Hartwick College
Joseph Von Stengel
Art 250-CD$ TIA:Tabletop Game Design
Spring 2022
TuTh 1:25-4:20pm
Anderson 129
1. Faculty Availability
MW 12:15-1:30pm & TuTh 12:30-1:30pm by appointment
Zoom or Anderson 131
Ext # 4912
2. Catalog Description
This course provides students a basic understanding of game creation through visual design, game mechanics and themes. The class explores the creation of both 2d graphics and 3d objects and their impact on game play. We deconstruct the elements of games through play and observation testing everything from dice games to role playing games, traditional to modern. The class covers the basic use of Adobe Photoshop, Tinkercad, and Makerware to create the visuals. A Design Journal will be kept by each student to document his or her research, ideas and observations. During the semester students will work to create two simple table top games. The first is a collaborative effort by the class, the second is an individual game project. This is an introductory level class and requires no previous design or art knowledge. Offered spring terms every 2-3 years. Suitable for non-majors. (EL)
3. Purpose
This course utilized the Design Thinking Process to create the physical and structural elements necessary to understand to create a tabletop game. This includes dice games, card games, & boardgames. Student will learn digital production skills used to create dice, game pieces, cards, pamphlets and gameboards. We will learn the process professionals use to create a tabletop game and the basics of layout and design.
Please note: this course is not just about making you proficient with the tools of the applications. While this is inarguably important, our efforts will transcend the tool to reveal the greater meaning of digital media and its place in modern society. To this ends we will consider the computer just a tool, (one of many) not a means to an end. We will consider content and context, and of course technique.
In Class time: Will involve a combination of application demos and technical instruction, one on one help, lectures on pertinent issues within the medium, work time for projects, and critiques of projects.
Outside Class time: in addition to projects, will involve exercises and tutorials, independent research, and some reading and writing.
4. Flightpath
The Hartwick Flightpath is a student-centered program that is flexible and adaptable to support your pathway to graduation and to prepare you for what lies ahead. By the time you graduate from Hartwick, you will have a suite of skills and experiences that tie together the breadth of your Hartwick education and highlights your accomplishments. This course supports the development of student educational outcomes for GEO1O and GEO6 through exploration, creation, and review of pieces, cards, dice, gameboards and game rules.
5. Learning Outcomes & Assessment
At the completion of this course, students will:
1 – Gain knowledge on the vocabulary of visual design and be able to utilize it to critique art and design works (GEO1O)
2 – Be able to demonstrate the ability to create and manipulate digital images on a basic level utilizing digital imaging software (GEO2)
3 – Understand the basics of Layout and Design utilizing Adobe Photoshop (GEO2)
4 - Be able to demonstrate the ability to utilize Fablab equipment for 2D and 3D design (GEO2)
5 - Have the ability to create and print 3D objects (GEO2)
6 - Understand on a basic level the process of creating a tabletop game (GEO2)
7 – Understand how to write rules for a tabletop game (GEO2)
6. Texts and Other Instructional Materials
Book: Kobold Guide to Board Game Design by Mike Selinker get it on Amazon here! $9-$12 as a digital download
* Other Resources can be found on the class blog: https://art250-tableotp.blogspot.com/
7. College COVID-19 Policy and Instructional Modality
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, circumstances may necessitate adjustments to instruction, such as shifts in mode of instruction (to remote or hybrid), classroom capacity limits, or indoor mask requirements. Updates will be provided on the College website (https://www.hartwick.edu/about-us/covid-19-updates/). Instructors will communicate with students about any specific adjustments that are being made to their courses, such as modality of instruction, expectations for participation, and any changes to assigned work; students should check their Hartwick email accounts frequently for information from their instructors.
Should the college go remote, the course will be presented on Zoom
8. Attendance and Evaluation
Turning in Projects
Projects are due at the beginning of class on the scheduled critique day.
Late projects are due exactly one week from the critique date and will loose ½ a letter grade. Projects will not be accepted after the late date and will be assessed based on the work turned in for critique.
Critiques
If you are late or miss a regular critique, the project for that critique will be lowered by one letter grade.
Attendance at the Final critique is mandatory. Missing the final critique will result in an ҆Ӡfor the Final Project. NO late Final Projects will be accepted!
Attendance
Attendance is mandatory (with two get out of jail free cards).
