2026 Summer Electives

ECPT-114 | Practical Props

This elective course offers hands-on experience in the art of prop making for entertainment, combining design theory with practical fabrication skills. Students will explore the process of creating high-quality props for film, theater, and themed environments. Through a series of guided projects, participants will gain exposure to model shop practices, including the safe and effective use of a wide range of power tools, materials, and fabrication techniques. From concept sketches to finished pieces, students will develop the ability to translate design ideas into physical objects, while learning industry best practices for tool handling, project planning, and execution. Emphasis will be placed on creativity, precision, problem-solving, and collaboration, giving students a solid foundation for further exploration in the fields of production design, special effects, and scenic construction.

ECPT-213 | Clay Modeling

Clay Modeling is an introduction to 3D sculpting. This course reinforces understanding of 2D to 3D design translation, finish quality by creating a hard model.

ECPT-214 | Entertainment Sketchbook

In this course, students will be showing an advanced understanding of lighting and values in application of their projects. through the understanding of materials, students will be able to produce images that will best represent their ideation. On location sketching / Drawing from observation / Using studies to inspire creative designs / composing a sketchbook / photographing reference with relevance to entertainment design.

ECPT-263 | World Costume Design

This studio class focuses on costume design as existing in and influenced by cultures and regions around the world. The class has an emphasis on research, getting to know the diverse cultures being referenced, and why those cultures have made certain fashion choices. Story-driven costume design prompts will challenge students to draw inspiration from the cultures studied, avoid cultural appropriation, and produce professional quality designs with an emphasis on originality.

ECPT-281 | Board Game Art Design

With games such as "Hearthstone", "Magic: The Gathering Arena", and "Star Wars Imperial Assault", board and trading card games have seen a boom in development and production.  Amongst these games there are many that share both the physical and digital space, creating an interesting social and immersive hybrid experience.  In this course students will learn how to think through the user experience and create artwork that both describes the look and feel of the game as well as conveys crucial information for functional play. Topics covered will include: marketing art, key art, user interface, maps, and icons.

ECPT-356 | Visual Development

This course focuses on the blue sky design process that occurs during the preproduction phase of an animated film/TV series, video game, or live-action film.  There will be a focus on the ideation process necessary during this design phase when shape language and visual styles are being explored.