If you’ve ever wondered how to become a game designer, you’re not alone. It’s one of the most common questions asked by aspiring creators, whether they’re teenagers with a dream or professionals looking for a career change. Designing games sounds exciting—turning your passion for gaming into a job where you can create worlds, mechanics, and experiences for others to enjoy. But how do you actually get there?

Below, we’ll break down what game designers do, the skills you need, how to build a portfolio, and the steps to land your dream job in game design.

What Does a Game Designer Actually Do?

A game designer’s role changes based on the size of the studio and the type of games being made. In smaller teams, designers take on general responsibilities, often overseeing every aspect of the design process. This could include mechanics, levels, systems, and more.

In larger studios, the roles are much more specialised. Responsibilities may be divided into areas like:

• Gameplay Designers – Focused on second-to-second interactions, like combat or movement mechanics.
• Systems Designers – Oversee broad systems, such as progression, crafting, or skill trees.
• Level Designers – Build the spaces players explore, like maps and stages.
• UX Designers – Improve how the game feels and flows in terms of accessibility and interface.

Some roles can be incredibly specific. For instance, designers for Red Dead Redemption 2 included individuals whose sole job was crafting the horse systems.

How Designers Work

Regardless of the role, game design often starts with ideas. Designers pitch mechanics or systems, write detailed design documents, and work with other teams—like programmers and artists—to bring their concepts to life.

Level designers, for instance, create environments using “grey box” models—basic, untextured layouts that are later polished by the art team. Both game and level designers rely heavily on tools like scripting systems and spreadsheets to tweak and refine gameplay.

Ultimately, the job is highly collaborative. You’ll work with engineers, writers, audio specialists, animators, and others to build something that’s not just playable but enjoyable. Testing and iteration are central to the process, as feedback from playtesting leads to constant adjustments.

Skills You’ll Need to Become a Game Designer

If you’re aiming for a design role, there are two key abilities you’ll need: design thinking and interpersonal skills.

Design Thinking

This is all about understanding how games work. You’ll need to think beyond just playing games—you must analyse systems, tweak mechanics, and anticipate how changes affect gameplay.

For example, consider the game rock-paper-scissors. What happens if you remove one option? How does this alter balance or strategies? Employers want to see you think through these kinds of problems.

Interpersonal Skills

Communication is critical in game design. You’ll pitch ideas to a team, adapt to feedback, and collaborate with diverse departments. Employers also look for team players who can resolve conflicts and align with the studio’s creative vision.

It’s not just about great ideas. It’s about working with others to turn those ideas into reality.

Bonus Skills

While not mandatory, knowledge of related fields can set you apart. A basic understanding of coding, even if it’s just scripting, will help you communicate with engineers. Familiarity with art, audio, or disciplines like architecture and psychology can also give your designs depth.

Building a Portfolio

Your portfolio is your ticket into the world of game design. It’s how you’ll prove your skills to potential employers. Think of it as your showcase—an opportunity to demonstrate your creativity and problem-solving abilities.

What to Include

For aspiring game designers, focus on small projects that show off your unique ideas. These could be:

• Vertical slices – A small but functional section of a game showcasing a unique mechanic or system.
• Game jam projects – Quick creations under tight deadlines.
• Prototypes – Concepts that aren’t full games but highlight an idea.

Level designers should focus on creating actual playable levels. Tailoring a level to resemble content from the studio you’re applying to can be a big plus.

Tools to Use

There are plenty of accessible tools to help you get started:

• Unreal Engine and Unity – Popular game development platforms.
• Dreams (PS4) – Ideal for those who don’t want to code.
• Tabletop Simulator – Great for designing board or card games.

Modding tools for popular games are also excellent for level designers. Think of creating maps for games like Skyrim or Portal 2.

Tips for a Strong Portfolio

• Show your work: Include clear documentation explaining how you came up with and refined your ideas.
• Focus on quality: It’s better to have a few polished projects than a dozen half-baked ones.
• Make it accessible: Use videos and screenshots. Employers won’t have time to download and test every project.

Standout portfolios clearly identify what you worked on, especially if it was a collaborative effort.

Gaining Experience

Breaking into the industry is tough. Entry-level design positions are rare and fiercely competitive. To stand out, you’ll need some hands-on experience.

Internships and Placements

Internships are one way to get your foot in the door. These short-term positions often lead to full-time roles, especially if you perform well. Look for opportunities with studios that offer mentorship and real-world projects.

Starting in QA

Many designers start in Quality Assurance (QA), or game testing. This role gives you valuable insight into how games are made and how studios operate. QA testers embedded with development teams can often transition into design if they impress their managers.

It’s worth noting that QA is a crucial job in its own right and not just a stepping stone to design.

Working at Smaller Studios

Your first job likely won’t be designing for a major AAA studio like Blizzard or Bungie. Instead, focus on gaining experience at smaller companies—mobile game studios, indie developers, or even gambling game makers. Every bit of experience helps build your skills and portfolio.

Education: Should You Study Game Design?

Game design courses at universities and colleges can be a great resource. Top institutions like DigiPen, Teesside University in the UK, and RMIT in Australia offer courses tailored for aspiring designers.

These programmes teach design theory, provide hands-on projects, and often connect students with industry professionals. They’re also an excellent place to network with peers and build a strong portfolio.

Things to Consider

A degree in game design isn’t required to get hired. Many designers enter the industry without formal education, and employers care more about your portfolio than your diploma.

If you choose this route, research the programme thoroughly:

1. Who’s teaching? Look for instructors with industry experience.
2. Studio connections: Does the school have links to studios for internships or graduate roles?
3. Graduate success: Where have alumni ended up?

Be cautious of for-profit colleges that overpromise and underdeliver, particularly in the United States.

Acing the Interview

Landing an interview is a big step toward breaking into game design. Here’s how to prepare and impress.

What Employers Want

Companies are looking for two things:

1. Design thinking – Can you analyse and solve problems creatively?
2. Interpersonal skills – Are you a good fit for their team?

Expect questions about recent games you’ve played. This isn’t small talk—it’s an opportunity for you to show your understanding of design. Be ready to discuss how changes to mechanics or systems might impact gameplay.

Design Tests

Many studios ask candidates to complete a design test. These might involve:

• Adding a mechanic to an existing game.
• Creating a short level layout.
• Explaining how you’d improve certain game features.

Tests can be stressful, especially when timed, but they’re a great way to show what you can do. Practice using tools like Unity to feel more comfortable.

The Realities of Game Design

While game design offers exciting opportunities, it’s not without challenges. Crunch—long hours during development milestones—is common. Layoffs and studio closures also affect the industry.

Designers sometimes face abuse online, especially for controversial game choices, and there are ongoing issues with harassment and representation in the workspace.

The good news is that many studios are working to improve these conditions. You can protect yourself by researching companies before joining. Use sites like Glassdoor to gather insights from current and former employees.

Final Thoughts

Becoming a game designer takes work, creativity, and perseverance. Build your portfolio, make connections, and gain experience in any way you can. It’s a competitive field, but if you stay persistent, you could help shape the games that people will love for years to come.

Whether you go the indie route or land a job at a major studio, your journey in game design starts with creating something. So, grab the tools at your disposal and start building.