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Video and Game Design
Student working with lighting

Students enrolled in Video and Game Design learn industry standard skills and knowledge through hands-on projects and experiences.

What is Video & Game Design

Students enrolled in Video and Game Design learn industry standard skills and knowledge through hands-on projects and experiences. Students work with all aspects of 3D animation, design, development, rendering and publishing. Students enrolled in Video and Game Design graduate high school with a competitive advantage by integrating industry standard skills with rigorous academic curriculum.

See Students' Work

Why

We want our students to be ready for whatever comes after high school. CTEC’s Video and Game Design students work with state-of-the-art software and equipment to produce 3D worlds, focusing on digital asset creation. CTEC students also learn how to film, direct, produce, write and publish live/filmed video. Our students are ready to start their careers with the following industry-relevant skills and knowledge:

  • Development of a portfolio/reel of projects
  • Build a resume of production credits
  • Understanding of the “production pipeline” through participation in various roles to create products for video, broadcasting, games, graphics, and more
Student using computer for 3-D art.
Student adjusting their computer art.
Student working with their hands.
Student drawing

How

Students in Video and Game Design learn contextualized Social Studies and English aligned to the particular projects and skills they develop. Students receive coaching and resources to explore career options they may want to pursue directly out of the program or with continued education. Coupled with the experiences they have throughout this program, they graduate with a plan and the ability to adjust the plan throughout their career. With a foundation of industry-standard skills, rigorous Social Studies and English training, and the ability to interact with technical equipment, our students are ready to pursue their dreams and goals.

Video and Game Design Staff

Instructors

David Ewing

David Ewing

David Ewing earned his B.A. in East Asian Studies from McGill University and his M.A. in China Studies from City University of Hong Kong. He completed a Cambridge Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Language in 2013 and Pacific University’s Resident Teacher Licensure program in 2022.

He spent 10 years teaching English at multiple grade levels in South Korea and China before moving to Oregon and CTEC in 2021. He also worked as a copy editor, translation editor, and tutor. When David is not teaching, he enjoys gaming, hiking, reading history, studying foreign languages, and spending time with his family. David loves helping students see the beauty in the complexity of the world and reproduce it in their creative endeavors.

Graham Toms

Graham Toms

Graham moved to the United States from Ireland in 1995. He started his career in Florida working for the Disney Corporation in 1996. He returned to Ireland to work for a technology company, bringing his passion and knowledge for art into new markets the company was exploring. He came back to the U.S., Texas this time, in 2006, to work for another technology company where he demonstrated the complex processes of animation technology. He moved to Oregon in 2016 when he was hired by the Salem-Keizer School District to run the new 3D Design program at the Career Technical Education Center. He teaches two of the three parts of the track: Concept Design and 3D Digital Asset Creation.

He studied art in college but sought out classical art instruction and techniques while working at Disney. Graham’s expertise has helped him to work in film as an art consultant and teach the fundamentals in classical animation at the illustrious Disney Institute.

Graham spent the summer of 2020 working as a painter, reverse engineering the process of a 16th century master. He also added his talents as the motion graphics designer on a sequel to the film, Tim’s Vermeer, which is in post-production.

Jack Shay

Jack Shay

Throughout his life, Jack has been a creator and a storyteller. Although he studied- Psychology while attending Humboldt State University, his passion was always creating. Every elective class he took was related to art, design, theater or construction. His work career was equally diverse and every job, from a baker to a General Contractor, has been an opportunity for Jack to foster and develop his creativity.

After graduating from college and working in construction, Jack attended the Art Institute of Portland and studied Digital Film Production. Jack’s love for art and story took him to film sets and small production studios for the next 10 years, where he worked as a freelance editor and sound designer. After a small break to focus on family, he is now at CTEC to round out the curriculum of our 3D Design program.

Video & Game Design Examples

Check out what the Video & Game Design has been doing in class.