Game Art
& Animation

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Unleash your creativity in Game Art & Animation

Embark on the ultimate creative journey where you’ll weave masterpieces of game art – from enchanting environments to iconic characters – and bring them to life through stunning animation. If you're a budding artist with a passion for games, then AIE’s specialist courses will get you up to speed with all the latest knowledge and ready to work in the game industry.

Under the guidance of industry professionals, you'll explore cutting-edge tools and techniques to forge artwork that showcases your talent. Imagine and collaborate with like-minded programming and design students in our immersive program, where you'll craft spellbinding experiences that captivate gamers.

Why study game art with AIE?

Practical Skills

Develop the skills demanded by industry
making you immediately employable.

Courses are made by industry practitioners and developed to teach you industry relevant skills and prepare you for immediate employment.

Specialists

Learn from experienced industry professionals
who have insights and connections.

AIE teachers are award winning instructors with industry experience and a passion for educating the next generation of learners.

wacom-icon-blue-01

Equipment

AIE provides state of the art,
cutting-edge, game technology.

studio environment

You will use the latest, industry standard, hardware and software to create your own unique entertainment experience.

Multiple Award Winners

AIE delivers highly specialist education for games, visual effects and animation.

AIE was the first video game school in the world and developed the world’s first accredited game development qualification. AIE has been at the forefront of delivery through specialist education and achieving great graduate outcomes for over 27 years.

Not for Profit

AIE is the world's first non-profit
specialist games and visual effects educator. 

We support industry

We invest in our students, grow the industry and support graduate career opportunities.

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Graduate Placement

Follow in the footsteps of AIE graduates working
on the top games and films worldwide.

Get a Job!

Graduates can be found working in some of the worlds leading games studios, independent games studios and also creating their own digital content through the AIE incubator.

Other graduates are working in serious games/simulations for Defence and simulations for major mining companies.

Industry software you will learn

Your career in Game Art starts through the hands-on Advanced Diploma, closely developed with the game industry and leverage the latest game industry software including:

  • Maya Logo | AIE

    Maya

    3D Modelling, rigging, animating, lighting and rendering

  • ZBrush Logo | AIE

    ZBrush

    High-detail sculpting and texturing

  • Adobe Photoshop Logo | AIE

    Adobe Photoshop

    Concept art and texture maps

  • Unreal Engine Logo | AIE

    Unreal Engine

    Game development

  • Unity Engine Logo | AIE

    Unity Engine

    Game development

  • Adobe Sunstance Painter Logo | AIE

    Substance Painter

    High detail materials and texturing

  • Adobe Sunstance Painter Logo | AIE

    Substance Designer

    Creating custom materials

  • Marmoset Toolbag Logo | AIE

    Marmoset Toolbag

    Look development, light and render pipelines

Program Details

Stage One

Students develop their skills in 3D modelling, texturing, UVW unwrapping, rigging, animation, lighting, using cameras, rendering and compositing. Students will concept, model and animate characters, design game levels, create high-detail creatures, build realistic environments and craft a short animated movie.

Stage Two

Year two of the course covers all aspects of game content creation currently employed in game development, as well as new emerging technologies. Students will further their 3D skills before working on individual specialisations in creating art assets for game development. All facets of 3D games modelling and animation are covered, including character creation, level design, environment modelling, game design, concept art, animation and custom texturing.

Students graduate at the end of Year 2 with an extensive showreel of 3D modelling, animation and a complete game level. The showreel forms the basis of an industry standard portfolio that they can take to prospective employers or demonstrate to development studios at our end of year industry day.

Stage One

  • 3D Art Pipeline
  • Health and Safety in the Office
  • Principles of Animation
  • Modelling and Texturing
  • Character Pipeline
  • Character Animation
  • Digital Lighting and Compositing
  • Storyboards
  • Production Planning
  • Production

Stage Two

  • Game Art Pipeline
  • Game Environments
  • Game Characters
  • Game User Interface (GUI)
  • Proof of Concept
  • Sustainability
  • Major Production
  • Online Professional Portfolio

Advanced Diploma students work in industry-simulated studio environments and complete one subject at a time, building upon knowledge as the learning pathway progresses.

