Top 10 Schools For Video Game Design 2023

The need to attend schools for video game design has been on the rise. And this is all thanks to the inclusion of cryptocurrency in gaming.

Currently, it is projected that there would be an increased demand for video game designers, from now till 2030. And you would need to decide if you would be a cherry by this period.

In this article, you will see the best schools for video game design, what they have to offer, and other vital information that you would need to know.

Is game design a good career?

Yes, video game design is a good career. It is an evolving field that currently integrates crypt activities too.

With the involvement of cryptocurrency in games, this field would perform well in years to come, and make you rich, if you are consistent.

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How hard is game design?

The truth is that game design is very hard. And this is because it involves you working with a lot of software, debugging codes, and fine-tuning them.

This can take months and sleepless nights to complete. Also, an individual cannot start and finish a video game project, hence you will be working with different people too.

How do I start a career in game design?

You can start a career in game design by doing the following:

Get more familiar with Game Design:

This is the first step to becoming a game designer. First of all, you have to decide if it is something you would love in the long run.

And this is because if you take the wrong step, you would end up regretting your decision. But this article would open your eyes to more.

Get an Education (find quality training):

After deciding if game design is for you, you would then apply to schools for video game design, and you should pick one major degree.

And in this article, you will see the schools for video game design that can make you a world-class video game designer.

Start building your game design portfolio:

Aside from learning video game design, you will need to build your portfolio, as it will stand out from your resume.

While making this portfolio, ensure to guard them carefully, or watermark them, so it does not get stolen.

Land a game design internship (or volunteer):

After building your portfolio to a good level, you should start applying for internships in game production.

These internships would open you up to learning more from these companies, and also serve as an experience for actual job positions.

Read this too:

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Apply for game design jobs:

Now, you are ready to get a major job in the field of video game design. This is the final step to earning and growing better.

Crush the hiring process (screenings & interviews):

After applying for jobs, you would need to pass the interviews and screening. For this, you should search for video game designers on various social media pages.

The reason for this is for you to connect with them, and get vital info on various things you should know about the companies you applied to.

How long does it take to become a game designer?

It usually takes four years for one to become a video game designer. These four years are usually spent acquiring a bachelor’s degree. 

Apart from getting this degree, you will need to get a job too, and most employers love to accept people who have coding skills too. So, you may spend some years learning to code too.

What degree should I get if I want to make video games?

The degrees you should get if you want to make video games are:

Computer Science:

This degree is very good for one who wants to become a video game maker. When you enroll in a bachelor’s degree program in this course, you will learn more about computers.

You will also be introduced to data science and artificial intelligence in this field. And these courses are projected to produce 97 million jobs by 2025.

Furthermore, with this degree, you can work as an information security analyst, machine-learning expert, and software developer in addition to game development.

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Video Game Programming and Development:

This is another degree that you can earn from the schools for video game design. It prepares you to create sophisticated games that you can sell, and make a profit.

Courses in this field will include game theory, interface design, and game development production. Furthermore, the salary range for this field is $57,000 to $75,000 annually.

Computer Animation:

A degree in this field teaches you to make characters and create compelling stories that will take your projects from the ground stage to the post-production stage.

With this skill, you will be able to create digital assets, and this is what the video game field is all about. The average salary in this field is about $78,000 annually.

Interactive Media Design and Game Art:

This field has to do with the visual side of game design. In this field, you will be taught shading, lighting, and animation. 

Furthermore, the average salary of one in this field is $55,000 annually.

Software Engineering:

The field of software engineering is a very good field that is receiving daily attention.

This field teaches you how to create software for your games, and also maintain them. As a software engineer, you will gain a good understanding of different platforms too. 

Currently, the bureau of labor statistics predicts a 21% demand for software engineers from 2018 to 2028.

Computer Engineering:

This field teaches you how to operate a computer. You would be involved in making them work faster, smarter, and with great efficiency.

This is a very important criterion for game design because any computer that would be used for game design has to perform speedily.

This field is also expected to grow by 2% between 2020 to 2030, and the average salary of people in this field is $120,000.

Sound Production:

For any video game design to be successful, there has to be a story, sound effects, and characters.

This field will teach you music theory and history, which will aid you to bring out the life of any game being produced. 

Graphic Design:

This degree will teach you how to create clear and visually stunning designs for various mediums ranging from print to video.

