- Arts & Media
- Engineering & Technology
- B.A.
- Arts
- Performance, Play and Design
Program overview
Art & Design: Games & Playable Media (AGPM) is an interdisciplinary undergraduate program in the Department of Performance, Play and Design at UCSC. The program is closely affiliated with the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science: Computer Game Design in the Computational Media Department in the School of Engineering. Students in both programs work together throughout their studies at UCSC, from foundation courses to a year-long capstone sequence that results in team creation of a releasable game demo. Students in AGPM obtain a degree focused on the design of game systems and other interactive experiences, including their connection to a wider arts context — with a full grounding in the fundamentals of artistic practice and expressive game development.
Learning Experience
The foundation of the program is game making, with students working together to make games each year. Students also learn about the history of games, the interpretation of games and game culture, expression of ideas and creating experiences through games, and approaches to design, communication, teamwork, and artistic innovation.
Study and Research Opportunities
- Research opportunities with graduate students/faculty including:
- The Critical Realities Lab - led by micha cárdenas
- The Other Lab - led by A.M. Darke
- Social Emotional Technology Lab - led by Katherine Isbister
- ASSIST Lab - led by Sri Kurniawan
- Augmented Design Lab - led by Jim Whitehead
- Expressive Intelligence Studio - led by Michael Mateas & Noah Wardrip-Fruin
- The Ludo Lab Center for Games & Playable Media Research. The Ludo Lab seeks to approach the issues & opportunities that shape our collective future - including Social and Environmental Justice, Gender Equality, Identity, and Representation.
First-Year (Freshman) Requirements
Students interested in entering the program as frosh are urged to make games — using any materials, digital or analog, from Python/Javascript to cardboard — and carefully study game systems. Developing an arts practice in any medium is also helpful, including drawing, writing, music, sculpture, filmmaking, and others. Finally, deepening your understanding of technology is good preparation, including computer programming, participating in maker groups, or whatever else grabs your interest.
Transfer Requirements
In preparation for transfer to AGPM, students are required to demonstrate proficiency in programming, visual art, and game design.
See the Transfer Information and Policy section in our program statement for more information.
It is required that incoming transfer students complete all the necessary programming courses and have some experience with art or game design courses prior to entering UCSC. Students interested in entering as junior transfers, including from within UCSC, are urged to complete all general education requirements (IGETC) and as many appropriate foundation courses as possible.
Internships and Career Opportunities
The AGPM B.A. serves as the sister program to the Computer Science: Computer Game Design (CS:CGD) B.S. major. While the CS:CGD major prepares its students for engineering and developer roles, the AGPM program focuses on artist, designer, or producer roles in the games industry including:
- 2D / 3D Artist
- Game Designer
- Game Programmer
- Game Writer
- Producer
- Sound Designer
- User Interface (UI) Designer
- User Experience (UX) Designer
Outside of the games industry, students have gone on to careers in games research, science, academia, marketing, graphic design, fine art, illustration, and other types of media and entertainment.
Program Contact
Arts Division Programs Office, Digital Arts Research Center 302
(831) 459-1554