How to Be Junior Video Game Designer - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Jun 26, 2020 / 6 Minutes Read / By Albert

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Creating video games requires a great deal of preparation and effort by the video game designer. One of the most important steps is developing the game concept. This involves researching the target audience, brainstorming ideas, and creating a detailed plan for the game.

Once the concept is ready, the designer must create a prototype. This allows them to test features, mechanics, and design choices. If needed, they may need to make adjustments before they move onto designing the game.

After the game is designed, the designer must develop game content such as levels, stories, art, music, and audio. With all of these components in place, the game designer is ready to create a software program that meets all of the requirements. The final step is testing the game to make sure it meets the desired quality standards.

Once this is completed, the video game is ready to be released to the public. All of these steps are necessary for a successful video game designer to create a successful video game.

Steps How to Become

Obtain a bachelors degree. A bachelors degree in video game design, computer science, software engineering, or a related field is typically required to become a Junior Video Game Designer.
Gain experience. Many employers prefer applicants who have prior experience working with video games. Consider taking on internships or volunteer roles to gain hands-on experience and to make connections in the industry.
Develop a portfolio. An impressive portfolio of work is essential to landing a job as a Junior Video Game Designer. Start developing your portfolio early by designing and building your own video games.
Submit applications. Search for entry-level Junior Video Game Designer jobs and submit your resume and portfolio to employers seeking qualified applicants. Be sure to highlight any prior experience you have in related fields.
Learn the software. Become familiar with the software used to design video games, such as Adobe Creative Suite, Unity, and Unreal Engine. Learning these programs will make you a more attractive job candidate.
Network. Connect with contacts in the video game industry to increase your chances of finding a job. Attend industry events and conferences to meet potential employers and share your work.

Junior video game design requires reliable and efficient methods to create engaging and entertaining games. To achieve this, designers must have a thorough understanding of game development tools and technology, be able to think critically and creatively, and have the ability to work collaboratively with others. having strong coding skills and a background in mathematics will help designers create games that run quickly and smoothly.

Finally, designers must be able to effectively communicate their ideas and plan out the development process from start to finish. By implementing these strategies, junior video game designers can create reliable and efficient games that provide an enjoyable experience for players.

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Job Description

Design and develop video games for various platforms.
Create graphics, characters, storylines, and levels for video games.
Collaborate with other developers and designers to ensure a cohesive gaming experience.
Test and debug video games for functionality and accuracy.
Analyze user feedback and trends to improve game play and design.
Stay abreast of the latest trends in gaming technology.
Create interactive user interfaces and innovative gameplay mechanics.
Develop technical designs and documentations for video games.
Monitor the progress of video game development projects.
Integrate audio and visual elements into video games.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge and experience in game design, development, and programming
Proficiency in game engines such as Unity and Unreal
Familiarity with at least one scripting language such as C# or JavaScript
Ability to troubleshoot and identify game design issues
Understanding of game design principles, including narrative and level design
Ability to create functional game prototypes quickly and efficiently
Knowledge of game development processes, such as asset creation, integration, and debugging
Excellent communication and collaboration skills
Ability to work independently and within a team
Attention to detail and ability to work to tight deadlines

Being a junior video game designer requires a wide variety of skills in order to be successful. The most important skill to have is creativity. Creativity is the foundation of game design, as it allows the designer to come up with new ideas, create engaging levels, and develop original stories and characters.

a junior video game designer must be comfortable using programming languages and software development tools, such as Unity, C++, and Java. Having a strong understanding of game mechanics, user interface design, and game balance is also essential. Finally, having strong communication and collaboration skills will enable the designer to work with other members of the development team to create a cohesive product.

All of these skills are necessary for a junior video game designer to excel in their role and create a successful game.

Multiplayer Gaming Programmer, PC Gaming Developer, and Multiplayer Gaming Designer are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have developing video games?
What inspired you to pursue a career in video game design?
How familiar are you with the software and tools used in game development?
How do you stay up to date on the latest developments in game design?
What kind of games have you designed previously?
How do you decide which features to include in a game?
What techniques do you use to ensure your games are bug free?
How do you measure the success of a game and how do you use this knowledge to improve future designs?
Describe a difficult problem you faced while designing a game, and how you solved it.
What challenges do you think the video game industry will face in the next 5-10 years?

Common Tools in Industry

Unity 3D. A 3D game development engine used to create games for multiple platforms. (e. g. Super Mario Odyssey)
Unreal Engine 4. An advanced game development engine used to create visually stunning games with realistic graphics. (e. g. Batman: Arkham Knight)
Construct 2. An intuitive game development program used to create 2D video games without coding. (e. g. Flappy Bird)
Autodesk Maya. A versatile 3D animation software used to create 3D art assets for games. (e. g. Overwatch)
Adobe Photoshop. A raster graphics editor used to create and edit digital artwork for game assets. (e. g. The Legend of Zelda)
Adobe Illustrator. A vector graphics editor used to create logos, icons, and other vector artwork for game assets. (e. g. Pokémon GO)
Adobe After Effects. A motion graphics and visual effects software used to create animated assets for games. (e. g. Fortnite)
Wwise. An interactive audio creation tool used to create interactive audio experiences in video games. (e. g. God of War)

Professional Organizations to Know

The International Game Developers Association (IGDA)
Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences (AIAS)
International Mobile Gaming Awards (IMGA)
Entertainment Software Association (ESA)
Game Developers Conference (GDC)
Casual Games Association (CGA)
Women in Games International (WIGI)
IndieCade
European Games Developer Federation (EGDF)
The Academy of Art University Game Developers Club (AAUGDC)

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Common Important Terms

Level Design. The process of creating the layout, structure, and challenges of each level in a video game.
Game Mechanics. Rules and procedures that govern how a game works. These usually involve the use of certain objects, which allow players to interact with the game environment.
User Interface (UI). The way a user interacts with the game, such as menus and buttons used to control the game.
User Experience (UX). The overall feeling a user gets when playing a game, such as immersion, engagement, and satisfaction.
Scripting Language. A programming language used to create scripts, which are used to control the behavior of certain objects in a game.
Art Direction. The overall look and style of a game, which includes the visual elements, color palette, and other aesthetic choices.
Debugging. The process of finding and fixing errors in a games code.
Gameplay Balancing. Making sure that the difficulty of a game is appropriate for the intended audience.
Quality Assurance (QA). Testing a game to ensure that it is free from bugs and other issues before it is released.
Prototyping. Creating a basic version of a game to test out ideas and mechanics before investing more time and resources into development.

Frequently Asked Questions

What skills are necessary to be a Junior Video Game Designer?

Junior Video Game Designers should have strong creative and technical skills, including knowledge of programming languages, game engines, software, graphic design, and animation. They should also be highly organized, collaborative, and have a good understanding of the gaming industry.

What type of degree is typically required for a Junior Video Game Designer?

Most companies require at least a Bachelor's degree in game design, computer science, or a related field. Some employers may also accept an Associate's degree or specialized training in game development.

How much experience is usually required for a Junior Video Game Designer?

Most companies require at least one to two years of experience in a related field. However, some employers may be willing to overlook experience requirements if a candidate has a strong portfolio and good references.

What is the average salary for a Junior Video Game Designer?

The average salary for a Junior Video Game Designer is around $60,000 per year. However, this can vary depending on the company and the level of experience.

What type of work environment do Junior Video Game Designers work in?

Junior Video Game Designers typically work in a collaborative and creative work environment with other designers and developers. They use specialized software and tools to create and test games, and often work with teams on large projects.