School and Courses for Game Designing, 3D Game Designer - Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Australia

Game Design //

We create our own realities, one world at a time...

As gamification becomes an integral part of the future of this world, some of the most in-demand players in the entertainment industry are game developers and visual effects specialists.

Game Design at JMC feeds this drive, providing the skills and knowledge to create fully immersive digital environments. Learn how to design, develop and implement an idea, with emphasis on creativity and expression through concept creation, digital drawing, environment modelling and game-engine implementation.

Get hands-on expertise in leading industry software like Maya and the Unity game engine, and use our 18-camera leading precision motion-capture suites and VR facilities to create interactive game prototypes and quality game assets, and graduate with the skills demanded by leading developers.

TECH //

We take game design to heart at JMC, with the best tech in the trade, including Unity game engine for game design and development, Wacom Intuos Pro and Cintiq tablets, Ball and Socket stop-motion rigs, HTC Vive and Occulus Go for VR, Green-screen studios, Quixel Suite for texture painting and look development, ZBrush, 3D-Coat, and Mudbox for asset creation, Blackmagic Fusion, Mocha and After Effects for compositing, Adobe CC suite for artwork creation, video editing and motion design, Range of professional character rigs for animation studies, Autodesk Maya and Motionbuilder for animation and motion editing, Shotgun Studio for project management, Over 2 terrabytes of online storage and office 365 subscription, Unity Pro & Visual Studio, including range of assets and extensions for game development, Lightboxes + line testers, Dragonframe stop-motion software.

Follow our JMC Academy Animation & Game Design Facebook Page!

Mega-pixel motion capture
design facility

Learn software for "next gen"
game development

Intern with major companies
IntoScience Educational Games, Cobbstar Productions + Dave Enterprises

2-WEEK JAPAN STUDY TOUR
ANIME + MANGA CLASSES PLUS A NETHERLANDS STUDY TOUR

course guide //

Bachelor of Creative Arts (Game Design)
[CRICOS 075773A]
Diploma of Creative Arts (Game Design)
[CRICOS 075767K]

The Bachelor degree combines interactivity, game engineering and programming with traditional art practice and animation. Master game-engine scripting and the core technical knowledge required to create interactive game play; design and create animated characters and environments; and develop unique game-play mechanics to build worlds you can lose yourself in.

Students can elect to study character rigging, digital composition and motion capture for real-time games animation and cinematics, and will graduate with a games concept in a process that emulates real-world production and a developed showreel.

In only 2 years you can graduate with a Bachelor degree thanks to our accelerated full-time course. Part-time study is also available to domestic students. International students many choose to complete the course in 3 years [CRICOS 075772B] rather than the accelerated 2 year option.

curriculum

Production Art I

This unit seeks to provide some of the fundamental skills needed to help visualise ideas and to translate them into representations in 2D and 3D. The unit does not assume any level of existing skill but instead starts from the most basic elements of design and drawing with the belief that any able person can learn to draw competently. Imaginative interpretation, visual conceptualising of story and story elements, and the representation of narrative moments, form the primary thrust of the unit. Exercises will be directed toward an art direction project and the visualisation of character and story.

Creative Process

The aim of this subject is to build an awareness of a reliable and thorough creative process. It aims to instil commitment, individual and group, to that process, and to provide working tools for the origination and development of creative projects.

You will work in small groups, through three distinct stages, towards a Prototype Proposal that deals with the challenge of approaching a creative career. This research exploration will include your backgrounds, interests, aspirations and expectations, then explore the links, similarities and differences between the group members. Creative outcomes will include both individual and group generated content as the result of a design-thinking based structure or information framework that links the research findings. The final outcome of the three stages is a Prototype Proposal that will contain evidence of the creative process applied to the development of a proposed design project. This proposal could be an animated film, a game, a digital interactive work, web site or similar.

You will undertake three creative stages that will introduce and explore you as a young designer today and your pathway into a future career. Each part of this unit will be approached employing a design-thinking methodology. Each phase of the process will be explored employing the following processes and themes: 1. Discover: “What do we like to make?” (sustaining our practice, aspirations and expectations) 2. Ideate: “How do we get our work ‘out there’” (potential strategies, methods for exposure) 3. Prototype: “Strategy, Platforms, Process” (a proposal on how to make it all happen)

The three stages of this project always remains at a development stage and are never taken into actual production, allowing you to focus on the process rather than on the polish of a finished outcome. This also allows them to work with ideas that may not be practical to actually execute, encouraging them to be more ambitious, investigative and inventive.

