Bachelor of Science in Game Art & Interactive Design New England campus experience
Program Overview Why get a game art and interactive design degree on campus?
Create lifelike characters, rich virtual game worlds and otherworldly creatures with a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Game Art and Interactive Design from Southern New Hampshire University. This program balances fundamental skill development with advanced training in techniques used by industry professionals today. You'll learn and apply principles used in video game art asset creation such as 3D modeling, lighting, shading, anatomy illustration, digital painting, 3D mesh topology, texturing and rigging. Plus, you'll have the opportunity to level up your portfolio in our on-campus game design studio, Inkwell Interactive Studio.
Skills you'll learn:
- Analysis of interactive visual design problems
- 3D visual asset and interactive design creation
- Tech, art and design solution development
- Stakeholder collaboration strategies
- Interactive visual design optimization
Courses & Curriculum Bring your imagination to life with on-campus game art and interactive design courses
This program's courses mirror the standard workflow pipeline used for the production of art assets for multiple video game platforms, including web, console, PC and mobile. Faculty push, inspire and encourage you to realize your full potential as a game artist, so you can graduate with a vast toolkit of skills and a body of work for your portfolio.
Interested in learning in an online environment? Similar curriculums are offered through SNHU's online Bachelor of Science in Game Programming and Development and
Learn from instructors with industry experience
Our faculty bring with them decades of knowledge and experience in game and interactive technologies, which informs the development of SNHU's courses and curriculum. They look forward to supporting your journey both in the classroom and as you work toward a career in your field.
Brandon Crose
Position
Assistant Professor, Game Design
Joined SNHU
2022
Education
- MPhil in Creative Writing from Trinity College Dublin
- BFA in Writing, Literature and Publishing from Emerson College
Before joining SNHU, Brandon Crose held various roles in higher education, including English instructor, reading and writing learning specialist, and game design instructor and lecturer. Beyond his academic career, Crose brings industry experience as senior creative manager for marketing and design at the American Meteorological Society. He's also an author, editor and playwright.
Edward Brillant
Position
Instructor and Chair, Game Art and Interactive Design
Joined SNHU
2012
Education
- BFA in Illustration from Montserrat College of Art
Edward Brillant brings over 15 years of experience in the 3D industry, most recently serving as art director at Seven45 Studios in Boston, MA. He's contributed to 9 published games across platforms like iPhone, iPad, PC, Xbox 360 and PS3. Beyond gaming, Edward has worked in children's television, serving as lead animator for "A Very Wompkee Christmas," which aired on ABC and PBS.
To learn more about SNHU faculty, visit our campus faculty page.
Campus major courses
You’ll take major courses that provide you with a solid foundation in your area of study – in some cases featuring experiential or project-based learning opportunities, labs, simulations and internships. These courses will allow you to learn a wide variety of topics and help prepare you for a role in your desired field.
Courses may include:
Visit the course catalog to view the full BS in Game Art and Interactive Design curriculum.
Campus general education courses
All undergraduate students are required to take general education courses, which are part of SNHU's newly redesigned program, The Commons. The goal of The Commons' curriculum is to empower you with some of the most in-demand skills, so you can succeed not only in your academic career, but in your personal and professional life too.
Courses may include:
Hardware & Software Requirements
| Component Type | PC (Windows OS) | Apple (Mac OS) |
|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Currently supported operating system from Microsoft. | Currently supported operating system from Apple. |
| Memory (RAM) | 8GB or higher | 8GB or higher |
| Hard Drive | 100GB or higher | 100GB or higher |
| Antivirus Software | Required for campus students. Strongly recommended for online students. | Required for campus students. Strongly recommended for online students. |
| SNHU Purchase Programs | Visit Dell | Visit Apple |
| Internet/ Bandwidth | 5 Mbps Download, 1 Mbps Upload and less than 100ms Latency | 5 Mbps Download, 1 Mbps Upload and less than 100ms Latency |
Notes:
- Laptop or desktop? Whichever you choose depends on your personal preference and work style, though laptops tend to offer more flexibility.
- Note: Chromebooks (Chrome OS) and iPads (iOS) do not meet the minimum requirements for coursework at SNHU. These offer limited functionality and do not work with some course technologies. They are not acceptable as the only device you use for coursework. While these devices are convenient and may be used for some course functions, they cannot be your primary device.
- Office 365 Pro Plus is available free of charge to all SNHU students and faculty. The Office suite will remain free while you are a student at SNHU. Upon graduation you may convert to a paid subscription if you wish. Terms subject to change at Microsoft's discretion. Review system requirements for Microsoft 365 plans for business, education and government.
- Antivirus software: Check with your ISP as they may offer antivirus software free of charge to subscribers.
|
Component Type |
Minimum Requirement |
|---|---|
|
Laptop |
You will need the portability to take to your classes |
|
Processor |
13th Generation Intel® Core™ i9-13900H (36MB Cache, 24 core, up to 5.40 GHz) |
|
Memory |
16GB, 2x8GB, DDRS, 4800MHz |
|
Graphics Card |
NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 4060, 8GB GDDR6 |
|
Hard Drive |
1TB, M.2, PCIe NVMe, Solid State Drive |
|
Display |
16-inch QHD+ (2560x1600) Display |
|
Wireless |
Intel® Wi-Fi 6 AX201, (2x2), 802.11 AX, BTwrls card |
|
Battery |
6-Cell, 86WHr Integrated |
|
Recommended Warranty |
3-Year Onsite Service After Remote Diagnosis + Accidental Damage |
Game Art and Interactive Design also requires a digital drawing tablet. For any student that is using their own laptop, they can get any brand; Huion, XP Pen, or other brands. However if they plan on using the school’s lab PCs they must get a Wacom brand tablet, any series will do. We also have Wacom pen display tablets in the lab. If they want to take advantage of those, they will need to additionally get a pen that works with them.
Can’t wait? You don’t have to!
Apply now if you’re ready, and have your decision within 30 days. Or, schedule a visit and come see us in person!
Career Outlook What can I do with a game art and interactive design degree?
With a degree in game art and interactive design, the media industry may be an intuitive choice as a career option. However, our graduates are prepared to work in a variety of industries, from education to automotive to healthcare.
Career paths include:
- Special effects artist
- Character artist
- Animator
- Environment artist
- Technical artist
Openings projected yearly, on average, by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) for special effects artists and animators through 2033.1
Median annual wage for special effects artists and animators as of May 2023, according to BLS.1
Understanding the numbers
When reviewing job growth and salary information, it’s important to remember that actual numbers can vary due to many different factors—like years of experience in the role, industry of employment, geographic location, worker skill and economic conditions. Cited projections do not guarantee actual salary or job growth.
Campus Student Experience So, what's it like taking classes on campus?
From making a child's game design come to life to working on paid projects for government agencies, the game art and interactive design program has opportunities to build and show off your skills in programming or 3D art. You'll have the chance to take on real-world clients in our on-campus Inkwell Interactive studio, building your portfolio for future employers. You could even attend the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco to start expanding your network. While you're here, get your hands on HTC vive, Oculus Rift, Magic Leap, Leap Motion and Microsoft's HoloLens!
Student support
At SNHU, you don’t have to do this college thing alone. You’ll have help from your advisor, access to tutoring and office hours, career coaching, and mental health services so you can do your best and feel your best.
Additionally, our Office of Diversity and Campus Accessibility Center make campus a safe place for everyone. Visit our Student Services page to learn more about our support offerings.
Small class sizes
With an average class size of 15-25 (depending on your major) you’ll learn in an environment where professors with real world experience know you by name.
Here, you’re not getting lost in giant lecture halls, but instead, actively participating in thoughtful dialogue where you’re always encouraged to collaborate with your peers and ask questions when they arise.
State-of-the-art facilities
Our 300-acre campus has everything you need. From technology-advanced classroom settings to your dorms complete with fitness centers and hangout spots, our goal is to give you the best college experience possible.
Whether you’re learning in a classroom, in a lab, on the field, or in your field, you’ll have what you need to be successful from the moment you wake up to the moment you close your textbooks.
School of Arts, Sciences and Education Learn about the School of Arts, Sciences and Education
From understanding why people behave the way they do, to studying and tackling today's environmental issues, the School of Arts, Sciences and Education serves as an academic hub for creativity, collaboration and learning. Here, you'll have the chance to gain real-world experience through internships, student teaching, lab work and community-based projects. From studying cells under a microscope or analyzing crime scenes to leading a student-teaching session in an elementary classroom, you’ll learn how the world works so you can help make it a better place.
Student teaching opportunities
Inkwell game design studio
State-of-the-art labs
How SNHU makes college affordable
At Southern New Hampshire University, we're on a mission to make high-quality education more accessible with more affordable tuition. With 70+ career-focused majors, state-of-the-art facilities, D2 sports and over 70 student clubs and organizations, you can get the campus experience you've always dreamed of at a more affordable price.
Fill out the FAFSA to see if you’re eligible for grants or work-study. (You could also be offered loans, though you’ll have to pay those back later.)
Transfer up to 90 credits toward your bachelor's degree program at SNHU. If you’ve taken one course or many, we’ll evaluate them for you.
Getting free money for college – from SNHU or an outside organization – could help you save hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
Our collaborative partnerships with high schools enhance academic opportunities and college accessibility for some high school students.
Hear from us
Edward Brillant, Instructor and Chair, Game Art and Interactive Design
Accreditations
SNHU is accredited by the regional accreditor the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). The university also carries specialized accreditations for some programs.
Sources & Citations
1Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, on the internet, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/arts-and-design/multimedia-artists-and-animators.htm (viewed Oct. 18, 2024). Cited projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.
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