CAREER

Occupation: Level designer/builder. I use the engine used in games to build levels that players use to play. Years: one month ½ (beginning of August)

Company: Piranha Games (Vancouver)

Salary range: $30,000 to $100,000, depends on your experience and the company

Salary potential: When you reach a level of producer or technical director, the potential is about $100,000

Best part of job: The creative part. You have creative control or power, it’s almost like making a movie - you can decide what the player does.

Other possible career choices: I studied game art. As a game artist you can be a level builder or character modeler (build characters). With each of these, you need focus.

Environment modeler. (I studied that. But my portfolio showed both aspects I modeled but also designed them)

Concept artist – but for someone just starting up, requires lots of experience. Person who draws scenes and characters.Only one per company and only for large companies.

Animator – doesn’t do any modeling, using software animates character.

EDUCATION

Degree: Game art and design diploma (SFU – Bachelors in Computer Science)

School: Art Institute

Grad year: June 2005

Length of program: 1 ½ years

Work placement: One month after graduation, I got a job. Dennis, the career counselor at the school, helps you out with your resume. He tells you what and what not to do, he helps you send out your portfolio. It’s definitely hard to get job without someone like Dennis.

Advice: Go to a college. You could be the best artist, but unless you know people, it’s impossible to be able to show yourself. Groups/clubs have monthly meetings (IGDA Vancouver). This is how I learned about the school. I attended an IGDA meeting, learned everything at the school, and I knew programming. You don’t necessarily need past experience, as long as you like it and have passion for it. When you are in the gaming industry, there are hard-core gamers. If you like games, you will feel comfortable finding your niche in the subculture.

The tuition: $26,000, but it varies depending on the program. (It’s more expensive than the game design program)

LIFESTYLE

Favourite recreational activity: I’m an amateur writer, I read a lot online, play games, watch anime.

Upcoming vacation plans: Not right now. I will attend the San Francisco – Yaoi Con Japanese anime convention.

In five years: I am hoping to get hired in the gaming industry. But at the same time my writing is important to me. Id like to write a Fantasy novel, and become a professional writer.