by Laura Pearson

The video game industry has been on a constant rise in recent years, with a growing community of players and developers alike. With this growth, more and more individuals are becoming interested in pursuing a career in video game design and development. However, the path to landing a job in the industry can be a challenging one. From The Foundry, here are some tips and advice to help you get started on your journey toward a successful career in video game design and development.

1. Start a Gaming Channel
One of the best ways to improve your game design skills and develop your creativity is to start a gaming streaming channel. Creating content is an essential part of the process, and building a community around your gaming channel can help you get noticed by others who share your passion for gaming. This can also be a great way to demonstrate your skills to potential employers.

2. Use a 3D Modeling Tool to Help With Game Development
A 3D modeling tool can help you create high-quality textures and models for video game development. Game developers can use this tool to quickly create and iterate on texture designs, which can significantly reduce development time. When you utilize 3D modeling to develop a game, you can create games with impressive visual fidelity that fully immerse players in the world they create.

3. Showcase Your Projects at Conventions
Attending video game conventions can be a great way to connect with others, learn about new developments in the industry, and showcase your skills to potential employers. Some examples of popular gaming conventions include PAX, E3, and Gamescom. Be sure to bring your portfolio and have a few projects ready for showcasing.

4. Create Your Own Website or Blog
An online portfolio or blog can be a great way to showcase your skills and creativity to potential employers. You can use this platform to share your projects and document your progress. Be sure to include screenshots, videos, and descriptions of your work. Showcasing your work in this way can help you stand out from other candidates when applying for jobs.

5. Get Your Foot in the Door by Applying for Internships
Internships are a great way to get your foot in the door and gain valuable experience in the industry. Look for game design companies that offer internships, and take advantage of any opportunities that come your way. During your internship, be sure to network with professionals in the industry and build relationships with other interns.

6. Offer Game Development Tutoring Services
You can also offer tutoring services related to game development to help others get started in the industry. This can be a great way to gain experience and build your reputation as an expert in the field. You can offer tutoring services online, through video conferencing, or in person.

7. Start Your Own Video Game Business
​Starting your own business related to video games can be a rewarding way to pursue your passion and make a living. You can offer game design services, develop and sell your own games, or create tools and resources for other game developers. Be sure to register your business as an LLC to protect yourself legally and gain tax benefits.
 
A career in video game design and development can be an exciting, challenging, and rewarding path to pursue. By following these tips and advice, you can improve your skills, build your portfolio, and make valuable connections within the industry. Whether you start your own business, work for a game design company, or pursue another path in the industry, there are plenty of opportunities to succeed in this growing field.
 

Image via Pexels


​Laura Pearson is a co-creator of Edutude. Through Edutude, Laura strives to find unique, creative ways for parents and educators to encourage students to be challenged, motivated and excited by learning. In addition to her work with Edutude, Pearson is an advocate for children's rights and education. She volunteers with local organizations that promote child literacy and provides mentorship to young students seeking educational guidance.Apart from her professional work, Pearson is an avid traveler with a love for immersing herself in diverse cultures. She has backpacked through Europe and Asia, and credits her travels with broadening her perspective and providing unique learning experiences.

 Business owners and leaders at every level have a constant duty to improve the company and boost operational productivity. One way to make the most of the resources at your disposal is by facilitating collaboration between the talented individuals in your employ. Effective collaboration not only makes better results possible, but also helps employees feel greater pride, satisfaction, and fulfillment in their work. While new tools are constantly emerging to make collaboration more convenient and accessible, it is also important for leaders to recognize and utilize the timeless methods that can still benefit businesses in the modern day.
 
For Roanoke-based workforce development support, visit The Foundry today!
 
1. Create Opportunities for Collaboration
Project managers cannot expect collaboration to occur unless they create the right environment for it. This starts by recognizing the strengths and weaknesses of respective teams and knowing when there is an opportunity for them to become greater than the sum of their parts.
 
Take a careful look at each team at your company and make note of how their skills and talents might overlap. When the need for a new project arises, think about whether or not it falls within one of these "overlap zones" and can benefit from the broad expertise of two or more departments. This approach can be much more effective than forcing collaboration between parties when the situation does not truly call for it.
 
2. Use a Project Management Platform
A project management platform can play a key role in improving collaboration among teams at any business. It provides an organized way to manage tasks and resources, enabling people to stay on top of their projects and communicate better. Automation features and real-time project visibility can also streamline processes and help ensure that teams are always informed of the latest updates. Having a reliable project management platform makes it easy for everyone to stay connected, organized, and productive.
 
3. Reward Collaborative Efforts
Experts explain that rewards, incentives, and recognition are important in the workplace because employee happiness often leads to a better business overall. When your teams put forth an earnest effort in collaborating for success, that is also something worth rewarding. All the more so when those efforts pay off, as this will incentivize the staff to continue making strides toward greater collaboration.
 
One way to reward collaborative progress is by using gift cards to easily reward respondents to internal surveys. This is a great way to encourage participation while learning about where and how collaboration efforts are succeeding and what can be improved upon.
 
4. Allow for Optional Team-Building
It can be hugely beneficial to make it possible for individuals from different teams or departments to mingle and collaborate even when it is not part of a mandatory project. Allow staff to opt in for team-building exercises, company excursions, or even office yoga sessions before work. For employees with an outgoing attitude, these opportunities can be gateways into fruitful collaboration.
 
You should also make it easy for individuals to seek help, advice, or input from colleagues outside their department. Leaders can do their part by maintaining an open-door policy and ensuring that everyone has access to the best communication tools.
 
5. Encourage Open Communication
Trust is the fundamental concept at the heart of any collaborative effort. To build trust, everyone involved needs to feel that they can speak their mind without fear of backlash or harsh judgment. This principle of open communication is something that must be a core value of your company culture and not just part of a one-off collaboration initiative. As a leader, you have a particular responsibility to show yourself to be a trustworthy person and to build trust between respective members of your team.
 
Whether you’re investing in a project management platform or encouraging open communication, collaboration has always been the key to accomplishing great things. While the nature of work evolves over time, the fundamental values that draw people together hardly change at all. That is why the same wisdom that fostered effective collaboration in the past continues to be useful today.

​Image via Pexels

Sue Hudson founded Biz Aid Central, an e-commerce craft store owner and maker. Sue created the site to help first-time and experienced entrepreneurs learn more about the best ways to fund their businesses and as a place to get support during tough times. The site’s tips, resources, and any future offerings will always be free. Sue simply wants to help her fellow entrepreneurs.