Graphic & Game Design

Aesthetics of Gaming

This module examines Digitally Mediated Interactive Experiences (D.M.I.E.), focusing on creations centered more on experiential dimensions than on purely ludic aspects. Its core objective is to explore the concept of game design aesthetics as a medium capable of reconfiguring experience, in connection with art and the human capacity to produce meaning through artistic expression.

Grounded in a Kantian theoretical framework and in the reinterpretation of the Roman school of aesthetics, the module aims to reconsider video games as tools for exploring, understanding, and reshaping external reality and the experiential possibilities they offer.

Fundamentals of Computer Science — Introduction to Software

This module provides essential digital literacy skills related to the most widely used operating environments. The acquisition of methodological and applied knowledge of these tools forms the foundation for developing the ability to use digital technologies across the various fields of visual arts.

Software covered includes: Unreal Engine, Maya, Unity, Photoshop, Premiere, After Effects, Audition, ZBrush, DaVinci Resolve, and Adobe Character Animator.

English

This module develops language skills with particular attention to the use of different linguistic models in artistic contexts. It also addresses expressive and conceptual modes within European culture, as well as the specific critical and technical terminology currently used in the fields of art and gaming.

History of Contemporary Art

This module explores the evolution of contemporary art with particular focus on new media, animation, comics, and video games, analyzing their cultural, artistic, and technological impact.

Methodology of Visual Communication Design

Digital Architecture — Concept Art — Board Game Design & Prototype
The aim of this module is to provide the knowledge and tools necessary to transform an idea into a fully developed board game prototype. Students will explore game design techniques, specialized software and graphic tools, and the analysis of the board game market, which continues to grow.

Topics include:

• Analysis of game genres
• Game design principles
• Game mechanics
• Prototyping
• Graphics and packaging for board games
• Copywriting for board games
• Project planning and management
• Playtesting
• Publishing and copyright
• Communication channels
• Development of a board game
• Gamification and applications of games in business and culture

Digital Applications for Gaming

Unreal Engine — Unity — Visual Design — Foundations of Animation

This interdisciplinary module analyzes the interactions among contemporary arts and the relationships that emerge from them. It examines different types of video games from a historical and philosophical perspective, including games created by visual artists for contemporary art audiences.

The module develops competencies in applying advanced digital tools to artistic visual languages, both for experimental and expressive purposes and for professional applications.

Topics include:

• Overview of Unity (version 2019.3) capabilities
• Components and the role of programming and scripting
• Editor interface and main features
• Scene composition and core components
• Unity and the C# programming language
• Advanced C# for Unity (data types, control structures, classes, object-oriented paradigm, inheritance, delegates, and events)
• GameObjects and components
• Build settings for Android platforms
• Introduction to VR and AR platforms
• Programming with Vuforia for VR and AR development
• Vuforia setup in Unity
• Augmented reality engine functionalities
• Image recognition using Image Targets
• Target Manager settings (local or cloud)
• Target types (Image, Cuboid, Cylinder, 3D Object)

Latest Trends in Visual Arts

Visual Design — Foundations of Animation
Adopting an interdisciplinary perspective, this module analyzes the interactions among contemporary arts and the critical issues arising from these relationships. Different types of video games are examined from a historical and philosophical standpoint, including games created by visual artists primarily addressing audiences within the contemporary art world and its channels of presentation and debate.

Theory and Analysis of Cinema and Audiovisual Media with References to Gaming

Cinema is the medium of the imagination and an essential container of narratives and techniques. Starting from the study of its grammar, languages, and methods, the course examines the history of cinematography, serialized storytelling, and contemporary non-linear narratives in both live action and animation.

All interactions with new media — particularly gaming — are explored and analyzed, highlighting the reciprocal influences between cinema, audiovisual production, and interactive media.

Information for Art: Promotion Methods and Media for Gaming

This course aims to prepare students to manage and promote art and its commercial implications, providing both historical knowledge and practical experience through classroom simulations and guided visits.

The objective is to enable students to operate within the fields of art and gaming, understanding the diverse professional roles and specific competencies required. The course focuses on the promotion and enhancement of video games as an art form.

Multimedia Design

3D Graphics
This course examines, both theoretically and practically, the methodologies for applying digital and media technologies to artistic and aesthetic production, particularly in gaming. It emphasizes the cross-disciplinary nature of visual languages and communication codes enabled by digital tools and 3D graphics.

Anthropology of Art

Through lectures and analysis of audiovisual materials, this course introduces students to the study of artistic expressions and aesthetics across different cultures and societies. It expands aesthetic reference models and provides empirical research methods related to the socio-cultural dimensions of aesthetic and communicative forms.

