COURSE CURRICULUM

The Diploma of Game Design at AIT is structured across three trimesters—Learn, Refine, and Produce—offering students a comprehensive and practical pathway into the world of game development. In Trimester 1, students begin their journey by learning the essential technical and creative skills needed for 3D character design, game theory, and level creation. Through the 3D Character Lab, they explore the full 3D pipeline, gaining experience with modeling, texturing, lighting, and rendering. In Game Design Mechanics, they examine the foundations of the gaming industry, analyzing game genres, history, and structure, while building collaboration and critical thinking skills. Level Design teaches students how to create immersive gameplay experiences, emphasizing environmental storytelling, progression, and iterative development using industry-standard workflows. Trimester 2 builds on these foundations with a focus on refining practical skills. Game Scripting introduces core programming concepts, enabling students to manipulate data and script game logic within engines. Meanwhile, 3D Animation Mechanics extends students’ 3D skills into motion, applying animation theory to characters and props to produce dynamic and stylized performances. In 3D Rigging, students learn how to create animation-ready skeletons for both organic and hard-surface models, mastering the technical processes that bring assets to life. Throughout the program, students also develop essential professional skills such as project management, communication, time management, and responding to feedback. The third trimester, Produce, focuses on applying everything learned to real-world game projects. Students work independently and in teams to create polished, playable games or game-ready assets, supported by mentoring and feedback from experienced industry professionals. By the end of the diploma, graduates have a strong portfolio, hands-on experience with industry tools, and the skills needed to step into entry-level roles or further study in game design.