Program Overview
The Mobile Game Design and Development program at VCAD provides a solid foundation in the technical and artistic skills needed to be successful in the emerging field of mobile application design and development. You will learn game play, digital artistic techniques, multiplatform mobile technologies, and much more.
Upon successful completion of this program, you will be able to:
- Work with major trends in visual arts in the game, animation and visual effects industries
- Apply critical thinking and creative expression techniques
- Analyze and critique a production
- Draw a character and its environment
- Produce a concept sketch
- Shape a model
- Stage a scene
- Design game environments and characters
- Develop a storyboard
- Produce computer-generated images
- Produce 3D models of props
- Prepare 3D models of characters
- Animate characters
- Create digital visual effects
- Present a professional portfolio
Admissions Requirements
- Grade 12 or mature student status (19 years or older).
- Where an applicant’s first language is other than English, and s/he has not completed his/her secondary (or higher) education in English, the applicant will be required to pass the College’s admission test.
- Successful completion of the college’s entrance exam
This program has been approved by the registrar of the Private Training Institutions Branch (PTIB) of the Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills and Training.
Program Courses
CM10B - Drawing I
This course will focus on development of perceptual and descriptive skills through an introduction to a variety of drawing media, techniques and subject matter. Through this course you will acquire a thorough understanding of the elements of art and the principles of organization as related to drawing, be able to demonstrate an understanding of contour line, positive & negative space, perspective, sighting of angles and measurements of relationships in drawing, master basic skills and to encourage experimentation with techniques and materials, both traditional and non-traditional, and explore creative expression beyond preconceived boundaries.
MG10C - Mobile Design Foundation
This course explores design techniques including contemporary trends and topics in composition, digital colour, and design as they influence emerging mobile gaming technologies and design. Concept development and presentation will require students to work in teams. Teams will be required to create a basic mobile game concept pitch. Additional time will be spent exploring mobile devices and digital design history.MG10A - Mobile Game Design I
This course covers foundation theory of planning and developing creative concepts that will become a functioning game. Outcomes will address gaming industry trends, conceptualizing techniques and the mobile development processes. Current production models, studios and developers will be discussed. Students will be encouraged to be proactive and research trends to ensure that their mobile game proposals are dynamic and viable.CM10C - Photoshop I
Understanding the application and importance of image editing and construction as a universal skill in all design genres. This course introduces the students to raster image-editing software such as Adobe Photoshop. Through this 'hands-on' course, the student will learn the fundamentals of design, as well as advanced features, and tips, to prepare images for digital output as well as for print. Emphasis will be placed on technical skills, however conceptual development, and creative thinking and approaches will also be considered in all work. By the end of this course, the student will be able to create, modify, and enhance sophisticated images using raster editing tools, and features; craft special effects; work in 3D space; and prepare files for export to various applications in web, mobile, print, and manufacturing.
MG10B - Scripting & Coding I
The relationship between machine code, programming languages and scripting will be introduced. Fundamental programming theory and best practices will be taught. The appropriate application of scripting in the context of current delivery technologies and hardware will be addressed. Students will apply this knowledge in the development of scripts and code to create simple programs.MG20B - Dynamic Media Tools & Techniques I
This course will cover the basic toolset features of Flash. Students will cover the specifics of basic Flash scripting in the development of dynamic content. Design problems will be presented that will require students to develop and execute simple animations.CM20G - Illustrator I
This course presents Illustrator as an industry standard tool for the production of professional quality illustrations such as technical illustrations, mapping, illustrating from photographic reference, and colorizing bitmapped images. Students will not only learn how to create precise, organized and professional illustrations that will meet the demands and standards of art directors and advertising agencies, but they will also learn to express their creativity in design by using the advanced distortion, blends, fills masks and effects tools offered by the software. Students will understand how the production of graphics ties in within the overall design process Topical coverage includes: software interface, tools, functions and palettes; creating masks and transparencies; composition and grids; colour combinations; and positive and negative space.