High school students who are interested in a career in the game or animation industries should consider taking classes in the Game Art & Design (GAD) concentration. In these classes, students will learn the tools and techniques used by professionals to create digital art including the Adobe CC Suite, 3ds Max and the Unity Game Engine. While designed to be followed in sequence, any student can take classes independently as electives provided they have completed the appropriate prerequisite.
Note - Hardware/Software:
Students in GAD use industry standard PC equipment and software in class. While they are not required to have access to these applications at home, it is often extremely helpful to have access to a basic computer with Internet access. It is important to understand that this is a digital classroom and all class materials are distributed via the internet using an online learning management system.
About the ClassesQuick glance notes about the game design concentration:
Digital Design & Animation
DDA is an introductory level course focusing on the tools used by digital artists in a wide variety of creative careers including graphic design, film and game design. Students work with digital graphics and audio/video using the Adobe CC Suite, and digital 3D modeling with 3ds Max to build their skill sets for later classes.
Software used: Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere, Audition, After Effects, Animate & 3ds Max
Course Note: Assessment required
Digital Design & Animation II
DDA-II advances the student’s knowledge of 3D modeling techniques using 3ds Max. Students explore several ways to create digital models, add materials/textures, rigging and animation techniques. Students have the opportunity to earn industry certification as an Autodesk 3ds Max Certified User.
Software used: 3ds Max, Photoshop, Premiere and Audition
Prerequisite: Digital Design & Animation
Honors Game Art & Design*
GAD focuses on the tools and techniques familiar to individuals employed in the game industry. Students learn how to create both tabletop (card and board) and 2D video games using the Unity Game Engine. Earlier skills in digital graphics using the Adobe CC Suite and 3ds Max are expanded on in ways directly relevant to designing games.
Software used: Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere, Audition, 3ds Max, Unity Game Engine (2D)
Prerequisite: Digital Design & Animation II
Advanced Game Design*
AGAD builds on the student’s knowledge of game industry tools and techniques focusing on 3D video games using the Unity Game Engine. Students in AGAD may have the opportunity to attend the East Coast Game Conference in early Spring.
Software used: Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere, Audition, 3ds Max, Unity Game Engine (3D)
Prerequisite: Game Art & Design
Note - Click on the course names above to learn more about each individual curriculum
* Completer courseDigital Arts enrichment opportunitiesAdobe Visual Design
This course is a project-based course that develops art and communication skills in print and graphic design using Adobe tools. Students will leave this course with an in-depth and diverse graphic design portfolio.
Adobe Video Design
This course is a project-based course that develops art and communication skills in video production using Adobe tools. Students will leave this course with an in-depth and diverse video production portfolio.
Prerequisite: Adobe Visual Design
Adobe Digital Design
This course is a project-based course that develops career and communication skills in web design using Adobe tools. This course is aligned to Adobe Dreamweaver certification.
Prerequisite: Adobe Visual Design
Late Submission PolicyLate Policy Exceptions
A grade of 0 is rarely a locked 0 in the Game Design concentration. While all assignments should be submitted by the indicated deadline, there are always circumstances that can delay that. Any assignment/project can be submitted for an improved grade after the deadline up to a week prior to the end of the quarter. My late policy is as follows:
Note - Hardware/Software:
Students in GAD use industry standard PC equipment and software in class. While they are not required to have access to these applications at home, it is often extremely helpful to have access to a basic computer with Internet access. It is important to understand that this is a digital classroom and all class materials are distributed via the internet using an online learning management system.
About the ClassesQuick glance notes about the game design concentration:
- Students need four consecutive courses to complete the concentration
- Beginner classes are open to ANY high school student at DSA
- All classwork and homework is computer-based
Digital Design & Animation
DDA is an introductory level course focusing on the tools used by digital artists in a wide variety of creative careers including graphic design, film and game design. Students work with digital graphics and audio/video using the Adobe CC Suite, and digital 3D modeling with 3ds Max to build their skill sets for later classes.
Software used: Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere, Audition, After Effects, Animate & 3ds Max
Course Note: Assessment required
Digital Design & Animation II
DDA-II advances the student’s knowledge of 3D modeling techniques using 3ds Max. Students explore several ways to create digital models, add materials/textures, rigging and animation techniques. Students have the opportunity to earn industry certification as an Autodesk 3ds Max Certified User.
Software used: 3ds Max, Photoshop, Premiere and Audition
Prerequisite: Digital Design & Animation
Honors Game Art & Design*
GAD focuses on the tools and techniques familiar to individuals employed in the game industry. Students learn how to create both tabletop (card and board) and 2D video games using the Unity Game Engine. Earlier skills in digital graphics using the Adobe CC Suite and 3ds Max are expanded on in ways directly relevant to designing games.
Software used: Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere, Audition, 3ds Max, Unity Game Engine (2D)
Prerequisite: Digital Design & Animation II
Advanced Game Design*
AGAD builds on the student’s knowledge of game industry tools and techniques focusing on 3D video games using the Unity Game Engine. Students in AGAD may have the opportunity to attend the East Coast Game Conference in early Spring.
Software used: Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere, Audition, 3ds Max, Unity Game Engine (3D)
Prerequisite: Game Art & Design
Note - Click on the course names above to learn more about each individual curriculum
* Completer courseDigital Arts enrichment opportunitiesAdobe Visual Design
This course is a project-based course that develops art and communication skills in print and graphic design using Adobe tools. Students will leave this course with an in-depth and diverse graphic design portfolio.
Adobe Video Design
This course is a project-based course that develops art and communication skills in video production using Adobe tools. Students will leave this course with an in-depth and diverse video production portfolio.
Prerequisite: Adobe Visual Design
Adobe Digital Design
This course is a project-based course that develops career and communication skills in web design using Adobe tools. This course is aligned to Adobe Dreamweaver certification.
Prerequisite: Adobe Visual Design
Late Submission PolicyLate Policy Exceptions
A grade of 0 is rarely a locked 0 in the Game Design concentration. While all assignments should be submitted by the indicated deadline, there are always circumstances that can delay that. Any assignment/project can be submitted for an improved grade after the deadline up to a week prior to the end of the quarter. My late policy is as follows:
- All students receive a 3-day grace period after a deadline to earn full credit for any assignment/project. Even if a partial completion is submitted within this time frame, students can earn full credit when submitting the finished product. HOWEVER, it must be clear that the student has been working toward completion, not just submitting the blank or minimally completed product for this to apply. It is important to note that students taking advantage of this opportunity must do so during tutoring, they will not receive additional time to complete late assignments during class unless they finish the currently assigned work.
- Each calendar day after the grace period, late assignments receive a 10 point deduction until the highest grade earned is a 50% at 8 days late.
- Quizzes after the 7-day re-attempt deadline has passed
- Essay or question style activities after the 7-day deadline (unless noted during class) has passed
- Blog posts
- Portfolio work
- Kleenex (always extremely appreciated)
- Hand sanitizer
- Old/unwanted tabletop games