Game Art and Design

You’re already drawn to the magic of computer games—the way they create worlds, tell stories, and bring characters to life. Now imagine crafting your own immersive worlds where every pixel is a brushstroke, and every piece of code creates new life. With our certificate, you’ll master the art of creating visually stunning game environments that blend traditional artistry with the latest digital techniques.

We’ll guide you beyond creating beautiful worlds, equipping you with the skills to make games that leave a mark on the players. Through interdisciplinary courses, you’ll explore the cultural impact of games, understanding how they shape the world around us. By the time you finish, you’ll be more than just a game artist; you’ll be a storyteller, a coder, and a designer with the power to craft experiences that engage, inspire, and endure.

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Program Type

Undergraduate Certificate

Program Format

On Campus

The arts are for everyone

A minor or certificate in the arts provides a well-rounded education. That’s because the arts foster creativity, critical thinking and problem-solving skills. They enhance communication and presentation skills, which are valuable in any professional setting. Engaging in the arts also increases empathy and understanding of diverse people and perspectives. Plus, they bring a unique selling point to your resume by demonstrating a versatile skill set.

And let’s be honest: The arts are also a lot of fun, adding stress relief and variety to your college experience.

All Minors & Certificates

89%Executives agree that creativity is a top skill

91%Americans agree the arts are vital to education

73%Americans say the arts help them understand others

45Minutes of art making can reduce stress levels

Program Details

The Game Art and Design Certificate curriculum sequence equips you with the artistic and technical skills needed to design compelling game environments, characters, and interactive experiences. You’ll learn to bring your ideas to life through vibrant visuals and master writing code that makes them interactive and dynamic.

The program also fosters critical thinking, creative problem-solving, and an understanding of the cultural impact of games, ensuring that you are more than just a skilled artist, but also an innovative storyteller ready to shape the future of creative media.

Game development is a growing industry, pushing beyond entertainment into fields such as education, medicine, psychology, and social interactions. Through our certificate, you’ll gain hands-on experience with industry-standard tools, game engines, and creative coding, so you are well prepared for whatever comes next in this expanding market.

View the Game Art and Design, Undergraduate Certificate requirements.

You may also be interested in our Bachelor of Fine Arts in Design & Visual Communication to use your game design skills alongside a full graphic design degree.

Interested in declaring a minor or certificate? Contact us to get started.

Art & Design Studio Disciplines

Led by expert artist faculty, our art and design studio disciplines are content areas that provide focus to your creative research, practice and degree. We offer the following studio disciplines: Ceramics, Creative Technologies, Design, Digital Fabrication, Fibers, Jewelry & Metalsmithing, Painting & Drawing, Photography & Imaging, Printmaking & Book Arts and Sculpture.

Studio Disciplines

First Year Program in Art & Design

We don’t expect our new students to figure out college life on their own. Our First Year Program is designed to help new art and design students. In addition to specific coursework carefully chosen to foster success, we connect students to the many resources and opportunities found within a research university. Plus, we surround students with individualized support as they dive deeper into their program and find their way.

First Year Program

Artists Now! Guest Lecture Series

Throughout the fall and spring semesters, the Artists Now! Guest Lecture Series welcomes a diverse group of nationally and internationally recognized artists working across traditional, hybrid and emergent disciplines. Join us to explore and expand boundaries of creative visual practices alongside others with an interest in contemporary visual art.

Galleries & Exhibitions

Our art and design programs host many galleries and exhibitions both on campus and throughout the community. Our campus is home to four permanent art galleries, each with its own unique mission. All of them are free, open to the public and accessible for everyone to enjoy.

Milwaukee is also home to dozens of galleries and museums. All students in an art and design degree program receive a free annual membership to the Milwaukee Art Museum (MAM). That means you can visit MAM and its events, including the popular MAM After Dark series, free of charge while you are a student.

Internships & Opportunities

Students work and intern professionally with Milwaukee’s leading art museums and galleries, creative agencies, corporations and nonprofits. They also find internships across the country and beyond. Discover where your education can take you. Learn more about internships and opportunities.

Student Organizations & Clubs

Meet like-minded people in a wide variety of student organizations and clubs who inspire creativity and will support your aspirations. Collaborate and create, network with professional artists, and deepen your connection with faculty, mentors and fellow students outside of the classroom.

Study Abroad

We believe that a complete education in the arts should take you beyond the classroom and the local community. By studying abroad, you’ll gain more than a change of scenery. You’ll embark on a transformative educational experience and bring a global perspective to your field of study. Explore upcoming trips offered in partnership with the Center for International Education.

Alumni Stories in Art & Design

Recent DVC alum wins national Silver ADDY award by the American Advertising Federation

In May, UWM celebrated its latest group of graduates moving on from academia and into their next chapter. For some graduates, it has not taken long to receive recognition that provides a valuable boost to the start of their professional careers. Recent graduate Gisselle Dominguez (BFA 2024, Design & Visual Communication) …
How alum Sarah McGinnis uses art to promote mental health awareness across the country

The next time you reach for a tissue, you might see an uplifting message and cheery artwork on the box thanks to PSOA alum, Sarah McGinnis (BFA 2013, Art: Design & Visual Communication). Work by McGinnis is showcased in Target stores nationwide as a featured artist in an ongoing collaboration between …

View More Alumni Stories

Careers in Art & Design

3D Animator / Modeler
Advertising Director
Animator
App Developer
Art Critic / Writer
Art Dealer
Art Director
Art Gallery Owner
Art Historian
Art Therapist
Artisan Solutionist
Artist in Residence
Artists’ Agent
Arts Administrator
Augmented Reality Designer
Blacksmith
Ceramicist
Commercial Artist
Community Artist
Community Organizer
Consultant
Costume Designer
Creative Services Manager
Curator
Design Manager

Designer
Director of Community Engagement
Educator
Entrepreneur
Exhibit Designer
Fabricator
Fashion Designer
Fine Artist
Floral Designer
Font Designer
Freelance Artist
Furniture Designer / Restorer
Game Designer
Graphic Designer
Graphic Artist
Illustrator
Industrial Designer
Interactive Designer
Interior Designer
Jewelry Designer / Maker
Lighting Designer
Makeup Artist
Marketing & Sales Director
Metalsmith
Mixed Media Artist

Muralist
Museum Director
Packaging Designer
Painter
Photographer
Photographic Stylist
Photographic Technician
Printmaker
Product Designer
Production Artist
Program Director / Coordinator
Prop Maker
Public Artist
Public Relations Director
Sculptor
Set Designer
Sketch Artist
Stylist
Technical Designer, Apparel
Textile Designer
Toy Maker
User Experience / User Interface Designer
Visual Merchandiser
Visual / Special Effects Artist
Web Designer / Developer

Program Faculty

Which faculty you have within this program is dependent upon your chosen courses or interests. For a list of all Art & Design faculty and staff please follow the link below.

All Art & Design Faculty & Staff