The Game Design and Interactive Media major is a hybrid program of the College of Creative Arts and Reed College of Media. The major combines two core foundational areas of study: one focused on media and delivered by the Reed College of Media; the other focused on art and design, delivered by the College of Creative Arts. As such, course work exposes students to the history, guiding principles, ethics, diversity and cultural issues as related to design, technology and interactive media. The colleges' skills-based courses provide students with ample hands-on opportunities in the technologies and design thinking germane to digital, interactive platforms.
The program begins with foundational skills in design, production, and editing using digital tools and software. These classes provide the skill sets to create interactive experiences including websites, mobile apps, immersive environments, video games, and virtual and augmented reality. Courses offered in the School of Art and Design provide skill building and theory in audiovisual design and motion graphics, while courses offered in the Reed College of Media provide theoretical exploration and applied implementation of those skills in emergent media experiences. Students are concurrently oriented to innovation and design thinking methodologies and project management skills to create expertise in coordinating a team of diverse thinkers, from computer programmers to visual designers.