Do you love video games? Are you interested in designing your own? Would you like to get paid for doing this? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you've come to the right place.
The field of video game design is constantly growing and expanding. For many people, the thought of getting paid to create their own games sounds like a dream job.
In this article, we'll discuss what it takes to be a video game designer and a step-by-step process you can follow to pursue this career.
What is a Video Game Designer?
Video game designers create video games by creating worlds or storylines for new games while working from a home or office. Then they use their knowledge of computer programming and coding to bring these concepts to life on the screen.
Video game designers have to be both creative and technologically minded. They typically work on every aspect of video game creation and maintenance, from conceptualizing characters to writing them into existence through programming languages such as Java or C++.
Some job duties of video game designers include:
- brainstorming ideas for new games
- managing teams to work on games
- developing games using programming languages
- testing new games
- sticking to budgets and deadlines
Most video game designers work for larger corporations and companies, though some start their own businesses so they can have complete control of the games they produce and sell.
Aspiring video game designers often pursue a degree in computer programming, graphic design, computer animation, and digital arts. Some colleges even offer specific degrees in video game design and development.
The average salary for video game designers ranges from $57,000 to $78,000 depending on location and experience. Experienced video game designers can often expect to earn even more.
How to Become a Video Game Designer
So, how do you become a video game designer? Read on for a step-by-step process you can follow.
Step 1: Improve Workplace and Technical Skills
One of the first things you can do to prepare for your career is to start building the job skills you will need. These include both workplace and technical skills.
Workplace skills include:
- communication
- flexibility
- problem-solving
- teamwork
- love of gaming
Technical skills include:
- animation
- computer graphics
- hardware and software development
- coding
- photoshop proficiency
If you can improve your skills in these areas even before starting college, you will get a head start on both building your technical portfolio and becoming the kind of employee any company would want to have on their team.
Step 2: Earn a Bachelor's Degree
Some video game designers enter the field with only an associate degree or workshop experience, but the vast majority hold a bachelor's degree.
As noted above, there are bachelor's degrees in video game design available at some schools. Even if your school doesn't have one of these specialized programs, you can major in some other technical field.
Some of the best degree options for aspiring video game designers include:
All of these degrees focus on technology, programming, and related subjects, allowing you to develop a broad understanding of the principles you will be working with on a daily basis as a video game designer.
Step 3: Complete an Internship
You will find that many internship opportunities are available to you, both while you are in school and following graduation.
Actively pursue these opportunities. Complete at least one internship while preparing for your career. If you can do more than one, that's even better.
Internships are easier to obtain than your first job, and they give you the much-needed experience that will help your resume stand out from the crowd.
Prospective employers will see your internship experience and will recognize a couple of things: that you are serious about pursuing a video game design career and that you already have some work experience.
This will increase their confidence in you and show them that you would be a dependable employee.
Step 4: Build Your Portfolio
Having a resume is good, but you may need more than that to really stand out while looking for your first job.
Once you have the knowledge and skills to design your own games, don't wait until you're hired. Design a few games of your own. You can add these to a professional portfolio to give prospective employers examples of your work.
In addition to your games, you should also add your resume and contact information to your portfolio.
Later, as you gain work experience, you can add your professional achievements to the portfolio as well, building an ever-expanding compilation of your skills and experiences.
Step 5: Never Stop Learning
Video game design is constantly evolving as technology changes. Even after you have your bachelor's degree and are happily employed at the company of your dreams, you will want to continue building on the things you have learned.
You can do this in many ways.
Take additional college courses or workshops on specific topics related to video game design. The more subjects you explore, the more well-rounded your understanding and skill set will become.
Play more video games to get a feel for what's popular, what works and doesn't work in each game, and what you would improve if you had designed it.
Attend conferences, join gaming organizations, and network with other video game designers. This will help you build connections within the field, keep up to date on gaming trends, and help ensure that you never stop learning and improving yourself.
Begin Your Video Game Designer Career Today
Video game design is an exciting field for anyone who loves to stretch both their creative and technical muscles. By following the steps in this article, you'll be well on your way to pursuing this field and becoming a stand-out video game designer.
If you have any questions, reach out to Best Accredited Colleges today.