In the case of an excused absence, such as, religious holidays or medical reasons, the student must notify the instructor prior to the missed class, if possible. In the case of a medical situation, the student may provide a doctor’s note after the fact.
In the case of unexcused absences, the first two will result in no penalty. Each absence after the second will automatically lower the students grade one half of a letter grade.
Each lateness after the first 2 will result in a loss of ¼ letter grade.
Evaluation
15% Participation (in-class and online)
30% for six Assignment (5% each project)
10% Project 1 Design Journal
15% Project 2 Card Game Creation
15% Project 3 Game Piece Creation
15% Project 4 Game Creation
Grades are determined through the following Rubric: Craftsmanship, Aesthetic, Consideration, Effort & Directions
Craftsmanship - the quality and skill used in the creation and a presentation of your finished projects
Aesthetic - the visual appearance of the content of your finished project. Your images aesthetic quality, composition and the images content.
Consideration - this is the area that looks at the depth of your project. how does what you created function within society? what does it say (or not say)?
Effort - Did you try or not? If this comes easy to you then you really need to work hard to show effort.
Directions - all projects have specific directions on how to name files and when projects are due. following the directions makes it easier for me to work with and review your files. all projects are expected done on the due date.
100-92 A = You tried very hard, participated daily, handed in all the projects and assignments on time and created excellent work.
91-83 B = You tried hard, participated 80%, and handed in all the projects and assignments on time and created great work.
82-74 C = You tried, participated 60%, handed in most of the projects & assignments on time and created good work.
73-65 D = You barely tried, participated 40%, handed in some of the projects & assignments and created ok work.
64-0 F = You really didn’t try didn’t really participate and didn’t hand in much work.
9. Academic Adjustments and/or Modifications
Hartwick College is committed to upholding and maintaining all aspects of the Federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. If a student with a disability wishes to request academic adjustments, they should contact Lara Sanford, Director of AccessAbility Services, at sanfordl@hartwick.edu , or AccessAbilityServices@hartwick.edu. AccessAbility Services is located on the 5th floor of Yager Library in the Center for Student Success. Any information regarding a student’s disability will remain confidential. Requests for academic adjustments should be made as early as possible.
10. Instructional Sequence and/or Assignments/Activities
This class moves through four main aspects during the semester. Throughout the semester we will research tabletop games and collect data on the games. We first explore the practical skills and design basics of dice games. We then move learning the skills and design basics of card games. Finally, we explore game piece and game board creation for board games. The class culminates with each student creating their own tabletop games.
11. Academic Dishonesty
All work created or written in this class is expected to be your own! If you are unsure about the College’s policy on Academic Dishonesty please refer to the Schools web site at the following link https://www.hartwick.edu/academics/student-services/academic-affairs/academic-policies/.
Hartwick College is
committed to equal opportunity and providing a safe community free from all
forms of sexual misconduct including sexual/gender-based harassment,
discrimination, dating or domestic violence, stalking, sexual exploitation, and
sexual assault. If you wish to make an official report to the College or
have questions about the College’s policy and procedures regarding sexual
misconduct, please contact the Title IX Coordinator, Michael Arno, at
arnom@hartwick.edu or (607) 431-4293. Online reporting and policy
information is available at https://www.hartwick.edu/about-us/employment/human-resources/title-ix/.
If you wish to speak confidentially about an incident of sexual misconduct,
please contact one of the following resources: Perrella Wellness Center,
Health - (607) 431-4120, or Counseling – (607) 431-4120; or Opportunities
for Otsego’s Violence Intervention Program – (607) 432-4855.
All other employees, including faculty, are responsible employees at
Hartwick College and are required to report any incident of sexual misconduct
that is personally reported to them to the Title IX Coordinator so that
support and resources can be provided for all parties.
13. Campus Mental Health Support Services
As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning. These might include strained relationships, anxiety, high levels of stress, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, or loss of motivation. The Counseling Center is available to help with these issues and may be reached by calling (607) 431-4420 or emailing counselingcenter@hartwick.edu. Counseling services are free of charge and confidential. Fifty-Fifty, a peer counseling service, is also available if you are more comfortable talking with a fellow student who has been trained to offer information and support in a safe, non-judgmental atmosphere. To reach Fifty-Fifty, call (607) 431-5050 or email fiftyfifty@hartwick.edu.
Revised January 2022
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