Why should I learn game design?

You should learn game design to start a career in video game design or a related field, such as game testing. Learning game design can help you improve your creativity and the technical skills you'll need to sustain a successful career in game design. Game design is also a thriving industry. The World Economic Forum reported that the gaming industry “expanded by 26% between 2019 and 2021," and the industry is projected to continue to grow by 6% to 8% from 2023 to 2033, according to the BLS.

How long does it take to learn game design?

If you want to complete a bachelor’s in game design program, it may take four years to complete your education and then start applying for jobs. But how long it takes you to learn game design ultimately depends on the path you choose to start your career, as some professionals earn their degree in a related field such as graphic design or computer and information technology and then take courses in game design over a period of months or years in an effort to build out their skills in that field.

How hard is it to learn game design?

If you have design talent and strong computer tech knowledge and skills, you may not find it too difficult to learn game design. Like any subject, however, learning game design takes time and dedication. You'll have to focus on acquiring the knowledge and developing the skills you'll need to be successful, and the difficulty of this naturally varies among individuals.

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Three-person team of computer programmers and video game designers having a meeting in the office, using a white board for brainstorming and ideas.

Why learn game design?

If you're looking for a career in technology, there are several reasons to consider learning game design:

High salary: According to O*NET OnLine, video game designers earned a median annual salary of $98,540 in 2023. Similarly, special effects artists and animators — related roles that share many of the same skills and requirements — earned median annual salaries of $99,060 as of May 2023, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Positive job outlook: Employment for video game designers is projected to grow by 6% to 8% between 2023 and 2033, according to O*NET OnLine.
Creativity: If you enjoy video games and want a creative career, game design may be a good choice for you.

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Choosing the right game design program for you

There are certain factors you should think about when choosing game design education. For example, you should learn about the qualification requirements of game design jobs currently on the market, as many require a bachelor's degree in game design or a related field.

Here are a few of the main paths you can take when trying to learn video game design:

Courses

You can begin by taking individual game design courses, such as game design principles, storytelling development, and visual design courses. You can also use individual courses to supplement your existing knowledge if you just want to learn or brush up on specific skills.

Certifications

While courses can be helpful, earning a certification may be more beneficial. Though these programs can take more weeks or months to complete, doing so may help you stand out in the job market.

Executive education programs

If you already have a professional position in a related field, you may find executive education programs more to your liking. These are often the best paths for industry veterans who want to expand their skill sets in certain areas, often in pursuit of a promotion or job change.

Degrees

If you're sure you want to have a career in this field, then the best option for you may be to pursue a bachelor's degree in game design.

Jobs in game design

Although becoming a video game designer is often the primary goal of those who explore the field, it's not the only job where those skills come in handy.

Here are a handful of positions that having experience in video game design may help you qualify for, with each role's required education as well as salary data from the BLS and O*NET OnLine: