Game – Art Program (G129)
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Domestic Students
Program Description
Program Overview
The Game – Art (Online) three-year advanced diploma is a rigorous program of study that focuses on the principles and techniques of video game art creation required to break into the industry. With video games being a leading form of artistic expression, game development requires a combination of talent, hard work, and passion. Taught by faculty with industry experience and mentored by local game industry leaders, you'll develop games for commercial, educational, and other purposes.
PLEASE NOTE: We also offer this program in a hybrid (mix of in person and online) format. Please see Game - Art program (G119) for more details.
Full Description
If you have a love of art and gaming, our Game - Art (Online) three-year advanced diploma program will give you the chance to combine your passions. As a student of this exciting program, you'll develop both two-dimensional and three-dimensional artistic abilities by learning concept art, sprite and pixel art, modelling, texturing, animation, and level design.
You'll get to develop commercial quality games in a simulated video game studio environment, working with industry partners and game programmers. In your second year, you'll choose whether to specialize in game modelling or game animation.
Before graduating, you'll assemble a portfolio/demo of your creative work, showing off your skills in game development and highlighting your chosen area of specialization. As a graduate, you'll be ready to find an entry-level role in the game industry.
Your Field Education Options
Students with approved portfolios are eligible for non-mandatory external field placements in semester 5 and/or semester 6.
Career & Postgraduate Study Opportunities
Educational Pathways
Alumni Impact
We are immensely proud of the contributions of our alumni in Toronto and around the globe.
From Michelin-starred restaurants to major construction, entertainment, community and financial organizations, our graduates are truly making an impact across a range of industries.
Latest alumni stories
Courses
Required Courses
YEAR 1
SEMESTER 1
| Code | Course Name |
|---|---|
| DESN1037 | Drawing I |
| DESN1084 | 2D Digital Art I |
| DESN1118 | Introduction to Modelling |
| DESN1130 | Interactive Prototyping I |
| DESN1083 | Studio Lab 1 |
| COMM 2000 | Communicating Across Contexts |
SEMESTER 2
| Code | Course Name |
|---|---|
| DESN1038 | Drawing II |
| DESN2015 | 2D Digital Art II |
| DESN1119 | Introduction to Animation |
| DESN1131 | Interactive Prototyping II |
| DESN1086 | Studio Lab 2 |
| DESN1189 | Ludology and Game History |
GAME MODELLING SPECIALIZATION
YEAR 2
SEMESTER 3
| Code | Course Name |
|---|---|
| DESN2012 | Environment Modelling I |
| DESN1132 | Game Art and Architecture I |
| DESN2014 | Level Design I |
| DESN2010 | Texturing and Shading I |
| DESN2013 | Studio Lab 3 |
| GNED | General Education Elective |
SEMESTER 4
| Code | Course Name |
|---|---|
| DESN2018 | Environment Modelling II |
| DESN1133 | Game Art and Architecture II |
| DESN2016 | Level Design II |
| DESN2011 | Texturing and Shading II |
| DESN2017 | Studio Lab 4 |
| GNED | General Education Elective |
YEAR 3
SEMESTER 5
| Code | Course Name |
|---|---|
| DESN3014 | 3D Sculpting I |
| DESN3016 | Organic Modelling I |
| DESN3018 | Technical Art for Game Engines 1 |
| DESN3020 | Cinematics I |
| DESN3010 | Studio Lab 5 |
| DESN3022 | Game Portfolio Design |
SEMESTER 6
| Code | Course Name |
|---|---|
| DESN3015 | 3D Sculpting II |
| DESN3017 | Organic Modelling II |
| DESN3024 | Technical Art for Game Engines 2 |
| DESN3021 | Cinematics II |
| DESN3012 | Studio Lab 6 |
| GNED | General Education Elective |
GAME ANIMATION SPECIALIZATION
YEAR 2
SEMESTER 3
| Code | Course Name |
|---|---|
| DESN2019 | Body Mechanics 1 |
| DESN2020 | Rigging I |
| DESN2014 | Level Design I |
| DESN1136 | Motion Capture 1 |
| DESN2013 | Studio Lab 3 |
| GNED | General Education Elective |
SEMESTER 4
| Code | Course Name |
|---|---|
| DESN2022 | Body Mechanics 2 |
| DESN2021 | Rigging II |
| DESN2016 | Level Design II |
| DESN1137 | Motion Capture 2 |
| DESN2017 | Studio Lab 4 |
| GNED | General Education Elective |
YEAR 3
SEMESTER 5
| Code | Course Name |
|---|---|
| DESN3018 | Technical Art for Game Engines 1 |
| DESN3029 | Character Animation 1 |
| DESN3027 | Character Acting I |
| DESN3020 | Cinematics I |
| DESN3010 | Studio Lab 5 |
| DESN3022 | Game Portfolio Design |
SEMESTER 6
| Code | Course Name |
|---|---|
| DESN3024 | Technical Art for Game Engines 2 |
| DESN3030 | Character Animation 2 |
| DESN3028 | Character Acting II |
| DESN3021 | Cinematics II |
| DESN3012 | Studio Lab 6 |
| GNED | General Education Elective |
Program Learning Outcomes
The graduate demonstrates the ability to:
- Analyze the differences in game genres in order to develop games that meet the needs of specific markets.
