The Interactive Media & Game Design (IMGD) program at SUNY Poly blends creativity and technology in a hands-on environment, where your ideas go from concepts to playable adventures.
From day one, you’ll learn by doing — building projects that go straight into your digital portfolio while working with industry-standard tools used by professionals. You’ll gain practical experience in game design, digital art, programming, and interactive media, preparing you to create immersive experiences for the fastest-growing entertainment industry.
The program also teaches the principles, concepts, and practices behind interactive entertainment, helping you understand what makes games and media fun, engaging, and effective. By the time you graduate, you’ll have a portfolio that demonstrates your skills and creativity, giving you a head start in launching a career in game design, interactive media, or virtual worlds.
Choose Your Own Path Choose a concentration that fits your interests and master the tools and techniques that bring your ideas to life.
Software Development & Game Design
Learn how to build the rules, systems, and code that make games work. Additional computer science courses are required.
- CS 108: Computing Fundamentals
- CS 240: Data Structures and Algorithms
- CS 249: Object Oriented Programming
- CS 350: Information and Knowledge Managements
- CS 450: Computer Graphics
Marketing & Entrepreneurship
Explore the business side of gaming and media. Lead teams, manage projects, and share creative work with the world.
- MKT 301: Marketing Management Principles
- MKT 312: Marketing Management Problems
- MKT 321: Advertising Management
- ENT 375: Introduction to Entrepreneurship
Art & Asset Production
Focus on the creative side of game design. From characters and 3D models to landscapes, textures, and music, you’ll develop the artistic pieces that make games feel alive.
- ART 110: Principles of Two Dimensional Design
- COM 213: Introduction to Animation and Vector Graphics
- COM 229: Introduction to Character Design and Development
- COM 349: Digital Sound Production
- COM 414: Advanced Digital Graphic Design
- COM 416: Advanced Digital Animation
Quest LogMaster your skills, train with mentors, and unlock your future in interactive media and game design.
Level Up Your Skills
Your training begins in SUNY Poly’s digital design studios, where you’ll master the tools of the trade. Through hands-on projects, you’ll gain expertise in:
- Game Development & Systems Design
- Digital Art & 3D Asset Creation
- Programming (C++, Unreal Engine, Unity
- Marketing & Entrepreneurship
- Team Collaboration & Portfolio Building
Work in industry-standard labs and studios to design, program, and animate, building a professional portfolio that showcases your abilities and creativity.
Train With Experienced Mentors
Every hero needs a guide. At SUNY Poly, you’ll learn from faculty mentors who have spent years exploring the worlds of game design and digital culture. Professors like Dr. Ibrahim Yucel bring both passion and expertise, helping you tackle creative challenges and sharpen your craft.
With their mentorship, you won’t just learn the theory — you’ll gain practical insight, build confidence, and level up your projects for the next stage of your journey.
Unlock Your Career Path
Graduates of the IMGD program have gone on to exciting roles in the gaming and interactive media industry. SUNY Poly alumni have unlocked roles such as:
- Lead Designer
- Concept Artist
- Script Writer
- Video Engineer
- Video Game Designer
- Web Art Director
Your portfolio, skills, and mentor-guided experience will prepare you to enter the workforce with confidence — ready to design, create, and innovate in a multi-billion-dollar industry.
Side Quests: Level Up Beyond the Classroom Take on optional missions to level up your skills and XP outside the main quest.
Join the team and compete in regional and national tournaments with top players through the ECAC and NACE. Rise through the ranks, hone your strategy, and prove your skills in high-stakes battles.
Participate in game jams, escape room challenges, and creative missions. Build your portfolio, collaborate with allies, and unlock new experiences while connecting with fellow game lovers.
Step Into Our WorldTake a virtual tour and discover our campus — from state-of-the-art labs and studios to vibrant student spaces and scenic views. Get a feel for where innovation and creativity come together.
Have a VR headset? Launch the immersive tour and experience SUNY Poly in full 360°.
