What courses do you need to become a game designer?

Answer 1

The requirements of becoming a game designer is to obtain a Bachelor's degree in game design, computer science, or computer engineering. It will take between four and five years to complete the educational requirements to become a game designer.

Answer 2

I would say a media or animation course which they do at college you take pictures then make it into a video and you do everything you can start from level 1 then up to level 3 then go to university and study some more about it. Here is some information about animation. See If this is what you want to do and If it right for you. Hope I help.

Animators produce images that appear to come to life on screen. Their work is found in feature films, commercials, pop videos, computer games, websites and other media. They may work with drawings, specialist software or models and puppets, capturing separate images of each stage of a movement. When the images are viewed at speed the character appears to move. Animators usually work normal office hours, although they may work additional hours to meet deadlines. Many animators work freelance, and part-time and temporary contracts are common. Animators usually work in well-lit offices or studios. Working on stop frame animation may involve standing for long periods under hot studio lights. Other types of animation demand long hours sitting at a drawing board or computer. Salaries may range from around £19,440 to upwards of £26,120 a year. Freelance animators may not always be in full-time employment so their income may vary. An animator should: * be creative and artistic * have drawing skills (and sculpting skills for stop frame animation using clay) * have excellent IT skills * be patient and able to concentrate for long periods * be interested in art and design. Around 3,000 people work in animation in the UK and about 300 companies employ animators. The main centres for this work are London, Bristol, Manchester and Dundee. Although there are some permanent jobs, many animators work on a freelance basis. Competition for jobs is keen and they are not always advertised, so networking is an important way of finding work. Most animators have a degree or an HNC/HND. Animation courses are offered at universities and colleges throughout the UK. Admissions tutors usually expect to see a strong portfolio of work and, if possible, examples of animation projects. A show-reel of previous work is essential to show to potential clients and employers. Animators normally train on the job, working with more experienced colleagues to learn and develop new techniques and skills. It is essential for animators to keep up to date with new developments in the industry, and there are many relevant short courses. As many animators are self-employed, career progression depends on their skills, versatility and ability to promote themselves. With experience, animators may become lead animators or animation directors. They may also move into specialist areas such as animation special effects. There may be opportunities to work overseas or to teach animation.

Animators produce images that appear to come to life on screen. Their work is found in feature films, commercials, pop videos, computer games, websites and other media. They may work with drawings, specialist software or models and puppets, capturing separate images of each stage of a movement. When the images are viewed at speed the character appears to move. Animators usually work normal office hours, although they may work additional hours to meet deadlines. Many animators work freelance, and part-time and temporary contracts are common. Animators usually work in well-lit offices or studios. Working on stop frame animation may involve standing for long periods under hot studio lights. Other types of animation demand long hours sitting at a drawing board or computer. Salaries may range from around £19,440 to upwards of £26,120 a year. Freelance animators may not always be in full-time employment so their income may vary. An animator should: * be creative and artistic * have drawing skills (and sculpting skills for stop frame animation using clay) * have excellent IT skills * be patient and able to concentrate for long periods * be interested in art and design. Around 3,000 people work in animation in the UK and about 300 companies employ animators. The main centres for this work are London, Bristol, Manchester and Dundee. Although there are some permanent jobs, many animators work on a freelance basis. Competition for jobs is keen and they are not always advertised, so networking is an important way of finding work. Most animators have a degree or an HNC/HND. Animation courses are offered at universities and colleges throughout the UK. Admissions tutors usually expect to see a strong portfolio of work and, if possible, examples of animation projects. A show-reel of previous work is essential to show to potential clients and employers. Animators normally train on the job, working with more experienced colleagues to learn and develop new techniques and skills. It is essential for animators to keep up to date with new developments in the industry, and there are many relevant short courses. As many animators are self-employed, career progression depends on their skills, versatility and ability to promote themselves. With experience, animators may become lead animators or animation directors. They may also move into specialist areas such as animation special effects. There may be opportunities to work overseas or to teach animation.

Answer 3

I took Game Design at my Community College, and the Professor had a friend who had been in the gaming world at one point (was awhile ago, and can't remember who it was, or what companies he'd worked for), but from what I learned, you don't necessarily need a degree per se.

Having said that, you should however get a degree of some kind, AT LEAST a bachelors degree. If you send in your resume somewhere, and they start filtering through their pile, all the ones without degrees most likely will get overlooked. It's always good to have a degree wherever you go.

For Game Design specifically though, you should have a nice strong portfolio put together. Anything you have to show off your game design skills. Mods you've made, or even full-games you've made in Java C++ or anything like that.

I think if you have those two things, and the drive to look for jobs (which is very difficult to find, because game design jobs AREN'T permanent... it is always a struggle, and you sometimes work 15-20 hour days) you should be good to go.

Hope this helped!