Game Design Co-Major

Game Design (Co-Major)

The Creative Media Production (CMP) Game Design Co-major provides an interdisciplinary pathway for students to explore games as a medium for storytelling, experimentation, and interdisciplinary expression.

Combining 27 credits of game design coursework with the 30-credit CMP core, the program integrates technical fluency, iterative design practices, and artistic innovation while reinforcing STEM competencies through computing and systems-based

thinking. It is particularly suited for students drawn to independent game development, immersive media, or experimental practices that blend narrative, interactivity, and broader media practices such as real-time animation, sound design, and digital storytelling. Graduates develop portfolios that demonstrate creative authorship across games and media arts, preparing them to innovate in emerging creative industries and evolving media landscapes.

Equipment, Facilities and Resources

Students will learn to use a range of software and hardware used in connected workflows. By taking Animation and Media Arts Studio electives, CMP students will develop, build and sharpen their technical expertise.

The Animation and Media Arts Department––Students will work with software platforms including the Adobe Creative Cloud suite (Premiere, After Effects, Photoshop, Illustrator, Animate, Audition), DaVinci Resolve, DragonFrame, Maya, Unity, Rhino, Ableton Live, Apple Logic, Blender, Toon Boom Harmony, TV Paint Animation, iZotope RX, Capture One, Unreal Engine, Touch Designer, Maxon ZBrush, Soundly, Madmapper and more.

Students will have access to an array of equipment such as professional video and stills cameras, lighting setups, audio recording and post-production equipment, digital fabrication tools (like laser cutters, 3D printers and CNC routers), microcontroller systems and more. Students can borrow equipment cages from the Art Tech Center, JHU-MICA Film Centre equipment cage or the MICA Photo program cage, depending on the courses they take.

Facilities include dedicated spaces for animation, recording, production, interactive art, game design, and a large sound stage, editing suites, and post-production facilities at the JHU-MICA Film Centre, as well as darkrooms and printing labs. Students also have access to various fabrication studios across campus.