Game Design internships and courses are for students enthusiastic about video games and who would like to learn all about the concept, game mechanics, rules, and aesthetics of the world of game design and how to best produce innovative and fun games.
Through Game Design internships, students can learn and apply new skills. They’ll get a taste of what career they may be in for, and internships serve also as valuable tools to land their first job after graduation from Game Design School.
Generally, an internship lasts for the period of summer break but there are also internships that last up to one year, often depending on the level of courses.
Some internships are paid while for other internships, you’ll get nothing in compensation for your work, but you may learn a lot. So double-check before you’ll take an internship.
Usually, interns start by learning all about the company, the size and scale, and the projects they’re working on. You’ll also learn a lot about what technologies they use to design and deliver their games. Later on, you’ll learn how to work on various concepts and facets of the company’s projects.
In the world of Game Design, your skill level matters much and many interns are happy to find their names listed in the credits of the company’s game once it is released.
Quite a few students are offered permanent positions at the companies where they did their internships by the time they earn their college degrees.
The benefits of an internship
The Game Design Industry has become very competitive and having an edge over the competition is a great advantage.
Game Design includes the fields of Game Programming, Game Designing, and Game Art Design, etc. If you complete an internship that is related to your favored area of game design, your chances of landing a good position after you graduated will be better.
An internship in the world of Game Design is a must if you want to secure a top position in this exciting but highly competitive professional field.
Through internships, students will learn a lot from Game Artists, Game Programmers, and Game Animators at a number of specialized game design studios and companies.
Internships allow students to gain the necessary experience in the world of Game Design and build up a great project portfolio that will allow for a fine and rewarding professional career.
Many colleges in Texas offer Game Design courses to and help you prepare you for a rewarding and exciting career in the world of Game Design.
Some colleges in Texas offer courses at very affordable tuition rates. You can secure a job as a System Programmer, Gameplay Programmer, or become a Character Concept Artist.
The creation of characters
Game designers are not only create something that looks nice but they also must ensure it actually works. The creation of characters, setting up the controls, animating it, and seeing people out there actually playing your game and seeing it come to life… Well, that’s surely a lot of fun, don’t you think?
To give you an example of a Game Design Internship option in Texas, Certain Affinity, Inc, an Austin-based game design company, recently offered an internship for a Lead Single-Player Level Designer.
Wouldn’t that be something? You would be able to work with experts at one of the greatest franchises in the gaming industry! Certain Affinity is one of the major independent video game developers in America and includes a group of experienced, no-nonsense industry veterans…
Internships like these allow you to work on high-profile systems for the next generation of gaming consoles and video games. What an opportunity for students who are passionate about gaming and game development.
For this sort of internship, strong problem-solving and analytical skills are required, and having a methodology-driven mindset is a must.
Game design schools
The world of video games has grown by leaps and bounds over the past decade. The industry of game design education has as well. Once upon a time, a person would have to search high and low to find a school offering game design programs.
Now you can find a game design school in almost every major city in Texas. Before you decide on a college, read these tips to help find the game design school of your dreams.
Your internship requires you to have a concise resume targeted at the internship you want. You should, already in your freshman year in college, pay attention to how to write a good resume that will ensure you get the position you want.
Learn about the school’s focus
Each game design team uses programmers, artists, level designers, and content creators. Different schools across Texas focus on different parts of the game industry. The best plan of action is to research each game design school and see what programs they offer.
Some schools are art-focused, with a game design program that leans towards the visual. Other schools are technological in nature, with the programs focusing on computer science. Decide what area of game design you’d like to focus on and find a school that matches your interests.
Today, many local community colleges are offering some affordable but highly interesting Game Design programs as well. This may actually a great option if you don’t want to live on some far-away campus and you may save on may other costs.
Location, location, location
No matter where you are or want to be in Texas, there is a game design school within your reach. As said before, schools offering game design can be found in all major cities in Texas. See also this post about Choosing the Right College in Texas.
The world loves games and these schools are a testament to the fact. Do the research and find the right area for your school, be it down the street or around the world. Just remember the associated costs for each school.
If you move to Hawaii for a school, the cost of living will be much higher than going to school in Texas. Money is an issue that should be considered when figuring out what area you want to attend school. Another good development is that today, over half of the students that choose this direction, are women!
Money matters
Going to college isn’t cheap. Deciding on what to spend on a game design school should be figured out in advance. The tuition for each school varies from location to location but fortunately, there are many scholarship options available in Texas.
One game design school will charge $3,500 for a semester while another charges upwards of $10,000 per semester. So the costs associated with each school should be researched very well.
Do you want to know why they charge so much? Are the techniques each game design school teaches innovative? Is the equipment cutting-edge or sub-par? Look up the faculty and see what experience and knowledge each one brings to the table.
The cheapest choice isn’t always the best, but neither is the most expensive. See also this page about college ranking. Take all these factors into consideration when deciding on the budget you’d like to spend on your education.
Time is slipping away
Time should be another consideration for choosing a game design program. Every school offers a degree that can be finished in a certain amount of time.
Some schools will give you a Bachelor’s degree in two or three years, while others will give you one in four. How fast do you want to finish your degree? Speed doesn’t always equal a good education. Keep that in mind.