Children's Program
Video Game Design
with Sam Ticknor
| Ages 9-12
Discover the Workshop
Create interactive stories in the most exciting digital medium around! In this workshop, students explore the various roles and skills required to develop a video game. Students gain hands-on experience in concept development, character design, level design, coding and play testing. Starting with ideas on paper, the participants then bring them to life on the computer. Daily exercises include 3-D character modeling, modding classic games, building custom controllers with the Makey Makey, and experimenting in Scratch(™). This teaches students important lessons that they can apply to their own ideas. Throughout the week students complete a game concept presentation along with a playable prototype!
Meet Your Faculty
Sam Ticknor
Sam Ticknor is a New York City based studio artist specializing in drawing and painting. She creates imaginative works on paper using watercolor paints and inks, and is currently crafting paintings for an upcoming picture book. Ticknor also has a passion for teaching, and has led art courses at schools, camps, and universities in Aspen, Pittsburgh, and New York City.
Studio access, shipping, campus policies, and other information for workshop participants.
Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. Children must be the correct age for the workshop as of the first day of class. Registration is confirmed once parents receive confirmation by email, and the online waiver form must be completed before the first workshop.
Payment: Children’s and teen workshops are charged in full at the time of registration.
Cancellations: With at least 60 days’ notice, we will refund your payments less a cancellation fee of $150 per workshop. Cancellations made within 60 days of the start of the workshop will result in a full forfeiture.
Students attending all-day workshops are asked to bring a sack lunch and a snack.
Scholarships, College Credit & Discounts
Making Art Accessible
Applications for scholarship support are encouraged. Specific scholarships are funded by Ranch supporters, either through endowed funds or special gifts.
Many colleges and universities offer college credit for workshops taken at Anderson Ranch. Discounts are available for students and teachers.