July 11th, 2002 (12:00am) - SAN FRANCISCO (July 10, 2002) - The extraordinary power of new game consoles and computers means that video games now can feature ultra-realistic, high-resolution visuals designed to blow the minds of gamers who’ve seen it all. As a result, the game industry is needing new computer artists who combine artistic and digital skills with a fervent passion for creating - and playing - the next generation of video games.
The Art Institute of California - San Francisco (www.aicasf.aii.edu) is answering that need through its new bachelor’s degree program in Game Art & Design. The program, which started in January, has attracted students from throughout the United States looking to learn the new style of art used in interactive entertainment.
Students in the program start out by studying color theory, drawing, sculpture and other art fundamentals. The program then adds courses in 3D modeling, animation, texturing, scripting, storytelling, storyboarding and other aspects of character design and game level design. Courses include "2D Animation," "3D Modeling," "Game Modeling and Animation," "3D Character Animation," "Motion and Lighting," "Programming for the Artist," "Level Design," "Interface Design for Games" and "Interactive Game Prototyping." In order to develop a well-rounded knowledge base useful in any creative career, students also take general education courses in mathematics, the social sciences, psychology, art history, philosophy, the humanities and other areas.
The video game industry is on track for a record year in 2002, with global sales projected to increase by 12 percent to $31 billion, according to a recent report by Informa Media Group. In the United States, the launch of three new gaming systems fueled sales to shoot up nearly 43 percent to $9.4 billion in 2001, reports market researcher NPD.
The schoolŪs location in San Francisco, a hotbed of the game industry, is a natural fit for students studying in this field. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, 11 of the top 25 video game publishers are in the San Francisco Bay Area. Together, these Bay Area companies sell 42 percent of all games in the United States.
"Millions of people worldwide play games on a daily basis and the game sector is a significant part of the overall entertainment industry,ä said Mary Clarke-Miller, academic director for new media programs at The Art Institute of California - San Francisco. "The field of interactive entertainment offers exciting opportunities for visual artists who can bring traditional artistic skills into the digital realm."
The phenomenal growth of the game industry reflects the fact that games are no longer child’s play. According to the Interactive Digital Software Association, 60 percent of Americans play video games either on consoles, hand-helds or PCs. Of those gamers, 61 percent are adults, 43 percent are women and the average age is 28.
The Game Art & Design program curriculum in San Francisco was designed with input from an industry advisory board from the game and animation fields. Experts with experience at Electronic Arts, LucasArts, Sega of America, BioWare, Double Fine, Macromedia, Konami of America, Ronin Entertainment, Terra Lycos, Pixar, PDI/DreamWorks and the International Game Developers Association (IGDA) have reviewed the curriculum and offered input from the industry’s perspective.
The Art Institute of California - San Francisco continues to forge relationships with a variety of game companies and industry leaders to further connect students with the game industry. Representatives from the school recently attended the first-ever Bay Area College Summit hosted by Electronic Arts to discuss educational trends, skills and needs of game employers. In addition, the school recently hosted more than 100 local game developers and students during the IGDA’s San Francisco Bay Area chapter meeting held at the school. This event featured a panel discussion about "The Evolving Role of the Game Artist" with guests from leading local game companies.
Potential students may now apply for entry into the Game Art & Design program for this Fall quarter, which starts Oct. 7, by calling (888) 493-3261, (415) 865-0198 or visiting www.aicasf.aii.edu for admission details. The school also is accepting applications for its degree programs in Multimedia & Web Design, Media Arts & Animation, Graphic Design and Fashion Design.
