Where Code Meets Design: How HSE Students Learn to Create Games and Digital Products
In 2025, the HSE Faculty of Computer Science and the Art and Design School launched their joint bachelor's programme in Game and Digital Product Development (GDPD). This unique, interdisciplinary programme combines in-depth technical knowledge with training in design, management, marketing, and production. Students from the programme's first cohort shared their impressions of the first academic year.
Glafira Tishchenko
Ever since I was a child, I've loved coming up with new ideas and telling stories. I'm a creative person—I enjoy drawing, and I even made my own little comic book once. But I always wanted my audience to become part of the story, shaping the way it unfolds. First, I became fascinated by books with branching storylines, and later I was drawn into the narratives of video games. At the same time, I discovered programming as a new medium for storytelling. I enjoyed learning a bit of everything and eventually realised this wasn't a weakness but a strength. Or, as they say, it's not a bug, it's a feature.
The GDPD programme was exactly what I was looking for: not only is it offered in Moscow at my dream university, but it also perfectly combines technical and creative aspects
During our first year, we studied video game production, branding, and web development. In our second year, we'll choose a specialisation, and I've decided to focus on game production. Over the past year, we've learned the basics of C# programming, worked with the Unity game engine, and gained an understanding of how brands are built and what makes a website appealing to users. This foundation will prepare us to become producers and developers of digital products. As far as I know, both professions are in high demand today.
We've already created our first game! This project was our final test assignment for the Unity programming course. But what I enjoyed most was creating a magazine. It was a design project in the third module: we had to create a small digital magazine based on the theme of our chosen brand. My concept was an antique restoration shop, so I designed spreads about restoring different types of items. Visually, the magazine was inspired by vintage publications, featuring black-and-white photography.
It was a little intimidating to enrol in a brand-new programme. However, the opportunity to enter my dream university and study something that perfectly matched my interests gave me confidence, and I wasn't afraid that something might go wrong. In the end, everything worked out beautifully, and I feel that I truly belong here.
My expectations for studying on this programme were completely met. I was particularly impressed with the programming classes: we didn't start by learning the Unity engine right away; instead, we first studied C#, the language required for working with it, which I find to be a very logical approach.
I also enjoyed the courses on art history and the fundamentals of computer game development. The first gave us a solid foundation for understanding art, which I believe is essential for any creative work, and both game development and brand creation are undoubtedly creative pursuits. The second helped us understand how the internal processes of game development work, which is extremely important for a producer, whose job is to coordinate and organise the entire workflow. The design projects we worked on were exciting and enjoyable to complete.
What really surprised me was the amount and variety of mathematics in the programme. We studied three different areas of mathematics over the course of the year! It was quite a challenge.
It seems to me that the main advantage of our programme compared with traditional IT education or pure design programmes is its combination of technical (mathematics and programming) and creative (various areas of design) aspects. Usually, students have to choose one direction, but this programme, on the contrary, encourages a more multidisciplinary approach to learning. I also appreciate that applicants can join the programme with different backgrounds, either in programming or in literature. I also like that, during our first year, we had the opportunity to explore both gamedev and digital product development. This not only helps acquire practical skills, such as working with Photoshop, but also supports a more informed career choice.
Valeriy Nechaev
I've been interested in game development since I was a child. At the age of nine, I tried to create my first game using assets (ready-made digital components used as building blocks when creating games, applications, and other digital products—Ed.) and modifying someone else's code. I made my first complete game in eighth grade. From the beginning, I knew I wanted to enrol in a programme related to game development. Shortly before applying to university, I saw an advertisement for a programme at HSE University and immediately knew I wanted to study here.
Applying to university was scary in itself, but I wasn't particularly worried about the fact that this was a new area of study.
Now I think that enrolling in a new programme is actually an advantage
We also have the opportunity to discuss our ideas and questions about game development with our teachers.
The most obvious advantage of studying on the GDPD programme is that it leads to a degree combining two fields: software engineering and design. What surprised me most was how convenient and well-organised everything is at HSE University. Speaking about our programme, I appreciate how conveniently it combines design and programming. I would especially highlight the courses in the fundamentals of computer game development, art history, economics, and the fundamentals of interactive design. Our teachers are supportive, approachable, and clearly passionate about what they do.
