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Northwestern School of Communication

Minor in Game Design + Media Arts + Animation

The minor in Game Design + Media Arts + Animation enables students to take the initial step toward a career in game design, interactive media arts, and animation (both 2D and 3D). This minor helps students hone their voice across the spectrum of expressive possibilities in the modern media landscape. The sequence of courses will guide students to create a portfolio appropriate for applying to an industry job or a graduate program. Students will develop skills for collaboration with computer programmers, installation artists, sound designers, visual designers, and animators. This minor introduces students to seminal and emerging trends in game design (including narrative design), media arts, and animation. Students will have opportunities to develop their design skills in a number of areas (including coding) while creating new works in cinema, games, animation and installation art. Throughout, they will gain an understanding of game design companies and media arts studios. The minor draws on courses offered through the School of Communication, McCormick School of Engineering, Medill School of Journalism and Weinberg College. The minor is open to all Northwestern undergraduate students.

A minor in Game Design + Media Arts + Animation can launch your career in:

  • Associate Game Designer
  • 3D Character Artist
  • 3D Environment Artist
  • Game Artist
  • Animator (2D/3D)
  • Narrative Designer
  • Producer
  • QA Tester
  • Community Manager
  • UI/UX Designer
  • Project Manager
  • Visual Artist

For policies and advising, see Office of Undergraduate Programs and Advising.

Visit the minor's Academic Catalog listing to see specific requirements, which include: 

  • Students must take and pass 6 units of credit, including a selection of Radio/Television/Film (R/TV/F), Computer Science (COMP_SCI), Journalism (JOUR) and Art Theory & Practice (ART) courses. 
  • Other courses also may be counted toward the minor with the approval of the Game Design + Media Arts + Animation advisor.
  • GMA Advisor Pierce Gradone pierce.gradone@northwestern.edu
  • General questions about the minor gma@northwestern.edu