BFA

Game Design

Game Design students explore the entire game design pipeline, from concept to execution.

Using both traditional drawing techniques and CGI tools, you’ll ideate and build both 2D and 3D assets to produce immersive gameplay experiences across mobile, augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) platforms, as well as realistic environments and assets for game, film and animation.

Through sponsored projects with major companies that include Epic Games, Unity 3D and GM, you’ll gain valuable, direct experience with industry professionals.

78%

Entertainment Arts
Placement Rate
Learn More

STEM Designated program badge

STEM-Designated
Program

Toon Boom Center of Excellence Badge

Toon Boom
Center of Excellence

Unreal Academic Partner 2026 Badge

Unreal Authorized

CCS’s Game Design program provides tools for visual storytellers to compete in one of the world’s fastest growing industries.

Through collaborative projects, industry partnerships, and citywide exhibitions, student work takes center stage—pushing boundaries, forging connections, and drawing on Detroit’s energy to shape bold ideas and future creative leaders.


A student uses a virtual reality headseat to view a student projcet as part of the ARC lab partnership between Oakland University and CCS.

Your Future, In Motion

With our extensive industry connections spanning over a century, we ensure that the active learning our students engage in aligns with industry needs, preparing them for careers.

Students work on projects in a game design lab with computers, Wacom tablets and artwork pinned to the wall.

Cutting-Edge Spaces for Creative Minds

Enjoy unlimited access to industry-standard facilities that prepare you for real-world production.


Internationally, nationally and right here in Detroit, Game Design graduates pursue multiple avenues upon graduation

*Note: This information was gathered using Lightcast Labor Market Analytics and includes the median salary for the lifetime of a career in these specific professions. CCS alumni outcomes may vary.

Activision logo
Blizzard Entertainment logo
Disney logo
Ford logo
EA Sports logo
EPIC Games logo
HALO logo
Obsidian Entertainment logo
Playstation logo
SGS & Co logo
Bethesda logo
Bungie logo
Lightspeed Studios logo
Lion Studios logo
Riot Games logo
Raven logo

Possible Career Choices

3D Artist

3D Character Artist

3D Modeler

3D Production Artist

3D Visualization Artist

Animator

Armature Builder

CG Artist

Character Animator

Cinematographer

Cinematics Director

Colorist

Compositor

Concept Artist

Creative Visualization Designer

Digital Designer

Digital Media Creator

Digital Product Designer

Director

Editor

Environment Artist

Flash Artist

FX Artist

Game Artist/Designer/Developer

Hair and Cloth Artist

Interactive Imaging

Layout Artist

Level Artist

Lighting Artist

Look Development Artist

Maquette Builder

Matchmover

Matte Painter

Mocap Artist

Motion Graphics Artist

Multimedia Specialist

Rigger

Stop Motion Animator

Storyboard Artist

Texture Painter

VFX Artist

VFX Supervisor

Videographer

Video Game Specialist

Video Producer

Weapon Artist

Web Artist

  • A nature scene depicting mountains, trees and greenery, built in blocks

    Sarah Boeving ’17

    Game Artist, Mojang Studios

  • An oblong smooth object jettison out a dark blue gradient up into the sky. Several tendrils of a plant extend up with it into the sku

    Fen Beatty ’16

    Senior 3D Artist, ustwo games

  • Daphne Fiato ’22

    Senior Environment Artist, Disney

Unlock Essential Admissions Info.

Fill out our inquiry form to receive personalized updates, tips, and can’t miss info from our Admissions team.

BFA in Illustration

Visual Development

Build the worlds, characters, and stories behind your favorite entertainment.

Visual Development (VisDev) artists are responsible for the ideation and execution of feature animation, series-length TV, video games, comics, publishing, and more.

An illustration of the inside of a mall. There are many store fronts, 3 levels, and a row of stairs connecting the levels. There is a skylight with light shining down into the mall Lauren Lauth

If you’ve ever admired the way the Spider-Verse looks or the fact that SpongeBob wears square pants, you have a Visual Development artist to thank.

Foundational World-Builders

Visual Development artists focus on the ideation, design, and execution of the visual language behind animated films, stylized games, graphic novels, toy design, publishing and advertising.

Studio-Ready Portfolios

Through hands-on studio coursework and real-world production projects, you’ll develop a specialized, studio-ready portfolio while mastering the exact workflows used by major entertainment studios.

Industry Insights

At CCS, you’ll be mentored by faculty who actively work in the top of the animation and entertainment arts industries. You’ll have the opportunity to learn from and work alongside professionals who’ve collaborated with Disney, Netflix and Nickelodeon, among many others.

VisDev vs. Animation: Which Pathway is Right for You?

Choosing between Illustration (VisDev) and Animation comes down to where you want to focus in the production pipeline.


Through collaborative projects, industry partnerships, and citywide exhibitions, student work takes center stage—pushing boundaries, forging connections, and drawing on Detroit’s energy to shape bold ideas and future creative leaders.


Visual Development students meet with industry professionals for portfolio reviews and talent recruitment at CCS's Entertainment Expo

Your Future, In Motion

With our extensive industry connections spanning over a century, we ensure that the active learning our students engage in aligns with industry needs, preparing them for careers.

Visual Development students working in a high-tech classroom with industry-grade computers and wide windows.

Cutting-Edge Spaces for Creative Minds

Enjoy unlimited access to industry-standard facilities that prepare you for real-world production.


Visual Development has faculty members who are based in the heart of the animation industry, working remotely or semi-remotely. Students will learn from and work alongside professionals who’ve collaborated with Disney, Netflix and Nickelodeon, among many others.

*Note: This information was gathered using Lightcast Labor Market Analytics and includes the median salary for the lifetime of a career in these specific professions. CCS alumni outcomes may vary.

Possible Career Choices

Visual Development Artist

Artist

Concept Artist

Character Designer

Background Painter

Layout Artist

Prop Designer

Color Stylist

Art Director

Production Designer

  • A cartoon image of characters looking into eachothers eyes at a table with flowers. There are little angels hanging from strings above them

    Tyler Koberstein ’11

    Character Designer, Nickelodeon’s The Loud House

  • A cartoon scene of a kid jumping up to grab a chicken in a field with a cityscape in the background

    Kassandra Heller ’10

    Art Director, Disney TV Animation

Unlock Essential Admissions Info.

Fill out our inquiry form to receive personalized updates, tips, and can’t miss info from our Admissions team.