Our Mission:
In the Concept Art minor students explore the intersections of Illustration, Animation, Game Design and Entertainment Design while developing technical skills in hand drawing and painting from observation, digital drawing and painting, and a range of AI techniques to design characters, props and environments.
Participating Departments:
Animation
Animation: Motion Design
Fashion
Fine Arts: Painting
Fine Arts: Photography
Fine Arts: Sculpture/New Genres
Game & Entertainment Design
Graphic Design
Illustration
Product Design
Toy Design
Program Learning Outcomes:
Students enrolled in the Concept Art Minor will:
- Articulate the relationship between their major and minor(s) and how these will help them achieve personal and professional goals.
- Develop and apply interdisciplinary skills, experiences, and knowledge in fields outside of their majors.
- Develop an art/design practice that is grounded in two or more disciplines.
Concept Art Minor Required Courses: 15 credits of Concept Art courses
This can be 5 studio courses or 4 studio courses + 1 LAS course.
Students select courses based on guidance from the Director of Interdisciplinary Studies, Minor Area Heads and Academic Advisors and must follow prerequisites when applicable. For the full list of courses that will count for this minor, along with recommended courses to take first, see the Minors Course Lists on the Registration page of the Dashboard (my.otis.edu). Students are advised to take minor classes in place of studio electives (or in place of one LAS elective), or for majors without electives by taking one extra class in each of 5 semesters spread out between sophomore and senior year.
Course Title
Course Number
Credits
Electives
Concept Art Drawing Intensive
CONC 300
Credits: 3.00
Course Description: This course is an in-depth exploration of the fundamentals of perspective drawing, composition, and visual storytelling in concept art. Students will develop essential skills in creating immersive environments, mastering perspective techniques, and refining their craft through iterative design processes. Assignments will emphasize research, reference gathering, and professional presentation to align with industry standards.
Narrative Design in Games
LIBS 314
Credits: 3.00
Course Description: This course can be an upper division art history or liberal studies elective. May be taken in either fall or spring, must be completed in the junior year. Course offerings vary by semester. See LAS Electives in Browse Courses for course offerings
Section Description: How do you craft a compelling story that adapts to player choices and enhances gameplay? How can we use narrative to support gamification in alternate digital spaces? This course explores the fundamentals of narrative design, focusing on how to structure stories, develop characters, and create responsive dialogue systems. Students will examine the role of AI in narrative design, including tools for generating dynamic dialogue and branching storylines. By examining narrative from the gaming perspective, students have an opportunity to discover how these concepts can support gamification in other areas like brand engagement and experiential marketing. Through a series of mini-projects, students will practice integrating narrative elements into gameplay, culminating in a signature project that showcases their ability to design an immersive narrative experience enhanced by AI.
Storytelling Fundamentals
ANIM 210
Credits: 3.00
Course Description: The basic principles of story structure are applicable to any medium: film, TV, novels, comic books, theatre, video games, even works of sculpture and dance. A foundational understanding of basic storytelling structure will deepen audience engagement and help to create emotional resonance. This course will utilize multimedia presentations, group work, reading and viewing assignments, response papers, and creative writing to foster a deeper understanding of the nature of story structure, its role in various mediums, and techniques to enhance its effectiveness.
Storytelling Fundamentals
ANIM 210
Credits: 3.00
Course Description: The basic principles of story structure are applicable to any medium: film, TV, novels, comic books, theatre, video games, even works of sculpture and dance. A foundational understanding of basic storytelling structure will deepen audience engagement and help to create emotional resonance. This course will utilize multimedia presentations, group work, reading and viewing assignments, response papers, and creative writing to foster a deeper understanding of the nature of story structure, its role in various mediums, and techniques to enhance its effectiveness.
