The Game Art and Design program prepares students for a career in the interactive entertainment industry through immersive training in core-competency areas; which include fine arts, theory, and projects that mirror the professional pipeline production environment of a video game designer. This pipeline creates a solid foundation for students as they move toward entering the industry of video game design and development. Early classes in the program develop fine art skills and an aesthetic foundation that supports all subsequent work. Fundamentals in craft and tool application are introduced in the sophomore and junior years through a series of hands-on classes that build skill sets in 2D computer graphics, scripting, 3D modeling, animation, texture, and lighting. Students will also begin the design and development of their first game level through group work that simulates professional pipeline production techniques.