Are you looking to pursue a career in game design and wondering which schools in Illinois offer the best programs? This article highlights the top game design schools in Illinois, detailing the unique programs and opportunities they provide to help you embark on a successful career in the gaming industry.
- Illinois State University’s School of Creative Technologies offers a flexible, interdisciplinary game design program emphasizing experimentation and access to advanced VR/AR/MR hardware.
- Illinois Institute of Technology provides a multidisciplinary Game Design and Experiential Media program with strong project-based learning and career opportunities at top tech and game companies.
- DePaul University’s game design program offers a comprehensive curriculum and practical experience through interdisciplinary teamwork, hands-on projects, and access to specialized gaming labs.
Illinois State University: School of Creative Technologies
Illinois State University’s School of Creative Technologies stands out with its flexible and interdisciplinary approach to game design. Here, students can explore a range of fields such as:
- Animation
- Modeling
- Sound design
- Music
This provides a comprehensive educational experience that blends artistry with modern information technology.
The school encourages students to experiment with different digital mediums, game engines, and visual arts, helping them discover their passions and develop their unique creative voices. As the curriculum integrates future directions and experimental technologies, students at Illinois State are well-prepared for the dynamic game industry.
Game Design Sequence Overview
The Game Design Sequence at Illinois State University aims to assist students in identifying their niche within the expansive field of game design. Whether it’s game programming, animation, sound design, or music, the program encourages exploration and specialization. Students have access to advanced VR/AR/MR hardware, allowing them to prototype and evaluate designs with cutting-edge technology.
Covering diverse perspectives such as:
- game engines
- programming
- visual arts
- music
- stage performance
This sequence offers a comprehensive approach. This holistic approach ensures that students are not only creating games but also understanding the intricate mechanics and storytelling techniques that make games engaging and immersive.
Point of Pride
One of the school’s greatest strengths is its combination of serious artistry and modern technology. The faculty at the School of Creative Technologies brings expertise in areas like:
- VR
- Sound design
- Music composition
- Motion graphics
This leads to a rich and diversified learning environment.
Why Study Here?
The approach to game design education at Illinois State University is unique and flexible. The diverse backgrounds of the faculty members contribute to a rich educational experience, allowing students to gain insights from various facets of game design and development.
Additionally, the school is building a game-centric culture across the campus, supported by partnerships with Student Affairs to enhance the academic and extracurricular experiences for students, particularly in the esports arena.
Illinois Institute of Technology: Game Design and Experiential Media (B.S.)
Located in Chicago, a top U.S. market for game design, Illinois Tech offers a Bachelor of Science in Game Design and Experiential Media through the Lewis College of Science and Letters. The program places a strong emphasis on project-based learning, where students collaborate to create games and experiential media, fostering a hands-on and collaborative environment.
The curriculum is designed to equip students with both technical and creative skills, ensuring they are well-prepared for the demands of the game industry. Working alongside engineers, computer scientists, and researchers provides students with a multidisciplinary perspective, invaluable in today’s tech-driven world.
Program Overview
Illinois Tech’s program covers a wide array of technical and creative areas in game design, interactive media, and storytelling. The degree program includes:
- Studio classes
- Courses that delve into game mechanics
- Programming
- The technical aspects of game development.
The curriculum also includes courses on storytelling, game mechanics, and technical areas, offering a comprehensive education that prepares them for diverse roles in the game industry. The project-based learning environment allows students to apply their knowledge in practical settings, fostering both individual and team-based skills.
Career Opportunities
Graduates from Illinois Tech’s Game Design and Experiential Media program are well-prepared for careers in top game and tech companies. The program’s multidisciplinary approach enables students to work alongside engineers, computer scientists, and entrepreneurs, opening up diverse career paths.
Typical career opportunities include roles at companies like Riot Games, Activision, Blizzard, Bethesda, and Rockstar Games, as well as tech giants like Google, Bose, and Microsoft. Graduates can pursue positions such as game developer, software engineer, UI designer, and narrative designer among others.
Esports Community and Resources
Illinois Tech is committed to supporting the esports community by awarding scholarships to students who demonstrate a strong commitment to community-building and leadership within the esports arena.
These resources provide gaming enthusiasts with opportunities to grow and develop their skills, both academically and competitively.
DePaul University: College of Computing and Digital Media
DePaul University offers a highly ranked game design major through its College of Computing and Digital Media. The program covers game programming, game art, and sound design, providing a comprehensive education that spans the entire game development cycle, from ideation to testing and implementation.
Collaboration is a key focus at DePaul, with students working in interdisciplinary teams that include:
- programmers
- artists
- writers
- audio designers
This approach not only mirrors real-world industry practices but also enhances the learning experience by fostering teamwork and creative problem-solving.
