Design

This course introduces the design process as it applies to interactive experiences. Topics include exploration, research, proposals, prototypes, iteration, and polishing of an interactive experience.

This course explores the principles of interactive design and how those principles are used to create engaging experiences. Topics include the nature of the design profession, how tension leads to engagement, complexity versus depth, and how to test interactive experiences effectively.

This course is an introduction to game design theory and the process of designing games. Topics may include design principles, writing rules, playtesting, game state, randomness, hidden information, and game balance.

This course examines the history and evolution of games of all types from ancient civilizations to modern digital and non-digital games. An emphasis is placed on experiencing many types of games, understanding their origins, and placing them within their historical context. Topics include identification of mechanics, important designers, and exemplar games of each genre.

This course focuses on how to analyze and simulate game systems from a technical perspective. Both economic and combat systems are the focus, with automation and telemetry used for debugging, analyzing, and balancing those systems.

The course focuses on methods for creating engaging spatial environments, both through the use of procedural generation and traditional level editors. How to use encounters to control progression, how to guide players through a space, and how to use telemetry to analyze levels will also be covered.

This course is an introduction to the foundational techniques used to create dynamic user interfaces for games, automate and debug gameplay, model and control physics-based movement, and build complex multi-part game entities.

This course introduces the basic principles of system design and game mechanics with an emphasis on dynamic combat systems, player agency, and system balance. Additional topics include system economics and player perception of a system.

This course introduces the principles of narrative theory and how it applies to and informs the design of an interactive experience. The course will explore both traditional and interactive storytelling structures and will study the elements of narrative design with a particular emphasis on narrative engagement through characters, environment, and pacing.

This course introduces the basic principles of level and encounter design. The course focuses on the design of spatial environments, player guidance techniques, and controlling pacing through encounter frequency and variety.

This course introduces designers to the core components of modern game engines and technical design patterns for games. Topics include the design and implementation of character controllers, camera systems, and game state management.

This course explores fundamental principles of interactive design and psychological principles related to design. Emphasis is placed on information architecture, graphic design concepts, user interface documentation, and interface prototyping techniques.

This course introduces the basic principles of user research and formal testing methodologies based on the scientific method. Topics include qualitative and quantitative research methods, test candidate selection, data analysis, information visualization, and end-user research.

This course focuses on designing and implementing digital game prototypes, with an emphasis on integrating mechanics, controls, and camera. Additional topics include building tension to create engagement and implementing player feedback techniques.

This course explores advanced techniques of system design and game mechanics with an emphasis on game economies and system balance.

This course focuses on designing and implementing modern tabletop games. Topics include modern tabletop design and development techniques, production processes, identifying user demographics, and preparing a tabletop game design for publication.

This course focuses on the principles of puzzle design for traditional puzzles, computer game puzzles, and interactive puzzle events. The course will explore a variety of puzzle design techniques and puzzle crafting tools.

This course focuses on advanced topics in narrative design. n An emphasis is placed on character archetypes, voices, and arcs, and on writing stories that integrate with gameplay and mechanics. Topics include dialogue trees, emergent gameplay, and advanced narrative techniques.

This course focuses on the structure and content of non-digital role-playing games. The course will explore the design of systems for character creation, character advancement, conflict resolution, equipment, and skills. An emphasis will be placed on world design, adventure development, and the interaction between narrative and system.

This course focuses on world building for games. The course will explore the differences in designing for real historical times and places, alternate realities, and imaginary worlds.

This course explores advanced techniques of level and encounter design. Topics include designing evocative themed spaces and encounter environments, environmental storytelling, advanced guidance techniques, and level transition techniques.

This course explores the setup, development, and pacing of a game'92s content through missions and quests. An emphasis is placed on applying the theme, mood, and narrative direction to the level and content design.

This course explores advanced components of modern game engines and technical design patterns for games. Topics include data management, advanced control systems, advanced cameras, and asset management.

This course explores advanced topics and techniques for designing successful user experiences in a variety of media with an emphasis on adaptive, flexible digital interfaces. Topics include interaction design processes and artifacts, adaptive layouts, design pivots, and visual design techniques.

This course explores how visuals, audio, programming, and design intersect to create immersive interactive experiences. Emphasis is placed on the implementation of dynamic user interfaces, intuitive real-time feedback, and immersive control systems.

This course covers advanced user research techniques with an emphasis on information visualization. Topics include methods for collecting and building data sets, assessing the quality of those data sets, selecting the optimal method for data visualization, and creating user research reports.

The content of this course may change each time it is offered. n It is for the purpose of offering a new or specialized course of interest to the faculty and students that is not covered by the courses in the current catalog.

This course focuses on designing and implementing an original digital experience that integrates sensory, narrative, and interactive elements into an engaging overall work that is suitable as a portfolio piece.

This course focuses on designing and implementing a complete experience that showcases system design techniques and is suitable as a portfolio piece.

This course focuses on designing and implementing a complete experience that showcases narrative design techniques and is suitable as a portfolio piece.

This course focuses on designing and implementing a complete experience that showcases level design techniques and is suitable as a portfolio piece.

This course focuses on designing and implementing a complete experience that showcases technical design techniques and is suitable as a portfolio piece.

This course focuses on designing and implementing a complete experience that showcases user experience design techniques and is suitable as a portfolio piece.

This course focuses on designing and implementing a detailed user research study that showcases user research techniques and is suitable as a portfolio piece.