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The fields of Animation and Video Game Design can be ideal for you if you’re looking for a career that will make use of your computer and technical skills while being able to express your artistic and creative side.
However, you might ask yourself: which one’s really for me? And, which one can give a rewarding career return on investment (ROI) for my future?
Colleges and universities generally offer degree programs for Video Game Design and Animation through their departments or schools specializing in art, design, and digital media.
In a few institutions, these programs emphasize interactive systems and computer graphics, as offered by the Engineering or Computer Science departments.
Comparison Table: Video Game Design vs. Animation
| Video Game Design | Animation | |
| Starting Salaries | $85,900/year | $52,700/year |
| Average Salaries | $94,000/year | $111,130/year |
| Entry-Level Education | – Associate’s degree – Non-degree holders with an impressive skill set obtained through boot camps and self-learning | – Associate’s degree – Bachelor’s degree holders are preferred – Non-degree holders with a strong portfolio |
| Skills Required | – Project management – Game design principles – Game development tools – Scripting and programming – UI/UX design – Word building and storytelling – Level, sound, and narrative design – Communication – Critical thinking – Problem-solving – QA techniques and methodologies | – Project management – Animation principles – Storyboarding – Character design – Digital art – 3D modeling techniques – Lighting and texturing – Music and sound design – Video editing – Post-production – Communication – Critical thinking – Problem-solving |
| Projected Employment Growth | 2.28% (2019-2029) | 8% (2022-2032) |
All About Video Game Design
Video Game Design encompasses multiple disciplines, including graphic design, creative writing, user experiences, and, most importantly, computer science and programming.
Game designers are often confused with game developers. While game developers deal with the technicalities of building the program, game designers are generally considered to be the creative and planning side of video game development.
As a designer, you’ll be creating the distinct features of video games, such as the environment and levels, characters, narratives, interactions, and objectives.
You’ll also be testing game features, improving the quality of existing games, building and testing prototypes, and keeping up with the latest industry and market trends. Video game projects require collaboration with software developers, artists, writers, quality assurance testers, and sound engineers.
Video Game Design Education, Career Prospects, and Job Outlook
An Associate’s degree in Video Game Design leads to an entry-level job. A Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees can open doors to higher positions and higher salaries.
Initially, you may want to explore fields like Software Development or Software Engineering to develop skills relevant to the gaming industry. Programs for a Certificate in Software Development can help you gain entry into the industry with basic game design knowledge and competency.
The worldwide market size of video games is expected to be valued at $583.69 billion by 2030—cementing its place in digital entertainment. Consequently, building your career promises lucrative career options. Video game designers earn an average of $94,000 per year. To date, San Francisco, New York, and Boston are among the top major cities that pay these professionals the most!
A Career in Video Game Design is for you If:
- You like creating immersive experiences for others to enjoy.
- You like designing interactive systems that challenge and engage players.
- You want to blend your knowledge/skills in storytelling, art, and technology to create unique digital experiences.
- You are creative with a flair for all things technical.
- You genuinely enjoy video games, interactive platforms, and digital products.
A Video Game Design Career is Not A Great Fit if:
- You prefer working in a structured environment.
- You want job duties with procedures and guidelines that are clear and consistent.
- You need quick results or immediate job satisfaction (because game development requires constant refinement and experimentation).
- You’d rather not collaborate with others to complete a project.
All About Animation
Animation is the process of creating a simulation or illusion of movement using a series of drawings or photographs. It is a powerful medium that allows storytellers to communicate complex ideas and convey narratives in a visual, engaging, and easy-to-perceive format for both adults and children.
However, the field of Animation extends far beyond TV shows, films, and other traditional forms of entertainment. Animation is applicable to marketing and advertising, video games, scientific and medical visualization, architectural visualization, and education.
The global market for animated films is forecasted to be valued at $560.32 billion by 2030!
Animation Education, Career Prospects, and Job Outlook
An Animation degree program is multidisciplinary. Students and graduates are proficient in storytelling, art and design, computer graphics, software and technology, film and media studies, and music and sound design.
As an animator, you’ll generally be collaborating with other animators and artists to develop a film, video game, and other projects. You’ll also be constantly editing animations based on the feedback and instructions from clients, directors, and other professionals.
Animators (and multimedia artists) in the US make $98,950 per year. Entry-level positions in this field will typically require an associate’s or bachelor’s degree. Some schools also offer Certificate training in Animation to help you build marketable skills in less time.
On the other hand, animators taking on higher positions or with considerable experience in the industry earn at least $174,100 per year.
A Career in Animation is for you If:
- You like using computer software and digital tools for your creativity and artistic abilities.
- You want to bring stories and characters to life through visual movements and creative expressions.
- You like to work in a collaborative environment.
- You enjoy continuously learning and adapting to the trends, techniques, and technologies in Animation.
A Career in Animation is Not A Great Fit if:
- You prefer working on tasks or projects that require no or minimal collaboration and supervision.
- You need a career that doesn’t require experimenting with artistic styles and techniques to meet the demands of clients and projects.
- You don’t like spending long hours in front of a computer screen.
Key Takeaway
Both animators and Video Game Designers require computers, software, and other technologies to perform their work and create their output. As careers that highly rely on technology, the future is bright if you’re aspiring to be an animator or Video Game Designer!
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