Storytelling Fundamentals
ANIM 210
Credits: 3.00
Course Description: The basic principles of story structure are applicable to any medium: film, TV, novels, comic books, theatre, video games, even works of sculpture and dance. A foundational understanding of basic storytelling structure will deepen audience engagement and help to create emotional resonance. This course will utilize multimedia presentations, group work, reading and viewing assignments, response papers, and creative writing to foster a deeper understanding of the nature of story structure, its role in various mediums, and techniques to enhance its effectiveness.
Storytelling Fundamentals
ANIM 210
Credits: 3.00
Course Description: The basic principles of story structure are applicable to any medium: film, TV, novels, comic books, theatre, video games, even works of sculpture and dance. A foundational understanding of basic storytelling structure will deepen audience engagement and help to create emotional resonance. This course will utilize multimedia presentations, group work, reading and viewing assignments, response papers, and creative writing to foster a deeper understanding of the nature of story structure, its role in various mediums, and techniques to enhance its effectiveness.
Design and Drawing for Animation I
ANIM 220
Credits: 3.00
Course Description: In this course students will learn how to apply research, critical analysis, brainstorming, and improvisational techniques to enhance a students’ drawing capabilities with a focus on space and objects in space. Emphasis is on developing a basic understanding of, and familiarity with, perspective as a means of organizing space and defining a point of view.
Design and Drawing for Animation I
ANIM 220
Credits: 3.00
Course Description: In this course students will learn how to apply research, critical analysis, brainstorming, and improvisational techniques to enhance a students’ drawing capabilities with a focus on space and objects in space. Emphasis is on developing a basic understanding of, and familiarity with, perspective as a means of organizing space and defining a point of view.
Design and Drawing for Animation I
ANIM 220
Credits: 3.00
Course Description: In this course students will learn how to apply research, critical analysis, brainstorming, and improvisational techniques to enhance a students’ drawing capabilities with a focus on space and objects in space. Emphasis is on developing a basic understanding of, and familiarity with, perspective as a means of organizing space and defining a point of view.
Design and Drawing for Animation I
ANIM 220
Credits: 3.00
Course Description: In this course students will learn how to apply research, critical analysis, brainstorming, and improvisational techniques to enhance a students’ drawing capabilities with a focus on space and objects in space. Emphasis is on developing a basic understanding of, and familiarity with, perspective as a means of organizing space and defining a point of view.
2D Character Animation
ANIM 310
Credits: 3.00
Course Description: This is an elective course that addresses specific areas and issues in animation. See schedule of courses or the department for offerings each semester.
Section Description: In this course, students will develop skills and techniques for creating 2D character animation. Students will learn in-depth character design, development, rigging, and animation techniques, used to create facial expressions and lip syncing.
Pre-requisites: ANIM 250
Design and Drawing for Animation II
ANIM 320
Credits: 3.00
Course Description: This focuses on advance design concepts with an emphasis on creating memorable characters with interesting personalities & shapes to tell a story. The goal is to get students used to the idea of research and sketching from life or reference. Then apply the process of revisions to refine their designs in better serving the story. Students will practice draftsmanship to demonstrates the interplay of structure, anatomy, design, and expression in effective figures.
Pre-requisites: ANIM 220
Course Fees
Undergraduate Lab Fees: $135
Design and Drawing for Animation II
ANIM 320
Credits: 3.00
Course Description: This focuses on advance design concepts with an emphasis on creating memorable characters with interesting personalities & shapes to tell a story. The goal is to get students used to the idea of research and sketching from life or reference. Then apply the process of revisions to refine their designs in better serving the story. Students will practice draftsmanship to demonstrates the interplay of structure, anatomy, design, and expression in effective figures.
Pre-requisites: ANIM 220
Course Fees
Undergraduate Lab Fees: $135
Design and Drawing for Animation II
ANIM 320
Credits: 3.00
Course Description: This focuses on advance design concepts with an emphasis on creating memorable characters with interesting personalities & shapes to tell a story. The goal is to get students used to the idea of research and sketching from life or reference. Then apply the process of revisions to refine their designs in better serving the story. Students will practice draftsmanship to demonstrates the interplay of structure, anatomy, design, and expression in effective figures.
