the program. This equipment includes:

• Computer with an Internet connection, broadband preferred.
• Autodesk Maya (free Personal Learning Edition is acceptable, though educational or full version of Maya is recommended for program students).
• Access to a current or next generation game console (PlayStation 2 or 3, Xbox or Xbox 360, or Wii minimum).
• Adobe Photoshop.
• Basic experience in Adobe Photoshop. If needed, the Photoshop Basics elective class can help you meet the requirements: See class description.
• Three button mouse required for PC users, recommended for Mac users.

Course Materials and Library

The Professional Certificate is delivered entirely online. Students have 24/7 access to the school learning environment. No textbooks are required for the program. The program is built around award-winning online curriculum developed by Sessions College for Professional Design faculty.

All coursework and materials required to complete each course are provided in an online learning environment, including orientation materials, lectures, exercises, critique and discussion forums, videos, multimedia tools, and an online library. The Sessions online library provides all students access to 40,000 titles in art, design, software, and technology.

Career Opportunities

Program graduates are prepared for entry-level fine arts positions in game art and development. Potential employers for Professional Certificate program graduates include video game publishers, software publishers, specialized design firms.

The Sessions Game Art certificate is a challenging online program 100% focused on your creative work. Courses are structured around practical projects that develop your skills and artistry and help you build a portfolio of high quality work. An industry-leading Faculty of artists and designers provides you with one-to-one mentoring and critique. You'll unleash your creativity at Sessions College