Franklin University Video Game Design

Class Type

100% online, 6 & 12-week courses

Next Start Date

Jan 3, 2022

About Start Dates

Additional future start dates include:

Spring 2022

Feb 14, 2022
Mar 28, 2022

Start dates for individual programs may vary and are subject to change. Please request free information & speak with an admission advisor for the latest program start dates.

Cost Per Credit

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Lock-In Your Tuition Rate from Day One

The Franklin University Tuition Guarantee locks-in your first-term tuition rate for the duration of your associate, bachelor's or master's degree program, for as long as you remain actively enrolled.

Design your professional path with an interactive media degree

Whoever said you can't make a career out of gaming was wrong. Proof in point? Graduates of Franklin's B.S. Interactive Media Design (IMD) degree program. From gaming to mobile apps to websites, our IMD bachelor's degree program can open up a variety of technical, artistic and management career paths. From needs analysis to deployment, from technical and non-technical, this degree-completion program equips you to deliver interactive solutions throughout the development lifecycle.

Program Overview

Deliver innovative interactive, instructional, and mobile solutions to the world

From needs analysis to deployment, Franklin's transfer-friendly Interactive Media Design (IMD) degree completion program equips you to deliver interactive solutions throughout the entire development lifecycle. Unlike some programs, Franklin's IMD major exposes you to both the technical and non-technical aspects of interactive development. From mobile, graphic, rich media, web, and interaction design to front-end development, our program combines project management expertise with solid design and technology skills.

Transfer 24 technical credits or 84 semester hours

Because Franklin University's interactive media design program is specifically designed for transfer students, if you've taken interactive media, 3D graphics, or visual communication courses, you can transfer 24 technical credits or up to 90 semester hours toward your Interactive Media Design Major.

Here, you'll learn what it takes to work with high-performing interactive teams. Our degree program offers hands-on, project-based instruction, and focuses on helping you apply your existing technical skills within high-growth career segments such as training, advertising, and entertainment.

Sharpen your skills with industry-standard software and technologies

At Franklin, you'll also hone your interactive media design and development skills using popular software and technologies, such as Adobe® Photoshop, Illustrator, Flash, HTML, CSS, and Javascript to create a variety of interactive solutions, including mobile interfaces for iPhone® and Android®.

This program's practicum simulates an actual design firm with the instructor as the organizational leader and students like you filling other critical roles. Throughout, you'll collaborate on the design and development of interactive solutions for practical, real-world problems.

Create a professional portfolio to showcase your work

You'll emerge from the game and interactive media design major with a professional portfolio of work created for actual clients, along with ample experience collaborating with design teams. Your Franklin education will open up potential career advancement opportunities with advertising agencies, web design firms, and corporations with internal design departments.

Top industry professionals evaluate and influence our program continually, and our faculty teach industry best practices based on their own successful careers designing and leading interactive teams.

Earn your degree from a university built for busy adults

Earn your degree on your terms by taking classes 100% online or pursue available coursework at our Main Campus. Regionally accredited and nonprofit, Franklin was built from the ground-up to satisfy the needs of adult learners. Our seamless transfer process and team of academic advisors will help ease your transition to becoming a student, while our flexible course schedules help to balance your education with work, family, and life. Get started on your future today.

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Curriculum & Course Descriptions

120 Semester Hours

Fundamental General Education

English Composition

ENG 120 - College Writing (4)

In this course, students acquire the writing competence necessary for conducting and presenting research. A variety of assignments, beginning with personal reflections, build upon one another, as students develop ideas that respond to, critique, and synthesize the positions of others. Students systematize and organize knowledge in ways that will help them in all of their courses. The course also emphasizes the elements of good writing style, appropriate grammar and mechanics, clarity of language, and logical and cohesive development. It culminates in submission of a documented research paper.

Mathematics

MATH 160 - College Algebra (4)

This course is designed to prepare students for Applied Calculus and Discrete Mathematics and to provide the mathematical background needed for the analytic reasoning used in other courses. Topics include functions and their graphs, including exponential and logarithmic functions; complex numbers; systems of equations and inequalities; matrices; basic principles of counting and probability; and other selected topics.

