COURSE CURRICULUM

The Game Design program at Fanshawe College is a rigorous three-year advanced diploma designed to equip students with the artistic and technical skills needed to succeed in the competitive video game industry. In the first year, students develop foundational skills including 3D introduction, digital drawing, animation, character anatomy, art and design history, video game theory, and writing for contemporary media. These courses establish the core principles of game design and artistic creation. The second year builds upon these fundamentals by advancing animation techniques, digital drawing, texturing, modeling, character design, game design concepts, technology surveys, and communication skills relevant to media. Students deepen their understanding of both the creative and technical aspects of game production. During the third year, students enhance their animation and digital drawing abilities, learn to work with game engines, advance their texturing and modeling techniques, and explore digital sculpting. This year also includes a general education elective to broaden their knowledge. The fourth year focuses on environment art, advanced digital drawing, game engine application, animation, texture work, digital sculpting, game design, and includes another general education course. In the fifth year, the emphasis shifts to more complex game design projects, portfolio development, thesis capstone projects, and 3D asset development, helping students showcase their skills professionally. The final year centers on portfolio refinement, a second capstone project, career preparation, and further development of 3D assets. Throughout the program, students benefit from continuous mentorship and real-world feedback, enabling them to produce a professional-quality portfolio and capstone projects that demonstrate their comprehensive skills. This prepares graduates to enter the video game industry confidently, ready to work as designers, animators, art directors, or producers in a fast-paced, creative environment.