Game Design
Department Award (D) Multimedia Arts and Technologies (MAT) · Santa Barbara City College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Overview
The Game Design Online Program is comprised of intensive, instructor led, modular courses that are delivered by experienced production professionals who are currently working in these related industries. The program is intended for students who want to "learn anywhere, anytime" to train for entry level employment in Serious Game and Simulation Design.
The program has been designed to afford students the opportunity to develop the necessary foundation skills, master the tools and processes, and nurture their artistry and creative vision. In this project-based curriculum, students undergo standard production experiences that reflect industry needs and current industry trends. The online curriculum design is based upon industry production pipeline workflow, sequenced from fundamentals, through all essentials, to advanced techniques.
Students develop professional skills in pre-production, storytelling, modeling, rigging, texture art, lighting, character animation, special effects, simulation, technical direction, game design, game prototyping, object oriented programming, render management, production management, and portfolio production.
Requirements
Department Award Requirements
Complete all Major Requirements with a “C” or higher or "P" in each course.
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Major Requirements | ||
| Required Core | ||
| MAT 116 | Interactive Design I | 3 |
| MAT 121 | Computer Interface Design | 3 |
| MAT 131 | Digital Imaging I | 3 |
| MAT 136 | Introduction to 3D Animation | 3 |
| MAT 145 | Video Game Design | 3 |
| Total Units | 15.00 | |
Recommended Courses
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| MAT 103 | Introduction to Multimedia | 3 |
| MAT 137 | Visual Effects for Film, Television and Gaming | 3 |
| MAT 290 | Work Experience In Multimedia | 1-4 |
Learning Outcomes
- Students will be able to input, create, edit, enhance and composite, a variety of visual media (vector based and bitmaps, 2D and 3D) then optimize and format for output to web, screen or mobile media.
- Students will be able to plan, design and construct an interactive, user centered interface.
- Students will be able to create complex models in 3D and apply complex colors and textures to them according to a storyboard.
- Students will be able to analyze story, design and game play in released games in the market, being able to identify problems in those areas.
Recommended Sequence
Make an appointment with your SBCC academic counselor through Starfish to create a Student Education Plan that reflects a recommended course sequence for this program that is tailored to your individual needs.
How to schedule an Academic Counseling appointment.