Bachelor of Science in Game Design

Program details

The Bachelor of Science in Game Design (GDM) offers a dynamic and multidisciplinary education in game design and development. It blends the art of storytelling, digital visualization, and cutting-edge technology to craft engaging and immersive interactive experiences.

The GDM program is designed to equip students with the skills needed to design and develop captivating video games, board games, and other interactive media. By integrating elements from Iowa State University colleges—including the College of Design, the College of Engineering, the College of Human Sciences, and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences—our program ensures a rich and comprehensive education that covers all aspects of game creation.

Whether you’re passionate about the artistry behind game design, the mechanics of gameplay, or the technology that brings it all to life, the Game Design major at Iowa State University provides the tools and knowledge you need to turn your creativity into reality.

Curriculum

The Bachelor of Science in Game Design is transfer friendly and does not require students to complete the Core Design Program. No application to the major is needed after gaining admission to Iowa State University.

First Year:

Every game design student starts with a comprehensive first-year core curriculum designed to lay a strong foundation for a successful career in game design and development. During this first year, students will develop essential skills while building a supportive academic community with their peers through a series of required courses.

The foundational curriculum introduces students to the theoretical principles of game design, including the formal and dramatic elements that make games compelling. They will dive into game mechanics and narrative design while exploring how culture and history influence game worlds and storytelling. Additionally, students will gain introductory skills in computer programming, drawing, and digital media, crucial for rapid game prototyping and their chosen focus area.Second Year:

In their second year, students will refine their professional profiles by selecting one of three specialized focus areas: Art and Interactive Media Design, Game Computing and Game Worlds, Narrative Design, and Society. This structured approach ensures that students are well-prepared to specialize in their area of interest while benefiting from a broad and interdisciplinary understanding of game design.

Years Three and Four:

As students enter their third and fourth years of the Game Design program, they advance through two key courses that will refine their skills and showcase their expertise in game design:

• Game Design Workshop (3 Credits): This intermediate, project-based course emphasizes collaborative design and iterative development. Students engage in hands-on projects where they prototype, create, and test game design concepts, building on the foundational skills acquired in their first two years. Through teamwork and practical application, students explore advanced design principles and refine their creative process.
• Game Design Capstone (6 Credits): The capstone course represents a critical juncture in the GDM curriculum. In this comprehensive, team-based project, students develop a game from its initial concept through to a polished prototype. The capstone experience mimics industry standards, incorporating brainstorming, prototype creation, testing, and iterative improvement. This course is vital for career development, providing students with an opportunity to demonstrate their design abilities and produce a market-ready game.

Both courses are designed to mirror the collaborative, high-expectation environment of professional game design. They focus on teamwork and practical application, culminating in a robust portfolio that highlights students’ capabilities. This portfolio will feature completed games, design documents, analyses, and computational models, offering prospective employers a concrete demonstration of the graduates’ readiness for the workforce.

Through the Game Design Workshop and Game Design Capstone, students not only enhance their technical and creative skills but also prepare themselves for successful careers in the game design industry.

Possible career paths

Our Game Design Major (GDM) degree program equips graduates with the skills and expertise needed to excel in the dynamic world of game design. Whether you aspire to join leading game design studios as a game artist, programmer, or writer, or seek opportunities in mid-sized and boutique game companies or related industries, our program is tailored to meet your career goals.

Our unique approach ensures that you not only develop a deep specialization in your chosen area but also acquire a broad skill set across multiple focus areas. This combination of specialized and complementary knowledge is designed to maximize your readiness for a competitive job market, enabling you to adapt and thrive in various roles within the industry.

By fostering both depth and versatility, our program prepares you to meet the diverse needs of the game design field and beyond, setting you up for success in a variety of professional settings.