After a class on graphic design, you will be able to design logos, create the game’s packaging and develop marketing materials.

Check this out

12 Best Schools For Graphic Design

Game Design:

This degree is another great choice in the field of video game design. It teaches you how to produce a game, program it, test for quality assurance, give it a story and market it.

Digital Arts:

This degree helps you to develop digital products for various applications. You will learn about adobe creative suite, ProTools, and final cut studio. 

This field combines various techniques that will be needed to create video games, images, or special effects.

What college is best for video game designers?

The best colleges for video game designers are:

• University of Southern California
• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
• University of Utah
• Savannah College of Art and Design
• University of Central Florida
• DigiPen Institute of Technology
• Michigan State University
• Southern Methodist University
• University of California-Santa Cruz
• Rochester Institute of Technology

1. University of Southern California

This school is located in Los Angeles, California.  This school majors in computer science, and minors in game design, game animation, game user research, game audio, etc.

Furthermore, the schools allow students to partake in group projects. And this helps them develop good leadership skills.

Also read:

20 Highest Paying Jobs in California Without a Degree (2022)

2. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

This school is located in Troy, New York.  This school majors in game design and offers a Bachelor of Science in Games and Simulation Arts and Sciences.

Furthermore, the school requires students to have a minimum GPA of 3.5.

3. University of Utah

This school is located in Salt Lake City, Utah. The game video design of this school is focused on both art and science students.

4. Savannah College of Art and Design

This school is located in Savannah, Georgia. It majors in game design and offers a Bachelor of Science in Games and Simulation Arts and Sciences.

Furthermore, the school requires students to have a minimum GPA of 3.6.

5. University of Central Florida

This school is located in Orlando, Florida. As one of the best schools for video game design, it offers students deep learning of video game production

6. DigiPen Institute of Technology

This school is located in Redmond, Washington. This school is also another of the best schools for video game design, and it associates itself with Nintendo.

And Nintendo is a top video game company. Hence, it produces good computer engineers, software developers, etc.

7. Michigan State University

This school is located in East Lansing, Michigan. This school is also another of the best schools for video game design.

Its classes are a combination of computer science and fine arts. These two help them produce good video game designers.

8. Southern Methodist University

This school is located in Dallas, Texas. This school is also the first in the world to offer a Master’s degree in interactive technology.

9. University of California-Santa Cruz

This school is located in Santa Cruz, California. This school is also another of the best schools for video game design.

10. Rochester Institute of Technology

This school is located in Rochester, New York. This school is also another of the best schools for video game design.

And the reason for this is because it offers a Bachelor’s degree in 3D digital design, web and mobile computing, etc.

What GPA do you need to be a game designer?

The GPA that you need to be a video game designer is at least 2.0.

What classes should I take for video game design?

The classes that you should take for video game design include:

• C++ and Java.
• Sound Design.
• Computer Graphics Programming.
• 2D Animation.
• Digital Illustration.
• Graphic Design.
• Special/Visual Effects.
• 3D Art and Animation.

Do video game designers make a lot of money?

Yes, video game designers make a lot of money. The average salary for video game designers in the US is $103,918, with wages ranging from $21,413 to $576,759 each year. 

The median salary for video game designers is $103,920 to $261,299, and the top 86% earn an average of $576,759.

What are the disadvantages of being a video game designer?

The disadvantages of being a video game designer are that:

1. High levels of competition for entry-level positions:

This is a big disadvantage that you will encounter in this field. This is because as you find this field interesting, so do other people.

And the companies that employ them always seek the best, because, in the end, it is the profit and growth of the company that will be a priority.

2. Frequent layoffs at larger companies:

Due to the competitive nature of this field, there is usually a frequent lay-off of workers. In addition, if the game produced does not sell so well, companies can easily go broke.

And when companies go broke, their first point of call is to reduce the cost of running their company.

3. Long hours at the end of projects:

Designing a video game requires a long amount of time. And this is due to the various stages and processes that the game has to undergo. 

And this would keep you working for long hours, sometimes sleeping late at night too.

Conclusion

And there you have it as promised, the best schools for video game graphics design, what they offer, and other vital details you may need.

With this information, you can now decide if this is a course you would love. Also, you can share this information with your friends that are not sure if it is a path they may want to take.

Frequently asked questions about the schools for video game design

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