Game – Art
How To Apply
Program Details
- Program Code6422
- Credential TypeOntario College Diploma
- SchoolSchool of Communications, Media, Arts and Design
- Program TypePost-secondary program
- Program Length2 years/ 4 semesters (16 months continuous)
- LocationStory Arts Centre
- Emailjcolthrust@centennialcollege.ca
- Technology Requirements
Program Availability
- Program Overview
- Courses
- Career Options and Education Pathways
- Admission Requirements
- How to Apply
- Tuition and Fees
- Technology Requirements
- Program Vocational Learning Outcomes
- What We Do
- Advising
- Entrepreneurism
- Portfolio Information
Centennial College's Game – Art ​program will allow you to gain the skills to launch a career in the dynamic, ever-expanding and intensely creative interactive game industry. In just 16 consecutive months, the offering will prepare you for a career of imagination, innovative design and storytelling.
You'll receive intensive hands-on training in Game – Art​ and learn to build traditional 3D art assets for games, develop game environments and characters, and express your one-of-a-kind creativity. Developed by industry professionals and School of Communications, Media, Arts and Design instructors with a forward-thinking approach towards the next wave of interactive games, this games diploma program is well-respected in the industry.
Program Highlights
- Thanks to small classes, there will be an excellent teacher-to-student ratio, making it easy to interact with dedicated and passionate instructors working as professionals in the game industry.
- During the fourth semester, you'll participate in a field placement.
- The latest software and hardware will ensure your seamless transition into a production environment.
- You'll have access to excellent facilities, including dedicated labs with 24/7 student access.
- The Story Arts Centre is nestled in a quiet neighbourhood, a five-minute walk from the Pape Subway station and just steps from the thriving Danforth restaurant district.
- Game - Art is an Unreal Academic Partner Program which recognizes programs that have committed to providing ongoing, high-quality educational opportunities with an experienced faculty, proven curricula, sufficient facilities, and resources to create positive outcomes for students with a variety of personal growth and career objectives.
Program Overview
Centennial College's Game – Art ​program will allow you to gain the skills to launch a career in the dynamic, ever-expanding and intensely creative interactive game industry. In just 16 consecutive months, the offering will prepare you for a career of imagination, innovative design and storytelling.
You'll receive intensive hands-on training in Game – Art​ and learn to build traditional 3D art assets for games, develop game environments and characters, and express your one-of-a-kind creativity. Developed by industry professionals and School of Communications, Media, Arts and Design instructors with a forward-thinking approach towards the next wave of interactive games, this games diploma program is well-respected in the industry.
Program Highlights
- Thanks to small classes, there will be an excellent teacher-to-student ratio, making it easy to interact with dedicated and passionate instructors working as professionals in the game industry.
- During the fourth semester, you'll participate in a field placement.
- The latest software and hardware will ensure your seamless transition into a production environment.
- You'll have access to excellent facilities, including dedicated labs with 24/7 student access.
- The Story Arts Centre is nestled in a quiet neighbourhood, a five-minute walk from the Pape Subway station and just steps from the thriving Danforth restaurant district.
- Game - Art is an Unreal Academic Partner Program which recognizes programs that have committed to providing ongoing, high-quality educational opportunities with an experienced faculty, proven curricula, sufficient facilities, and resources to create positive outcomes for students with a variety of personal growth and career objectives.
Courses
Career Options and Education Pathways
Career Outlook
- Environment artist
- Character artist
- Surfacing artist
- Concept artist
- Level designer
- Game concept artist
- Technical artist
Education Pathways
Graduates of the Game - Art diploma program have the opportunity to apply learning achieved at Centennial for credits toward further study at the degree level. Listed below are institutions offering pathways for this program.
Please note that each receiving institution has minimum admission requirements in order to qualify for transfer credits, which are assessed by the receiving institution.
| Region | Institution |
|---|---|
| Toronto GTA | Seneca Polytechnic |
| York University | |
| Ontario | Algoma University |
| Nipissing University | |
| Ontario Tech University | |
| Canada | Royal Roads University |
For more detailed pathways information, visit our website at //centennial.adv-pub.moveonca.com/outgoing-home/.
