What's it like to be a video game designer?

Published 2021-12-28 21:54:16.0

Video game design is one of the many exciting careers in the video game industry. If you have a good eye for design, are good with stories and a programming language you should consider this career. Knowing what a day in the life of a video game designer looks like is a good start.

This article contains all the answers to the question "What is it like to be a video game designer?" You'll find out how to get a job as a video game designer, what the average salary expectations are for a video game designer, and what the career prospects are. These details will help you decide whether becoming a video game designer is a future-proof career you should consider.

What is a Video Game Designer?

A video game designer is heavily involved in designing the visual and narrative aspects of a game, such as: B. the characters, the plot, the environments and other visual designs. Video game designers typically work with a team to achieve a common goal. You work with artists and programmers together to ensure the design concept is implemented. They also test concepts to identify and correct any errors in the game.

What does a video game designer do every day?

Video game designers oversee daily design discussions between the various teams responsible for development. They balance each aspect of game design and make adjustments to the gaming experience to ensure the product achieves critical and commercial success.

Obtain and implement feedback. The designers collect feedback from the engineers, designers, and quality assurance testers about the game's features and try to incorporate this into the original design of the game.
Design game features. Video game developers help design the visual and narrative aspects of a game. They may create character biographies, character designs, and character abilities. They also contribute to the art and sound of a game and help with level design.
Manage documentation. Designers create and manage design documents, prototype targets, and production work plans in collaboration with production personnel. They also create communication plans.
Give feedback to colleagues. Designers provide feedback on the game's design features to production staff and other colleagues. This leads to great sessions to share ideas.
Consultation with stakeholders. Designers also consult with stakeholders to implement a game's online features and define design requirements.

How can I become a video game designer?

You can become a video game designer by acquiring the necessary qualifications. A college degree in a related field is a good requirement for this position. Additionally, you can also earn a certificate, attend a bootcamp, and take online courses to become qualified as a game designer. Some of these qualifications can be found below.

Video game designer degrees

To become a full-time game designer, you can earn a bachelor's degree in a related field, such as: B. in software engineering, computer programming, graphic design or computer graphics. A web development degree can also be useful if you are interested in developing web-based games.

Online courses for video game developers

There are a wide range of professional online courses you can take to become a game developer. These courses can cover anything from development to design to storytelling. You can choose a general game design course, an introduction to video game development, or a 3D animation software course. Harvard University also offers a professional game development course that you should check out.

Video game developer boot camps

If you want to turn your video game ideas into usable products, consider attending one of the best game design bootcamps. There are many opportunities for students with design and engineering talents who want to learn advanced techniques.

Video Game Designer Certifications

For students who want to pursue a career in computer science and game design but are not yet ready for college, professional certification can be a great solution. Certificates are more specific than degree programs, so they can serve as a perfect tool for professional study. Certificate courses you can take include a certificate in game design from Western Kentucky University or Los Medanos College.

How can I get a job as a video game designer?

Interest in becoming a video game developer is a good start, but it's not enough to get a job. To get a job as a video game developer, you need to take a few steps to achieve your goal. These steps include having the right qualifications, creating a game design portfolio, and expanding your network. We have briefly explained some of these important steps below.

Steps to Find a Job as a Video Game Developer

Get an education

Obtaining the required educational qualifications will advance your career. Most video game designers have a bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as multimedia design or graphic design. Some Universities offer degree programs specifically aimed at video game designers.

Do an internship

Consider completing an internship while you complete your degree. In this way, you gain relevant experience in the industry and acquire valuable knowledge. You will also meet new people and network with professionals in the field. This can help you get references after you graduate. You can also inquire about available internship positions at design or software development companies.

Create a portfolio

A portfolio is very important if you want to work full-time as a game designer. It allows you to showcase your work as a game designer. As a video game developer, your portfolio can do much more to sell your skills than your resume. A visual representation of your work is the best way for clients to see what you can do. Remember to include previous projects and a current project in your portfolio and tailor different portfolios to different design positions.

Learn new skills

You should always keep yourself informed about new developments in your field. Continue learning and sharpening your technical skills and abilities as you work to build a career as a video game designer. Programming languages and software are constantly evolving, so you have to keep up with the changes to avoid falling behind. Industry news and blogs can keep you updated on the latest industry trends.

Connect and get involved

Try to network with the right people in the industry. You can do this by joining an association that will help you make valuable contacts. You can also sign up for workshops and conferences where you can learn more about how the industry works. In certain cases, some associations may allow you to obtain professional certification that demonstrates your skills.

Career prospects for a video game developer

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of special effects artists and animators, how the agency classifies game developers, is expected to increase by 16% between 2020 and 2030. That's significantly faster than the 7% average for all occupations.

It is predicted that there will be an average of 7,800 job openings per year in this area over the course of the decade. These vacancies arise from the need to replace workers who have left the workforce for various reasons and the need for new talent in the growing gaming industry.

Should I Become a Video Game Designer?

Yes, if you have an eye for design and are good with computer programs like 3D-Design Software , digital drawing programs and UX -Design programs, becoming a video game designer is a good career choice. To get started, you can take online courses, earn certificates, or get a game designer degree.

You will earn an attractive salary that increases with experience. You'll also get more opportunities to hone your craft by building networks, joining associations, and becoming certified. If you don't want to work in a team, you can also become a self-employed game designer, although this type of employment is less stable.

A Day in the Life of a Video Game Designer FAQs

What does the day-to-day work of a video game designer look like?

Designers spend most of their day planning and creating game graphics, designing characters, and developing game mechanics. You can also write design documents or put together game levels. Designers also attend team meetings and participate in discussions between development teams to refine game design.

How many hours does a video game designer spend at work each day?

A video game designer spends about eight to nine hours at work, five days a week. If you plan well, you can also have enough time for your family. However, in a game studio there are usually work weeks of more than 70 hours for several months when an important deadline comes up.

As a video game designer, the competition is very high, so you always have to do your best to get the job. This is especially true if you work as an indie game designer. Working hours can also be long and grueling when working under time pressure.