Hello! | a few words about my (production) classes
Hello! :)While I have pages that explain the content of each class I’ve taught, or that I am currently teaching, I thought I would present quickly the modus operandi here 🙂
Note: this list is missing Introduction to Game Development, which as the name indicates, isn’t really a pure production class (even though some badass games are also made there!)
60 seconds mix of recent projects:
Studio 1 | Solo projects
In this class, students tackle a personal project for the 10 weeks duration of the class. They select something that will strengthen their portfolio in their chosen specialty OR work solo on assets that will kick-off their big team projects the following quarter, in Studio II.
After a short period of guided pre-production/research, I help them layout their delivery schedule (while hitting some class milestones such as rough render/greyboxing/prototyping (depending on the nature of the project) – full art vertical slice, etc.
I operate both as a producer and art director, both providing them Art or Design feedback, as well as guiding them through the production phase, helping them to descope their project if need be, etc…
Tips for this class:
- This is one of the first class where you’ll get to work 100% of the time on an assignment you picked: make it count!
- Pick something that will make your portfolio shine and act as a proof for the jobs you want to claim.
- Make sure you already took all the pre-requisite classes: this is an intense workload, you won’t be able to produce and learn new pipelines in the same time.
Studio 2 & 3 | Team projects
In this classes, students organize in teams often between 7 and 15, and tackle a group project, usually on 2 times 10 weeks. After validation of their project pitch, and a short guided pre-production phase, they work at delivering a complete vertical slice of their vision, while following the Agile/Scrum methodology.
Later, for the second step of the class, while expanding the content for their game, they also create a trailer, marketing material, etc.
In these classes, I operate as a Stakeholder and Creative Director, providing guidance on a variety of topics, ranging from Lighting, Art, Design to Trailer organization, etc. I also help them navigate the complications of working as a team, on often ambitious projects completed on a pretty aggressive timeline 🙂
Tips for this class:
- This is your capstone class(es). Prepare it way ahead, it’s most likely going to be the most ambitious project on your portfolio.
- Make your team ahead of time: pick people you enjoy working with, it will be a high-stress environment for the next 6 months, you want to be able to rely on the talent AND cohesion of your team!
- Be ready to give-it-all: ideally, Studio II and III projects end up on Steam… Your (most likely) first shipped title, and your first step as a young professional in your industry.
SPECIAL PROJECTS | Team projects
From time to time, SCAD also offers wider collaborative opportunities via “special projects” classes. The last I participated to, acting as a creative director on the project, was a team of 40 students coming together to make the game Zoelie, which ended up winning the Intel Game Showcase, and covered by several press sites.
board Game design | core principles of game design
While this class can sometimes be “lecture-heavy” as we define the core principles of game design, the final project sees teams of 5 students band together to create a board game prototype, as close as possible to “full production value” …in 4 weeks!
Assets are professionally printed, minis sculpted, etc. The last 2 classes, the prototypes are playtested, and students write a collective post-mortem.
Tips for this class:
- Art, execution and polish will matter for the last assignment: make sure you have a well-rounded team (A digital artist/painter+game designer+writer+3D artist are ideal)
- The turn-around is very, very fast: you’ll have about 4 to 5 weeks total. You’ll most likely need to send the files for printing end of week 2, beginning of week 3: plan accordingly
- The game box design and production are very important: make a wise use of spacers, etc.
Closing words
I hope this selection reflects the talent of the students I had the privilege to mentor! It is a real pleasure to be interacting with such a talented and passionate bunch every day.
Best,
Cyril Guichard
ENTELECHY AWARDS (so far)
Entelechy is SCAD School of Creative Technology (Game, Themed Entertainment and ARVR) End-of-year show, awarding the best students work in various categories. I’ve tallied the awards students received in my various classes here, to make searching past winners easier:
2026
– Best of Show, Patch
– Best 3D Game, Patch
– Best Environment Art, Patch
– Best Concept Art, Patch
– Best Level Design, Dough or Die
– Best Board Game, Spacecats
– 2nd place Best Game Animation, Patch
– 2nd place Best Environment, Cave of knowledge
2025
– Best of Show, Juvenate
– Best Game Animation, Juvenate
– Best Board Game, Questin’ Kittens
– Best 3D game, small team, Candybalism
– Best Environment Art, Rings of lies
– Best Trailer, Scrapbots
2024
– Best of Show, Outerplates
– Best Environment Art, Outerplates
– Best Trailer, Outerplates
– Best Level Design, Outerplates
– Best 3D game, Outerplates
– Best Real-time VFX, Outerplates
2023
– Best of Show, Skystrider
– Best 3D game, Skystrider
– Best trailer, Skystrider
– Best level design, Skystrider
– Best Environment Art, Skystrider
– Best Real-time VFX, Skystrider
2022
– Best 3D Game, A Stroke of Magic
– Best Board Game, Trendiing
– Best Trailer, Cardboard Heroes
– Best Concept Art, Dark Skies of Willowtown
– 2nd place Best 3D game, Dark Skies of Willowtown
– 2nd place Best Character Art, Beast
2021
– Best Trailer, Fiannaheim
– Best Real-time VFX, Fiannaheim
– Best Board Game, Forgemasters
– 2nd Best place Environment Art, Fiannaheim
2020
– Best of Show, Harbinger of Spring
– Best Trailer, Harbinger of Spring
– Best Environment Art, Harbinger of Spring
– Best 3D Game, Harbinger of Spring
– Best Character Art, Sophie
– 2nd place Best Environment Art, Shrine
– Best Game Sound, Sumra
– Best Board Game, In the Xixian Shadows
2019
– Best of Show: Doggone Hungry
– Best Board Game, Fistful of Dynamite
– Best 3D game, Codename Indigo
– 2nd place Best 3D game, Doggone Hungry
2018
– Best of Show, Palm Dreams
– Best Trailer: Hero Bureau
– Best Board Game, Relic Raiders
2017
– Best Trailer, Deep Blue Boogaloo
– Best Board Game, Fighticus
2016
– Best of Show, Pub Brawl
– Best 3D Game, Dino Batter
– Best Board Game, Rototemple