OR MATH 215 - Statistical Concepts (4)

This course introduces the student to statistics with business applications. The course covers both descriptive and inferential statistics. Topics included are: measures of central tendency; measures of dispersion; graphical displays of data; linear regression; basic probability concepts; binomial and normal probability distributions; confidence intervals; and hypothesis testing. These topics will be covered using a basic knowledge of algebra and Microsoft Excel.

Choose MATH 150 Fundamental Algebra as the prerequisite for MATH 160. Choose either MATH 140 Introduction to Quantitative Reasoning or MATH 150 Fundamental Algebra as the prerequisite to MATH 215. Course can count as a University Elective.

Social and Behavioral Sciences

6 credits from the following types of courses:
Choose from the Anthropology, Geography, History, Political Science, Psychology, or Sociology disciplines. Courses must be from two different disciplines.

Science

6 credits from the following types of courses:
Two courses from the Science discipline. One course must have a lab component.

Arts & Humanities

6 credits from the following types of courses:
Choose from the Art, English Literature, Fine Arts, Humanities, Music, Philosophy, Religion or Theater disciplines.

Additional General Education

PF 121 - Basic Learning Strategies (2)

This course introduces students to the Franklin University community and provides strategies for successful transition to and participation in that community. Topics include University resources and procedures, strategies for advancing communication skills, the use of electronic tools to participate in virtual environments, and the development of an academic and career plan.

OR PF 321 - Learning Strategies (2)

This course prepares students to be successful lifelong learners both academically and in their chosen careers. Franklin courses require a high level of self-directed learning and focus on skills required in the workplace and the classroom that are easily transferable between the two environments. The course includes strategies for advancing communication skills, including the use of electronic tools to participate in virtual environments. The assignments and activities in the course are created to closely simulate teamwork found in the workplace.

COMM 150 - Interpersonal Communication (4)

By using applied critical and creative thinking, students in this course will develop a set of communication skills that will enhance their personal and professional relationships and endeavors. This course will focus on skill development in key areas such as self, perception, listening, verbal messages, conversations, relationships, conflict management, persuasion, and public speaking.

OR SPCH 100 - Speech Communication (4)

This public-speaking course emphasizes the fundamentals of extemporaneous speaking. Skill-building activities and assignments focus on research, organization, reasoning, style and delivery of presentations as well as listening and audience engagement.

PF 106 - Introduction to Spreadsheets (1)

This course focuses on using spreadsheets to solve business applications.

ENG 220 - Research Writing: Exploring Professional Identities (4)

This is an intermediate course focusing on the composition of research papers. Students in this course prepare to be active participants in professional discourse communities by examining and practicing the writing conventions associated with their own fields of study and work. By calling attention to the conventions of disciplinary writing, the course also prepares students for upper-division college writing and the special conventions of advanced academic discourse. Course activities include three extended research papers, semi-formal writing addressing interdisciplinary communication, and readings fostering critical engagement with disciplinary conversations.

Technical Credit

3 credits from the following types of courses:
Web Design Fundamentals

3 credits from the following types of courses:
Graphic Design Fundamentals

3 credits from the following types of courses:
Interactive Design Fundamentals

15 credits from the following types of courses:
Interactive media or from the following related areas: Web Design, Interactive Media, Flash Animation, or Media Design

Major Area Required

COMM 335 - Communication in Groups and Teams (4)

The course examines current theories and best practices of working collaboratively in professional contexts. Students apply these concepts to analyze their own work experience, generating strategies for how to improve their performance in work groups. Students will learn basic project management skills and work in online virtual teams to complete a final communication project.

COMP 325 - Human-Computer Interaction (4)

This course covers a broad range of important topics within human computer interaction (HCI) and its implications for the design of interactive systems. By understanding the user?s viewpoint and technology?s effect on people, we can better plan for the selection, design, implementation, and use of technology so that the effects are positive rather than negative. The focus is on the design of interactive systems and human-computer interfaces. The course will cover the current literature and the knowns and unknowns about HCI and design. The design process is centered on the user and is based on a multidisciplinary approach through a synthesis of computer science, cognitive science, and psychology. HCI designers also use analytical and empirical techniques to assess, predict, and evaluate whether a design meets user requirements.

GRPH 310 - Advanced Graphic Design (4)

In this course students will apply the fundamentals covered in Fundamentals of Graphic Design (DCOM/GRPH 210). A strong focus is placed on preparing students to effectively communicate ideas and information to business and consumer audiences through graphic design. Students will learn to apply these principles using traditional methods supported by computer technology.

