Tips on Becoming a Video Game Designer in Newark, New Jersey

One of the coolest things about being an animator or video game designer in Newark, New Jersey is the breezy commute to Manhattan.  However, many high-tech job hunters are landing high paying positions as animators and video game designers right here in Newark.  With a population nearing 300,000, Newark offers virtually unlimited opportunities in this field. 

Newark Schools and Training Programs for Video Game Design

Colleges and Universities throughout New Jersey offer professional training or degree programs in animation and video game design.  Those who follow this career path sometimes major in computer science with special focus on digital graphics.  Others learn programming, perhaps with emphasis on animation.  Some major in math with emphasis on game theory.  Some designers design their own unique training programs. 

Residents of Newark, New Jersey seeking degrees related to interactive game design typically attend Rutgers University, Bloomfield College or Fairleigh Dickinson, among others.  Other schools offer video game design training and degree programs online.  The most prolific of these are University of Phoenix, DeVry, ITT Tech and The Art Institutes.

Working as a Video Game Designer in Newark

A video game designer's salary depends on factors like experience, effort, productivity, performance, networking and geographic location, among others.  The average reported annual salary for an animator or video game designer in Newark, New Jersey is about $60,000.  In New York City, the average tops $80,000.  However, keep in mind that these averages do not account for the unreported incomes of self-employed designers. 

All kind of businesses in Newark, New Jersey employ animators and video game designers.  Local companies hiring for these positions include software publishers, mobile phone service providers, colleges, graphic design firms and animation studios.  Some resident designers work with top local ad agencies like Feury Marketing, GB Enterprises, Network Marketing Associates or Options Advertising.  Other designers work for Newark movie producers like IDT Telecom, Research Communications or Sound Camp Productions.  The most talented animators and video game designers often end up in New York City working for major corporate players like New Line Cinema, Fine Line Features, Artisan Entertainment or Miramax Pictures. 

Usually, a degree and background experience are required for entry level positions in animation and video game design.  There are exceptions, but animators and video game designers don't necessarily have to work for a firm, considering the all the well funded internet start-ups featuring (or wanting to feature) their own video games.  Animators and video game designers often do freelance work. 

Recommended Skills for Video Game Designers

The video game designer makes up game rules, implements a scoring system and enhances the game with an increasingly difficult series of unique and compelling challenges.  Then the designer either creates the artwork or consults with professional Animators and other graphic artists to capture the visual style most appropriate to the game. 

Professional video game designers study math, engineering, computer science, communications, graphics, media trends, game theory, story lines, character development and dozens of other subjects.  Animators and video game designers take pride in creating high-intensity, action-packed interactive experiences, exploding with mainstream appeal.