BA in Game Art

 Bring characters, environments, and stories to life. At USV, you’ll master the artistic and technical skills to design for games and interactive media — graduating with a portfolio that proves you can do the work.

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 On-Campus or 100% Online

A mysterious, foggy landscape features an ancient stone structure with towering arches illuminated by glowing red runes, reflecting off the calm water, amidst rugged cliffs.
A solitary figure stands on a rocky terrain before towering, ancient stone arches adorned with glowing red runes, set against a misty, mountainous backdrop.
A mysterious, foggy landscape features an ancient stone structure with towering arches illuminated by glowing red runes, reflecting off the calm water, amidst rugged cliffs.
A mysterious, foggy landscape features an ancient stone structure with towering arches illuminated by glowing red runes, reflecting off the calm water, amidst rugged cliffs.
A mysterious, foggy landscape features an ancient stone structure with towering arches illuminated by glowing red runes, reflecting off the calm water, amidst rugged cliffs.

ALUMNI SUCCESS

Program Overview

The Game Art program combines art theory, design, and hands-on production. You’ll work on interdisciplinary teams, use industry-standard tools, and graduate ready for roles across game development and digital media.

What you'll learn:

2D and 3D art for games

Character design and rigging

Level design and interactive environments

Visual storytelling and writing for games

Collaborative production in studio settings

A person wearing headphones is intently gaming on a computer in a dark room illuminated by vibrant, colorful lights, showcasing a focused and engaging gaming experience.
A person wearing headphones and a blue hoodie is smiling while playing a video game on a computer, illuminated by colorful LED lights from the gaming keyboard and surrounding equipment in a dimly lit room.
A person wearing headphones is intently gaming on a computer in a dark room illuminated by vibrant, colorful lights, showcasing a focused and engaging gaming experience.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the BA in Game Art will be able to:

Design user-centered visual experiences and interfaces.

Apply game design principles to create engaging interactive media.

Develop and refine a unique artistic style.

Collaborate effectively in multidisciplinary teams.

Build a published portfolio that demonstrates career-ready skills.

Game Art Course Highlights

A person wearing a red beanie and glasses is using a digital pen on a Wacom tablet to create a detailed portrait of a woman on the screen, surrounded by a cozy, artistic workspace.
A person wearing a red beanie and patterned sweater is using a stylus on a large digital tablet to create portrait illustrations, focusing on two female faces with different hairstyles, likely utilizing design software in a creative workspace.
A person wearing a red beanie and glasses is using a digital pen on a Wacom tablet to create a detailed portrait of a woman on the screen, surrounded by a cozy, artistic workspace.
A person wearing a red beanie and glasses is using a digital pen on a Wacom tablet to create a detailed portrait of a woman on the screen, surrounded by a cozy, artistic workspace.
A person wearing a red beanie and glasses is using a digital pen on a Wacom tablet to create a detailed portrait of a woman on the screen, surrounded by a cozy, artistic workspace.

Character Drawing

Learn the techniques of representational drawing, perspective, and composition, building a strong artistic foundation.

A lone figure stands on an eerily deserted street, surrounded by dilapidated cars and illuminated by streetlights under a misty, atmospheric sky dominated by a towering, futuristic structure.
A lone figure stands on an eerily deserted street, surrounded by dilapidated cars and illuminated by streetlights under a misty, atmospheric sky dominated by a towering, futuristic structure.
A lone figure stands on an eerily deserted street, surrounded by dilapidated cars and illuminated by streetlights under a misty, atmospheric sky dominated by a towering, futuristic structure.
A lone figure stands on an eerily deserted street, surrounded by dilapidated cars and illuminated by streetlights under a misty, atmospheric sky dominated by a towering, futuristic structure.

Game Storytelling

Explore the theory and practice of narrative design to craft compelling player experiences.

Level Design image of crystal cavern
Level Design image of crystal cavern
Level Design image of crystal cavern
Level Design image of crystal cavern

Level Design

From concept to playtesting, learn the tools and methods to build memorable game levels.

Create Projects for the Pros

Meet Past Project X Students

CAREER PATHS

The USV Difference

USV students take 3 courses per term instead of the traditional 4. That means:

Deeper learning

You’ll dive deeper into each subject, with more time to absorb concepts, apply them in projects, and build lasting mastery that goes beyond memorization.

Better Balance

Fewer concurrent courses means less stress and more focus. You’ll have room to manage school, work, and life — without sacrificing academic performance.

Higher Success

With improved retention and a healthier pace, students are more likely to graduate on time and enter the job market prepared with real skills and strong portfolios.

Flexible Learning

Earn your degree on-campus in Silicon Valley or 100% online. No matter where you learn, you’ll join collaborative teams, ship real projects, and build a professional portfolio.

student on video call with peers.
student on video call with peers.
student on video call with peers.
student on video call with peers.

Faculty Spotlight

Portrait of Evan Skolnick

"Hands-on projects and access to faculty with deep industry experience provide our students with an array of valuable skills, whether they are interest in becoming a game designer, artist, writer, or programmer "

"Hands-on projects and access to faculty with deep industry experience provide our students with an array of valuable skills, whether they are interest in becoming a game designer, artist, writer, or programmer "

Evan Skolnick
Professor of Practice, Game Design & Development

Evan Skolnick
Professor of Practice, Game Design & Development

View Our Faculty

View Our Faculty

View Our Faculty

A silhouetted samurai stands on the edge of a building, overlooking a vibrant, futuristic cityscape bathed in shades of red, blue, and orange light, evoking a cyberpunk atmosphere.
A lone figure in traditional samurai attire stands on the edge of a rooftop, silhouetted against a vibrant, neon-lit cityscape with shades of red and blue, evoking a cyberpunk aesthetic.
A lone, silhouetted figure stands on a ledge overlooking a futuristic cityscape illuminated by vibrant neon colors, creating a dramatic and moody cyberpunk atmosphere.
A silhouetted samurai stands on the edge of a building, overlooking a vibrant, futuristic cityscape bathed in shades of red, blue, and orange light, evoking a cyberpunk atmosphere.

Real-World Learning

In USV Studios, Game Art students work on client-driven projects alongside peers in design, audio, and engineering. By graduation, you’ll have 3–5 shipped projects that demonstrate real industry impact.

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