Game Programming I

For game designers, creating effective and tightly designed game play is made possible only with an understanding of fundamental core programming concepts. This unit provides this introduction to games development, where you will begin to develop an understanding of games programming and game engine operation. This is through writing games-focused software scripts in the C# language using the Unity games engine Application Programming Interface (API). You will complete a number of small games projects and exercises, which will teach the operation of a powerful game engine, and the importance of understanding the fundamentals of games programming for game design practitioners of all fields – artists, designers, and programmers.

Introduction to 3D

This first year course teaches the practical operation of a 3D graphics program used throughout the degree. Technical skills are conveyed through set video exercises to be completed independently of the class and two creative assignments developed under the direction of your lecturer.

Game Design I

This unit will provide theoretical and practical knowledge of computer game theory and design. It will explore the requirements for a successful game, and the types of interactions used to create meaningful play. Analysis of existing game mechanics will be covered as well as ways to generate original content. Techniques such as development and construction of game design documents, designing for a specific genre, building narrative, character development and sound design are covered. Skills gained in this unit are implemented in future units as part of the game creation process.

Game Programming II

This unit continues the programming stream from Game Programming I. The unit is designed to give you the skills to develop more advanced game play functionality by exploring a range of common game development problems and allowing you to learn through practice by developing a small game project. Skills in software design and development fundamentals are also explored.

Game Art II

This unit focuses and extends general skills learnt in GAM 201 Game Art I. Advanced game art asset creation skills are developed, enabling you to create high-level “next generation” game graphics. Practical instruction in high-end modelling, texturing, shading and testing in real time environments develop the skills necessary to create the high-quality graphics common to “AAA” styles of games.

T3 Electives: Rigging and 3D Modelling II

Rigging:

This unit covers how to set up a skeleton and rig for a character mesh, how to skin the mesh and weight it properly, how to add controls to the rig, user interface options, blend shapes, and testing of rigs. The unit provides the technical knowledge for creating a fully controllable character for use in animation or game productions.

3D Modelling II:

This subject aims primarily at developing and encouraging you to use digital sculpture to further their understanding of the figure, explore three dimensional ideas and be able to comfortably realise characters for future productions. Assessments focus on you developing your own sculpted and textured character with staggered submission stages relating to different aspects of the workflow.

Game Development Lab I

This unit provides a platform for you to explore a range of possible creative game development approaches, and develops a framework for completing complex game projects. This is the first of two consecutive units (the other being GAM 404 Game Development Lab II) designed to introduce you to the design and production process of games development in a way that encourages exploration and experimentation of digital game production, with the emphasis more on learning about software development practices, rather than finished outcomes.

Rapid Prototyping

This unit extends your fundamental knowledge of game programming through the practical application of the rapid prototyping process. The unit develops the approach needed for game programming projects by engaging in a number of exercises that will explore the mindset required when thinking about the world in terms of systems and inter-connected relationships and meanings. At the conclusion of the unit you will have the correct mindset necessary to explore the challenges of digital games development.

Game Design II

This unit builds on the knowledge of game design and interactive storytelling that has been developed in the course so far. The subject introduces students to some of the fundamental theories of designing game spaces that are engaging to play in, and develops a conceptual and theoretical foundation for the definition and attainment of game design goals. Content will include concepts universal to level design, including interactivity, map design, world building, immersion, sensory perception, and pace.

Game Art I

This unit introduces you to the fundamental production process of creating art assets for games, teaching practical skills in operating a range of 3D and 2D content creation applications for use in computer games. You will follow a range of tutorials and exercises to learn a wide range of foundational game art creation skills and techniques. These culminate in the production of a creative project utilising interactive game art.

Game Studies

The meaning of video games, as with all art forms, is the product of complex interactions between their form, function and context. This unit introduces you to the interactions between game rules and systems, players, and the wider world that make games meaningful. You will analyse the basic elements of games, the formal systems by which they operate, and the context in which they are produced and played. You will critically examine the broad structural attributes of games that establish the fundamental basics for play, the conditions under which games are made and played, and the details of dynamic interactions between player and game systems that allow a more detailed understanding of how video games function as media texts.

This unit provides grounding in the systems by which games operate that underpins future units, where you will put this knowledge into practice in the creation of games. Beyond this, you will also engage with public discourse around video games, deepening their engagement with the medium, introducing them to a wide array of perspectives, and giving them a basis for honing their craft and engaging with the video game industry.

