Level Designers: How to get a job in the industry?

How to get a job in the industry as a designer?

This is a question that people ask me all the time when I tell them I work as a game designer.

This is actually a hard question to answer.

When I first started in the video games industry, there wasnt a really clear way for me to get in as a designer because:

1. There weren't a lot of programs in school to learn the craft of level design.
2. Most programs were really expensive, if you would find them, and most were targeted towards artists learning to model or sketch...
3. there was a limited number of companies in Montreal
4. There was a limited number of software packages to create content as there are today( UDK for example)

The only way I could see to get in the industry was to become an AI programmer through different programs in school and work as a programmer until I could do the switch to design which was my ultimate dream. Adding Philosophy studies to my studies as well to have a different set of tools for a future employer to consider me.

Yes this combination of majors might sound weird and unusual, but philosophy is about reasoning about things in life and programming is about logic and structure kinds makes sense in some ways. Most importantly though, all designers Ive met in my career have really different backgrounds. I havent met a lot of designers who came from the same path to reach their goal.

Having different skills is actually a bonus for companies to hire someone different that will bring a new perspective on the game they are working on. Architecture,English Litt, Psychology, Computer Science, Maths, Arts are some of those skills that designers have.

In the last 2 years, we have seen a lot of game design programs be added to different universities and professional schools teaching the basics of what you need to learn. Even some high schools and primary schools are getting interested in those programs since children are excited about those and learn more easily while they are having fun and using technologies to learn. This is good news for the future of game development.

So yes, those programs are good ways to get in the industry, but you must also do more! Since more and more people will get the education, the market will get smaller to get in as companies need some talent they also need people with experience, who have done some games... Couple of things to do to differentiate yourselves from the rest:

1. An easy one: have a passion for games, play them all the time, play all sorts of games and get to know ingredients and mechanics that those games are using for future references and learn the language if possible.
2. Learn to work with some of those game packages out there that lets you create levels free and usually come with tutorials. Unreal kit, farCry2 kit, Unity, XNA, etc... Make levels using those and even games since those packages are easy enough to create new things without having programming skills or art skills since they offer material to start with.
3. Learn and use 3D programs such as Maya and 3D Studio Max to create levels, objects...you will need to use them to create basic levels and gameplay when you get hired anyways
4. Learn to use Illustrator and Photoshop which will be needed to create visual documents for your future maps
5. If you create a level, also write up a level design document which includes moment to moment gameplay explanation that will show your reasoning and you thoughts behind each area. Dont create useless areas because it doesnt show the focus of your design and seems loose.
6. (again)Play games relevant to the company you apply at. (mostly for interview moments)

Another way to get in a Design role is to get a job as a Tester/QA in a game company. As you work in this job, apply yourself in doing your job as best you can, work hard, learn from others(since you have access to all the different roles), use the tools the designers work with during your time off (if you have any), ask questions, talk to designers about their job, ask the company if you can do more and help the designers (some basic tasks designers dont have time to do such as placing collectable items for example, will put you in a good spot to learn tools and get seen by other designers and most importantly the leads). Well written documents and working efficiently in your tasks will show your professionalism and your willingness to achieve what you want.

A lot of great designers come from a Tester position before becoming a full fledged designer.

Learn, Apply yourself, Play games, Play games, Show your knowledge and make maps to show your potential!

Everybody wants to be a designer or thinks he is a designer(by the thinking that everybody has ideas) so it is hard to get in or even being recognised as a designer, but it is feasible to get in if you work hard.

(Be prepared for your interview as well...maybe a next post)

Good Luck.