<p>Having some difficulties finding a program that is not based purely around characters for concept art, or around mechanics and programming for game design. </p>
<p>I am interested in learning more about building characters, environments, cultures, interactive storytelling, and overall immersive experiences, most likely in a video game or virtual reality setting. I am not only interested in creating art assets, but in also focusing on figuring out what the world we're trying to depict is like. The step before asset creation. </p>
<p>Does anyone know of any programs which focus on this?</p>
<p>Bonus if they work on new technology/hardware systems to further the virtual reality experience elsewhere in their school or programs.</p>
<p>At the moment I am considering the following, in no particular order:</p>
<ul>
<li>University of Idaho, Virtual Technology & Design (focus on creating virtual environments, but usually for academic reasons)</li>
<li>University of Utah, Entertainment Arts & Engineering (general game development, seems to have some focus on my specific interests)</li>
<li>Savannah College of Art & Design, Interactive Design & Game Development</li>
</ul>
<p>A few other schools I have contacted for more specifics on their program:
Becker College
Drexel University
Hampshire College
Champlain College</p>
<p>I have removed schools like Colorado State Colorado Springs from my list for their program's pure focus being game programming. I am interested in learning this, but it is far from my focus. </p>
<p>Apologies for double post, I really wish these forums allowed me to edit my posts… but I wanted to note that the Entertainment Design with a focus in Concept Design program offered by Art Center College of Design is very similar to what I want, though lacking in some of the more thoughtful/written story/culture aspects. However, I do not currently possess the art skills to make an entrance to that school. They describe their program as:</p>
<p>“Concept Design involves the full range of story-telling, from developing the characters to the architecture, landscape, animals, vehicles, and objects in the world of that story. The task of a concept designer for the entertainment industry is to be able to provide an infinite number of design variations of characters, environments, vehicles and props for stories taking place in the past, present or future.”</p>
<p>Some examples of courses their program offers that I would like to be able to attend are such:</p>
<p>Columbia College Chicago, possibly? Ringling (in Sarasota, FL) is strong in animation, but I don’t know about the other specific areas you listed. The same goes for Cal Arts. Have you looked into the College of Creative Studies, at UC Santa Barbara? You might be able to customize your curriculum there.</p>
<p>Ringling apparently has plenty of video game industry visitors, but again I wonder if being a popular art school would shut me out as someone who doesn’t already have highly demonstrable art skills.</p>
<p>I’ll reasearch your suggestions, and welcome any others. Thank you. </p>
<p>All of the aspects of what you want to learn have to do with art–concept, visual development, architecture, costume design, entertainment design. character design. Are you an artist? Have ability? Desire?
A college such as Ringling has core classes in art that all students will take. Mostly figure drawing, perspective. You would need them no matter what discipline you major in.
Unless you are strictly in the programming side of the gaming/CA industry you will need art skills to compete.</p>