game design students gather around monitors to play student made games

Interactive Arts and MediaGame Design Bachelor's Degree

  • BA

About the Game Design Major

Design games and simulations in terms of gameplay, narrative, and user experience. Mastering a creative skill takes a tremendous amount of practice. That’s why you’ll make games in nearly every gaming class at Columbia and build your skillset over time.
Examples of Game Design Careers
  • Game designer
  • Game producer
  • Game artist
  • QA (quality assurance) tester
  • Game scripter
  • Simulation designer
  • Sound designer
  • VFX designer

The Student Experience

From your first year to your last, you’ll learn from some of the best—our talented faculty members are experienced professionals who bring their passion for games into the classroom.

  • Explore career option your first year Learn about different game genres and career paths in the industry. Discover what differentiates game artists, designers, programmers, sound artists, and everything in between, so you can choose the program that best suits your interests.
  • Hit the ground runningPut core theory into practice your first year: Learn foundational theories and practices in interaction and development and then build your skills through practical assignments like sketching, prototyping, and designing as you study the fundamentals of 3D game art creation.
  • Graduate with portfolio-ready work As a senior, game designers take part in our two-semester, cross-program capstone course where you’ll work on a team project that ends in a game you can show potential employers. Sound Design seniors create their own version of a sound design production company, providing the sound, dialogue, and music for their capstone games..
  • Work with and learn other creatives As you develop your senior year game, borrow the talents and expertise of Columbia students from other disciplines, including film, acting, voice over, and creative writing.
  • Enjoy networking opportunities and show off your work Columbia students have participated in the Game Developers Conference, the Chicago Toy and Game Fair, and Columbia events such as Industry Night, Manifest Arts Festival at Columbia, and Columbia’s annual gala.

a game design major plays a game in a computer lab

Career Readiness

Game Design alumni find work at a variety of small and large firms in the gaming and entertainment industries. These include Bungie, Jellyvision, Raven Software, Robomodo, and Skywalker Sound. We also have alumni who build simulations for major companies like John Deere and Walmart.
  • Real-world experience

    Thanks to our Career Center and industry-connected faculty, Columbia game design students have access to internships that put real-world experiences from the classroom to work and provide experiences that will build your resume.

  • Networking opportunities with alumni

    Our Alumni Network is here to connect you to key people to support and guide you throughout your career in gaming.

Alumni Spotlight

Photo of Autumn Scruggs

Autumn Scruggs ’20 

Software engineer for Wizards of the Coast, where she has collaborated on Magic the Gathering: Arena.

98%

of 2023 grads are employed, enrolled in continued education, or pursuing their creative practice.

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