Computer Animation and Game Development

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Students design computer games in the classroom.

Insight

Do you want to make video games or animations? Do you want to be a 3D animator, video game producer, 3D modeler, texturing specialist, VFX designer, game designer, game programmer, or motion capture expert? Do you want to make the most of your creativity? If so, Computer Animation and Game Development can help you develop in-demand skills for the video game and entertainment industries. Computer Animation and Game Development is the synergy of creativity and technology and affords you an opportunity to put your imagination to work in this realm of collaborative teams creating multimedia experiences.

Founded in 1999, the Computer Animation and Game Development (CAGD) program seeks to teach the skills required for an innovative industry. For more than 20 years, the program has continued to evolve and grow to meet the needs of students seeking a career in a rapidly expanding creative industry. The CAGD program was ranked one of the top 10 game design programs in the nation in 2022 by Gizmodo. The CAGD program is run by a student-focused team that works together to combine design and technology as a means of expressing creative minds. With a strong foundation in teaching and industry experience, faculty prepare students to design and implement rich multimedia experiences that communicate, inform, and entertain.

Experience

The CAGD program focuses on hands-on collaborative experiences in a diverse community of students. Courses are designed to provide instruction in industry-standard tools and techniques as well as formal processes and pipelines of 3D animation, computer-generated imagery, and game production. A culminating experience in production studio courses see students work in teams to generate animations, video games, and 3D experiences in a real-world studio environment.

The Computer Graphics Club (CGC) is a student-run club that provides a place for aspiring creators to meet fellow creatives, discuss industry trends and ideas, and network with each other and alumni. The club holds regular meetings and social activities as well as hosts special events.

Outlook

With virtually limitless career possibilities, the CAGD program is proud to provide its students with skills including animation production, CGI, agile development, game scripting, augmented/virtual reality, motion capture, lidar scanning, and photogrammetry. Our diverse student population enters careers in the lucrative fields of video games, film, television, and commercials, as well as scientific research and a host of other enterprises.

Our alumni currently work across a wide variety of industry companies including 2K Games, Epic Games, Weta Digital, Sony Imageworks, Ubisoft, Pixar, Blizzard, and more as part of the rapidly growing $2.2 trillion global game and entertainment industry.

Programs

Undergraduate

Bachelor's

Minors