Pre-requisites: ANIM 220
Course Fees
Undergraduate Lab Fees: $135
Design and Drawing for Animation II
ANIM 320
Credits: 3.00
Course Description: This focuses on advance design concepts with an emphasis on creating memorable characters with interesting personalities & shapes to tell a story. The goal is to get students used to the idea of research and sketching from life or reference. Then apply the process of revisions to refine their designs in better serving the story. Students will practice draftsmanship to demonstrates the interplay of structure, anatomy, design, and expression in effective figures.
Pre-requisites: ANIM 220
Course Fees
Undergraduate Lab Fees: $135
Design and Drawing for Animation III
ANIM 420
Credits: 3.00
Course Description: Students will explore concepts through research, critical analysis, and brainstorming to create elements needed for conveying story. Design and Drawing Fundamentals III is a class that combines artistic exploration, perceptions, observations, personal narratives, and intuition to create new work. A series of stories and situations will provide both context and a point of departure for our projects.
Pre-requisites: ANIM 320
Course Fees
Undergraduate Lab Fees: $150
Design and Drawing for Animation III
ANIM 420
Credits: 3.00
Course Description: Students will explore concepts through research, critical analysis, and brainstorming to create elements needed for conveying story. Design and Drawing Fundamentals III is a class that combines artistic exploration, perceptions, observations, personal narratives, and intuition to create new work. A series of stories and situations will provide both context and a point of departure for our projects.
Pre-requisites: ANIM 320
Course Fees
Undergraduate Lab Fees: $150
Design and Drawing for Animation III
ANIM 420
Credits: 3.00
Course Description: Students will explore concepts through research, critical analysis, and brainstorming to create elements needed for conveying story. Design and Drawing Fundamentals III is a class that combines artistic exploration, perceptions, observations, personal narratives, and intuition to create new work. A series of stories and situations will provide both context and a point of departure for our projects.
Pre-requisites: ANIM 320
Course Fees
Undergraduate Lab Fees: $150
Design and Drawing for Animation III
ANIM 420
Credits: 3.00
Course Description: Students will explore concepts through research, critical analysis, and brainstorming to create elements needed for conveying story. Design and Drawing Fundamentals III is a class that combines artistic exploration, perceptions, observations, personal narratives, and intuition to create new work. A series of stories and situations will provide both context and a point of departure for our projects.
Pre-requisites: ANIM 320
Course Fees
Undergraduate Lab Fees: $150
Design & Drawing for Game I
GAME 220
Credits: 3.00
Course Description: This 15-week Design and Drawing for Games course covers the fundamentals of game art and design, Props and Assets, character and environment design, storytelling, worldbuilding, animation, and portfolio development. Students will learn to create 2D and 3D game assets, design game characters and environments, translate game scripts, and develop a personal brand for their game design portfolio. The course includes a mid-term project, where students will create a concept art package for a game character or environment, and a final project where students will design a game level or world that includes a narrative, environment design, character design, and animation, and present it in the form of a pitch package with a playable demo or video walkthrough. By the end of the course, students will have the skills and knowledge to prepare for a career in game art and design.
Design & Drawing for Game I
GAME 220
Credits: 3.00
Course Description: This 15-week Design and Drawing for Games course covers the fundamentals of game art and design, Props and Assets, character and environment design, storytelling, worldbuilding, animation, and portfolio development. Students will learn to create 2D and 3D game assets, design game characters and environments, translate game scripts, and develop a personal brand for their game design portfolio. The course includes a mid-term project, where students will create a concept art package for a game character or environment, and a final project where students will design a game level or world that includes a narrative, environment design, character design, and animation, and present it in the form of a pitch package with a playable demo or video walkthrough. By the end of the course, students will have the skills and knowledge to prepare for a career in game art and design.
Design & Drawing for Game I
GAME 220
Credits: 3.00
Course Description: This 15-week Design and Drawing for Games course covers the fundamentals of game art and design, Props and Assets, character and environment design, storytelling, worldbuilding, animation, and portfolio development. Students will learn to create 2D and 3D game assets, design game characters and environments, translate game scripts, and develop a personal brand for their game design portfolio. The course includes a mid-term project, where students will create a concept art package for a game character or environment, and a final project where students will design a game level or world that includes a narrative, environment design, character design, and animation, and present it in the form of a pitch package with a playable demo or video walkthrough. By the end of the course, students will have the skills and knowledge to prepare for a career in game art and design.
Animal & Creature Drawing
GAME 310
Credits: 3.00
Course Description: Elective courses in Game and Entertainment Design. See schedule of classes for course offerings and course descriptions.
Section Description: This course teaches fundamental skills and techniques for creating realistic and imaginative animal and creature drawings. You will learn anatomy, structure, proportions, perspective, texture, and detail, which are essential for creating convincing and dynamic drawings. You will also develop your creativity and design skills by inventing your own unique creatures. Throughout the course, you will practice through a series of exercises and projects and receive feedback to refine your skills. By the end of the course, you will have a solid foundation in animal.
Art of Costume in Game
GAME 490
Credits: 3.00
Course Description: As the industries are ever evolving, these electives help students refine and extend their skill set, while addressing current advancements in tools and techniques. Course topics vary each semester.
Section Description: In this course, we will explore the unique art of designing costumes for video game characters. You will learn the skills necessary to create compelling and memorable designs that capture the essence of a character while still being practical for gameplay. We will delve into the history and theory of costume design, studying the techniques and concepts used by professional game artists. We will also cover the tools and software commonly used in the industry. Throughout the course, you will have the opportunity to create your own original character designs, utilizing the knowledge and techniques learned in each lesson. You will receive feedback and guidance from experienced instructors and fellow students, allowing you to grow and improve your skills as a concept artist.
Pre-requisites: GAME 210
Robots, Vehicles, & Spaceships
GAME 490
Credits: 3.00
Course Description: As the industries are ever evolving, these electives help students refine and extend their skill set, while addressing current advancements in tools and techniques. Course topics vary each semester.
Section Description: Concept Design: Robots, Vehicles + Spaceships is a course that explores the exciting world of designing futuristic technology. In this course, students will learn about the principles of concept design and how to apply them to create visually stunning and functional designs. The course will cover the design process from initial concept sketches to final renderings, and students will have the opportunity to explore a range of design styles and techniques. Throughout the course, students will focus on designing robots, vehicles, and spaceships, and will learn about the unique design considerations that come with each of these types of technology. Students will learn how to create designs that are both aesthetically pleasing and functional, taking into account factors such as ergonomics, materials, and engineering constraints. By the end of the course, students will have a portfolio of impressive designs that showcase their skills in concept design and their ability to think creatively and critically about the future of technology. Prerequisite: GAME 220
Pre-requisites: GAME 210
Character Design for Games
GAME 490
Credits: 3.00
Course Description: As the industries are ever evolving, these electives help students refine and extend their skill set, while addressing current advancements in tools and techniques. Course topics vary each semester.
Section Description: Conceptual designers for the game and animation industry must skillfully combine real world logic and design techniques to create unique and compelling environments, interiors, exteriors, props and vehicles for a variety of stories and historical eras. This requires a dynamic understanding of architecture, industrial design, structure and materials, as well as using illustration, design and modeling techniques to present cohesive architectural narratives, imaginative environments and accurate planning. DESIGN CONCEPTS FOR GAMES is an introduction to the conceptual process of Environment Design and World Building for visual development for feature animation, video games and film. Students will create original design solutions for real world situations utilizing scale, accurate layout, location, structural realities and available materials to create believable environments. Students will create plan and elevation drawings and dimensional studies in support of their original conceptual structures. Students will obtain a solid understanding of how to create original environments utilizing traditional methods, available technology and 3D visualization techniques to create layouts. Over the course of the semester students will design their own unique functioning community as an asset to an Environment Design Portfolio.
