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    • Game Design

    Game Design Courses Online

    Explore game design principles for creating engaging games. Learn about game mechanics, storytelling, and user experience.

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    Explore the Game Design Course Catalog

    • E

      Epic Games

      Epic Games Game Design

      Skills you'll gain: Unreal Engine, Game Design, Video Game Development, Animation and Game Design, Ideation, 3D Modeling, Prototyping, Visualization (Computer Graphics), Software Documentation, Software Design Documents, User Experience Design, Computer Graphics, Usability, Interactive Design, Virtual Environment, User Interface (UI) Design, Version Control, Conceptual Design, Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, UI Components

      4.2
      Rating, 4.2 out of 5 stars
      ·
      339 reviews

      Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months

    • C

      California Institute of the Arts

      Game Design: Art and Concepts

      Skills you'll gain: Animation and Game Design, Game Design, Animations, Prototyping, Conceptual Design, Storytelling, Software Design Documents, Ideation, Visualization (Computer Graphics), Storyboarding, Video Game Development, Virtual Environment, Art History, Technical Design, Usability Testing, Creative Design, Design Strategies, Graphic and Visual Design, Design, Design Elements And Principles

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      4.1K reviews

      Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

    • C

      California Institute of the Arts

      Introduction to Game Design

      Skills you'll gain: Game Design, Storytelling, Design, Design Elements And Principles, Creativity, Peer Review

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      2.9K reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • M

      Michigan State University

      Game Design and Development with Unity

      Skills you'll gain: Unity Engine, Game Design, Video Game Development, Prototyping, 3D Modeling, Software Design Documents, Peer Review, Cross Platform Development, C# (Programming Language), User Interface (UI), Animation and Game Design, User Experience, Software Design, Storytelling, Software Documentation, User Experience Design, Conceptual Design, Augmented and Virtual Reality (AR/VR), Microsoft Visual Studio, Computer Graphics

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      612 reviews

      Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

    • E

      Epic Games

      Introduction to Game Design

      Skills you'll gain: Game Design, Video Game Development, Software Design Documents, Ideation, Software Documentation, Interactive Design, Conceptual Design, User Experience Design, Prototyping, Creativity

      4.2
      Rating, 4.2 out of 5 stars
      ·
      279 reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • U

      University of Pennsylvania

      Gamification

      Skills you'll gain: Game Design, Solution Design, Design Thinking, Human Centered Design, Drive Engagement, Industrial and Organizational Psychology, Employee Engagement, Organizational Development, Behavioral Economics, Emerging Technologies, Risk Analysis, Customer Engagement, Psychology

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      2.4K reviews

      Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • M

      Michigan State University

      Game Design and Development 1: 2D Shooter

      Skills you'll gain: Game Design, Unity Engine, Video Game Development, Peer Review, Cross Platform Development, User Interface (UI), C# (Programming Language), Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Animations, Creativity

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      496 reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • Status: Free
      Free
      S

      Stanford University

      Game Theory

      Skills you'll gain: Game Theory, Strategic Decision-Making, Mathematical Modeling, Graph Theory, Bayesian Statistics, Behavioral Economics, Probability, Economics, Markov Model, Algorithms

      4.6
      Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
      ·
      4.8K reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • U

      University of Colorado System

      C# Programming for Unity Game Development

      Skills you'll gain: Unity Engine, Debugging, Object Oriented Programming (OOP), Video Game Development, C# (Programming Language), Game Design, Software Design Patterns, Computer Programming, Event-Driven Programming, Data Structures, Integrated Development Environments, Data Storage, Application Development, Software Design, Program Development, UI Components, Cross Platform Development, Scripting, Data Import/Export, Development Environment

      4.6
      Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
      ·
      2.7K reviews

      Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

    • Status: AI skills
      AI skills
      M

      Microsoft

      Microsoft UX Design

      Skills you'll gain: Storyboarding, User Research, Information Architecture, User Experience Design, Design Thinking, Prototyping, Usability Testing, User Experience, Persona (User Experience), Wireframing, Design Research, User Interface and User Experience (UI/UX) Design, Interaction Design, Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, Human Centered Design, Figma (Design Software), Usability, User Interface (UI) Design, User Centered Design, Design

      4.6
      Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
      ·
      369 reviews

      Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months

    • U

      University of Michigan

      An Introduction to Learning Experience Design (LXD)

      Skills you'll gain: Multimedia, Learning Theory, Instructional Design, Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, Educational Materials, Learning Management Systems, Course Development, Design Thinking, Professional Development, Brainstorming, Education Software and Technology, Motivational Skills, Communication, Design, Student-Centred Learning, Creative Thinking, Diversity Equity and Inclusion Initiatives, User Centered Design, Technology Strategies, Quality Assurance

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      68 reviews

      Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months

    • U

      University of Michigan

      Web Design for Everybody: Basics of Web Development & Coding

      Skills you'll gain: Wireframing, Responsive Web Design, HTML and CSS, Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), Web Design, Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), Browser Compatibility, Bootstrap (Front-End Framework), Javascript, Front-End Web Development, User Interface (UI), Web Development Tools, Verification And Validation, Interactive Design, Application Frameworks, Code Review, Web Design and Development, Event-Driven Programming, Usability

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      35K reviews

      Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

    Game Design learners also search

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    1234…380

    In summary, here are 10 of our most popular game design courses

    • Epic Games Game Design: Epic Games
    • Game Design: Art and Concepts: California Institute of the Arts
    • Introduction to Game Design: California Institute of the Arts
    • Game Design and Development with Unity: Michigan State University
    • Introduction to Game Design: Epic Games
    • Gamification: University of Pennsylvania
    • Game Design and Development 1: 2D Shooter: Michigan State University
    • Game Theory: Stanford University
    • C# Programming for Unity Game Development: University of Colorado System
    • Microsoft UX Design: Microsoft

    Skills you can learn in Design And Product

    User Interface (18)
    User Experience (16)
    Software Testing (13)
    Agile Software Development (10)
    Graphics (10)
    Virtual Reality (9)
    Design Thinking (8)
    Web (8)
    Video Game Development (7)
    Web Design (7)
    Adobe Photoshop (6)

    Frequently Asked Questions about Game Design

    Coursera's Game Design courses offer learners the opportunity to acquire a diverse range of skills critical for creating engaging and immersive video games:

    • Fundamental principles of game design, including storyboarding, gameplay theory, and character development.
    • Techniques for creating interactive game experiences, focusing on user engagement and retention.
    • Skills in using game development tools and platforms, such as Unity or Unreal Engine.
    • Best practices for level design, ensuring games are challenging yet accessible.
    • Understanding of game aesthetics to enhance visual storytelling and player immersion.
    • Insights into the business of games, including market analysis, distribution, and monetization strategies.‎

    Game Design courses on Coursera are accessible to learners with varying levels of experience:

    • Beginners interested in game design can start with introductory courses that do not require previous programming or design experience.
    • Those with some background in related fields like software development or digital art can deepen their knowledge of specific aspects of game creation.
    • Advanced designers and programmers can enhance their skills with specialized courses in advanced game mechanics, engine-specific training, or professional game development practices.‎

    Upon completing Game Design courses, learners can obtain credentials that may support their career advancement in the game industry:

    • Professional certificates that may demonstrate a comprehensive understanding and hands-on skills in game design.
    • Specializations that focus on particular aspects of game design and development, offering a deeper dive into subjects like virtual reality (VR), artificial intelligence (AI) in games, or multiplayer game settings.
    • Certificates that can showcase the learner’s capabilities to potential employers or collaborators within the gaming community.‎

    Skills acquired from Game Design courses can open doors to multiple career paths within the gaming industry and related fields:

    • Game Designer, crafting the core concepts and gameplay elements of new games.
    • Level Designer, focusing on the creation of engaging game environments and player progression.
    • Narrative Designer, developing storylines, dialogues, and character arcs within games.
    • Game Developer, implementing the technical aspects of game mechanics using programming languages.
    • Game Artist, designing visual elements such as characters, assets, and textures that define the game’s aesthetic.‎

    Looking to enhance your team's Game Design skills? Coursera provides tailored enterprise solutions for teams ranging of 5-125 employees. Our offerings include advanced analytics, customized learning paths, and collaborative tools. To explore our Game Design training options and make a purchase, please visit our Coursera for Teams page.‎

    This FAQ content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.

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