How to Become a Video Game Designer: Skills, Steps, and Pay

Key takeaways

• To become a video game designer, you must learn user experience and visual design fundamentals, familiarize yourself with industry tools like Unity and Unreal Engine, and build a portfolio of small, playable projects.

• You do not necessarily need a degree to become a video game designer, although a degree in a relevant field like computer science can help you stand out.

• The best way to become a video game designer with no experience is to make games, contribute to open-source projects, and demonstrate your storytelling skills and design thinking through a robust portfolio.

You can design and develop your first game with Unity in as little as two months with Michigan State University's Game Design and Development with Unity Specialization. Designed to equip you with job-ready skills, you'll master core skills like ideation, visual design, and computer graphics.

How to become a video game designer in 2026

Game design can include any genre, from sports to fantasy and adventure. They can be single or multiplayer, casual or challenging, thought-provoking or simply entertaining. There are even educational games used in school settings. Game designers often work as part of a team and might focus on one aspect of game creation, such as art direction. You may even go on to choose a niche game design specialization role, such as a level designer. If game design is your passion, the following steps will help you qualify for a job in video game design.

How much does a video game designer make? Average salary and job outlook

The median total salary for a video game designer in the United States is between $61,000 and $113,000 as of June 2026 [1]. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) includes video game designers in its special effects artists and animators category. According to the BLS, 2 percent job growth is expected for this field from 2024 to 2034, and it has a median salary of $99,800 as of May 2024 [2].

Read more: Video Game Designer Salary + 2026 Career Guide

1. Gain a degree or equivalent experience.

Although it is possible to become a video game designer without a degree, obtaining one can give you a competitive edge in your job search and offer opportunities to explore different design roles and gain the skills needed to succeed through coursework.

According to Zippia, 74 percent of video game designers have a bachelor’s degree, 12 percent hold an associate degree, 6 percent possess a master's degree, and just 5 percent have a high school diploma [3]. Relevant majors include photography, computer science, and graphic design [3].

Boot camps and certificate programs are also great ways to learn video game design skills. They can be completed in a much shorter time than a two- or four-year degree program and are great ways to enhance your resume with job-relevant skills and real-world experience.

2. Build specialized skills.

Video game design encompasses various duties and skill sets, from storytelling to sound design and art direction. With a specialization, you can pursue the part of game design you’re most passionate about and differentiate yourself from other game designers in the process. 

You could develop expertise in character design, 3D design and animation, or user experience (UX) or user interface (UI) design. Or you could consider upgrading your skills by learning a language like JavaScript or C++. 

AI in video game design

AI is likely to speed up parts of video game design by helping with prototyping, content generation, testing, and iteration, but it is unlikely to replace strong designers who understand player experience, systems, and creative direction. To stay competitive, aspiring designers should learn how to use AI as a support tool while continuing to build skills that are harder to automate, such as design judgment, communication, collaboration, worldbuilding, and the ability to make games feel fun, coherent, and meaningful.

Important skills for video game designers

To be a successful game designer, you'll need a balance of technical and workplace skills to solve complex problems and to bring a game concept to life. The following are some skills that may be essential to your success in the video game industry:

• Drawing and sketching for a storyboard

• An understanding of game levels, level layouts, and architecture

• Communicating and collaborating with team members

• Having creativity and imagination to conceptualize games

• Creating characters and plots to make a game entertaining and challenging 

• Knowledge of programming languages like C++ and Python

• Design software such as Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator

Read more: What Is Character Design? And How to Get Started

3. Craft your resume and portfolio.

Stand out to employers with a resume that clearly showcases your skills and experience. Research video game designer job listings and ensure your resume includes relevant keywords to make sure you get noticed by the applicant tracking systems (ATS) employers use to filter applications quickly.

A portfolio is your chance to show potential employers your video game design skills in action. As you build your education, skills, and experience, you’ll work on projects that demonstrate your expertise and point of view. You could even design your own game as a solo project. Add these examples to your portfolio and prepare to discuss them with future clients and employers.

Some essential components of a portfolio include:

• About me section

• Link to your CV, resume, and LinkedIn

• Examples of your work, like designs, gameplay, and well-documented projects

4. Participate in the video game design community.

To stay updated on technological gaming changes and trends, you can join organizations and attend workshops. Both will give you an opportunity to network with other video game designers to build your professional connections.

Explore Coursera's free resources for aspiring video game designers

Considering a career in game design? Subscribe to Career Chat on LinkedIn to keep up with industry trends. Plus, explore digital resources to advance in your video game design career:

• Learn from pros: Meet the Video Game Designer Who’s Leveling Up with AI

• Connect with design experts: How to become a game developer

• Watch this video: Generative AI: The Future of Creative Work (Beginner's Guide)

Whether you want to develop a new skill, get comfortable with an in-demand technology, or advance your abilities, keep growing with a Coursera Plus subscription. You’ll get access to over 10,000 flexible courses. 

Build job-ready skills with Coursera Plus

Start 7-day free trial

• 
• 
• 
• 

Start 7-day free trial