Visual Communications Technology:
Game Art and Design
Associate in Applied Arts and Sciences (AAAS)
Associate in Applied Science –Transfer (AAS-T)
Planning Guide 2017-2018
Program Information:
Program Description:
Length of Program:
117-126 Credits
Completion Award:
A.A.A.S. or A.A.S.-T Degree
Enrollment:
Every Quarter
Approximate Quarterly Costs: $25-$85
(in addition to tuition, books and parking)
Website: www.shoreline.edu/vct/default.aspx
Program Advisor:
Alan Yates
206-533-6771 [email protected]
Christine Shafner
206-546-4667 [email protected]
Claire Fant
206-533-6963 [email protected]
EPC 7441 and 744T
Rm 2054
Rm 2055
Rm 2024
Students will explore creative, multimedia tools
and solutions on Mac and PC platforms, using
industry-standard software. In addition to
General Education requirements, study will take
place at three levels: core foundational design
training, concentrated study in game design and
software-based and topic-based study in
specialized areas. This is not a degree in
programming, but students have the
opportunities to take introductory courses in
industry-standard programming languages. Early
advising is strongly recommended for this
program.
Game Art and Design—What is it?
The Seattle region has seen significant growth in the game design industry and the future looks promising. Companies are hiring
entry-level employees with a broad, integrated foundation of conceptual and technical knowledge, along with specialized skills.
This two-year plus Visual Communications Technology degree in Game Art/Design is designed to provide students with the
conceptual thinking skills and foundational technical skills, as well as the specialized training required to be qualified for entry
level game, animation and related positions. Technical software training is done partly online with leading industry partners. This
can be self-paced, allowing students to review lessons repeatedly and establish the self-directed life-long learner skills that the
continually changing industry requires. This learning model also allows for greater focus on development of creative, conceptual
skills and team collaboration skills in the classroom.
Program Outcomes:
Students who successfully complete this program—by achieving a GPA of 2.0 or better for the entire program—should be able
to:
1.
Develop and apply perceptual skills in creation of 2 D and 3 D game levels using visual design and game development
software.
2.
Using game development software integrated with design software, demonstrate technical skills, project management
and production skills.
3.
Conceive, plan, design and produce physical prototypes of games with characters and other assets, level, rules and game
strategy.
Career Opportunities—What can I do with a Degree in Game Art and Design?
There are expanding opportunities within this field for creating visual images for multimedia product development including
game artistry and animation. Graduates are hired as game level designers, game artists, modelers, animators, riggers, lighting
artists, texture artists, character artists, storyboard artists, promotional artists and assistant project managers in design and
production.
Potential employers include: Game studios, video studios, advertising agencies, publication houses, visual support departments,
news and sales agencies, public relations firms and multimedia firms. For more, please visit career information and resources at
http://www.shoreline.edu/counseling-center/career-counseling.aspx.
Shoreline Community College, 16101 Greenwood Ave N, Shoreline, WA 98133 | www.shoreline.edu | 2017–2018
Revised 6/20/2017
VCT Game Art and Design Planning Guide—2017–2018 | AAAS or e –Transfer (AAS-T)
Students are required to maintain a final grade of 2.0 (75%) in each VCT foundational course in order to progress to the next class. If you
receive a grade below 2.0, you will be required to either retake the class or pursue an advisor’s waiver.
