Visual Arts, Game Art and Design Option, A.A.

Award: Associate of Arts degree, A.A. (code AA.FA.GAME-ART)

Total Credit Hours: A minimum of 60 credit hours.

Purpose: Prepares students for transfer to a four year game art or design program. After graduation from a transfer institution, students will be eligible for entry level positions in the game industry as artists and designers. At AACC students will take foundation art courses in design, color, drawing, art history and portfolio development, enroll in general education courses necessary to graduate from a transfer institution, and take introductory game art and design courses.

It is recommended that students work closely with the game faculty to determine what specific jobs within game art and design are of particular interest, and then identify potential transfer programs that would provide training in those specific areas. Students who wish to enter the game industry after only two years of study at the college level should consider the Game Development A.A.S. degree. Students interested in programming games should consider the Computer Science Transfer Game and Simulation Programming Option A.S. degree.

Range of Occupations

Occupations can be explored further through the virtual Careers Center.

Planning Tool: Two-Year Sequence of Courses

AACC faculty developed the following sequence of courses to encourage greater success in each student’s program of study. This sequence incorporates all of the student’s admissions requirements for this degree and provides the student with essential notes to guide their success. It is recommended that students view and save this as they plan courses for this degree.

Click Here to View, Save, or Print a PDF Copy of the Planning Tool: Two-Year Sequence of Courses for this degree

General Education Requirements: 31-37 credits

An approved list of general education courses can be found in the General Education Requirements and degree program required courses section of the catalog. Choose general education courses from the following topics:

English: 3-6 credits

ENG 111 - Composition and Introduction to Literature 1 3 credit hours AND
ENG 112 - Composition and Introduction to Literature 2 3 credit hours
OR
ENG 115 - Composition and Introduction to Literature 1 for Non-Native Speakers 3 credit hours AND
ENG 116 - Composition and Introduction to Literature 2 for Non-Native Speakers 3 credit hours
OR
ENG 121 - Composition and Literature 3 credit hours
Successful completion of ENG 121 fully satisfies the college English composition general education requirements.

Arts and Humanities: 6 credits

ART 100 - Two-Dimensional Design 3 credit hours
One arts and humanities general education other than ART

Biological and Physical Sciences: 7-8 credits

At least one lab science required. See General Education Biological and Physical Sciences Requirements for a list of approved courses.

Interdisciplinary Studies, Computer Technology or Mathematics: 3-4 credits

See General Education Requirements for a list of approved courses.

Health/Fitness/Wellness: 3 credits

See General Education Health/Fitness/Wellness Requirements for a list of approved courses.

Mathematics: 3-4 credits

See General Education Mathematics Requirements for a list of approved courses.

Social and Behavioral Sciences: 6 credits

Must select two different disciplines. See General Education Social and Behavioral Sciences Requirements for a list of approved courses.

Program Requirements: 23-29 credits

ART 102 - Three-Dimensional Design 3 credit hours
ART 106 - Digital Design 3 credit hours
ART 125 - Drawing 1 3 credit hours
ART 209 - History of Western Art 1 3 credit hours
ART 210 - History of Western Art 2 3 credit hours
ART 250 - Digital Portfolio Development 1 credit hour

Choose from the following with approval of department chair: 6-12 credits

Students who are planning on transferring to UMBC should take ART 121 in place of one of their required electives.

ART 154 - 3D Computer Graphics 3 credit hours
ART 155 - 2D Game Prototyping 3 credit hours
ART 156 - 3D Game Graphics 3 credit hours
ART 157 - 3D Game Prototyping 3 credit hours
ART 158 - Game History 3 credit hours
ART 171 - Interactive Design 1 3 credit hours
ART 174 - Game Interface Design 3 credit hours
ART 251 - Animation 1 3 credit hours
ART 255 - Game Development 3 credit hours
ART 256 - Game Production Studio 3 credit hours
ART 258 - Game Character Design 3 credit hours
ART 259 - Gaming Practicum 3 credit hours
ART 273 - Gaming Hardware 3 credit hours
ART 274 - Game Testing 3 credit hours
ART 275 - Digital Arts Internship 3 credit hours
Elective (with approval of department chair) 0-3 credit hours
Recommend courses listed under ART electives

Additional Requirements

Computer Competency Requirement

ART 106 and ART 255 meet this requirement.

Diversity Requirement

Students may satisfy the diversity requirement simultaneously as they satisfy the arts and humanities, social and behavioral sciences, biological and physical sciences or health/fitness/wellness general education requirements. See Diversity Requirement for a list of approved courses.

Related Educational Opportunities

Continuing Education and Workforce Development Offerings

Additional courses, credentials and/or certifications may be available through the AACC School of Continuing Education and Workforce Development.

Transfer Agreements

Agreements may exist for this program of study. To access agreements, go to www.aacc.edu/transfer.

Core Competencies

AACC offers quality degree programs that allow students to develop fundamental learning and life skills, called core competencies. For a full list of Core Competencies, click here.

Program Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

Produce and design game assets.
Evaluate game software and hardware.
Demonstrate knowledge of game development, history, testing, and interactivity.
Acquire and synthesize knowledge of game development, testing, and interactivity.
Demonstrate collaboration and professionalism.
Transfer to advanced game art or design program.

This program aligns with all the college’s core competencies. For a full list of Core Competencies, click here.