June 24 – August 2, 2024
Register now: https://summer.ucla.edu
DESMA 7: Critical Game Culture,
Three hours; discussion, one hour; outside study, 11 hours. Introduction to critical issues in the culture and history of games. Consideration of games and game culture in relation to contemporary social issues such as economics and class, environment, violence, gender identity, and cross-cultural representation. Weekly focus on a different subject or topic related to games and games culture, combining reading, lecture, discussion, game examples, and opportunities for hands-on gameplay. P/NP or letter grading.
DESMA 10: Design Culture Lecture,
Three hours; outside study, 12 hours. Open to nonmajors. Understanding design process, with emphasis on development of visual language; study of historic, scientific, technological, economic, and cultural factors influencing design in physical environment. P/NP or letter grading.
DESMA 24 Motion Studio,
Six hours; outside study, six hours. Introduction and integration of traditional design tools, camera, and digital technologies for application to visual thinking and fundamentals of design. P/NP or letter grading.
DESMA 28 Interactivity Studio,
Six hours; outside study, six hours. Requisites: courses 21, 22, 25. Introduction to concept of interactivity and field of media art that follows history of computer as media for artistic exploration in relation to print, animation, and interactivity. Discussion of potential and ideas related to interactivity, with focus on required skills for creating interactive work. Development of programming skills in service of creating examples of media art. Concepts and skills taught enhance student ability to excel in future courses about Internet, animation, interactive media, and game design. Discussion and readings on four themes–form/programming, motion, interactivity/programming, and interface. P/NP or letter grading.
DESMA 160.1 Special Topics - Digital Photography,
Introduction to digital photography as broad creative tool that is critically important to intersection of culture, art, and technology. Students engage medium for its aesthetic, conceptual, and ideological potentials. Study is strengthened by studio and ?eld production practices including how to employ lighting; and use of post-production software.
DESMA 160.2 Special Topics - Computer Game Design and Development,
Comprehensive introduction to core elements of computer game design and development, including team-based production, game mechanics, 2D and 3D graphics, and computer programming. Through exercises and collaborative projects students explore wide spectrum of concepts such as systems and rule design, world-building, game balance, narrative development, creation of custom input systems, and other essential aesthetic and practical facets of game design.
*All course offerings and schedules are subject to change pending enrollment numbers.