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- Gaming graphics designers work as part of a development team that includes programmers, coders, artists and marketing staff, but the designer creates the overall outline for the game. They choose the theme; create characters and build a story around them; and establish rules for play. Once they have chosen a concept, gaming graphics designers create a design document which lays out the blueprint of the game and explains what players will see at each stage of play. Gaming graphics designers may also draw sketches of characters, settings and other images. They may work with animators to bring the characters to life, and collaborate with background artists to create the game settings as well.
- Most gaming graphics designers have a bachelor's degree, though some may pursue a master's degree as well. The most common major for those who go into gaming graphics design is computer science, but some colleges and universities are now offering degrees in computer game development. A background in graphic design is helpful for creating gaming graphics, so students interested in this career should consider taking design courses as well. Some gaming graphics designers may also have degrees in fields like English or art, with a minor in computer science. In addition, courses in creative writing, theater, painting and color theory may be useful for gaming graphics designers. Experience in the field, however, may be the best training for designers, so many start out as game artists, testers or producers.
- Gaming graphics designers must be well trained in computer programming languages, such as C/C++ or Java, and graphics programs. They must also understand the principles of graphic design, and have experience with modeling and animating software as well. Communication skills are important for gaming graphics designers because much of their work requires collaboration with other gaming personnel. In addition, because they lead development teams, they must possess good managerial skills and be able to combine ideas from multiple people into a single cohesive product.
- According to PayScale, a salary information website, the median annual salary for gaming graphic designers with less than a year of experience ranged from $38,679 to $56,000 as of July 2010. Those with one to four years of experience earned between $40,302 and $58,650, while those with five to nine years of experience earned between $48,550 and $75,285. Gaming graphics designers with 10 to 19 years of experience were paid between $71,382 and $85,558.
- The opportunity for advancement in the gaming graphics design field usually depends on the designer's skills and creativity. Game programming models change on a regular basis, so designers who are able to keep up with new trends and developments should enjoy the best opportunities. In addition, some experienced gaming graphics designers choose to earn an advanced degree in a management field and move toward managerial positions as well.
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