Courses I teach at SCAD-Atlanta

For the complete SCAD Interactive Design & Game Development curriculum click here. 

You can also visit the Student Gallery page for student work samples from my classes.

 

Undergraduate

 

ITGM 240 – Modeling, Materials and Lighting
In this course, students learn the skills required to model and texture objects and characters as well as model more efficiently and accurately. Students use advanced tools, bake textures and work with UV texture editing systems to cut, sew and manipulate textures on geometry. Students also learn to model in polygons as well as in surfaces offered within software (i.e. subdivision surfaces). Assignments are designed to be presented professionally and enhance students’ portfolios. Prerequisite: ITGM130.

ITGM 258 – Modeling for Game Development

Students develop an understanding of 3-D, the principles of modeling, and video game aesthetics while exploring the creation of 3-D models specifically designed for integration into a game engine. Aesthetics, construction, communication, sculptural skills and quality of work are emphasized. Prerequisite: ITGM 240.

ITGM 310 – Animation for Games

In this course, students create character rigs and animation assets for games. Topics covered range from key frame animation and editing motion capture data to importing each student’s final animation into an existing game engine. Prerequisite: ANIM 250 or ITGM 258 or VSFX 210.

ITGM 333 – Sculptural Texturing for Games

This course focuses on the creation of complex organic models, 2-D and 3-D textures for use in video game development. Traditional 2-D photo editing, painting software and 3-D painting and sculpting applications are combined to provide maximum emphasis on art, mood, and extreme detail. Additional techniques relating to the use of complex systems within available hardware constraints also are discussed. In this course students explore, discuss and participate in critiques related to professional methodologies, techniques and practices. Results-oriented techniques are emphasized. Prerequisite: ITGM 240 or ANIM 250 or VSFX 210.

ITGM 360 – Interactive Game Project

Students design and develop games, Web sites and interactive media through a series of technical and design workshops. The course explores intermediate and advanced technical and conceptual aspects of design and development for group-based games and interactive projects. Prerequisite: ITGM 303.

ITGM 380 Interactive Design and Game Development Portfolio

This course focuses on integrating imagery, Web sites, video and various elements into an interactive portfolio. Concepts, cross-platform developments and issues concerning aesthetics, interface design and use of media are addressed. Students collect relevant material and produce a CD/DVD/Web-based portfolio, packaging for portfolio, résumé, cover letter, business card, flatbook portfolio and optional VHS-based material. Prerequisite(s): ITGM 350 or ITGM 351 or ITGM 352 or ITGM 353.

ITGM 405 – Interactive Design and Game Development Studio I

Students apply their skills to creating a workable interactive project or video game in a simulated professional environment. Topics include content creation within a limited resource environment. The course emphasizes production-oriented goals in order to provide students with a professional skill set and a body of fine art. Prerequisite: ITGM 402 or ITGM 403 or ITGM 440 or ITGM 452.

ITGM 410 Mobile Games Development

Students in this course use industry standard tools to build games for mobile devices such as PDAs and mobile phones. Interface design issues, user input for mobile devices and programming for mobile devices are covered. Prerequisite: ITGM 303.

ITGM 465 – Interactive Design and Game Development Studio II

Students work in a collaborative, simulated professional environment to address issues including content creation in a group dynamic, strategic planning, goal-oriented planning, and game theory and design. This course provides students with a significant amount of professional-quality material for portfolio inclusion. Prerequisite: ITGM 405.

ITGM 475 Interactive Design and Game Development Postproduction
This final phase of the student’s senior project focuses on the production and mastering of a senior interactive or game project, including final design, programming or scripting, focus testing, testing and implementation. Students also create support materials, such as a product website, and work to integrate these into their portfolios. Prerequisite(s): ITGM 465.

ITGM 495 Special Topics in Interactive Design and Game Development
The topic of this course varies from quarter to quarter. Each seminar focuses on various problems in the field of interactive design and game development and allows advanced students to pursue individual or collaborative projects related to the topic of the course. Prerequisite(s): Vary according to topic.

 

Graduate

 

ITGM 710 – Character Development

This course examines how to develop characters by working in stages from 2-D character model sheets to the 3-D finished project. Subjects covered include plot and character development, information research and originality, the history of character development and developmental drawings of characters, settings and other materials. Other relevant issues such as artistic license and responsibility are covered in class discussions.

ITGM 733 – Digital Sculpting for Video Games

This course explores the creation of complex models and textures for use in video game development. Students are introduced to current theory, functional aesthetics, and advanced techniques relevant to digital sculpture. Prerequisite: ITGM 705.

ITGM 748 Interactive Design and Game Development M.A. Final Project
Students have the option of choosing to develop a final project or a final portfolio. This course allows returning professionals who have already constructed professional portfolios to work on a full term project while giving those who are in need of a portfolio the chance to create one with the professionalism and presentation quality industry demands. Prerequisite: ITGM 723.

ITGM 749 Interactive Design and Game Development Portfolio
Students focus on the integration of imagery, Web sites, video and various other elements into an interactive portfolio. Concepts, cross-platform developments, and issues concerning aesthetics, interface design and the use of media are addressed. Students collect relevant material and produce a CD/DVD/Web-based portfolio, packaging for portfolio, r??sum??, cover letter, business cards, flat book portfolio and optional VHS-based material. M.A. students enroll in this course during their final quarter of studies in the interactive design and game development program. Prerequisite: ITGM 723.

ITGM 755 Interactive Design and Game Development Studio I
In this required seminar/studio course, students develop and define a personal vision in their area of interest. As preparation for thesis work, this course is flexible and self-directed, with a strong emphasis on critique. Prerequisite: ITGM 705.

ITGM 765 – Interactive Design and Game Development Studio II

In this required seminar/studio, students develop and define a personal vision in their area of interest. As preparation for thesis work, this course is flexible and self-directed with a strong emphasis on critique. This course primarily addresses the development of preproduction work for the thesis. Prerequisite: ITGM 755.

ITGM 779T Graduate Teaching Internship
Students in this course undertake a teaching assignment under the supervision of a faculty member. Prerequisite(s): 15 graduate credit hours, good academic standing.

ITGM 780 Special Topics in Interactive Design and Game Development
This graduate elective course provides an opportunity for students to focus on particular issues in the field or to study advanced techniques and processes. Faculty, course content and prerequisites vary each time the course is offered. The course may include lectures, discussions, individual projects and critiques, depending on the nature of the topic.

ITGM 790 Interactive Design and Game Development M.F.A. Thesis
M.F.A. students in interactive design and game development develop an innovative and theoretically informed body of work that is exhibited in a manner and context that supports its creative content. Students also produce a written component that addresses the theoretical premise of the work. Prerequisite(s): Completion of the review for candidacy.