Game and Interactive Media Design

Overview

Game and interactive media design programs teach people how to design and program interactive media for computer and video games and Internet applications.

Game and interactive media design programs include topics such as:

Theory of games
Computer communications and networks
Computer graphics
Virtual worlds and simulation systems
Visual and interactive design
Animation
Computer Programming

Concentrations

Students in game and interactive media design programs may be able to specialize in modeling, virtual environments, and simulation.

Schools

Many community colleges and other two-year schools offer associate degree programs in game and interactive media design. An associate degree usually takes two years to complete. After earning an associate degree students can transfer to a college or university for further study.

Many colleges and universities offer bachelor's degrees in game and interactive media design. A bachelor's degree usually takes about four years of full-time study.

A few universities offer graduate degrees in game and interactive media design. A master's degree typically requires two years of study beyond a bachelor's degree. A doctoral degree (PhD) typically requires three years beyond a master's degree.

See schools that offer this program.

Related Educational Programs

Related Careers

Careers Directly Related to this Program of Study

Program Admission

You can prepare for this program by taking courses in high school that prepare you for college. This typically includes four years of English, three years of math, three years of social studies, and two years of science. Some colleges also require two years of a second language.

Below is a list of high school courses that will help prepare you for this program of study:

Art
Commercial Art
Computer Science and Programming
Creative Writing
General Computer Applications
Graphic Arts and Printing
Keyboarding

Graduate Admissions

Admission to master's degree programs is competitive. You need a bachelor's degree and good grades. You also need to submit letters of recommendation and a statement of purpose.

Additional requirements at some schools include:

Graduate Record Exam (GRE) General
Related work or volunteer experience

Typical Course Work

Program Courses

In this undergraduate program, you typically take courses such as the following:

2D and 3D animation
Computer programming
Digital imaging
Drawing and anatomy
Game design
Game modeling
Level design
Scriptwriting

Graduate Program Courses

Graduate course work tends to vary depending on the program. However, the outline of a typical master's degree curriculum looks like the following:

Required core courses
Elective courses
Thesis and thesis defense

Things to Know

When undergraduate programs require you to submit a portfolio, you can include various types of creative work from high school, hobbies, clubs, volunteer work, and community projects.

Game and interactive media designers begin to develop their professional portfolios during college. You can include examples of work you've done independently or as part of a team. Computer techniques in visual arts are essential to a developing portfolio of creative work in this program.

Advanced degrees are needed to teach and often to specialize in highly technical work.