T2 Electives: Production Art II, Motion Design & Design

Production Art II:

Builds on Production Art I to take the design and concepting process to a much more detailed and exhaustive level. You will create an in-depth art direction workbook for an animation or game concept, and learn to refine and present art and design concepts in industry standard formats. This unit is an elective choice.

Design:

You will have the option of taking one of several units offered in the Digital Design course. This may include such areas as Design Software competency or User Experience Design.

Motion Design:

This unit builds on the design principles and animation technique that you have been introduced to in 3DAN 201 Production Art I, 3DAN 203 Traditional Animation and VIS 204 Creative Process. Basic design principles will be re-visited in the context of motion and timeline, and further concepts, including colour, light, motion, depth and time, will be introduced and explored. You will also be introduced to some of the origins, history and current practice of motion graphics and hybrid digital 2D and 2.5D animation through screenings and analysis of recent and current work, both purely graphic, and character and narrative based. You will be introduced to technique and workfl ow in After Effects and its integration with other graphic packages including Photoshop, Illustrator and Flash. These techniques will be applied across a series of exercises addressing basic technique, communication challenges, and the creative possibilities of the medium. This unit is an elective choice.

3D Animation I

Animation I analyses and applies key principles of animation within 3D software. Technical workflow and mechanics are illustrated through lectures and ongoing practical exercises building foundation knowledge and skills. You must take this unit and/or 3DAN 209.

Motion Capture

Motion capture systems are an increasingly important tool in the creation of film and game animation, but to produce high quality work requires knowledge and skill. This unit will introduce you to the technology and techniques for designing, setting-up, capturing and working with motion capture data.

You will examine examples of motion capture work good and bad, and analyse where and how it is most effective. They will work with actors or other performers in the studio, to direct performance and motion for capture. You will learn how to set up and use the equipment and how to acquire and manage the data produced.

Most importantly, you will spend a substantial part of the unit developing an understanding of how the data is utilised, and the place of the animator’s skillset in refining, cleaning up and completing the action captured. You will begin to acquire these skills through the practical work undertaken in the unit.

Integration

This unit brings together students from Animation, Game Development and Digital Design (and potentially other courses) to work on creative projects that seek to look outside the mainstream production areas normally focussed on. You will develop, plan and execute innovative projects that may involve elements such as location-based gaming, interactivity, projection mapping, web and device-based storytelling, transmedia and other forms that flow from the intersection of animation, game technologies and interactive digital design.

Game Development Lab II

This unit is a continuation of Game Development Lab I, run in the previous trimester. You will take their early game prototypes and build these into working games. During this process they will follow key game development software practices, and will be required to reflect on this process by the end of the unit.

The Game Development Lab stream is designed to prepare you for significant game development projects, beginning concurrently in this trimester with the beginning of their Major Project.

Major Project Part A

The purpose of this unit is to prepare for the team production of a game development project in Trimester 6 Production. Students will be required to conceive, write, research, design, analyse, and creatively solve problems in the preproduction stage of their major games project. By the completion of the trimester students should have a completed playable game prototype with all essential game play functionality working, as well as a finished game design document, a tight art style guide, character, environment, prop and interface designs, and a detailed production schedule. You are also expected to determine what additional expertise you require from outside your team, and to contact and negotiate with appropriate individuals for those services. This may include items such as sound design, music, voice performance and/or action reference, artwork elements, programming, and more. Classes may include screenings, demonstrations and short workshops on methods and tools, but will primarily be conducted as meetings between supervisor and teams to review progress, along with supervision in a studio context.

Professional Development

This subject is aimed at giving you the tools and skills needed to seek employment upon completion of the program. Preparation of showreels and portfolios, letter writing and interview skills, and the promotion of oneself as a unique “brand” in a creative industry all form part of the content. You will have the opportunity to test your presentation skills in both mock and real environments. You will draw on the work completed during the course as well as charting a direction for the future, and preparing a set of materials to take with them into their job-seeking. You may, as a part of this unit, have the opportunity to connect with industry representatives at site visits, “speed-dating’ interviews, and other events.

Major Project Part B

The purpose of this unit is to coordinate the team production of the project developed in Pre-production providing a practicum of a real world studio setting on a collaborative project. Classes may include screenings and short workshops on methods and tools, but will primarily consist of scheduled meetings between supervisor and teams to review progress, along with studio-based production work under the supervision of a technical support lecturer. Guest lecturers may, as needed, be brought in to consult with and advise teams on specific aspects of their projects.

Cross Institutional Project

This elective unit enables students to attend one of JMC Academy's study abroad options like the LA trip and the Japan study tour.