IMD 300 - Digital Media Design (4)

This course explores current trends in digital media design and production. The focus will be on creating media that can be used in interactive media projects, web sites, and social media contexts. The course examines common practices and methods of creating professional quality media using current technologies. Students work individually and in teams to design, develop, and implement digital media for projects.

IMD 400 - Interactive Media for Training & Instruction (4)

This upper-level Interactive Media Design course provides practical application and experience in the creation of digitally mediated communication for training and instructional purposes. Students work individually and within teams to produce professional quality media used for interactive training and instruction. The course provides hands-on experience in conducting a training needs analysis, followed by the design of a suitable innovation, and ending with the implementation of a solution. Students use computer software and technology to present text, graphics, video, audio, and animation in an integrated way to produce interactive training and instruction.

IMD 430 - Interactive Media for Entertainment (4)

This upper-level Interactive Media Design course provides practical application and experience in the creation of digitally mediated communication for entertainment. Students work individually and within design teams, filling the necessary roles to produce professional quality entertainment media. The course provides hands-on experience conducting a needs analysis, followed by the design of a suitable innovation, and ending with the implementation of a solution. Students use computer software and technology to present text, graphics, video, audio, and animation in an integrated environment that produces an interactive and engaging media product.

IMD 450 - Interactive Media for Advertising (4)

This upper-level Interactive Media Design course provides practical application and experience in the creation of digitally mediated communication for advertising purposes. The course provides students with the knowledge and experience to design interactive media used in advertising to satisfy marketing objectives. The course provides hands-on experience conducting a needs analysis, followed by the design of a suitable advertising innovation, and ending with the implementation of a solution. Students utilize computer software and technology to present text, graphics, video, audio, and animation in an integrated way to produce interactive marketing materials.

IMD 490 - Interactive Media Design Practicum (4)

In this course, students create interactive media products for actual clients, thus gaining the most practical experience possible in an education setting. The practicum is organized like an actual design firm with the instructor as the organizational leader and students filling different roles in the organization. Students are placed in design teams based on their experience and talents. Within the teams, they collaborate to design and develop solutions to practical problems that require interactive media solutions. These problems may be training, marketing, or entertainment oriented or a combination of all three. IMD490 and IMD495 make up the final IMD capstone course progression and as such the two courses must be taken in sequential order and in separate terms.

IMD 495 - Interactive Media Design Capstone (4)

This is the final course in the Interactive Media Design major. Students at this level have completed all of the instructional elements of the curriculum. The capstone prepares students to find employment in the interactive media industry. The course completes the practicum sequence, requiring students to take on management roles in the assigned projects. In addition, students will assemble their portfolios and prepare for final presentations. Finally, they will present their work and receive feedback, preparing them for the interview process. IMD490 and IMD495 make up the final IMD Capstone Course Progression and as such the two courses must be taken in sequential order and in separate terms.

University Electives

23 credits from the following types of courses:
Any undergraduate courses offered by the University except developmental education courses.

Additional Requirements

All students are required to pass College Writing (ENG 120), and either Basic Learning Strategies (PF 121) or Learning Strategies (PF 321) prior to enrolling in any course at the 200 level or above. Students who enroll at Franklin with 30 or fewer hours of transfer credit are required to pass PF 121 Basic Learning Strategies in place of PF 321 Learning Strategies. Interpersonal Communication (COMM 150) or Speech Communication (SPCH 100) must be taken prior to enrolling in any course at the 300 level or above. Students must also meet the University algebra competency requirement.

Program Details

Tuition Costs

2020 - 2021 Tuition	Cost Per Credit
Standard tuition	$398
Current service members	$250
International students	$526

See How Franklin Compares

66% LESS IN TUITION

For students taking 31 credits per year, Franklin University's undergraduate tuition for the 2019-2020 academic year is $12,338. According to Collegeboard.org, that's about 66% less than the national average private, nonprofit four-year college tuition of $35,830.

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Program Learning Outcomes

A learning outcome map functions as a roadmap to help guide students' progress through their program of study. Click HERE to view the B.S. Interactive Media Design matrix.

