Game Art & Design Degree Programs

Learn how to take game ideas from concept to creation.

It's time to do more than play. It's time to create.

When you play video games, you can't help but consider the behind-the-scenes work involved in every aspect--the characters, the game environment, the level progression, to name a few. You enjoy the game play and at the same time wonder if you could design it better. Maybe you've already started dabbling in making your own games or modifying existing ones.

Earning a Game Art & Design degree won't be easy. But if you're committed to putting in the time and effort it takes, The Art Institutes can provide the hands-on education, experience, and guidance you need to turn your passion into a career in the competitive gaming industry.

I'm here to level up.

Join a creative community like no other as you discover what it takes to get a game into the production pipeline. Drawing on their industry experience, our Game Art & Design School instructors* will offer one-on-one mentorship while pushing you to fulfill your potential. You'll start with the principles of design and gaming. As you take courses on game design, level design, 2D concept art, 3D modeling, texturing, and lighting, you can practice applying your new skills using professional-grade technology and software. You'll also cover emerging technologies like augmented and virtual reality—making sure you're ready for the future of gaming.

Your game design classes will be filled with talented, creatively-driven students. Together you can work to design a new game from start to finish, exploring the planning, scope, problem-solving abilities, and economics of creating a market-ready game. Along the way, you can participate in student organizations and industry events and form professional connections that could benefit you down the road.

I want to become a key player in the game design industry.

Opportunities for a supervised internship in the gaming field, classes that involve collaborating with industry partners, support in creating a portfolio to showcase your skills to employers—our programs are designed to prepare you for the professional world.

As a graduate, you'll be ready for entry-level positions like Game Designer, Lighting & Texture Artist, Level Designer, Low Poly Modeler, and more, with our Career Services team here to help you find opportunities that match your career goals. Choose a school below to learn more about our Game Art & Design degree programs and our simple processes for applying and enrolling.

Latest Happenings

Student Game Demos on Display

On March 15, 16, and 17, The Art Institutes will return for another action-packed Gaming Expo at SXSW, showcasing games from the talented students at The Art Institute of Austin, The Art Institute of Dallas, The Art Institute of Houston, and The Art Institute of San Antonio.

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