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Games Designer / Developer

Do you have a passion for computer and video console games? Would you like to apply your digital animation and graphics skills to the dynamic environment of games development? If so, you could be heading for a career as a games developer. You’ll also need excellent interpersonal, communication and team work skills – and an ability to work to deadlines!

Game designers formulate the concept and vision for a game. They devise the world, setting, story, characters, and all other game elements and design details. They are responsible for communicating this to others in the development team who create the art assets and computer code which allow the game to be played.

Game development is a collaborative process involving multi-disciplinary teams. Designers must be able to communicate their vision to artists, programmers, producers, marketing staff, and others involved in the development process, and accept feedback on their work. This involves presenting their ideas both verbally and on paper. Therefore, they need writing and basic visual design and drawing skills, as well as a thorough working knowledge of 2D and 3D graphics and animation packages.

The role of developer involves business and marketing skills – creating the game is one thing, getting it out there into the market is another!

CUF60107 Advanced Diploma of Screen and Media

This qualification reflects the role of individuals who analyse, design and execute judgements using wide ranging technical, creative, conceptual or managerial competencies in the film, television, radio and digital media industries. Their knowledge base may be specialised or broad. These individuals are often accountable for group outcomes.

What you can expect in a training program

While each course or on-the-job training program may differ in emphasis, the core of any program will involve originating and developing concepts and applying concepts and theories of creativity. A typical training program for an Advanced Diploma of Screen and Media with a focus on games design/development would include:

  • Game design
    • developing and implementing designs
    • designing information architecture
    • designing interaction
    • designing digital simulations
    • preparing games for different platforms
  • Game development
    • building and sustaining an innovative work environment
    • developing and implementing business/strategic plans
    • building international business networks
    • managing and exploiting copyright arrangements
    • identifying and interpreting compliance requirements
    • evaluating international marketing opportunities
    • managing international marketing programs
    • developing a marketing plan
    • managing finances

Qualifications and competency standards

For information on the structure of qualifications, go to the National Training Information Service at www.ntis.gov.au. Select ‘Search’ and type CUF07 in the ‘Search for’ field and tick ‘Training Packages’ in the “search in’ field. Select Volume 1 for an overview of all qualifications.

What other options do I have?

Games designers need programming as well as creative skills. National qualifications from the Information Technology Training Package cover this area, as do many degree programs at universities.

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Where can I do training?

You’ll find TAFE and other colleges on the national database of Registered Training Organisations – here’s how it works:

  1. At www.ntis.gov.au select ‘Search’.
  2. Type the course code (CUF60107) into the ‘Search for’ field.
  3. Tick ‘RTOs by scope’ in the ‘Search in’ field and select the appropriate state or territory.

Further information

For more information, visit the websites below, talk to the careers teacher at your school, go to Open Days at TAFE colleges and universities and visit their websites.

Useful websites

For industry information, search the Australian Government’s Culture and Recreation Portal at www.cultureandrecreation.gov.au. There you will find links to thousands of websites across all areas of the arts, entertainment, media and publishing industries.

For career and employment information visit the following sites:

myfuture
Job Guide
Australian JobSearch
Australian Apprenticeships or call the hotline on 1800 639 629
Australian Apprenticeships Training Information Service
Get Access
WageNet

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