Degree Requirements

1. To be awarded an undergraduate degree, students must:

• Successfully complete all courses required in the major program, including:
• General Education
• Business or Professional Core
• Major Area and Elective Courses
• Technical transfer credit (for specific degree completion programs only)

2. Meet these grade point average (GPA) requirements:

• All students must attain a minimum Franklin University cumulative GPA of 2.00
• All students must attain a minimum GPA of 2.25 in the major area, and each major area course must be completed with a grade of "C" or better to count toward degree requirements

3. Complete the residency requirement

• Students seeking a bachelor's degree must complete a minimum of 30 credit hours at Franklin University to be eligible for a degree. Students seeking an associate's degree must earn 20 credit hours overall in residence at Franklin University to be eligible for a degree. Credit hours may be completed on-site, hybrid or online.

4. Complete the payment of all requisite tuition and fees

5. Not be under disciplinary dismissal due to academic dishonesty or a violation of the Student Code of Conduct

Program Chairs and Academic Advisors are available for consultation to provide information and guidance regarding the selection of courses, the accuracy of schedules, and the transfer process. However, students are responsible for understanding and meeting the degree requirements of their major program or degree and for planning schedules accordingly.

Overall Residency Requirements

Students seeking a bachelor's degree must complete a minimum of 30 credit hours at Franklin University to be eligible for a degree. Students seeking an associate's degree must earn 20 credit hours overall in residence at Franklin University to be eligible for a degree.

Course Level Requirements

A student must have 40 credit hours overall that are equivalent to 300/400 level Franklin University courses for a bachelor's degree. A student must have a minimum of 12 credit hours of courses that are equivalent to 200 level or above for an associate's degree.

Business Core Requirements

Majors that have Business Core requirements are Accounting, Applied Management, Business Administration, Business Economics, Business Forensics, Energy Management, Entrepreneurship, Financial Management, Financial Planning, Forensic Accounting, Human Resources Management, Information Systems Auditing, Logistics Management, Management & Leadership, Marketing, Operations & Supply Chain Management, and Risk Management & Insurance. The Business Core is the foundation of the related academic disciplines appropriate for a baccalaureate degree in business. The purpose of the Business Core is to provide students with a conceptual understanding of organizations, how the functional areas interrelate to achieve organizational goals, and how to apply professional decision-making competencies and technical skills in today's environment. After completing the Business Core, graduates will be able to:

• analyze an organization's accounting information in order to develop sound business decisions
• identify and apply valuation models relevant to an organization's financial decisions
• identify the impact of forces influencing the major functional areas of business (e.g., ethical, legal, technological, economic, global and social)
• apply marketing activities to the delivery of goods and services in business-to-business and business-to-consumer markets
• apply interpersonal and resource management skills to enhance business success

Business Principles (BSAD 110) is a Business Core prerequisite. Transfer students with the equivalent of four business courses are not required to take Business Principles.

Major Area Requirements

A student must have 20 credit hours in the major area that are equivalent to 300/400 major level Franklin courses for a bachelor's degree. A student must have 12 hours of major area courses that are equivalent to 200 level or above for an associate's degree. A minimum 2.25 GPA is required in the major area for students enrolled in either the associate's or bachelor's degree programs, and each major course must be completed with a grade of "C" or better to count toward degree requirements.

Capstone Requirement

Every major has a capstone experience for which credit cannot be transferred into the University. This is a Franklin course designed to integrate and assess the learning outcomes specific to each major as a whole. This course should be taken as the last major course. If, given the academic scheduling process and the student's projected graduation date, this is not possible, then the student should have Senior Standing (90 or more credit hours), plus the skill-based General Education courses (COMM, SPCH, WRIT, MATH, COMP), all business or professional core courses, and the capstone prerequisite courses.

Subsequent Degree Requirements

Students pursuing subsequent bachelor's degrees must earn in residency at Franklin University a minimum of 30 credit hours at the 200 level or above, of which a minimum of 16 credit hours must be major area courses equivalent to 300/400 level courses.

Additional Degree Requirements

Students seeking an additional bachelor's (or associate's) degree must successfully complete a minimum of 30 credit hours (including the major requirements) beyond the first bachelor's (or associate's) degree. (See the "Subsequent Degree" section of the Academic Bulletin.)

Transfer Credit

Transfer credit and credit awarded on standardized exams, proficiency exams or portfolio credit awarded by another institution will not count toward the residency requirement at Franklin University. Credit awarded based on proficiency examination or portfolio evaluation conducted by Franklin University may apply as appropriate major area credit, but will not reduce the hours required toward the residency requirement.

