A career in game design offers a fascinating doorway into the exciting world of gaming, whether it’s console, mobile, computer, or even board games. With the globally escalating popularity and technological advancement of video games, the demand for creative game designers is rapidly on the rise.
What is Game Design?
Game design is an art of creating and designing the content, structure, game-play, storyline and characters within a video game. Game Designers work on a team to form the concept of a game, visualizing and implementing the interactive entertainment experience for diverse audiences, from children to adults.
Starting Out in Game Design
For potential game designers, getting an education related to game design or a related field such as Computer Science, Animation, Graphic Design, or even Fine Arts is a good starting point. Many universities and colleges offer game design-related degrees, including degrees like a Bachelor of Design, Bachelor of Fine Art, or even a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science.
In these programs, students gain insights into various aspects of game design such as graphic design, storytelling, programming, and even project management. A successful game designer must be well-versed in all these areas, bringing together science, art, and creativity to form compelling gameplay experiences.
Visual Communication
A crucial aspect of game design is visual communication. Bachelor of Design Visual Communication is a degree program after which a successful graduate is expected to communicate ideas and information effectively through visual media. This could involve graphic design, information visualization, interface design, and more. Visual communication skills are integral to game design, as game designers must be able to design visual elements that effectively communicate the game’s story, rules, and mechanics to the player.
Career Pathways in Game Design
A game design career can take several forms, depending on one’s skills and interests. Some game designers focus on the artistic aspects of game creation, designing characters, environment or user interface, while others might focus on story creation or game mechanics. There’s also a technical aspect to game design, involving programming and software development.
A typical career path might start with a role as a junior game designer, where one would work with a team to design and develop video games under the guidance of a senior designer. With experience and a strong portfolio, game designers can work their way up to senior positions, overseeing entire projects or teams. Besides, more entrepreneurial game designers might opt to go independent, designing and developing their own games.
The Future of Game Design Careers
The future of game design careers looks bright, with gaming becoming more mainstream and the technology behind games continually evolving. As virtual reality and augmented reality technology advance, the need for innovative game designers will only increase. Furthermore, as games become a larger part of popular culture, there is likely to be a growing demand for games that reflect a diversity of experiences, creating a need for game designers from diverse backgrounds.
At the same time, the rise of eSports presents another opportunity for game designers. The competitive gaming scene has exploded in popularity over the past decade, creating a demand for well-designed competitive games.
To Wrap Up
Embarking on a game design career promises an exciting and creative pathway where one can tell stories, design characters, or even craft whole worlds from scratch. Equipped with a multidisciplinary degree like the Bachelor of Design Visual Communication, aspiring game designers have a bright career outlook with numerous opportunities knocking at their door in the ever-evolving gaming industry.