Degree Program Overview
DePaul’s game design degree program offers a thorough overview of the game development process. Students engage in courses that cover a broad range of topics including game mechanics, virtual worlds, and game production. They also have the opportunity to explore augmented and virtual reality, tabletop games, and physical technology.
The program includes unique courses like the history of videogames, which surveys significant game titles and events from the late 1940s to the present. Additionally, DePaul offers workshops in Unreal Engine and Unity, enabling students to build games from scratch without prior programming knowledge.
Faculty Expertise
DePaul’s faculty boasts diverse backgrounds and extensive industry experience, providing students with unique learning opportunities. Notable faculty members include Brian Schrank, who authored ‘Avant-garde Videogames: Playing with Technoculture’ and co-curated an exhibit at the Chicago Design Museum.
This rich pool of knowledge and experience allows DePaul students to gain insights from professionals who have made significant contributions to the field, enhancing their educational journey and preparing them for successful careers in the game industry.
Student Work and Development
At DePaul, students engage in hands-on practice and develop a portfolio that includes AAA, indie, and art games. The DePaul Originals Game Studios offers students the chance to work on portions of a game, simulating a large studio experience and providing valuable real-world exposure.
Students also have access to four gaming labs, including development and research labs, the game play lab, and the playtest and usability lab. These resources, combined with a comprehensive curriculum, help students develop the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the competitive game industry.
Columbia College Chicago: Interactive Arts and Media Department
Columbia College Chicago’s Game Design major focuses on designing games and simulations with an emphasis on gameplay, narrative, and user experience. Students can choose between two concentrations: Game Development or Sound Design, allowing them to tailor their education to their specific interests.
In the program, students progressively build their skills, creating games in almost every class. This hands-on approach ensures that by the time they graduate, students have a robust portfolio and practical experience in game design.
Program Focus
Emphasizing practical skill-building and networking opportunities, Columbia College’s Interactive Arts and Media department ensures comprehensive learning. Students have the chance to showcase their work and connect with industry professionals at events like the Game Developers Conference and Chicago Toy and Game Fair.
From their first semester, students embark on a practical learning journey, beginning with the Intro to Game Development course. This course covers game genres, career paths, and foundational theories and practices in interaction and development, setting the stage for more advanced coursework.
Courses and Techniques
Columbia College’s curriculum includes a variety of courses that cover game genres, career paths, and team processes like Agile and Lean. Practical assignments such as sketching, prototyping, and designing help students develop their skills and prepare for real-world challenges.
Accomplished professionals, including award-winning game designers and audio artists, impart their knowledge and experience in the program. This ensures that students are not only learning theoretical concepts but also gaining insights from those who have succeeded in the industry.
Careers in Game Design
Graduates from Columbia College’s Game Design program can pursue careers in various fields such as:
- Game design
- QA testing
- Serious game design
- Sound effects design
Alumni have found employment at major firms like Bungie, Skywalker Sound, and Raven Software, showcasing the program’s effectiveness in preparing students for the industry.
Additionally, some alumni work on building simulations for major companies like John Deere and Walmart, demonstrating the versatility and applicability of the skills gained through the program.
Southern Illinois University Carbondale: School of Art and Design
Specializing in Game Art and Animation as well as Sound Design and Music, Southern Illinois University Carbondale brings a unique approach to game design. This focus on specific areas of game development allows students to gain in-depth knowledge and practical experience in their chosen fields.
These programs equip students with essential skills for a successful career in the game industry, including personal organization, self-leadership, and team processes.
Game Art and Animation
In the Game Art and Animation program at SIU Carbondale, students gain practical industry experience through collaboration with real clients on design projects. This hands-on approach ensures that students are well-prepared for the challenges of the game industry and can create professional-quality work.
These projects offer students valuable insights into the design process and effective teamwork, mirroring the collaborative nature of the game development industry.
Sound Design and Music
Focusing on building emotion and impact through audio, the Sound Design and Music program offers a thorough education in sound production. Students acquire advanced knowledge of:
- Acoustics
- Digital audio
- Music theory
- Scripting skills
- Studio production techniques
This broad curriculum equips students with a diverse skill set in the field of music production.
This comprehensive education ensures that graduates are well-equipped to create immersive soundscapes and contribute to the overall gaming experience, making them valuable assets in the game industry.
Preparing for the Industry
SIU Carbondale prepares students for various careers in the game industry through hands-on practice in 3D animation, game design, and media production. Specialized facilities like the Emerging Media Studios and Animation and Game Design Studio provide students with the tools and environments needed to produce quality work.
Prepared to meet industry demands, graduates can pursue careers in diverse fields such as UX/UI design, motion graphics, and game graphic illustration, among others.