Use the following Education Pathways Checklist as a guide as you explore your options.
For pathways to other Ontario post-secondary institutions, please visit ONTransfer.
Areas of Employment
Areas of EmploymentAdmission Requirements
Academic Requirements
- Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), or equivalent, or mature student status (19 years or older)
- Grade 12 English (C or U), or equivalent (minimum grade required), or take the Centennial English Admission Test
Additional Requirements
- English language proficiency
- Attend a mandatory Game – Art program admission session, where you will submit a portfolio of work.
- A portfolio is a demonstration of your creativity and ability to communicate visually
- Portfolio pieces may include: life drawings, sketches, paintings, sculptures or digitally produced artwork
- Should include 10-15 pieces of your best work
- Presentation should be neat and simple, not distracting from the work itself
Notes:
- Preference will be given to applicants who have traditional life drawing skills and demonstrate familiarity with one or more graphics applications such as Photoshop, ZBrush, 3DS Max or Maya.
- After applying, applicants will receive a letter with instructions on how to book the Game – Art program admission session.
How to Apply
1. Apply Online
Domestic Students
If you are applying through the Better Jobs Ontario Program, please work with an Employment Ontario service provider. For more information go to Better Jobs Ontario Program.
If you have previously attended a full-time program at Centennial College, you may be eligible for a Program Transfer. Visit Enrolment Services at any Campus for information.
All other applicants must apply online at Ontariocolleges.ca. A non-refundable application fee of $150 must accompany applications. The fee is payable online, by telephone, online banking, by mail, or in-person to Ontariocolleges.ca. For more information go to Ontariocolleges.ca Application Fees.
International Students
Apply directly to Centennial College here.
2. Submit Documents
Domestic Applicants
Current Ontario high school students and graduates from Ontario high schools: Notify your guidance counsellor that you have applied to college and your school will forward transcripts to Centennial College via Ontariocolleges.ca.
Graduates of college/university, or high school outside Ontario but within Canada: You are responsible for requesting that your educational institute sends any required documents and transcripts to Ontariocolleges.ca.
Domestic applicants who attended school outside of Canada: If you are submitting transcripts to meet admission requirements, you must have the transcripts assessed by an independent credential assessment agency such as World Education Services (WES) or International Credential Assessment Service (ICAS). For more information go to Submitting your Transcripts.
International Applicants
Please refer to the International Education Application Guide.
3. Confirm Your Offer of Admission
Offers of Admission are sent by mail to eligible applicants. When you receive your offer, you must login to your account at Ontariocolleges.ca and confirm before the Deadline to Confirm noted in your offer letter.
You may confirm only one college and one program offer at a time.
You must confirm your offer by the Deadline to Confirm noted in your Offer of Admission letter or your seat may be given to another applicant.
When you confirm your Offer of Admission at Centennial College you are given access to your personal myCentennial account where you can check your email, grades, register for courses, pay tuition fees, and see your class timetable.
4. Pay Fees
Centennial fees statements are sent by email to your personal email account and to your myCentennial email account. Fees statements are not mailed.
You must make a minimum payment by the Fees Deadline noted in your Fees Statement or your seat may be given to another applicant.
5. Build Your Timetable (Register for Courses)
Build your timetable (web-register for courses) at my.centennialcollege.ca.
Fall registration begins mid-July
January registration begins mid-December
May registration begins mid-April
Your web-registration will not open if:
You have not submitted your minimum fee payment by the deadline
You received a Conditional Offer of Admission and you have not met the conditions of your offer.
Once you have paid your fees or have made appropriate arrangements, register for your courses online through myCentennial.
Tuition and Fees
Fees noted below are estimates only. Tuition is based on two semesters, beginning Fall 2025.
| Student | Tuition (2 Semesters) | Ancillary Fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canadian | $7,211.50 | $1,435.33 | $8,646.83 |
| International | $19,444.50 | $1,933.28 | $21,377.78 |
Technology Requirements
Technology Requirements
Bring IT programs will require students to own and use a mobile computing device that meets or exceeds the recommended hardware requirements.
