Tabletop Game Art & Design
About the Course
Students will be provided with the supplies needed. Students may bring any type of art medium they wish to develop their game ideas.
Students will bring imagined worlds to the table through the art and design of analog games. They’ll explore how images, materials, and rules work together to create games that invite people to play, from card games to board games and other tabletop experiences.
Through guided exercises and studio practice, students will develop ideas for game worlds, characters, cards, boards, and playing pieces. They’ll explore how illustration, symbols, typography, and layout help players understand a game while giving it a distinctive visual identity.
Students will turn their ideas into a playable prototype, testing it with classmates and refining their designs through feedback. Along the way, they’ll discover how creative choices shape both the look of a game and the experience of playing it.
What Students Will Create
Students will develop a tabletop game prototype with original artwork and designed components, supported by sketches and visual studies. Their projects will bring together visual storytelling, hands-on making, and thoughtful design to create experiences they can share and play with others.
What Registration Will Include
This registration will cover one afternoon elective only. A morning intensive, a second afternoon elective, and housing will require separate registration.
Students will be able to take this elective on its own or combine it with other Summer@Cornish courses. No morning intensive will be required.
How Students Will Build Their Schedules
Full-Time Program
Students will register for a morning intensive and two afternoon electives, one from each schedule. Morning intensives will meet Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–noon, with a lunch break from noon–1 p.m.
One Afternoon Elective
Students will register for this course and attend on the days listed in its schedule. Afternoon electives will run from 1–4 p.m.
Afternoon Electives Only
Students who wish to attend every afternoon will choose two electives: one that will meet Monday/Wednesday/Friday and one that will meet Tuesday/Thursday.
Students will be able to pair this elective with the Art & Design Intensive + Portfolio Development, or combine it with another morning intensive to explore interests across disciplines.
Students will need to add each course to their cart separately.
Browse Summer@Cornish courses →
Housing Options
A residential option will be available to full-day students and will include supervised housing, evening and weekend activities, and extra studio time.
Students who plan to stay in housing will need to begin with the residential application before registering for courses. They’ll receive instructions for selecting a morning intensive and two afternoon electives as part of the residential package.
Learn about the residential program and how to apply →
Questions?
Students and families will be able to get help choosing courses and building a schedule by emailing cornishplus@seattleu.edu.
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