Career Advice for a Video Game Designer

When you become a Video Game Designer, you will conceptualise and develop video games, collaborating with artists, designers, and computer coders.

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How to Become a Video Game Designer

Choosing your career path and learning how to become the person you aspire to be is not always straight forward; getting a job in your chosen industry will take dedication, focus and the right qualifications.

When you have chosen the career path you wish to follow, you will need to learn how to become a Video Game Designer

Should you wish to work as a Video Game Designer you will need to evaluate what courses are required, their cost and what qualifications you need. It is important that you also assess whether you have the right credentials from a personality point of view, what the demands of the job are and whether they complement the lifestyle that you desire.

Another factor to consider, should you wish to fulfil your career aspirations, is the number of jobs you will need to have to reach your ultimate job, and the length of time it will take to reach this goal.

Common Qualifications for a Video Game Designer

  • Four GCSEs.
  • At least one A Level including Computing.
  • A Degree in Computer Games Technology, Interactive Media, Computer Science, or Computer Games Development.
  • HND in Creative Media Production Games Development.
  • T Level in Digital Production, Design, and Development.

Key Responsibilities for a Video Game Designer

  • Working with a team of artists, programmers, and designers.
  • Developing game characters, objects, and scenery.
  • Using animation and modelling software.
  • Creating game concepts and pitching your ideas.
  • Writing video game code and debugging.
  • Adding narratives, sound effects, and music.

What to expect as a Video Game Designer

When you work as a Video Game Designer, you will work in a creative study, office, or remotely. You will need excellent communication skills, collaborating with other creative and technical professionals. Aside from coding, top skills include numeracy and an eye for detail.

Recommended Video Game Designer Jobs

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How to get Video Game Designer Jobs

Our advice on how to get a Video Game Designer job is to focus on preparation and personalisation.

Preparation

This occurs before you write a CV cover letter or complete a Video Game Designer application. If you have not held a Video Game Designer position before, it will help to research the industry and review what a typical career path might look like. If you have held a Video Game Designer role, focus your research on the company where you are seeking employment.

Valuable resources that will help you learn about the employer include the company’s career page, social media page, blog, job ad, and job description. Helpful information will consist of the company’s mission statement, values, and vision. You could also use an employer review site to gain insights on average salaries, what current employees say about the company culture, and what it is like to work for the organisation.

Personalisation

You are now in a position to use what you have learned in your Video Game Designer CV, cover letter, and application. You should personalise each Video Game Designer application, cover letter, and CV; prioritising job skills and relevant experience and providing examples that show you have similar values and goals.

This pre-application stage is a crucial step in how to become a Video Game Designer in the UK. It puts you in a superbly informed state, ready for forthcoming telephone, video, or in-person interviews.

Students: How to Become a Video Game Designer 

As with all professions, choose your study topics carefully. Review the qualifications needed to be a Video Game Designer and the subjects you will need to enrol in certification courses, higher education, or online courses. 

Aligning your study subjects

The more closely you align your study subjects with your career path, the more likely you will be to have projects and modules that you can refer to and show a prospective employer that you have practical or theoretical Video Game Designer experience.

How to get Video Game Designer Experience

What does it take to be a Video Game Designer? The best way to find out is to get work experience, which will be invaluable when applying for Video Game Designer jobs. You can learn how to be a successful Video Game Designer through internships, apprenticeships, or volunteering for a local business.

How to be a Video Game Designer Part-Time 

If you are wondering how to get into Video Game Designer part-time, there are several possibilities. You might find a new employer looking for a part-time Video Game Designer or find your existing employer is amenable. Often companies recognise the value of flexible hours and having more staff at work during busy times of the day. 

Video Game Designer freelance work

If you have impressive Video Game Designer qualifications and experience, you could take on the challenges of working freelance with control over your schedule.

Making a Career Change

How to start a career in this profession if you work in another industry may require studying for qualifications online and focusing on transferable skills when writing your CV and attending job interviews.