Diploma of Game Design
Prepare yourself to become part of a community of enthusiastic game lovers who share your passion for gaming by enrolling in the Diploma of Game Design at AIT. With this program, you will have daily opportunities to create a range of 3D assets before integrating your own designs into a cutting-edge game engine.
Our Game Design Diploma has been carefully crafted with significant input from the industry, ensuring that you learn all the necessary professional, personal, and technical skills that modern game design studios demand. Critically review game theory, genre, history and context, and learn to construct your own game levels and assets.
- 27 May 2024
- 16 September 2024
- 3 February 2025
Duration & Location
- 1 year full time
- Up to 2 years part time
- ⅔ face-to-face on campus | ⅓ online
- Home
- Courses
- Game Design
- Diploma of Game Design
- What To Expect
- Course Content
- Course Superpowers
- Industry Partners
- How to Apply
What To Expect
With our in-depth knowledge of the game design industry, we’ve modelled our Diploma of Game Design after the top professional games programming studios. We provide guidance and support as you embark on the path to your envisioned game design career. Get ready to step into your game design future with confidence.
Technical Instruction - Experienced knowledgeable educators
Creative Teamwork - Teams of like-minded collaborators
Current Knowledge - Current software, technology and insights
Professional Skills - Embedded employability training
Skills practice - Practical hands-on learning
Project work - relevant project-based assessments
Unreal Engine
Maya
ZBrush
Adobe Creative Cloud
Technical Instruction - Experienced knowledgeable educators
Creative Teamwork - Teams of like-minded collaborators
Current Knowledge - Current software, technology and insights
Professional Skills - Embedded employability training
Skills practice - Practical hands-on learning
Project work - relevant project-based assessments
AIT Campus
Two-thirds of your classes will take place on campus, where you’ll work alongside like-minded creatives in our industry-grade games design studios. Today’s games design production is heavily reliant on technology and software, which is why we invest in providing the latest professional-grade animation and game design software and hardware.
With access to high-end computers, state-of-the-art post-production studios facilities, green screen rooms, and audio studios, you’ll have the appropriate tools you need to create fundamental concepts, masterpieces, and to render your own games to the highest industry standards.
Our program encourages a range of diploma level experimentation, creativity and practical experience so you can make your magic and start making games that meet the demands of the industry.
Our Cloud Campus
Our course material is available on our cloud campus, a space that’s specifically designed for high-quality online education.
With access to our cloud campus, you’ll have access to all game design course content, including videos, interactive activities, discussion boards, video meeting facilities, email services, library resources, assessment support, study support, technical support services, and welfare services.
We understand that choosing where to study in Australia is a big decision, which is why we encourage you to explore our campuses before you enrol. Come and see for yourself how AIT can provide you with a comprehensive and engaging learning experience.
Student work: ‘Rose, Revolutionary Leader Sculpt’ by Tarik Takasu
Professional Experiences
While studying at AIT, you’ll be exposed to a number of professional experiences where you will learn the skills you need for your creative career, while also being introduced to the industry.
On campus, your Production Lab Subjects will be heavily practical, project-based, and follow industry-relevant production processes in a studio-like environment. Out of these subjects, you will produce a portfolio that’s ready to present to prospective employers.
- Mentorship from Professional Animators
- Simulated Studio Environments on Campus
- Using Industry-grade Tools
- Professional Guest Speakers
- Trimester 1 - Learn
- Trimester 2 - Refine
- Trimester 3 - Produce
Trimester 1 - Learn
3D Character Lab
Learn the entire design and development process (3D pipeline) needed to create your own custom-designed 3D characters. You’ll explore various areas, including props and background development, industry-standard 3D software, 3D interface navigation, fundamental 3D theory, character design, modelling, texturing, lighting, skinning, camera animation, and rendering.
By acquiring these skills, you’ll have a strong foundation for designing and producing 3D objects and characters. Get ready to elevate your 3D design capabilities with our comprehensive program.
Key professional skills development:
- Project management basics
- Presentation skills
- Naming conventions and file management
Game Design Mechanics
Level Design
Trimester 2 - Refine
Game Scripting
Refine your skills in this introduction to the core concepts and fundamentals of games scripting. You’ll gain essential knowledge of game-specific programming languages, learn how to manipulate data types using functions and variables within those languages, and develop an understanding of scripting game logic.
As you progress, you’ll have the opportunity to build game functionality and create games within a game engine, a crucial skill for aspiring game designers.
Master the art of game scripting and enhance your game design capabilities with our program.
Key professional skills development:
- Problem-solving skills
- Debugging
- Professional communication
- Peer evaluation
- Iteration, and application of feedback
3D Animation Mechanics
3D Rigging
Trimester 3 - Produce
Game Development Lab
Immersive Game Design Experience
In the Game Development Lab you will design a range of 3D assets and integrate them into a game engine. The project will be planned and implemented in response to a brief and will involve identifying game development team roles and 3D sculpting of models using industry standard 3D modelling software.
Models will be textured, then undergo optimisation and retopology to ensure their effective operation in a game engine environment, where introductory level game engine programming will be applied.
You will utilise a production cycle, modifying assets through multiple iterations in response to testing and peer review. Ethical considerations will be taken into account and applied to the design of game assets.
Key professional skills development:
- Collaboration
- Planning
- Project management
- Agile methodology
- Presentation and professional communication skills
- Responding to feedback
Student work: ‘Soul Seeker’ by Andrew Chiu, Lachlan Canning, Zijian He, Kai Johns, Daniel Miller & Giovanni Pedalino
CourseSuperpowersCourseSuperpowers
At the completion of this course:
You could work in the following roles:
- Gameplay Mechanics Designer
- Level Designer
- Gameplay Programmer
- Character/Environment Artist
- Games Animator
Confidently use software, including:
- Unreal Engine
- Maya
- Zbrush
- Adobe Creative Cloud
Master technical skills including:
- Games Design
- Gameplay Programming
- Animation
- Rigging
- 3D Modelling
- Sculpting
- Texturing
- Games Project Management
Graduate with a Professional Portfolio that includes:
- Design of a full game level mechanically and visually using high-quality game assets.
- A 3D character, modelled and textured.
- A range of environment assets.
- A range of rigged and animated characters & weapons game assets.
- A fully-scripted Top Down SHMUP.
- A first person shooter game demo developed in a team and scripted gameplay mechanics.
Student work: ‘You’re Fired’ by Phillip Lim
Industry Partners
How to apply
Here at AIT, we care about your creativity, not your ATAR. If you’re a domestic student, then you can apply directly to AIT or via UAC and VTAC. If you’re an international student, then our registered agent partners can help you to organise everything you’ll need for your AIT application and your application to study in Australia.
Find out exactly what studying at AIT will cost, with our transparent list of student fees plus learn more about the generous scholarships for both international and domestic students.
Student work: ‘Clockwork’ by Kate Nelson, Joran Apap, Amy Murtagh, Anna Truong and Sang Nguyen
What'snext?What'snext?
Not sure what to explore next? Visit our connect page and choose your own adventure. Talk to someone about your study options, book a campus tour and have a look around, chat with a current AIT student or get started on your application.