Sten McKinzie

Lecturer

School of Interactive Games and Media

Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences

semigm@rit.edu

Office Hours

Meeting Online (https://rit.zoom.us/my/semigm) Mon, Tues, Wed 9am-11am Wed, Thur 3pm-5pm

Office Mailing Address

n/a

Sten McKinzie

Lecturer

School of Interactive Games and Media

Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences

Education

BS, MS, Rochester Institute of Technology

Bio

Sten Erickson McKinzie is an award-winning Animator/Interactive Media Developer whose industry career and experience spans nearly two decades.

Since receiving his Bachelors of Fine Arts from the School of Film and Animation at RIT, Sten has worked as an animator, a multimedia designer and Creative Director in the Interactive Media and Games industry, primarily in Chicago and LA.

Sten has always had a passion for teaching. He feels a responsibility to share his experience and knowledge with future generations of animators and developers. To this end, during his time in industry, he worked as an adjunct lecturer and regularly took on co-ops and interns.

In 2010, Sten decided to leave industry and return to graduate school so that he could pursue his passion, full-time. He received his Master of Fine Arts from RIT in Computer Graphic Design/Visual Communication Design. Sten now enjoys a full-time faculty position in the School of Interactive Games and Media at RIT.

semigm@rit.edu

Personal Links

Curriculum Vitae

Currently Teaching

IGME-420

Level Design

3 Credits

This course introduces level design theory and best practice through game level analysis, evaluation, and creation. Students will learn by analyzing game levels from existing games and discussing what made those levels successful or unsuccessful. Through their analysis and hands on experience, students will gain an understanding of overall level design including layout, flow, pacing, and balance. They will enhance their understanding of level design principles by creating their own game levels.

IGME-119

2D Animation and Asset Production

3 Credits

This course provides a theoretical framework covering the principles of animation and its use in game design to affect user experience. Emphasis will be placed upon principles that support character development and animations that show cause and effect. Students will apply these principles to create animations that reflect movement and character appropriate for different uses and environments.

IGME-599

Independent Study

1 - 6 Credits

The student will work independently under the supervision of a faculty advisor on a topic not covered in other courses.

IGME-588

New Media Team Project

3 Credits

This course is designed to engage the new media major in a capstone production experience. The instructor will form interdisciplinary student teams that will design, plan, prototype, and implement new media projects. Student groups are required to test their product with users and provide written feedback and analysis.

IGME-219

3D Animation and Asset Production

3 Credits

This course provides an overview of 3D game asset production. Basic ideas learned within the first asset production course are also revisited within the 3D environs. Topics covered include modeling, texturing, skinning and animation. Emphasis is put on low polygon modeling techniques, best practices in game art production, and effective communication strategies between artists, programmers and designers.

IGME-110

Introduction to Interactive Media

3 Credits

This course provides an overview of media in historical, current and future contexts. Incorporating lectures and discussion with hands on work involving written and interactive media assets, students examine the role of written and visual media from theoretical as well as practical perspectives. The course also provides an introduction to interactive media development techniques, including digital media components and delivery environments. Students will be required to write formal analysis and critique papers along with digital modes of writing including collaborative editing and effective presentation design.

IGME-590

Undergraduate Seminar in IGM

3 Credits

This is intended to allow for special one-time offerings of undergraduate topics or to allow faculty to pilot new undergraduate offerings. Specific course details (such as the course topics, format, resource needs, and credit hours) will be determined by the faculty member(s) who propose a given special-topics offering.