- Analyze the history of video games to compare various approaches to game development.
- Support the development of games by identifying and relating concepts from a range of industry roles – programming, design and art.
- Contribute as an individual and a member of a game development team to the effective completion of a game development project.
- Develop strategies for ongoing personal and professional development to enhance work performance in the games industry.
- Perform all work in compliance with relevant statutes, regulations, legislation, industry standards and codes of ethics.
- Develop pre-production and conceptual art for games and gaming through the selection and application of relevant design tools and drawing techniques.
- Create original game assets to meet requirements outlined in game design documents and/or creative briefs.
- Engage in original world building and level design within a range of game engines to meet industry and marketplace requirements.
- Generate user interface design in alignment with Game Design Documents to optimize both the aesthetics and function of gameplay.
Tuition & Fees
Domestic Tuition
Additional Costs
*Amounts listed are the estimated total of tuition, materials (non-refundable), student service and ancillary fees for the first two semesters of programs starting in Fall 2023. Fees are subject to change for programs starting in Fall 2024 and at later dates. This fee does not include books, which are to be purchased by the student separately.
The fees include a subscription to Adobe Creative Cloud, a Wacom Intuos Pro Medium Tablet, a Digital Tutors subscription and a membership to the International Game Developers Association (IGDA).
Financial Assistance
Each year we award over $2 million dollars in scholarships, awards and bursaries to first-year students. Check out our financial aid webpages for ways to pay for college and the full list of available scholarships, awards and bursaries.
This program is approved for OSAP funding, provided the applicant meets OSAP eligibility criteria.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this website is subject to change without notice. It should not be viewed as a representation, offer or warranty. Students are responsible for verifying George Brown College fee requirements.
Admission Requirements
Applicants are selected on the basis of their academic achievement, including the required courses, and any other selection criteria outlined below.
- Ontario Secondary School Diploma or equivalent**
- Grade 12 English (C or U)
- application questionnaire *
- portfolio *
* Qualified applicants will be invited to complete the application questionnaire and submit a portfolio electronically. Details on the application questionnaire and portfolio requirements will be communicated at a later date to qualified applicants, as part of the review process.
** Mature Student Status (19 years of age or older and no OSSD)
Mature students may take the Admissions Assessment for English OR may consider upgrading to achieve the credit(s) needed in English.
Please note that George Brown is committed to ensuring that applicants will succeed in their program of choice and meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission to the program. Applicants may be required to have grades higher than the minimum requirements stated.
Course Exemptions
College or university credits may qualify you for course exemptions. Please visit the Transfer Guide for more information.
Apply to
Domestic students should apply through Ontario Colleges.
How to Apply
Domestic students should apply through Ontario Colleges.
Contact Us
School of Design
Phone: 416-415-5000, ext. 3129
Email: game@georgebrown.ca
For more information about George Brown College, you may also call the Contact Centre at 416-415-2000 or long distance 1-800-265-2002.
Visit Our Campus
This program is part of our School of Design, located at our Waterfront Campus, at 3 Lower Jarvis St., Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
School of Design Building
The School of Design resides in a new 103,000-square-foot facility in the Daniels Waterfront – City of the Arts development. This state-of-the-art building supports academic programs and industry projects with features such as:
- virtual and augmented reality lab
- usability and testing lab
- Future Ways of Living lab
- peer tutor lab
- digital sandbox
- incubators
- prototyping and workshop spaces
- design and innovation showcase spaces
Come and have your questions answered, learn about the program content and career options, meet your friendly professors and staff and experience what it is like to be in a George Brown College classroom at one of our information sessions. You can also book a campus tour or explore our virtual tour.
