Game Design (July)
This multidisciplinary course combines game design's artistic and technical aspects, contemporary game development and prototyping.
We only accept new students if there are cancellations. All new applications are waitlisted for cancellation spots. The application period for other summer school courses continues until May 31st or until full.
Due to high demand, Aalto University Summer School organises a second implementation of the Game Design course in July.
Apply to Game Design (July) here
Fill in the application form for the waiting list (August course)
The future of games is brighter than ever. More accessible and powerful design software has provided creators from a wider range of backgrounds with the tools to express themselves for an expanding audience of game players around the world. As the games industry continues to grow ever more inclusive, the value of such new voices has never been higher.
This multidisciplinary course can be considered a crash course in the many ways game design can be utilised as a creative and rewarding medium. Artistic and technical aspects of game design will be presented to students as they develop their own games. The practical and theoretical foundations of game design are explained across a series of lectures, supported with insights from industry and research. A parallel set of prototyping workshops covers a wide range of game design tools.
The course is open to any student interested in the topic, and no previous experience in game design or programming is required. The course is focused on low-code/no-code tools and independent work. By taking this course, you will learn about the art of game design and how to harness its power to transform your own ideas into unique, playful game prototypes.
Tabatha, course alum 2023Don’t be afraid to showcase your ideas. If you have a game in mind, prototype it. And overall, have fun. This is a really fun course.
The course includes three phases: the students should familiarise themselves with the required software before the two-week intensive course, after which there is additional time to prepare and polish the final assignments.
Before the course: Preparation (online)
5-16 August: Intensive Weeks (on-site at Aalto University campus)
After the course: Final Assignments (online)
The course is balanced around thematic lecture content and complimentary workshops exploring different game development software and tools. This includes both analogue and digital game design, incorporating various browser-based or cross-platform game engines such as Twine, Bitsy and GB Studio, and aims to cover something of the breadth of tools available, when making games as art.
The course aims to demonstrate the extent to which students can produce independent work when utilising, for instance, found digital assets and A.I. technologies.
There is also the possibility to work in international, multidisciplinary teams on prototype projects and other hands-on exercises such as paper prototyping.
This course values artistic experimentation over technical proficiency and will provide the students with much of the skills and theory necessary to continue their development as knowledgeable and original game makers.
Preparation Exercises = 9h
5 x 3-hour lecture = 15h
5 x 3-hour workshop = 15h
Finalising Assignment & Learning Diary = 15h
Total = 54 hours (2 ECTS)
The course is graded as pass/fail.
Please note that the undergraduate courses offered by Aalto University Summer School can not be included in Aalto degree studies.
This course does not require previous experience in the topic.
You must have completed a high school or vocational degree or equivalent by the time the course starts. However, you do not have to be a degree student at a university to participate in our courses.
Additionally, all summer school course students must be 18 years or older, as it is the legal age in Finland.
In your motivation letter, describe your motivation for taking this course:
The recommended length for the motivation letter is 150-250 words.
There is no special partnership discount on undergraduate courses.
The tuition fee does not apply to Aalto University degree students. However, undergraduate courses offered by Aalto University Summer School can not be included in Aalto degree studies.
Unfortunately, Aalto University Summer School does not offer scholarships for participants.
The social program and its pricing will be published before the application period starts.
Please note that the course fees do not cover accommodation, daily meals, or transportation during the course.
Learn about the Aalto University Summer School cancellation terms. You will receive the full terms before making the payment and confirming the course participation.
Edward Morrell is a doctoral researcher at Aalto University's Department of Art and Media, where he researches experimental game design through various artistic contexts. Edward is a member of Aalto Online Learning's Online Hybrid Lab, working on the research and development of educational games and related environments. His work has been published in venues such as the Digital Games Research Association and the Foundations of Digital Games Conference.
This multidisciplinary course combines game design's artistic and technical aspects, contemporary game development and prototyping.
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