Pre-requisites: GAME 210
Drawing and Painting I
ILUS 212
Credits: 3.00
Course Description: Drawing and Painting I is one of two consecutive courses for sophomore illustrators that introduces students to a variety of drawing and painting materials and methods used by professional working artists and illustrators to communicate narratives. To develop these necessary skills, special emphasis is given to representational drawing as a fundamental means for thinking, looking, and authorship. Drawing and Painting I will guide students through the stages of completing a project from concept sketches to finished drawings using value, line, observation, appropriate materials, dry and wet techniques, composition, narrative and development of a unique style using traditional media.
Drawing and Painting I
ILUS 212
Credits: 3.00
Course Description: Drawing and Painting I is one of two consecutive courses for sophomore illustrators that introduces students to a variety of drawing and painting materials and methods used by professional working artists and illustrators to communicate narratives. To develop these necessary skills, special emphasis is given to representational drawing as a fundamental means for thinking, looking, and authorship. Drawing and Painting I will guide students through the stages of completing a project from concept sketches to finished drawings using value, line, observation, appropriate materials, dry and wet techniques, composition, narrative and development of a unique style using traditional media.
Drawing and Painting I
ILUS 212
Credits: 3.00
Course Description: Drawing and Painting I is one of two consecutive courses for sophomore illustrators that introduces students to a variety of drawing and painting materials and methods used by professional working artists and illustrators to communicate narratives. To develop these necessary skills, special emphasis is given to representational drawing as a fundamental means for thinking, looking, and authorship. Drawing and Painting I will guide students through the stages of completing a project from concept sketches to finished drawings using value, line, observation, appropriate materials, dry and wet techniques, composition, narrative and development of a unique style using traditional media.
Drawing and Painting III
ILUS 312
Credits: 3.00
Course Description: Students refine their expressive and observational drawing, painting and composition skills as they relate to illustration as a means of visual communication. Emphasis is placed on contemporary illustrative applications and strategies, including the use of both analog and digital techniques particular to contemporary illustration methodologies. Studio sessions encourage experimentation and personal development. Conceptual and practical skills pertinent to contemporary illustrative practice are discussed and demonstrated throughout the semester. Prerequisite: ILUS213 Drawing and Painting II or approval of Chair
Drawing and Painting III
ILUS 312
Credits: 3.00
Course Description: Students refine their expressive and observational drawing, painting and composition skills as they relate to illustration as a means of visual communication. Emphasis is placed on contemporary illustrative applications and strategies, including the use of both analog and digital techniques particular to contemporary illustration methodologies. Studio sessions encourage experimentation and personal development. Conceptual and practical skills pertinent to contemporary illustrative practice are discussed and demonstrated throughout the semester. Prerequisite: ILUS213 Drawing and Painting II or approval of Chair
Drawing and Painting III
ILUS 312
Credits: 3.00
Course Description: Students refine their expressive and observational drawing, painting and composition skills as they relate to illustration as a means of visual communication. Emphasis is placed on contemporary illustrative applications and strategies, including the use of both analog and digital techniques particular to contemporary illustration methodologies. Studio sessions encourage experimentation and personal development. Conceptual and practical skills pertinent to contemporary illustrative practice are discussed and demonstrated throughout the semester. Prerequisite: ILUS213 Drawing and Painting II or approval of Chair
Visual Storytelling
ILUS 330
Credits: 3.00
Course Description: How can we best engage, motivate, and drive emotion through imagery? In this class students will do various exercises to explore compositional elements, acting, symbolism, and implied narrative. Our midterm will be a one page script, that we’ll then create artwork from for the final. Each week we’ll study various artworks from literature, painting, script writing and film (live-action and animated), to discuss the differences between genres and how visual communication is used. And In weekly in-class exercises, students will experiment with different devices. Lectures include case studies, commercial techniques, and contemporary methodologies. We’ll utilize a sketchbook, traditional mediums, and various programs for compositing/digitizing artwork (Photoshop, After Effects, Toonboom Harmony.)
