Game Design Education

KC_21 · 02-07-2010, 12:29 AM

Hi, I'm new here! I will be graduating from high school this year and I am very interested in Game & Art Design. I am taking programming in my final year in high school and I find that it is not for me and I'm also taking an IT class and it's alright; however Game Design intrigues me the most. The colleges/universities/institutes that reside where I live and have courses geared toward game design only offer 1 or 2 year diplomas/certificates and no bachelor's degree (I would have to move into the U.S for it), will that affect me when I pursue a career in the game industry? From the schools they have told me that their education will be very beneficial for me and it is more important for me to start early and begin compiling experience, but I would like to know if pursuing a bachelor's degree would help me more in the long run. Thanks!

KC_21 · 02-07-2010, 12:31 AM

Also what could I be doing now to help me get ready to begin studying a game design course?

tsloper · 02-07-2010, 06:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KC_21

1. The colleges/universities/institutes that reside where I live and have courses geared toward game design only offer 1 or 2 year diplomas/certificates and no bachelor's degree (I would have to move into the U.S for it), will that affect me when I pursue a career in the game industry? From the schools they have told me that their education will be very beneficial for me and it is more important for me to start early and begin compiling experience,
2. but I would like to know if pursuing a bachelor's degree would help me more in the long run. Thanks!

1. I just wrote this month's column on this very topic. As soon as it goes online, you'll be able to read it at http://www.igda.org/games-game
2. YES. Read http://www.igda.org/games-game-june-2009 and http://www.igda.org/games-game-july-2009 and http://www.sloperama.com/advice/designprep.htm

tsloper · 02-07-2010, 06:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KC_21

Also what could I be doing now to help me get ready to begin studying a game design course?

Read http://www.sloperama.com/advice/lesson12.htm

KC_21 · 02-07-2010, 07:52 AM

Thank you very much!

KC_21 · 02-07-2010, 01:29 PM

After looking through most of the information... it's clear that a degree would be helpful in multiple ways, but does that mean that even if I took the 2 year diploma it would be a "waste"? and if I got a bachelor's degree in arts or science... will my employer teach me what I will need to be a successful game designer?

tsloper · 02-07-2010, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KC_21

1. does that mean that even if I took the 2 year diploma it would be a "waste"?
2. and if I got a bachelor's degree in arts or science... will my employer teach me what I will need to be a successful game designer?

1. You asked the "waste of time" question. The answer is http://www.sloperama.com/advice/lesson51.htm
If your boss told you, "I want you to breathe air between 3PM and 3:30 this afternoon," would it be a "waste" to breathe air between 2:30 and 3:00??
2. You would surely learn a lot on the job. But an employer expects you to hit the job running at full speed, not to have to teach you everything.

KC_21 · 02-07-2010, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tsloper

1. You asked the "waste of time" question. The answer is http://www.sloperama.com/advice/lesson51.htm
If your boss told you, "I want you to breathe air between 3PM and 3:30 this afternoon," would it be a "waste" to breathe air between 2:30 and 3:00??
2. You would surely learn a lot on the job. But an employer expects you to hit the job running at full speed, not to have to teach you everything.

It would most certainly not be a waste of time! Although I wanted to know if I had to choose between a degree or a diploma which one would be more beneficial to me and I believe I should go for the degree, but have the diploma as an option. Thanks for putting things in perspective for me and your website has been of great help