What does a graphic designer do in the gaming industry?

How to get into the gaming industry as a game designer? (not programming)?

• I really want to be the kind of person who thinks of ideas for games, characters, settings etc. I like to think I have a good imagination, and I've always been told I have but I have no idea what kind of qualifications I would need to get into it. Any info would be helpful or links to guides/more info :)

• Answer:

  Allright, this may sound harsh, but read through it all. I've worked in the game industry and I write a blog about Breaking into the Game Industry (linked in the source section). First off, no game company will ever hire you for your ideas, period. It doesn't matter if you've got the greatest idea ever for a game, you won't get hired to design it, it's not how the process works. If you want to start your own indie game company, then you can certainly design your own games if you can find/hire others to work with you and do the coding. Just realize that if you follow that route, you may have a hard time getting a programmer to do that work for you unless you pay them. Otherwise, they'll just program the game they want to make other than the game you want to make. Now, "game designer" is actually a very broad category and can include several types of positions, including art, programming, or systems design. It's sort of like how "mechanic" can mean someone that works on planes, fixes your dish washer, or builds a car. Judging by your comment "(not programming)" you're already aware of this to some degree. That's good. However, game designers typically don't create the characters or setting of the game. That role is up to the Art Director. The art director creates the initial artwork for settings, character, creatures, and works closely with the game designers to create a unified vision of the game. Game designer and art director are not an entry level position; you typically have to work in the game industry for 5+ years before you can become a game designer and art directors require closer to 10 years experience. They are great positions and offer the employee a degree of freedom in deciding how a game will look, feel, and play. So, now to answer the question of how to prepare: Work harder than everyone else. Do well in school and spend your free time improving your career skills (whether it be art, writing, programming, management, whatever). Art directors need to have a great amount of flexibility and knowledge of art. Game designers need a specialization based on their role within the company, as well as work experience at that particular company (QA Testing and management jobs are a great way to move into the game designer role). To find specifics on what you should focus on learning, take a look at the articles below. There are many different jobs within the game industry and they all require different skillsets. Find a career path that suits you and use it as a way into the game industry. From there, you can move up to job you ultimately want by proving your skills and dedication. Good luck.