Lately, employment seekers everywhere land cool jobs as Animators and Video Game Designers, which are are among the most lucrative careers in today's world. The skills required to perform in these high tech positions appeal as much to mathletes and competitive techno-gamers as to fine artists who can finally earn a decent living at their craft. Numerous companies in Louisiana hire Animators and Video Game Designers. Many of these jobs are located in New Orleans and Baton Rouge. However, similar employment opportunities exist throughout the state. Still more jobs are up for grabs in Houston, an easy enough commute for those who live in the southwestern part of the state.
Louisiana Schools and Training Programs for Video Game Design
Some post secondary schools in Louisiana now offer degree programs in Animation and Video Game Design. Someone who wants to be a game designer might major in Computer Science with special focus on Digital Graphics. Some might earn Programming degrees with emphasis on Animation, or major in Math with a minor in Game Theory. Louisiana schools offering degrees related to Interactive Game Design include University of Phoenix in Bossier and Baton Rouge. Commutable out of state options include Houston colleges like the University of Houston at Clear Lake, American Intercontinental University, DeVry and The Art Institute. Training opportunities and degree programs are also available online.
Working as a Video Game Designer in Louisiana
Serious Video Game Design specialists can earn comfortable livings doing what they like to do. As you might expect, the rate of pay for this type of work varies with factors like experience, effort, talent, ability, performance, productivity, networking and geographic location. The average annual salary for an Animator or Video Game Designer in the United States reportedly ranges from about $35,000 to more than $200,000 per year. However, this data fails to account for the unreported incomes of many million self-employed Americans.
Companies in Louisiana hiring for these positions may include software publishers, mobile phone service providers, colleges, universities, graphic design firms and animation studios. Some designers work for local ad agencies like Lamar Media and Peter Mayer in Baton Rouge, or any of several TV channels in New Orleans. Other designers work for local motion picture producers like Palmetto, Zydeco or Fox Pro Media.
Keep in mind that employers hiring Video Game Designers are not playing. Even entry level positions often require a degree and professional experience. However, employers do occasionally hire dedicated, highly motivated beginners. In any case, you don't have to work for a firm, thanks to about a zillion private companies and websites featuring (or wanting to feature) their own interactive animation. Video Game Designers often work as freelance professionals, setting their own speed and working from home. Some of them land gigs as independent contractors for corporations and private businesses. Others design and sell their games independently. Some even build game-related websites.
Recommended Skills for Video Game Designers
A Video Game Designer first conceives an original idea for a video game, or in some cases, invents a game based on an existing game. The designer devises a set of rules and calculates a plausible scoring system, then enhances the game with a series of compelling puzzles, sneaky tricks, booby traps and other unexpected obstacles. The game is usually programmed so the difficulty level increases with each successive challenge. A time limit is often added. Then the designer either does the artwork or consults with professional Animators to capture the best visual style for the game. The designer also hosts play-testing parties featuring enough players to give some idea of the game's potential for commercial success.
Video Game Designers study Math, Computer Science, Fine Arts, Digital Graphics, Communications, Game Theory, Story Lines, Character Development, Marketing, Promotion and more. The aim is to create the highest quality, most realistic, action-packed interactive products. The ultimate goal of a Video Game Designer is mass market appeal.
