The Best Attributes Of A Great Video Game Designer

Choosing a career as a video game designer? Artistic and creative design-related professions (including video game designers) are predicted to see an increase in demand up to 17% through the year 2014 according to statistics from the US Bureau of Labor’s Occupational Outlook. One of the most popular new professional positions is forecasted to see an even higher growth rate is that of the professional video game designer.

With the expected increase in demand for these professionals, you can be assured that there will be an increase in the numbers of people enrolling in video game design schools and game design programs in order to earn a degree in video game design. But will they have what it takes to succeed in the video game industry?

What does it take to be a successful video game designer? It takes much more than simply being a person who enjoys playing video games! What are the qualities and characteristics that great video game designers have which separates them from the average game designers? What are the best attributes of great video game designers which make them desirable to the top game design studios?

A Great Video Game Designer Plays Lots Of Video Games!

A great video game designer is usually a gamer. Top game design studios are looking for game designers that know the difference between a good game and a best-seller. [Note: Most video game design schools offer programs that give students hands on experience.] They want designers that know how to take an average game and transform it into an award winning best selling game. Only people who have extensive game play experience can do this. The best video game designers are usually ones who play a lot of video games.

A Great Video Game Designer Is Extremely Creative.

This should go without saying because it is obvious. This means great game designers do much more than copy and emulate what they see others doing. Creative game designers look to synthesize various elements from successful games, movies and various media – and create an entirely new idea from it. Game design studios are looking for new ideas for great video games so they can reach into new markets or tap into existing markets with fresh new game ideas.

Great Video Game Designers Are Team Players And Problem Solvers.

Because game designers must work on game development teams, it is essential for them to know how to work well in those teams. Social skills are essential for successful game designers.

And because these teams regularly face new hurdles and challenges each week, it is essential that a video game designer is a natural problem solver. Instead of waiting for someone else to figure out a solution, the best game designers know that they have to take initiative and get things done, while also working well with the people in their design team.

Great Video Game Designers Are Able To Take Criticism.

A great designer understands that he or she isn’t perfect and they accept the idea that someone will offer constructive criticism. The best designers listen to their critiques and they take these ideas to heart, looking for ways in which they can improve. Great game designers do not automatically take offense to criticism.

Great Video Game Designers Work Efficiently.

The Best Game Designers understand how to work efficiently and effectively within their teams, and they have excellent communication skills. Great designers understand the importance of standardizing and streamlining processes – and they learn how to be very efficient in their tasks. Average designers may feel it is okay to take their time on a project because they want to get just the right artistic design in place. But great video game designers know how to create amazing designs while still meeting deadlines.

A Great Video Game Designer Masters His Or Her Tools.

Great designers take the time to master their technical skill sets. They can use software and hardware quickly and efficiently to create their designs. Some designers still prefer to begin their projects by hand on paper – and this is totally acceptable as long as he can meet deadlines. It is most important to a great designer that he or she is truly a master of their tools, whether it is paper and pencil or computer software.

Great Video Game Designers Are Keenly Aware Of Their Audience.

Good designers know how to make a creative design look good. But great designers know how to make their designs appealing to the target audience for the project. This is a major difference between a good designer compared to a great one. The great designers always know how to tailor their designs to fit the targeted audience because they are aware of the subtle differences and expectations between video game audiences.