{"id":9589,"date":"2023-05-30T09:00:19","date_gmt":"2023-05-30T14:00:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/all-in-wisconsin-new\/?post_type=campus_story&p=9589"},"modified":"2023-05-30T09:00:19","modified_gmt":"2023-05-30T14:00:19","slug":"uw-stout-game-design-and-animation-programs-ranked-among-best-in-country","status":"publish","type":"campus_story","link":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/all-in-wisconsin\/story\/uw-stout-game-design-and-animation-programs-ranked-among-best-in-country\/","title":{"rendered":"UW-Stout game design and animation programs ranked among best in country"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Photo<\/a>
A student tries a virtual reality game during a recent Stout Game Expo.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Three programs from UW-Stout\u2019s School of Art and Design are the best in the state, according to new national rankings.<\/p>\n

Ranked No. 1 in Wisconsin are two Bachelor of Fine Arts programs: game design and development-art; and animation and digital media, along with the Master of Fine Arts in design. The rankings are by Princeton Review and Animation Career Review.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs the animation and gaming industries continue to grow in both size and prominence around the globe, university-level programs are as well. We\u2019re honored to continue to be considered a top-tier institution in these categories, both on the undergraduate and graduate level,\u201d said Dave Beck, School of Art and Design director. \u201cThis is truly a testament to the diversity of creative disciplines, faculty expertise and hands-on facilities that we strive to offer at UW-Stout.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Photo<\/a>
Students try out games at UW-Stout created by game design and development majors. \/ UW-Stout<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

For more than a decade, UW-Stout\u2019s game design programs have led state rankings and have been among the national leaders. They are part of UW-Stout\u2019s polytechnic, lab-based, hands-on approach to learning. The School of Art and Design is the largest in the Upper Midwest with more than 1,200 students.<\/p>\n

Princeton Review, an education services company, also ranked UW-Stout\u2019s game design BFA No. 6 nationally among public colleges or universities. Overall, UW-Stout was No. 30 nationally.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur consistent recognition is due in no small part to the professional environment we try to create in each of our classes,\u201d said Professor Andrew Williams, interim director of the program. \u201cOur programs teach with the latest industry trends but also with an eye to essential fundamentals of art, design and programming.\u201d<\/p>\n

The MFA in design also was No. 6 among public schools nationally and No. 23 overall. Game design is one of eight focus areas within UW-Stout\u2019s MFA in design, which has a cross-disciplinary approach to help students customize the program to their interests and skillsets.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor every graduate student focusing specifically on the games industry, we have two others who are interested in play experiences, interactivity, virtual environments, extended reality or narrative-driven storytelling,\u201d said Erik Evensen, MFA in design program director. \u201cOur strength in the game design area benefits all of our students in many different ways.\u201d<\/p>\n

The 14th annual Princeton Review rankings cover 150 schools. Criteria considered included academics, faculty, technology and career prospects.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe recommend these schools as outstanding choices for students considering a career in the exciting field of game design,\u201d said Rob Franek, Princeton Review’s editor-in-chief. \u201cTheir programs and faculties are first-rate. Their facilities are state-of-the-art. And their alumni include many of the game design industry\u2019s most successful artists, designers, developers and entrepreneurs.\u201d<\/p>\n

Franek noted the exceptional experience gained by students enrolled in the ranked game design programs. In recent years more than 78% of the students in the programs worked on a shipped game as part of their studies.<\/p>\n

At undergraduate schools, that figure was 77%. At graduate schools, it was 79%. Nearly all of the students in the programs developed an actionable plan to launch a functional game after graduation. At undergraduate schools, that figure was 95%. At graduate schools, it was 99%, Franek said in a Princeton Review news release.<\/p>\n

\"Photo<\/a>
The animation and digital media program at UW-Stout is ranked No. 1 in Wisconsin among public universities. \/ UW-Stout<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Animation Career Review rankings<\/h3>\n

Industry leader Animation Career Review also ranked game design programs. UW-Stout was:<\/p>\n