Special Topics: Observational Drawing
ILUS 358
Credits: 3.00
Course Description: Special topic course. See schedule of classes for course offerings and course descriptions.
Section Description: To exercise one’s observational and looking skills and to learn how and why to document what one sees and experiences in a particular way is essential to developing an illustrator’s personality and style. A one-of-a-kind art personality needs to be found and nurtured and exercised. In this class students will develop, strengthen, and bring to surface one’s thinking and idea producing capabilities while practicing and developing life and street drawing skills. This will include demonstrations of many techniques, tools, possibilities and layers of looking and documenting things, drawing from personal analysis and descriptions on how to use intuition, soul, intellect, emotion and skills. Weekly exercises will include drawing from observation or in a plein air setting, daily entries in sketchbooks, scribble books, and the practice of freedom within conversations about our observations and concepts which will result in 10 - 12 finished illustrations by the end of the semester.
Special Topics: Storyboard Illustration
ILUS 358
Credits: 3.00
Course Description: Special topic course. See schedule of classes for course offerings and course descriptions.
Section Description: This studio course introduces illustration students to the art and technique of storyboarding as a powerful visual communication tool. Students will develop the skills to translate written narratives into compelling sequential imagery while exploring storyboarding's applications across multiple industries including film, animation, advertising, and interactive media. Through hands-on projects, students will learn to effectively communicate narrative, pacing, camera angles, composition, and character action. The course emphasizes both traditional drawing techniques and digital workflows, allowing students to develop their unique visual voice while mastering industry-standard storyboarding conventions.
Special Topics: Digital Paths
ILUS 358
Credits: 3.00
Course Description: Special topic course. See schedule of classes for course offerings and course descriptions.
Section Description: Digital paths is a basic introduction to computer graphics and video editing software, such as Adobe Photoshop/Illustrator/After Effects/Media Encoder and Procreate in iPad. Students do not need relevant experience to enroll in this course, but the final assignments are presented in digital media. Through classroom demonstration and video watching, students will be able to make one motion graphic animation, and one experimental film.
Special Topics: Narrative Illustration
ILUS 358
Credits: 3.00
Course Description: Special topic course. See schedule of classes for course offerings and course descriptions.
Section Description: Students will create illustrations that convey moments in a story or script. They will use existing or personal ideas to illustrate these scenes while learning from film compositions, scripts, books, and other works to help communicate the narrative. Students should have a Tablet or Drawing Tablet that can attach to a laptop or computer, styles pen to use with Photoshop.
Creative Industry Internship
INTR 330
Credits: 3.00
Course Description: Upper division studio courses that facilitate student work across media, genres and disciplines, while also developing skills in interdisciplinary thinking in a supportive community. Topics vary each semester. Examples include: Design Lab, Interdisciplinary Practices, Interdisciplinary Career Pathways Fulfills studio electives.
Section Description: In this Blended Course, students will synthesize and analyze the connections between what they are learning in their major or minor and what actually happens in professional creative industry settings. Students will do so by participating in a 10 week internship assisting with a design firm, studio, cultural organization, or with an individual artist /designer of their choice. This field experience along with readings, videos and discussions provide the opportunity to expand and reflect on one’s place within the creative economy, all of which culminates in the development of a professional online portfolio and preparation for life after Otis. No Pre-requisites. Open studio elective to all majors/minors.
* Animation and Game Design majors must take ILUS212
**A limited choice of Studio and LAS courses will count as Concept Art Minor Electives, as determined each semester by the Interdisciplinary Studies Director, Animation Chair, Game and Entertainment Design Chair and Graphic Design/Illustration Chair. Students choose three electives that are not also requirements of their majors.