At Diploma level, design, develop, prototype and implement an idea, and gain hands-on knowledge of leading industry software and game engines. Explore everything from concept drawing, digital sculpting, visual narrative and games design to expressive animation techniques, game art development, 3D modeling, asset creation and building immersive game spaces.

You will begin to understand the core components of visual narrative and games design and will adopt a range of rich, diverse and expressive animation techniques, which you'll develop into sophisticated outcomes.

A solid foundation in game-art development practice will provide you with the perfect platform upon which to deepen your critical level of knowledge and understanding in a Bachelor degree.

curriculum

T2 Electives: Production Art II, Motion Design & Design

3D Animation I

Careers in the Industry //

The positive impact of gamification is increasingly being used in a diverse range of roles as a method of communication. Aside from the billion-dollar gaming industry, JMC graduates find work in education and training, planning, corporate business, advertising and many other sectors.

Hit the ground running with a full suite of gaming development tools, from practical hands-on experience, knowledge of all the leading gaming software, strong design capabilities and a savvy and adept gaming portfolio that shows off your skills.

Specific roles may include

Game Designer
Game Producer
Creative Director
Level Designer
Concept Artist
Texture Artist
Environment Artist

Character Artist
Animator
Modeller
Technical Director
Interface Artist
Story Writer

* ELECTIVES

In trimesters 2, 3 & 4 one unit per trimester is selected from elective options which may include:

* T2:

Production Art II - for students wishing to focus more on art and character design (concepting, design and art direction for animation and games).
Design - relevant to all visual creatives (digital concepts and user experience design).
Motion Design - motion graphics, colour and design for the moving image.

* T3:

Rigging - technical art for students interested in setting up characters for animation.
3D Modelling II - digital sculpture for students interested in character creation and studying the human form.

* T4:

Motion Capture.
Compositing – combining layered elements into finished shots, CG & live action integration, projection mapping and tracking.

spotlight //

Learning with industry standard software at JMC definitely prepared me for a career in the game industry. The small class sizes also made the lecturers very accessible and hands on.
Alaric Willi , Render Wrangler, Iloura Animation and Visual Effects Studio, Game Design Alumni

This course was well worth the time. I am able to develop industry standard work while knowing how to professionally present myself to potential clients. The course material is very current.
Jessie Lee , Alumni, Game Design

The community nature of the campus meant I had access to the mentorship and support I needed to be able to find my feet in the industry.
Robyn Dixon, Digital Content Designer, AFL, Game Design Graduate

JMC’s industry professionals will always have an answer. I once asked a lecturer such an obscure question he called someone from a games studio just to answer it. It’s moments like those that I love.
Jordi White, Alumni, Game Design

JMC provided us with the equipment needed to learn and allowed us to make connections we otherwise wouldn’t have. Working in groups made it feel like working in an actual development studio.
Daniele Cologni, Founder of Royal Potato Game Development Studio, Game Design Alumni

I met a lot of very talented people at JMC. Me and my former classmates still act as a support network for each other, bouncing around ideas and introducing contacts whenever job opportunities arise.
Okan Beyit, 3D Generalist that has worked on projects for NASA, Game Design Alumni

Faqs //

Is the Game Design course more focused on design or development?

The Game Design course is primarily focused on art and design, but we recognise that the familiarity between scripting, programming and implementing ideas are key skillsets of a game artist.

The emphasis is on understanding the theory behind games, designing interesting challenges, mechanics, concepts and stories, and creating the art and assets for those concepts. You would be studying a mix of art and design, software and programming skills, and theoretical concepts.

I have no experience in making games (although I have played many). Will I be able to do well in the Game Design course?

You don’t have to come with existing skills – it can be helpful if you have them but not essential. It’s your passion to create, story tell, and complete tasks that we’re really looking for. We teach the course from a beginners level, so you're in good hands.

What software programs will I use in the Game Design course?

Applications used in the Game Design course include Maya for modelling and animation, Mudbox and 3DCoat for digital sculpture. Unity Pro will be your core game engine and you'll work with Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign and After Effects. You will also have the chance to try a range of other packages such as RealFlow and Fusion.

Are there any work experience/internship opportunities specific to the Game Design course?

While the availability of internships and work placements depends on the individual companies and studios in the industry, we have strong relationships with many practising game designers and game studios. As a result of these connections there is the potential for you to experience internships and placements, studio visits, talks and workshops by industry practitioners, and assessment feedback opportunities from industry people during dedicated 'speed networking' nights. Where practical, interviews will be arranged for individual graduating students with companies seeking to recruit new talent.

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