Associate in Arts (AA) in Multimedia: Game Design and Animation

The Associate of Arts (AA) in Multimedia: Game Design and Animation is designed to provide students with a strong foundation in video game design, 3D modeling and 2D/3D animation. The program incorporates a variety of theoretical and technical aspects of the video game design and development process to help build professional skills relevant in the industry. Game prototyping, character development, 3D modeling and animation, level design, game engines, project management, interactive storytelling, and basic programming for video game design are among the specialized topics explored through this degree. Students have the opportunity to examine the many careers in interactive digital media related fields while following professional practices and employing industry-standard software. Prior to graduation, students will have assembled a portfolio of game design projects to present to potential employers and will have designed several complete games from start to finish.

Please see: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1VvSSdmGkEYS-ODT8gNH20nYYwkRGW5meong_pbb4dTo/edit?usp=sharing

The Associate in Arts (AA) in Multimedia: Game Design and Animation is designed for Career Technical Education (CTE) and transfer. It provides students with the opportunity to earn a degree and become competitive in the video game industry. Offering an Associate degree will provide students with a more specialized understanding of the skills required to succeed in this emerging creative field than can be obtained with the existing Certificate of Accomplishment in 3D Modeling and Animation or the Certificate of Accomplishment in Video Game Development. The Associate in Arts (AA) in Multimedia: Game Design and Animation would offer additional coursework and would be the next step in the pathway toward a professional career in the field. Students will graduate with the necessary skills to apply for entry level positions or choose from a multitude of transfer options. Those transfer options include: Games & Playable Media, Bachelor of Arts (UCSC), Interaction & Game Design Concentration (CSUEB), BFA Concentration in Digital Media Art (SJSU), B.A. in Game Design Art (Cogswell), Game Development Degree (The Academy of Art – SF), Game Development Bachelor of Applied Science (Ex’pression College for Digital Arts) among others. Career opportunities include positions such as Video Game Artist, Game Level Designer, 2D Animator, 3D Animator, QA/Video Game Tester, UI Architect, UX Designer, Technical artist, Visual Designer, Interaction Designer, Junior Producer, Motion Designer and others. Students are prepared to enter a variety of employment areas that include Video Game Design, Animation, Medical and Scientific Visualization, Motion Pictures and Visual Effects, Interaction Design, VR for Education and Visual Simulation.

Requirements for Associate in Arts Degree: a) Complete Major Field and Supporting Courses with a grade of C or better. b) Complete Ohlone College General Education (Plan A), CSU GE (Plan B), or IGETC (Plan C) requirements. These requirements are specified in the Ohlone College catalog. c) Complete at least 60 degree-applicable units with a 2.0 grade point average. d) Complete at least 12 units at Ohlone College. Course Sequence: MM-102A Intro to Multimedia (3) or MM-105, Web Design (4) or MM-113, Mobile Application Development (3), 1st Semester, Fall MM-118 Intro to Video Game Design (3), 1st Semester, Fall MM-101 Visual & Interaction Design (3), 1st Semester, Fall MM-121A 3D Modeling (3), 2nd Semester, Spring GA-112, Motion Graphics (3), 2nd Semester, Spring MM-119 Video Game Development (4), 2nd Semester, Spring MM-121B 3D Animation (3), 2nd Semester, Spring MM 114 Textures for 3D (3), 3rd Semester, Fall MM-109 2D Animation (3), 3rd Semester, Fall MM-110 Digital Video for the Web and DVD (4), 3rd Semester, Fall MM 160 Multimedia Portfolio Development (3), 4th Semester, Spring MM-121C Adv 3D Modeling and Animation (3), 4th Semester, Spring MM-120 Capstone Project (3), 4th Semester, Spring Total Units: 41-42 units The course sequence can also be found here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1doEfJDrJoGfCdGHjdXwqCOtoJbHmCTvSMMZIDBABgJQ/edit?usp=sharing

I was not able to upload additional documents. The advisory board meeting minutes can be found here: https://drive.google.com/open?id=12aTQ97wCzTRjx9t4PdpcquwclwQhaJzj Additional labor market research can be found here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Q4fX37OIAj70GJzu0UpeU4rGX6WQWQvFmYiiJITWkpQ/edit?usp=sharing

Creating an Associate Degree in Game Design and Animation is based on market-driven research, student demands, and faculty and advisory board recommendations. During the department’s last advisory committee meeting, we examined in-depth how the game design program could be expanded (please see advisory meeting minutes attachment). Our board, consisting of industry professionals and UC and CSU professors, recommended extending the program to allow students to create more complete games that can be featured and downloaded from various platforms. This would help students showcase their work to a potential employer or admissions officer at a four-year institution. The board also recommended integrating rapid prototyping software tools into the program. Both recommendations are incorporated into the Associate in Arts (AA) in Multimedia: Game Design and Animation’s curriculum. None of the colleges closest to Ohlone College in this geographical area (i.e., Chabot, Las Positas, and Mission Colleges) offer game design/animation degrees. The closest Community Colleges in the area offering similar Game Design Degrees are Diablo Valley College (40 miles) and Berkeley City College (42 miles). We hope to service students from Fremont, San Leandro, Hayward, Union City, Pleasanton and Milpitas area.