New Zealand Diploma in Screen Production (Game Design) (Level 5)

Program Overview

The New Zealand Diploma in Screen Production (Game Design) is a one-year program that teaches students the latest techniques and technology in game design. Students gain practical skills in 2D art and animation production to develop immersive experiences for diverse target audiences. The program emphasizes teamwork, collaboration, and creative problem-solving skills, preparing graduates for rewarding careers in the Game Development and Design industries.

Program Outline

New Zealand Diploma in Screen Production (Game Design) (Level 5)

Invercargill / Hyflex campus

Degree Overview:

This one-year program allows students to express their creativity using the latest techniques and technology in game design. It emphasizes teamwork, collaboration, and creative problem-solving skills, vital for the screen and gaming industries. Students gain practical skills in 2D art and animation production to develop rich, immersive experiences for diverse target audiences. Through solo and collaborative projects, students are exposed to various skills and experiences that prepare them for a rewarding and creative future.

Outline:

The course covers various topics, including:

• Character development and storytelling
• Level and Game Design
• 2D art and animation for Games and Cut Scenes
• Studio and Digital Drawing
• Developing skills in communications, project management, leadership, and team building
The program comprises the following modules:

Module 1:

• BSA503 Cross-Disciplinary Workshops: Students participate in cross-disciplinary workshops to gain understanding of real-world industry practices and communication.
They learn industry-specific techniques and participate in team projects.
• BSA542 Studio Digital 1: Students are introduced to design fundamentals in the creative industry context, completing projects with diverse software solutions and exploring digital artworks and design principles.

Module 2:

• BSA 528 Game Design 1: Students learn to design and produce user-experience-driven 2D games, acquiring the latest technology skills to design story-driven games with responsive mechanics.
They develop communication and creative thinking skills for diverse project delivery in a time-driven environment.
• BSA 529 Storyboarding: Students learn the process of drafting and planning story-driven short form screen arts projects.
They gain basic screenwriting skills for short form narratives and how to design for a target audience. This module includes creating storyboards and animatics.

Module 3:

• BSA 526 Principles of Animation: Students are introduced to the principles of animation and apply them to a contemporary pipeline.
They create visually appealing characters with stories, poses, and expressions, using industry-standard software for 2D animation techniques.
• BSA527 2D Animation: Students combine visual storytelling skills and animation principles to produce short 2D animation projects with proposed purpose, narrative, and target audience.
They apply a range of 2D animation techniques and implement a 2D animation production pipeline.

Module 4:

• BSA515 Studio Drawing 1: Students develop fundamental skills in drawing, both digitally and physically.
Through various methods like life drawing, mural design, and prompts, they create a narrative-driven illustrated project and document its progress.

Assessment:

The assessment methods include:

• Individual assignments and projects
• Group projects and presentations
• Participation in class discussions
• Portfolios of work
The assessment criteria focus on:
• Creativity and originality
• Technical skills and proficiency
• Problem-solving and critical thinking
• Communication and teamwork
• Project management and organization

Teaching:

The program employs various teaching methods, including:

• Lectures
• Tutorials
• Workshops
• Guest speakers
• Industry visits
The faculty has extensive experience and expertise in the game development and design industry. The program utilizes unique approaches such as:
• Project-based learning
• Industry partnerships
• Gamification of the learning environment

Careers:

Graduates of this program are prepared for various roles in the Game Development and Design industries, including:

• 2D artist
• Designer
• Animator
• UI artist
• UI Designer
However, direct material costs of $1710 apply.