Digital Photography

Photoshop for Games – This course highlights, both theoretically and practically, the importance of photographic language as a tool for communication, expression, and research. It provides the knowledge necessary to develop proficiency in Adobe Photoshop, with particular focus on textures, filters, and layers applied to the field of video games.

Digital Modeling Techniques — 3D Computer Graphics

This laboratory course explores digital technologies applied to video production. Theory and practice run in parallel to encourage multiple perspectives on the various genres in which video technology is applied.

Particular emphasis is placed on individual exercises involving image creation and manipulation, visual effects, and virtual reality production. The module covers digital image processing in 3D environments, including the creation and reconstruction of three-dimensional spaces and objects for both artistic expression and professional applications in gaming.

Multimedia Languages

Screenwriting, Narrative, and Direction for Video Games.
This course focuses on the creation of video game scripts, interactive storytelling, and direction. It introduces the concept of “video game screenwriting” through the analysis of narrative structures in games, with particular attention to the relationship between storytelling, gameplay, and game space.

Sound Space Design

Game experience is shaped by multiple elements, with audio playing a crucial role in creating immersion. This course explores the importance of sound, music, and audio effects in video games, both as atmospheric tools and as tactical elements influencing gameplay.

The programme includes theoretical foundations of acoustics and professional workflows, combined with practical sessions on real projects using audio workstations. Activities include field recording, dubbing, and foley techniques.

Theory of Perception and Psychology of Form

Level Design and Set Dressing — Implementation and Map Construction in Unity

This course focuses on the creation and development of game levels, including environments, scenarios, and missions. Students will learn level design principles and implement a playable map using Unity.

Digital Video

Digital Video, Visual FX & VR Production
This laboratory course allows students to experiment with digital video technologies. Theory and practice progress together to explore the application of video across different genres. Particular emphasis is placed on image creation and manipulation, visual effects, and virtual reality production.

Net Art — Game Art
This course covers key techniques of digital modeling, texture creation, rendering, and animation through practical exercises, individual assignments, and group projects. Students work with industry-standard platforms and software used in video game production.

Audiovisual Techniques for the Web

Film Editing Techniques Applied to Gaming & VR
Drawing from cinematic editing techniques — including analysis of film sequences, documentaries, commercials, and music videos — this course applies these methods to gaming and virtual reality contexts.

Software for the Web

Gaming Software, Virtual Environments, and User Interaction

Through practical application of gaming software — including Unreal Engine, Maya, Unity, Photoshop, Premiere, After Effects, Audition, and ZBrush — students develop virtual environments and graphical interfaces designed for user interaction.

Processes and Techniques for Multimedia Performance

Game Development — Basic

Game development is the process of creating a video game from initial design to market release. In this introductory module, students begin learning video game development through Unity programming (C# scripting) starting from foundational concepts.

Unity is a real-time graphics engine for developing 3D video games and interactive content across multiple platforms, enabling the complete production pipeline of a video game. The module covers the user interface, animation systems, and automation tools (Mecanim).

Practice and Culture of Multimedia Performance

Game Optimization: Organization, Management, and Interaction with Characters and Environments in the 3D World

This module addresses graphical aspects of simulation and modeling, animation techniques, and character interaction within video games. Students develop environments and scenarios, focusing on graphical optimization and the creation of virtual reality settings.

Screenwriting for Video Games

Game Development — Advanced

This course teaches the creative and technical processes involved in writing stories for games. It deepens the concept of video game screenwriting through analysis of narrative structures and the relationship between storytelling, gameplay, and game space.

Students acquire professional skills through practical exercises and production activities, including advanced C# scripting, plugins, artificial intelligence systems, character systems, in-game cinematics, visual effects, building, exporting, debugging techniques, and performance profiling for both mobile and PC platforms.

Live Game Creation — Delivery Gaming

This module explores Live Operations (Live Ops), a model of managing games as ongoing services. Students examine strategies for delivering continuous updates, new features, events, and improvements to enhance player engagement and community development.

Through this approach, operational teams can maintain active player communities using experiments, promotions, in-game events, and innovative content to sustain long-term engagement.

Video Music for Gaming

This course explores the relationship between music and visual media from the origins of cinema to contemporary audiovisual production and gaming. Through analysis of examples — from silent film to modern music videos — students examine how soundtracks shape narrative, atmosphere, and player experience.

Musical choices and production approaches for audiovisual projects are discussed collectively in class.

Internship

Students undertake an internship within a company or professional studio, following the development of a project from concept to completion. This experience allows them to collaborate with industry professionals and apply the skills acquired during the programme.

Final Project (Thesis)

Each student completes an individual research project, presented either as a written dissertation or a practical project, to be discussed during the final examination.