We have already completed quite a few projects: two games as part of the C# course, four design projects (digital products), and several projects for other subjects. I would especially highlight the game we created in the second semester. We had the opportunity to discuss our ideas with the teacher who taught the Unity course. I also gained unique experience working as part of a team. I believe that teamwork and focus are among the most important qualities for a game developer.
Sofya Nikolaenko
Since my teenage years, gaming has been a big and important part of my life. I learned a little about the principles of game development, but I never explored the field in depth. In high school, I quickly decided which subjects to take for my Unified State Examination and, based on that, which university and faculty to choose for my future studies. When I discovered this programme, I realised that it was a perfect fit for me.
While studying on the GDPD programme, I have been exploring all stages of game and digital product development, from the initial idea and prototype to the finished product. The programme also teaches us how to work effectively as part of a team. My expectations have been fully met, and I am happy to be gaining such diverse knowledge and skills here. Over the past year, I have studied the fundamentals of design and higher mathematics. The interplay between technical knowledge and creativity has helped me switch between different areas of study while maintaining my interest in both.
During my first year, I had the opportunity to participate in many projects, and I would like to tell you about the most recent and ambitious one. My team and I developed a game using the Unity platform: a pixel-art 2D roguelike about a boy trapped in a dream who explores a gloomy ghost train filled with enemies and anomalies. The key features of the game are procedural level generation and permanent character death, and the main goal is to progress as far as possible. Through this project, we learned how to work effectively as a team and gained experience in all areas of game development: each of us contributed to the programming, visual design, and audio aspects of the game.
The main advantage for me is that this programme was created jointly by the HSE Art and Design School and the Faculty of Computer Science, combining the strengths of both. This is especially important because we need not only technical skills but also an understanding of visual style and the ability to work with it. I also really appreciate the convenience of the schedule: three days of classes with the Faculty of Computer Science and three days with the Art and Design School. Another major strength of the programme is its teaching team.
Having completed my first year of the GDPD programme, I can confidently say that game development will remain relevant for many years to come. However, it is important to keep in mind that building a career in this field is increasingly challenging due to market saturation, and anyone choosing this path should be prepared to face difficulties. The industry continues to grow, and games have long become an integral part of popular culture, education, sports, advertising, and technology. They are no longer just a form of self-expression but a serious field at the intersection of programming, design, art, storytelling, and business.
I believe there is no such thing as a perfect game creator. Gamedev is too dynamic and complex for a developer to have a fixed set of skills for success. Great ideas are born not from perfection but, on the contrary, from quirks, mistakes, personal perspectives, and the courage to do things differently. Genius often emerges from imperfection, because truly creative people see the world in their own way and, as a result, create something that has never existed before.
Polina Novikova
I chose this programme because it combines two fields: design and software engineering. As someone who is interested in both the visual and technical aspects of digital products, I was excited about the opportunity to develop in both areas at the same time.
We study a wide range of subjects, from mathematics to art. In our programme, our future career paths depend on the track we choose in the second year. Students can specialise in either game development or digital product development. In either case, after graduation, we will be prepared to lead various teams and departments in these fields.
One of the advantages of our programme is close cooperation with academic supervisors and teachers, as well as a convenient and flexible schedule without long gaps between classes. Our teachers are supportive, responsive, and always ready to help. The combination of creative and technical fields within IT will help us become qualified specialists in multiple areas.
We have learned a lot over the past year, but I especially remember the course in the fundamentals of interactive design. As part of this subject, we spent the entire year transforming two words into a finished product. At the beginning of the course, we selected two random words from a list and worked on designing and creating an event based on those concepts. My words were 'performance' and 'renovation.' In the first semester, my projects (creating visual identities, posters, and websites) focused on a themed theatrical production in which everything was made of paint. In the second semester, they were centred around theatre courses. The most interesting part was seeing how many different interpretations of the same theme I was able to create throughout the year. By the end, when you think you have explored the project from every possible angle, a new perspective suddenly emerges, and the project reveals itself in a completely different way.