Program Advisory Board

The University employs a team approach to planning, developing and maintaining its academic curriculum. An essential element of this process – and a key to the institution's quality assurance practices – is the Program Advisory Board (and the associated Alumni Advisory Board). A diverse array of business and industry leaders make up these discipline-specific boards that provide guidance on theory-to-practice ideas, global business perspectives, and emerging topics in the field. Each academic year, Program Advisory Boards meet with Division Chairs and faculty for lively and engaged conversations, thus bringing members' substantial professional experience and expertise into the classroom. In addition, some Division Chairs elect to engage Program Advisory Board members in the assessment of academic program outcomes.

Interactive Media Design Program Advisory Board

Name	Organization	Title
Jon Lundquist	Columbus State Community College	Associate Professor
Amanda Romero	Sinclair College	Professor
Kristopher Schultz	Resource, LLC	Director, ResourceLAB
Richard Shoop	Franklin University	Senior Analytics Developer
Bridget Granfer Weizer	Be Wise Management	President
Julie Wuebker	The Ohio State University	Senior Release Manager

Career Opportunities

Employment Outlook

Knowledge & Skillsets

Gain in-demand skills sought by employers with curriculum that teaches you:

Graphic Design

• Turn creative vision into visual concepts and compelling design, employing industry design standards and best practices
• Create design mockups and comps, adhering to brand guidelines and brand positioning
• Use Adobe® Photoshop, Illustrator, and similar software to create visual assets with a pixel-level attention to detail
• Design web, mobile, and social assets, organizing layout, typography, color palettes, and imagery into highly functional and aesthetically pleasing user experiences
• Source and select photos to effectively illustrate company and product stories

Web Design

• Design and implement web interfaces, including concepts, layout, and selection of appropriate illustrative assets
• Improve visual aesthetics and functionality by optimizing design concepts for development with HTML/CSS
• Conceptualize and create intuitive, engaging, and brand-consistent interactive user experiences across a variety of platforms
• Translate business, training, and marketing objectives into engaging, interactive visual solutions through the use of thoughtful typography, digital media, color, imagery, and hierarchy

Rich Media

• Use assets, mockups, and storyboards to interpret creative vision and develop engaging rich media ad concepts
• Design and develop HTML/HTML5, CSS, and JavaScript-based rich media projects
• Create Flash animations and special effects for objects and characters with timelines and ActionScript
• Apply basic and advanced Flash animation techniques, such as tweening, display properties, effects, and motion

Mobile Design

• Create mobile user interfaces and mobile sites for iPhone®, Android®, and other smart phones, ensuring quality delivery of code and design artifacts
• Engage mobile users through the thoughtful application and translation of interactive media into comprehensive mobile strategies
• Generate elegant, innovative design solutions for cutting-edge mobile and web applications
• Design compelling, functional, and desirable user experiences and interfaces for a variety of mobile apps, leveraging user interface (UI) artifacts inherent in each device

Concepting

• Participate in or lead creative brainstorming sessions, resulting in new themes and fresh concepts
• Employ conceptual thinking, visual and verbal storytelling, typography, iconography, color theory, proportion, and layout in the execution of concepts and strategies
• Present design and copy concepts to key stakeholders, including leadership, project teams, and clients
• Analyze the business, marketing, instructional, or entertainment challenge or opportunity, and author a creative approach to executing relevant solutions and programs
• Collaborate with project or brand teams, UX designers, and programmers in the development of strategic approaches and creative concepts
• Translate business strategies and marketing objectives into compelling, creative concepts

Project Management

• Drive project teams toward exceeding client expectations with the successful completion of project deliverables within scope, time, budget, and requirements
• Use input from key stakeholders, vendors, and partners to prepare requirements documentation, project plans, timelines, budget, and resource allocation plans
• Lead functional requirements-gathering sessions, creating user requirements and/or functional specification documents such as site maps, wireframes, user flows, use cases, and other business logic documentation
• Create and facilitate accurate project plans featuring clearly defined milestones, deliverables, and tasks

Frequently Asked Questions

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Franklin University Video Game Design

Source: https://www.franklin.edu/degrees/bachelors/interactive-media-design

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