A.A.A.S. DEGREE – 117-126 Credits
GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS | 15-20 Credits
Course
QTR
DEGREE CONCENTRATION REQUIREMENTS | 25 Credits
GR
CR
Course
Quantitative/Symbolic Reasoning: (Choose One)
MATH& 107
Math in Society
BUS 102
Business Mathematics
BUSTC 150
Excel 2013
MUSTC 106
Acoustics of Music
5
Media History (Choose One)
VCT 230
History of Visual Media
ARTH 224 or 225 or226 Western Art History
ARTH 204
Survey of Asian Art
ARTH 210
Japanese Art History
ART 234
History of Animation
Communication Skills (Choose One)
BTWRT 215
Business Communication
ENGL& 101
English Composition I
5
Track Subjects
VCT 251
Intro to Game Design
VCT 276
3D Modeling and Animation w/Maya
VCT 252
Intro to Game Art**
VCT 253
Intro to Game Dev**
**Includes self-paced, online technical training
component
Human Relations (Choose One)
BUS 105
Essentials of Human Relations
CMST& 101
Intro to Communications
2-5
Multicultural Understanding (Choose One)
ART 105
Multicultural Studies Through Visual
Arts
CMST 203
Com Across Diff
BUS 103
Multi Understanding in Wkplc
3-5
QTR
Studio/Humanities Foundation*
ART 131 Drawing I
ART 109 2D Design
ART 110 3D Design
Choose one of the following:
ART 132 Drawing 2 or
ART 251 Painting 1 or
HUM 140
World Humanities: Quest for Narrative
GR
CR
5
5
5
5
Design/Production Foundation
VCT 101
Graphic Design I
VCT 112
Survey of Visual Communications
VCT 102
Graphic Design 2
5
5
5
Digital Graphics Foundation**
VCT 124
Basic Macintosh Systems Operations
VCT 125
Intro to Image Construct/Editing/Out
2
3
Challenge Tests are available to place out of VCT 124 & VCT 125
VCT 136
VCT 134
VCT 176
VCT 135
VCT 170
AdobeCS: Raster Graphic w/PhotoSh
AdobeCS: Illustrator(Vector Graphics)
Intro to 3D Modeling/Animation
AdobeCS: Animation/Interact Media
AdobeCS: Interactive/Web Design
* One Studio Arts or Humanities course may be
substituted for a specialization course from the
following list:
HUM 140
World Humanities: Comparing
Global Cultures
ART 132
Drawing 2
ART 133
Drawing 3
ART 145
Intermediate Photography
VCT 103
Graphic Design 2
ART 251
Painting 1
ART 252
Painting 2
ART 271
Sculpture 1
MUSTC 131
Digital Audio Production
GR
CR
5
5
5
5
5
DEGREE SPECIALIZATION REQUIREMENTS | 12-16 Credits
VCT FOUNDATION REQUIREMENTS | 65 Credits
Course
QTR
5
5
5
5
5
Students are required to complete a minimum of 12 credits of
specialization coursework. Specialization courses consist of three parts:
seminar, collaborative lab sessions, and online specialized software
training and/or topic-based training with online industry training partners.
A Faculty/Student Advising session is required for placement into this set of
courses.
Examples of Specialization Software Training:
Maya, 3D StudioMax, Mudbox. ZBrush, Soft Image, Blender, Vue,
Lightwave, Unity, Unreal Engine, C++, Javascript, iOS Dev, Premiere, Encore,
After Effects, etc.
Examples of Topic-Based Training:
Storyboarding, Matte Painting, Matchmoving, Digital Art, Interface Design,
Effects, Compositing, Modeling, Character Rigging, Project Management,
etc
Course
QTR
GR
CR
VCT 205, 206, 207** Specialization: Design
Studio/Portfolio
4
VCT 215, 216, 217** Specialization: AdobeCS
Studio/Portfolio
4
VCT 225, 226, 227** Specialization: Interactive
Studio/Portfolio
4
VCT 235, 236, 237** Specialization: Autodesk
Studio/Portfolio
4
VCT 245, 246, 247** Specialization: Video
Studio/Portfolio
**Includes self-paced, online technical training component
APPROVAL TO GRADUATE
_______________________________________________________________________
Student Name & SID
Date
_______________________________________________________________________
Faculty Advisory
Date
_______________________________________________________________________
Division Dean
Date
_______________________________________________________________________
Credential Approval
Date
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
This program is Associate of Applied Science-Technology (AAS-T) degree eligible. The AAS-T degree indicator, which will appear on your transcript, will
enable students to transfer this degree directly to some four-year institutions. Please check with your program advisor for more specific information.
Note: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information in this publication. However, the information is subject to change without notice and final
career decisions are the responsibility of the student.
Shoreline Community College, 16101 Greenwood Ave N, Shoreline, WA 98133 | www.shoreline.edu | 2017–2018
Revised 6/20/2017