Creative Arts (Game Design)

The games industry is growing fast. In fact, the expertise and practices of game design and development is spilling over into a range of sectors, with design and development practices becoming widely adopted outside of purely gaming purposes.

Game Design at JMC feeds this drive, providing the skills and knowledge to create fully immersive digital environments. Learn how to design, develop and implement an idea, with emphasis on creativity and expression through concept creation, digital drawing, environment modelling and game-engine implementation.

Get the hands-on expertise with leading game industry development and production software, and use our 18-camera leading precision motion-capture suites and VR facilities needed to create interactive game prototypes and quality game assets. Graduate with the skills demanded by leading developers.

You will be able to access the Full Adobe Creative Cloud Suite, Autodesk Maya, Wacom Intuos Pro + Cintiq tablets, Animation lightboxes, ball + socket stop-motion rigs, Dragonframe stop-motion software, 18-camera motion-capture suites, VR facilities, green-screen studios, renderers (Redshift, Pixar RenderMan, Arnold), Substance Painter for texturing, Zbrush for sculpting, Compositing tools (After Effects, Nuke), Katana for Look Development and Shotgun Studio for Project Planning + Management.

With world class campuses in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, a dedicated team of academics and industry professional lecturers, and the opportunity to participate in international masterclasses and study abroad programs, JMC Academy is committed to ensuring our graduates make their own indelible mark on industry.

All JMC bachelor degree graduates are eligible to apply for entry into JMC Academy's Master of Creative Industries, or relevant post-grad qualifications at any Australian university.

Areas of study

Art history, art and animation history, character modelling, character design (2D), clay sculpture, colour and design, concept art, concept development, digital sculpture, digital concept art, drawing, environment design (2D), figure modelling, game design, game studies, game asset creation (3D), game engine scripting (programming), game production, game-play mechanics, interactive multimedia, level design (games), motion capture, motion graphics, pixel art, production (games), prototyping, rendering, scriptwriting, sprite animation (2D), studio skills, user interface design (games).

Career opportunities

Game designer/producer, creative director, concept/character/environment artist, modeller, technical director, story writer, production manager, 3D or 2D animator, storyboard artist, rigger, compositor.

Practical experience

At JMC we have a dedicated Internship Program as well as work placement opportunities designed to have students apply their learning and gain hands-on experience in real industry roles.

Fees and charges

Domestic students have the option of paying tuition fees prior to the commencement of each trimester or deferring payment through FEE-HELP. To be entitled to FEE-HELP you must be an Australian citizen or hold a permanent humanitarian visa. Visit the JMC Academy website for the latest fee information.

Essential requirements for admission

Interview: Once we've received your application, we'll give you a call and organise for you to come in for a consultation with one of our student recruitment advisers. During this appointment they'll be able to confirm your application details, assess the best course & study options for you.

Folio presentation: You are encouraged to bring along any samples of work you've completed either in your free time or during alternative study. The portfolio should contain at least five pieces of work that demonstrate your creativity and may include drawings, paintings, photography, design work, stories and more. This can be shown on a device or in hard copy format. This will help us assess your general aptitude and passion for the course.

Admission criteria

Applicants with recent secondary education

Satisfactory completion of Year 12 or equivalent. No ATAR required. Minimum age 17.

Other applicants

Refer to JMC's general admission criteria.

Advanced standing

You may be entitled to credit for prior learning, whether formal or informal. Formal learning can include previous study in higher education, vocational education, or adult and community education. Informal learning can include on the job learning or various kinds of work and life experience. Credit can reduce the amount of study needed to complete a degree.

JMC credit transfer and recognition of prior learning.

How to apply

Apply online at the JMC website. Do not apply through UAC.

Further information

View full details of this course on the JMC website.

JMC Academy is recognised as follows:
• Registered Australian Higher Education Provider
• Accredited by the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA)
• Registered on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and courses for Overseas Students
• Accredited by the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA)
• Certified Avid Training location
• Registered FEE-HELP provider for all Higher Education Programs
• AUSTUDY/ABSTUDY approved for all full-time courses.

ATAR profile

ATAR-based offers only (semester 1, 2024)

Use all ATAR profile data as a guide only; it provides a broad overview of the ATARs and selection ranks of previous Year 12 students admitted into that course. ATARs and selection ranks required for entry in 2020 may be different. If you are unsure about including a course among your preferences, contact the relevant institution.

Student profile