Note: If you require accommodation for a documented disability, please consider your adaptive technology needs when you select a device for your BringIT programs (click for recommendations). If you wish to access disability services, please make an appointment with the Centre for Accessible Learning and Counselling Services, by calling 437-568-4799, or by email at calcs@centennialcollege.ca.
Have questions? Check out Frequently Asked Questions for our Bring IT Program.
Students from this program will be required to own/purchase a device and software relevant to the program:
Minimum Recommended Hardware Specifications
- Windows 10 64-bit or newer (Mac OS not supported with most software used in the program)
- Quad-core CPU minimum (Intel core i5 / AMD Ryzen 5 processor or higher)
- 16GB RAM minimum; 32GB or more recommended
- NVIDIA® RTX dedicated graphics card with 8GB of GPU RAM minimum (AMD and Intel GPUs are not supported with most software used in the program)
- 15" full HD or better screen.
- 512GB SSD / PCIe M.2 SSD minimum, 1TB or more
The above is recommended for ease of connection to college labs. You will need regular access to a computer with an internet connection. High-speed broadband access (LAN, Cable or DSL) with a minimum 10mbps download speed is highly recommended. Some courses have more advanced system requirements.
Program Vocational Learning Outcomes
Program Vocational Learning Outcomes
Program Vocational Learning Outcomes describe what graduates of the program have demonstrated they can do with the knowledge and skills they have achieved during their studies. The outcomes are closely tied to the needs of the workplace. Through assessment (e.g., assignments and tests), students verify their ability to reliably perform these outcomes before graduating.
- Identify the differences in game genres in order to develop games that meet the needs of specific markets
- Situate emerging trends within a historical context of games and interactive media to adapt relevant concepts, vocabulary and frames of reference
- Identify and relate concepts from a range of industry roles, including programming, design and art to support the development of games
- Contribute as an individual and a member of a game development team to the effective completion of a game development project
- Develop strategies for ongoing personal and professional development to enhance work performance in the games industry
- Perform all work in compliance with relevant statutes, regulations, legislation, industry standards and codes of ethics
- Support the development of pre-production and conceptual art for games and gaming through the selection and application of relevant design tools and drawing techniques
- Create original game assets to meet requirements outlined in game design documents and/or creative briefs
- Contribute to world building and level design in a game engine to meet industry and marketplace requirements
- Assess and iterate user interface design in alignment with Game Design Documents to optimize both the esthetics and function of game-play
What We Do
What We Do
At Centennial, we believe that to be good at something, you need to spend time focusing on your craft. The Game – Art program is different from all the other colleges, as it is focused on creating digital artists. We are looking for students who are dedicated artists looking to take their career to the next level.
What we do:
Our curriculum creates digital artists to work in the game industry as environment artists, character artists, surfacing artists, concept artists and technical artists. Our curriculum teaches you, in 16 consecutive months, the best tools, practices and techniques to produce stunning 3D assets including:
- Environment modelling
- Character design and modelling
- Digital sculpting using ZBrush
- Assets integration and polishing in Ureal 4
What we don't do:
- Programming, math or physics
- Sound design
- Design levels and game-play
- Animation and rigging
- Game theory
- Stories and character development
How we do it:
Semester 1: A transition from traditional media to digital media. You will learn the basics of working in 3D as well as refining your digital and traditional 2D skills.
Semesters 2 and 3: Honing your craft. Learn how to create efficient topology, stunning texturing and lighting techniques in the Unreal game engine.
Semester 4: Polish and placement. Your final semester is all about the creation of your final project and demo reel. These are used to help you secure an industry field placement.
Portfolio Information
Student Work and Success Stories
Helen Thatch, Game - Art, Graduate, 2007I can tell you that if you choose this program, you will not regret it one bit. You will work very hard in this program and there will be those sleepless nights, but you will learn a whole lot more — your skills will grow tenfold. Most importantly, you will make a lot of friends, develop a strong network and have lots of fun while doing it all!
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