By 2029, the game design industry is expected to create over 32,000 new jobs, making it an exciting and in-demand career. It requires a wide-ranging skillset that includes technical, creative, and conceptual abilities. Earning a degree in game design is one of the best ways to develop and master the techniques necessary to succeed in the competitive, rewarding industry. But a degree is just the start. There are a few other things you can do to kickstart your career in game design.
What Is a Video Game Designer?
Video game designers are the visionaries responsible for making all of your favorite games on consoles, PCs, and mobile devices. They craft original concepts and turn those into stories rich with intriguing narratives, vibrant settings, engaging characters, and dynamic gameplay mechanics. From a technical standpoint, video game designers perform duties like 3D texturing, modeling, and rendering to bring games to life. Game designers also often have input on game rules that dictate how a game is played and how characters interact with the settings around them.
How to Become a Game Designer
You don’t have to be a lifelong gamer to get into game design, though many enter game design by enjoying the final product and considering what went into creating their favorite playable content. In addition to earning a degree, you’ll also want to take part in internships and build your portfolio.
Game Designer Education Requirements
Villa offers the only game design programs in Western New York. The curriculum prepares students to excel in all aspects of game design, covering both creative and technical components in depth. Earlier semesters introduce students to the artistic side of game design, focusing on drawing, writing, and entry-level pre-production. As students progress through the program, they take on more advanced classes, learning everything from level design and programming to advanced animation such as modeling and texturing. Graduating students will earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree in game design and have a solid foundation of core concepts.
Video Game Designer Skills
The skills required to become a game designer involve both “hard” skills like coding, animation, and game-engine building as well as “soft” skills like relating to people and thinking strategically. Through coursework, we focus on building these important skills for game designers:
- Creativity and vision
- Sense of narrative and visual storytelling
- Problem-solving
- Exceptional communication
- Attention to detail
- Ability to read and interpret data
- Accepting and building on feedback
- Aesthetics and world-building
- Knowledge of gaming industry trends
- Business and operational strategic thinking
- User experience knowledge and skills
Complete an Internship
Taking part in an internship is a crucial step in your journey to becoming a video game designer. Internships offer hands-on experience you simply can’t get in a classroom setting alone. They provide an opportunity to work on real projects, collaborate with established industry professionals, and understand project workflow from start to finish. An internship is also the time to take stock of what you’re most passionate about within the game design industry. Game design students in Villa’s program have interned with:
- Wolfjaw Studios
- Uphoria Studio
- Epic Games
- Blizzard Entertainment
- Bungie
- Gameloft
Build Your Portfolio
As a game designer, your portfolio serves as a showcase of your credentials, skills, creativity, and experience. Well-crafted portfolios include a variety of your best work complete with visuals and detailed descriptions. Some projects might include concept art, level designs, or fully modeled and rendered characters and environments. Explain the purpose behind each project, your role in the project, and the tools you used to create your work.
Villa’s Commitment to Student Success
Villa’s friendly and engaged professors and staff offer a diverse, open, and supportive program that respects its students as individuals with unique talents and needs. We have an 8:1 student-to-faculty ratio allowing our staff to empower every student to achieve their dreams. With the state-of-the-art Digital Media Art Center (DMAC), our students have the facilities and tools they need to bring their vision to life exactly how they imagined it. Reach out to us today to learn more!
