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jessie
Student
Chalmette, Louisiana
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what school do you need to go to know what game designer
I would like to know which one is a good school to go to #game-development
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Raashid Ahmed
Tech support
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Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Updated
Raashid’s Answer
hould I Become a Video Game Designer?
Video game designers often work as part of a team to create video games. They come up with the games' concepts, characters, setting, story, and game play. Designers must work with artists and programmers to create the scripting language and artistic vision for a game.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported in May 2018 that the average annual salary for multimedia artists and animators was $72,520.
Career Requirements
Degree Level High school diploma or equivalent; bachelor's preferred
Degree Field(s) Video game design or computer science
License/Certification Voluntary certifications available
Experience Professional portfolio; internships or co-ops
Key Skills Creativity; ability to tell a story and work as part of a team; knowledge of programming languages, software, and 3D modeling programs; ability to work many hours seated and looking at a computer monitor; passion and experience in video gaming
Median Annual Salary (2018)* $72,520 (for multimedia artists and animators)
Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
While some employers require a bachelor's degree in video game design or computer science, a high school diploma is the minimum requirement. You may need to have experience working in computer science, programming, or art. In addition, you need to be creative, have the ability to tell a story, and be able to work as part of a team. You also need to understand programming languages, software programs, and 3D modeling programs. You also need the ability to spend many work hours seated and looking at a computer monitor.
How to Become a Video Game Designer
The following are steps you can take to become a video game designer.
Step 1: Obtain a Bachelor's Degree
Designers may need a bachelor's degree, especially if they're planning to work for a large game studio. Although some schools offer a degree in game design, aspiring game designers can get the necessary training from computer science, software engineering, or related degree programs. The coursework for a game design program covers subjects like 2D and 3D modeling and animation, level and interface design, storyboard rendering, drawing, and scripting.
It's important that you also play video games. As simple as it may sound, having experience and familiarity with playing video games is important. Even at a young age, being aware of popular trends in the industry and understanding advanced technology can be beneficial. Playing video games can also show you how a game is structured and can give you a chance to start thinking of ways to make improvements for when you design your own game.
Join a game design club. Some schools have a club designed for students who wish to develop and discuss games outside of the classroom. This type of club generally covers all facets of game production, which could be rather useful for future game designers.
Step 2: Determine a Career Path
Even within this specialty, there are different types of designers, including lead designer, level designer and content designer. Additionally, game designers have a diverse array of responsibilities that may not immediately be obvious, so aspiring professionals in this field should consider what type of game design career they want to pursue.
Step 3: Gain Experience
Even after completing the required education, getting a job with a game studio can be difficult. Since employers require game design experience for most mid-level positions, aspiring game designers need to find ways to get relevant experience. Some companies offer internships and co-op positions for prospective designers. Small businesses may be willing to hire inexperienced game programmers or artists, which could lead to game design positions later on.
Step 4: Develop a Game
Game design candidates can get an edge over the competition by designing their own game. Students can use free or inexpensive programs to create simple games at first and begin working on more complex projects after grasping the basics. Each game can be added to an individual's portfolio and count as design experience.
Expert Contributor: Edward LaBarge Edward is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional & digital forensic examiner. He's taught cyber crime courses & worked in the US Army.
Video game designers often work as part of a team to create video games. They come up with the games' concepts, characters, setting, story, and game play. Designers must work with artists and programmers to create the scripting language and artistic vision for a game.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported in May 2018 that the average annual salary for multimedia artists and animators was $72,520.
Career Requirements
Degree Level High school diploma or equivalent; bachelor's preferred
Degree Field(s) Video game design or computer science
License/Certification Voluntary certifications available
Experience Professional portfolio; internships or co-ops
Key Skills Creativity; ability to tell a story and work as part of a team; knowledge of programming languages, software, and 3D modeling programs; ability to work many hours seated and looking at a computer monitor; passion and experience in video gaming
Median Annual Salary (2018)* $72,520 (for multimedia artists and animators)
Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
While some employers require a bachelor's degree in video game design or computer science, a high school diploma is the minimum requirement. You may need to have experience working in computer science, programming, or art. In addition, you need to be creative, have the ability to tell a story, and be able to work as part of a team. You also need to understand programming languages, software programs, and 3D modeling programs. You also need the ability to spend many work hours seated and looking at a computer monitor.
How to Become a Video Game Designer
The following are steps you can take to become a video game designer.
Step 1: Obtain a Bachelor's Degree
Designers may need a bachelor's degree, especially if they're planning to work for a large game studio. Although some schools offer a degree in game design, aspiring game designers can get the necessary training from computer science, software engineering, or related degree programs. The coursework for a game design program covers subjects like 2D and 3D modeling and animation, level and interface design, storyboard rendering, drawing, and scripting.
It's important that you also play video games. As simple as it may sound, having experience and familiarity with playing video games is important. Even at a young age, being aware of popular trends in the industry and understanding advanced technology can be beneficial. Playing video games can also show you how a game is structured and can give you a chance to start thinking of ways to make improvements for when you design your own game.
Join a game design club. Some schools have a club designed for students who wish to develop and discuss games outside of the classroom. This type of club generally covers all facets of game production, which could be rather useful for future game designers.
Step 2: Determine a Career Path
Even within this specialty, there are different types of designers, including lead designer, level designer and content designer. Additionally, game designers have a diverse array of responsibilities that may not immediately be obvious, so aspiring professionals in this field should consider what type of game design career they want to pursue.
Step 3: Gain Experience
Even after completing the required education, getting a job with a game studio can be difficult. Since employers require game design experience for most mid-level positions, aspiring game designers need to find ways to get relevant experience. Some companies offer internships and co-op positions for prospective designers. Small businesses may be willing to hire inexperienced game programmers or artists, which could lead to game design positions later on.
Step 4: Develop a Game
Game design candidates can get an edge over the competition by designing their own game. Students can use free or inexpensive programs to create simple games at first and begin working on more complex projects after grasping the basics. Each game can be added to an individual's portfolio and count as design experience.
Expert Contributor: Edward LaBarge Edward is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional & digital forensic examiner. He's taught cyber crime courses & worked in the US Army.
Christy Marx
Writer & Narrative Designer
48
Answers
San Francisco, California
Updated
Christy’s Answer
Many universities now offer courses in game design, programming, and other related arts.
There are three schools in particular that specialize in game design:
Digipen (Seattle, WA)
SMU Guildhall (Plano, TX)
Full Sail University (Winter Park, FL)
Christy recommends the following next steps: