Online Course – Google Certified Professional Internship in Game Design, California Institute of the Arts

Create creative games. Design a video game for independent distribution in just four courses.

Suggested by: Coursera (What is Coursera?)

Professional Certificate

Beginners

No prior knowledge required

Time to complete the course

7-day free trial

No unnecessary risks

Skills you will acquire in the course

  • Experimentation and exploration in game design
  • Story and character development
  • Winning gameplay
  • Personal expression and independence as a game artist
  • Taking conceptual risks
  • Developing new ways of expression and play
  • Creating a game design document
  • Focusing and improving fundamental aspects of the game
  • Expressing ideas clearly and productively

What you will learn in the course

Courses for which the course is suitable

  • Game designer
  • Game developer
  • Super games
  • Character designer
  • Gaming Project Manager
  • Games Animator
  • Game User Experience (UX) Designer
  • Game Content Developer
  • Interactive content creator
  • Creative gaming consultant

Internship – 5-part course series

Inspired by the principles of storytelling and design taught in CalArts’ renowned animation programs, this specialization provides an important foundation for experimentation and exploration in game design, storytelling, character development, and winning gameplay before beginning programming.

The courses emphasize the independence and personal expression of the game artist, encouraging you to take conceptual risks and develop new ways of expression and game form.

Applied Learning Project

In the final capstone project, you will apply your creative skills by creating an exciting game design document for your personal game project, in which you will detail the conceptual, narrative, and aesthetic elements of your game.

The four-part final project guides you to focus and improve the fundamental aspects of your game so you can express your ideas clearly and productively.

Details of the courses that make up the specialization

Introduction to Game Design

Course 1: 6 hours

Rating: 4.7 (2,807 ratings)

What you’ll learn: The course is an introduction to the key concepts of the gaming world, exploring how fundamental concepts influence the way players interact with games. You’ll learn what defines a “game” and the mechanics and rules behind different types of games.

  • Design stages
  • art
  • Video game design
  • Game design

Course 2: 11 hours

Rating: 4.7 (1,232 ratings)

What you’ll learn: You’ll examine how story helps drive video game gameplay. You’ll evaluate different storytelling styles and learn how to define characters, settings, and structure to create an intriguing game idea.

  • Video game development
  • gameplay
  • Video game design
  • Game design

Course 3: 7 hours

Rating: 4.5 (800 ratings)

What you’ll learn: We’ll explore game worlds and learn about the art and influences that dictate their themes and styles. We’ll examine the key components of environment and stage design.

Course 4: 9 hours

Rating: 4.7 (981 ratings)

What you’ll learn: Explore the concepts and approaches to creating successful character designs. Focus on basic concepts and watch master classes from professional character designers.

Course 5: 16 hours

Rating: 4.7 (270 ratings)

What you’ll learn: The final project is the place to develop your game idea into a detailed proposal. The game design document is your “bible,” defining the genre, look, and feel of the game.

Note: Only students who have achieved a certificate in the previous four courses can take the final project.

  • Interactive story
  • Video game development
  • Video game design
  • Game design