How to Become a Game Designer?

Are you thinking of becoming a Game Designer or already started your career and planning the next step? Learn how to become a Game Designer, what skills you need to succeed, how to advance your career and get promoted, and what levels of pay to expect at each step on your career path. Explore new Game Designer job openings and options for career transitions into related roles.

Steps to Become a Game Designer

If you're considering starting your Game Designer career path, it's important to note the skills, qualifications, and time it takes to become a professional Game Designer and how to advance your career path. Below are the steps generally required to begin and advance your Game Designer career.
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1

Earn a Degree

To begin your Game Designer career path, a Bachelor's Degree in computer science or a related field is usually necessary in order to remain a competitive option for employers. Focus on industry-specific skill development during your education in order to be properly equipped when applying for entry-level positions and entering the job force. A Game Designer internship may be required to earn your Bachelor's Degree and acquire necessary on-the-job skills before entering the workforce.
2

Choose a Specialty in Your Field

As an Game Designer, you may be required to choose a specialty within your field. Determine which part of the Game Designer field you feel strongest in, and continue taking active steps toward growing in your chosen Game Designer specialty.
3

Get an Entry-Level Position as a Game Designer

Once you've acquired a Bachelor's Degree in computer science or a related field, you'll typically begin your career as an entry-level Game Designer. In general, you can become a Game Designer after completing your 4 year Bachelor's Degree in a related discipline. Depending on the type of Game Designer role you’re pursuing, you may want to explore certification in .
4

Advance in Your Game Designer Career

Following entry-level, there are several Game Designer career path levels to advance into. It can take 2 years as an entry-level Game Designer to progress to the next seniority level position. Each advanced Game Designer position requires approximately 2 years of experience at each level to advance in your Game Designer career path. It may be necessary to receive additional education, an advanced degree such as a Master's Degree in a related field, or special certifications in order to advance your Game Designer career path.
5

Continued Education for Your Game Designer Career Path

Not all industries and companies require continued education to advance your Game Designer career path. However, earning this degree may help you advance to higher-earning positions more quickly. Earning a Graduate Degree in computer science can take 4 years to complete. People that have earned their Graduate Degree typically make $115,669 compared to $47,492 for those without that type of degree.

We don't have enough career path data for Game Designer jobs. Below are job titles that share similar skill sets.

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Game Designer Career Path

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Related Careers in the Arts & Design Industry

Interested in other Arts & Design careers? Below are occupations that have high affinity with Game Designer skills. Discover some of the most common Game Designer career transitions, along with skills overlap.

Concept Artist
0% skills overlap
12% transitioned to Concept Artist