Minor

Create interactive experiences that blend art, technology and storytelling.

TypeCreditsDurationFormatSchool and Department
Minor / Secondary Concentration, BFA/BDes15 (5 courses)1-2 years (completed alongside primary degree)In-person, non-studioSchool of Critical and Creative Studies (SCCS)

AUArts Game Design blends world-building, storytelling and technical mastery to empower you as a creator and collaborator. Dream up new worlds, challenge conventions and bring interactive visions to life.

Program Overview

At AUArts, Game Design isn’t just about creating games—it’s about exploring why they matter. Blending art, technology and narrative theory, this program prepares you to innovate across gaming platforms working alongside peers and faculty in a supportive, cross-disciplinary environment.

You'll follow the development cycle from concept to finished playtest, collaborating with others to design, prototype and launch original games. Along the way, you'll investigate what makes games special—how they tell stories, build communities, challenge ideas and change the world.

Program Highlights

  • Studio meets theory: Explore what makes games meaningful as you build your own.
  • Analog & digital fluency: Learn principles that apply from classic board games to cutting-edge VR.
  • Learn by making: Rapid prototyping, playtesting, and feedback drive your progress.
  • Professional pathways: Real-world assignments, teamwork and industry-standard tools get you career-ready. 
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Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the Game Design Concentration will:

  • Design, prototype and refine original interactive experiences across formats.
  • Demonstrate a strong understanding of core game design principles, including mechanics, narrative, world-building and player experience.
  • Analyze and critique games through social, artistic and philosophical lenses.
  • Collaborate effectively in interdisciplinary teams throughout the game development cycle.
  • Be prepared to apply game design thinking and tools to careers in gaming, interactive media, education, creative industries and art practice.

Faculty

Game Design courses are taught by practicing artists, designers, theorists, and creative technologists—experts who bring experience from interactive media, indie games, critical game studies, and experimental art. Our technicians support students in digital labs, media studios, and fabrication shops, helping turn ambitious ideas into reality.

Alumni

AUArts grads and students are pushing boundaries in game art, indie games, XR installations and interactive storytelling. Many use game design as a springboard into creative careers or further study.

Michael Grills

Studio Facilities

A computer lab with rows of iMacs on blue desks, chairs neatly arranged, and cables running across the tables. A whiteboard with notes and diagrams is visible on the back wall, and a person works at one of the computers while another stands nearby. The room is lit with bright overhead fluorescent lights and exposed ductwork.

Game Arts students have access to: 

  • Computer Lab is equipped with PCs + 4K monitors, capable of handling GPU intensive 3D graphics processes like 3D modelling, rendering, scanning and XR.
  • Industry-standard software, including:
    • Unity
    • Unreal Engine
    • Adobe Creative Suite
    • Blender
    • Toonboom Harmony Pro 22
    • Audacity
    • Rhino 3D
    • Keyshot
  • AUArts' "Thing Tank" provides students access to:
    • 3D printers
    • Laser Cutters
    • Handheld 3D Scanner
    • Desktop CNC
  • Media production studios.
  • Dedicated playtesting spaces for analog and digital prototypes.
  • Traditional art and fabrication studios, supporting hybrid creative work.

Career paths

AUArts grads and students are pushing boundaries in game art, indie games, XR installations and interactive storytelling. Many use game design as a springboard into creative careers or further study.

Potential career opportunities include:

  • Game Designer or Developer (indie or studio)
  • Narrative Designer or Game Writer
  • Game Artist / Animator
  • Interactive Media Creator
  • Level Designer, Systems Designer
  • AR/VR/XR Experience Designer
  • Board Game/Tabletop Designer
  • Game Critic or Academic
  • Creative roles in museums, education, advertising, and more

Culture & Community

Board Game Night 4.jpeg

 

 

Game Design is a home for dreamers, tinkerers and world-builders who thrive on collaboration and invention.

 

Beyond the classroom

  • Work-Integrated Learning: Opportunities for internships and job placements with local studios, festivals or non-profits.
  • Community & Events: Join student-run clubs, discord chats or attend on-campus events, visiting artist lectures and workshops.
  • Awards & Scholarships: Receive financial support through scholarships, awards, paid call-for-submissions and funding for creative projects.
  • Academic Resources: One-on-one faculty mentorship and access to technical support. Plus, full access to AUArts' Writing Centre, Luke Lindoe Library and Learning Commons.

About the Game Design Concentration

The Game Design Concentration is a flexible, minor-style option open to all undergraduate students at AUArts. Build your own path—integrate game design with your primary discipline, whether it’s fine arts or design focused. Develop the skills to play, design and change the world of gaming.

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