The Associate Degree program runs over two an a half years or five semesters for 80 semester credits. This program is approved by the Council on Occupational Education and US Department of Education.

The Associate of Occupational Studies in 3D Animation and Visual FX adds an academic component with the goal of producing graduates exposed to basic academic principles in addition to the technological aspects of the Avanced Diploma program.

General Education Courses required: 15 semester credit hours

  • English Composition
  • College Algebra
  • Introduction to Physical Science
  • Introduction to Visual Arts
  • Introduction to Sociology

“The transfer of credits that a student earns at AIE Lafayette is at the complete discretion of the institution to which he/she may seek to transfer. For this reason, the student should make certain that his/her attendance at AIE will meet his/her educational goals. AIE Lafayette does not imply, promise or guarantee that any credits earned will transfer or be accepted by any other institution. It is the student’s responsibility to find out in advance of enrollment whether the receiving institution will recognize/accept any credits/courses earned at AIE”

Students complete practical game design tasks and projects based on industry standards and briefs. Accompanying projects students record their process through development journals and other documentation.

Graduates can be found working in some of the worlds leading game companies and smaller independent studios.

Other graduates are working in serious games/simulations for Defence and simulations for major mining companies.

  • 3D Animator
  • Environment Modeler
  • Texture Artist
  • UI Design
  • Level Designer
  • Technical Artist
  • Character Animator
  • Rigger
  • 2D Artist
Program Name Associate of Occupational Studies in Game Art and Animation
Program Name Advanced Diploma of Professional Game Development-Game Art and Animation
CIP Code 11.0803

Entry for this course is based on an interview to assess your suitability for the course and understand your current skills and interests through looking at your portfolio of related work.

For more information, please see our interview and portfolio page.

Hear from our graduates

Casey Thomas Student and Alumni | AIE

I will never forget the amazing time and valuable experience AIE have given me, they really helped me shine to be more than who I thought I was, I am now a Game Designer creating fun innovating games for the future generations

CEO
Dark Shadow Studios

Casey Thomas

AIE gave me the opportunities to learn industry relevant skills that made it possible for me to get a job in the industry. The teachers were fantastic and incredibly motivated.

LEAD MODELLER
Scanline VFX (Oscar winning VFX studio)

Damien Lam
Kellie Lautier | AIE Graduate Success

AIE was the best choice I made when deciding my career path, the course structure and the connections I made there is what put me in the position for most of the jobs I've gotten.The teachers go above and beyond for their students!

CHARACTER ARTIST
SMG studio (indie game studio & creators of death squared)

Kellie Lautier
Josh Van Zuylen Monochrome | AIE Graduate Success

What I enjoyed about AIE the most was being taught by people that actually have industry experience. My teachers at AIE really helped me figure out the necessary paths and helped me be the best that I could be when I graduated.

SENIOR ENVIRONMENT ARTIST
Cloud Imperium Games (Creators of Star Citizen)

Josh Van Zuylen

AIE provided me with the building blocks to take my art career to the next level. I learned about the industry, made connections, mentors and friends, asked questions, and viewed my work as an evolution rather than a destination.

OUTPUT DESIGNER
Funko Inc (creators of funko pops)

Beverly Crock
Ben Davis Monochrome | AIE Graduate Success

AIE gave me the specific tools to learn what I needed to know to get into the games industry. AIE taught me a valuable skillset which I have been able to apply to my career.

LEAD CHARACTER ARTIST
Splash Damage

Ben Davis
Vinessa Mayer | AIE Graduate

AIE has proved to be an invaluable catalyst for my career. The industry veteran teachers and staff went above and beyond. I would not be anywhere near where I am if it wasn't for my AIE family.

VISUAL EFFECTS ARTIST
Bungie

Vinessa Mayer
Tom Johnstone | AIE Graduate

Game development for many graduates is just a dream. The AIE provided me with the skills and knowledge to realise that dream. With such close ties to industry, AIE is a foot in the door to network directly with game companies to help land that elusive job.

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
League of Geeks

Tom Johnstone

Meet the teachers

Meet The AIE Art Teachers

Campus Life

Campus Life | AIE

Alumni Projects

Alumni Projects Medium | AIE