P.G. Diploma - Game Design

Game Design

Course Overview

The Game Design program concentrates on studies relating to the theory and practice used in developing media rich, interactive, digital content. This program provides students a well-rounded skill set by addressing game theory, cinematics, art, animation, game mechanics, production methodologies, and also creative writing and storytelling skills.

The course serves to train digital artists and designers seeking a career in game production and related industries. The students delve into design principles and documentation, the creative process and pre-production planning. The begin by creating Character, Costumes and Props designs along with Level Designing and Interface designing. They then progresses to developing In-game content using low-poly modelling, unwrapping and texturing, Rigging for game engines, collision models, implementing “rag doll” physics support, creating vehicles and finally exporting the game assets to different formats and engines. The course workfinds application on diverse platforms such as Personal Computers, Game Consoles and Mobile phones. This is all wrapped up with an in-depth look at the production process, project and team management techniques, and the business of games.

Duration

1 Year

Career Opportunities

  • 3D Low Polygon Modeler
  • Texturing Artist
  • Game Artist
  • 3D Game Environment Artist
  • Character Animator
  • Effects Animator
  • Level Designer
  • Game Designer
  • Game Tester

Course Content

Code Module
DMT401 Foundation Study
AND401 Pre Visualization
FMS401 Media production
DMT411 Digital Media Technique I
DMT412 Digital Media Technique II
DMT413 Digital Media Technique III

Foundation Study Top ▲

This module introduces the Students to a range of creative process that will aid them in their visual enquiry and self expression. Using these processes and strategies student generate ideas and concepts to design briefs. Students also learn a series of Digital Media Techniques which are deployed to generate Digital Media output.

  • Ideation through Mind map, Mood board, Semiotics, Metaphor, Themes and Styles
  • Researching, Referencing and applying the history and theory of design to design practice
  • Elements and Principles of Design
  • Symbol and Icon Design and Construction
  • Digital Manipulation techniques such as enlargement, reduction, Transformation and reshaping
  • Understanding Colour & Colour Correction
  • Colour depth, image size and file size
  • Creating Digital Painting / Matte painting
  • Applying Materials and creating Textures for games
  • Apply the design process to 2-dimensional & 3-dimensional work in response to a brief
  • Project planning and implementation
  • Introduction to audio formats
  • Audio design
  • Introduction to game development
  • Introduction to platforms
  • Introduction to various platforms

Pre Visualization Top ▲

This module begins by introducing the student to the broad concept of visualization in terms of Shapes and Forms, Light & Shadow, Perspective and Composition. Later student learn to apply these skills for Visual exploration, Expression of moods, create Concept Art, Character Design and 2D Animation (electives).

  • Developing Visual observation through Drawing
  • Exploration of Volume, Perspective, Structure and Form
  • Colour, colouring and shading methods
  • Study of Humans figures
  • Drawing the human figure with emphasis on gesture, proportions and form development
  • Design of Costume and Standard props for Games
  • Game Character and Set Design
  • Level Designing

Media Production Top ▲

This module exposes the students to a variety of Digital and non Digital approaches to game production, film making and storytelling. It offers cross-disciplinary study within the multi-disciplinary media environment so as to widen the scope of their visual research base. Through broad themed assignments set within subject named routes, students will learn to critically analyze works of pioneers and work in teams to contextualize their studio practice in relation to historical and contemporary practice..

  • Introduction to Cinematography
  • Camera Movements
  • Basic Composition
  • Introduction to Direction
  • Designing of the scene
  • Lighting Styles
  • Introduction to game production
  • Types of games
  • Game development architecture
  • Game design principles
  • Game play and game mechanics
  • User experience design
  • Game Level design
  • Story telling for games
  • Audio design for games
  • Game review
  • Interactive story telling
  • Introduction to Editing
  • Understanding Tools and concepts
  • Adding Effects and Transition
  • Machinima
  • Game Testing

Digital Media Technique I – Basic of 3D for Gaming Top ▲

This module is designed to introduce students to the techniques of using computer software to produce digital computer works. This module also introduces students to 3D environments and engines.

  • Introduction to game engines
  • Game engine architecture
  • Game Model formats and file methods
  • Design of 3D artifact based on reference images in response to project briefs.
  • Inorganic & Props modeling using techniques of NURBS & Polygon.
  • Applying Materials and creating Textures.
  • Basic Animation using Key frame animation technique and editing in graph editor.
  • Basic lighting techniques.
  • Essential Camera movements.
  • Audio design for games
  • Allowing audio triggers with effects
  • Develop 3d Game level with developed 3D artifacts.

Digital Media Technique II - Modeling for Gaming Top ▲

This module further develops the Computer assisted design and development knowledge, and extends the students awareness and technical understanding of the 3D Modeling skill as applicable to the design of Computer generated Characters.

  • Advanced Modeling
  • Digital Sculpting
  • Vehicle Design
  • Texturing for Unwrapping
  • Mapping
  • Character skin study
  • Creation of skin
  • Lighting concepts
  • Exterior lighting setup for Games
  • Interior lighting setup for Games
  • Game level mapping with custom models

Digital Media Technique III - Animation for Gaming Top ▲

This module further develops the students Computer assisted design and development knowledge, and extends and develops advanced understanding of concepts, methods, and tools used in the production of in-game low polygon content. Students are encouraged to independently study and critically analyse the process of design and construction of characters and scenic elements for a game. This module is designed to extend the students study of creating animatable assets for Gaming and develops student's awareness and technical understanding of the principles of Animation and its adaptation to computer games.

  • Biped & Quadruped Set-up
  • Vehicle Rigging
  • Deformers
  • Principles of Animation and motion
  • Box animation
  • Walk and stances
  • Animating characters and props for a game
  • Trax editor
  • Exporting to unreal
  • Filmic introductions, cut scenes and endings for a game
  • Creating and accentuating personalities via timing, pace, camera and lighting