Showing posts with label careers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label careers. Show all posts

Monday, May 30, 2016

How To Become A Graphic Designer

careers , careers in design
How To Become A Graphic Designer
graphic designer
How To Be A Graphic Designer

What is the job?

Graphic designers produce visual design solutions using images and lettering to get across information and communicate a message with high visual impact. Graphic design solutions are required for a wide variety of products and publications, such as websites, advertising, books, magazines, posters, brochures, booklets, magazines, computer games, product packaging, exhibitions and displays, logos, business cards and more. Graphic designers are normally based in a studio or office, but may also spend some time visiting and receiving clients and dealing with printers.

A graphic designer normally works to a brief (set of instructions) set by the client. They develop creative ideas and concepts choosing the appropriate media and style to meet the client's requirements. Graphic design requires creativity, knowledge of industry standard design software and a practiced approach to managing time and costs and meeting deadlines.

The Skills Of A Graphic Designer


A graphic designer may often manage more than one design brief at a time and must allocate the relevant amount of time according to the value of the job. The typical activities of a graphic designer are listed below, use the links to access additional information about an activity.
  • Meeting clients to discuss the business objectives and requirements of the job.
  • Interpreting the client's needs and developing a concept to suit their purpose.
  • Estimating the time required to complete the work and providing quotes for clients.
  • Developing design briefs by gathering information and data through research.
  • Thinking creatively and brainstorming to produce new ideas and concepts.
  • Developing ideas through drawing and sketching.
  • 'Pitching' ideas to managers or clients.
  • Working with a wide range of multimedia, like Photoshop, to produce quality designs.
  • Proofreading all work to ensure accurate and high-quality work.
  • Presenting finalised ideas and concepts to clients.
  • Keeping up to date with emerging technologies in new media as most graphic design work is now completed on a computer.
  • Working as part of a team with printers, copywriters, photographers, other designers, web developers and marketing specialists.

Graphic Designer Career Path

graphic designer career path

Graphic designers are normally employed based on the strength of their skills as opposed to their qualifications. However, most professional graphic designers have an ordinary degree or honours degree in graphic design, art or other creative, design based area.

Talent and contacts are the key to getting work as a designer, and you will need to keep an up-to-date portfolio of your work to show to potential employers or clients. Competition for jobs is strong and not all jobs are advertised, so it is a good idea to network and make contacts within the industry, and to approach companies and agencies directly. Unpaid work experience is an opportunity many designers take up in order to help develop their portfolios, make new contacts and impress potential employers. Joining professional bodies such as CSD and D&AD will also give you the opportunity to make contacts in the industry. It is also common practice for designers to create a website to showcase their work.

There is no upper age limit for entry to this occupation. You may be able to enter relevant training through universities or colleges that relax normal academic entrance requirements for suitable mature applicants. Most academic institutions define people aged 23 years or over as mature candidates.

Once a designer has completed their college studies they will still need to keep their skills up to date throughout their career. You may be able to attend short courses, for example in computer packages such as the Adobe Creative Suite, which is the industry standard package for all things design and multimedia related.



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Wednesday, May 25, 2016

How To Become A Web Designer

careers , careers in design
How To Become A Web Designer
The role of the web designer
A web designer can take on various roles...

What is the job?

The role of the web designer, is to create the 'look and feel' of a website. What this actually involves can vary, depending on the size of team the designer is part of, or the type of company they are working for or where the designer is working alone or in a very small team. In smaller web design teams or when working as a freelance web designer, a web designer may need to take on additional roles such as programming and content writing, which are the work of the web developer and the content writer in larger web teams.

A web designer produces visuals of user interfaces, using software such as Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator. They usually follow a design brief that may be given as verbal instructions, a written specification or 'wire-frame' diagrams.

The designer will normally produce a separate visual for each type of screen within the product, for example the home page, first-level and lower-level pages of the website. As a minimum, these visuals must show the sites' layout, colour scheme, typography and any images or other features. However, they usually also specify, either through annotations or additional visuals, how interface elements should respond to interaction by visitors to the website. For example, this might include specifying colour or style changes for links that are clicked or rolled over, or designing animated buttons or menus.

Web Designers must prepare designs in a way that allows them to be easily implemented by developers programmers. This means designs must be appropriate for their intended purpose and visuals must be provided in the right format and at the correct size and resolution. Sometimes the roles are combined, with the designer-developer or designer-programmer being responsible for implementing their own designs, especially where the entire interface is animated or where a HTML and CSS based web design approach is being used.

Web Designers may be employed in permanent positions within a company, or may work on a freelance basis. Among freelancers, there tends to be most demand for those who are both good designers and have good all round technical expertise.

Info About Web Designers
Click to enlarge

Skills Needed:

If you want to become a web design the key skills that you will need include...

  • Good drawing and diagramming ability.
  • Knowledge of relevant design, image manipulation, and asset optimisation software.
  • Good interpersonal communication skills, especially when dealing with specialists in other disciplines.
  • Ability to manage time, prioritise tasks and work under pressure.
  • Knowledge of the requirements of the relevant Health and Safety legislation and procedures.


Typical career routes

The job tends to be divided into various levels of seniority, based mostly on experience. As a general rule, the greater the seniority, the more responsibility the designer will have for the overall user experience, including the design of navigation, features and functionality. At junior levels, Designers tend to be tasked with only some aspects, typically the visual styling, of the interface.

There are no typical career routes, but many web designers come from a traditional design background, such as graphic, print or information design. Sometimes they combine this with experience or study in a more technical subject, such as computer science, engineering, mathematics or psychology. It is this combination of creative and technical disciplines that tends to set the best web designers apart and enables them to progress into more senior positions.

Essential knowledge and skills

Simply put a web designer must know how to create a website, but this of course involves multiple parameters and requires a range of skills. Web designers need creativity and artistic flair but also a certain amount of technical understanding. The nature of web design means that they must often design within many unknown or variable parameters, for example, the user's screen size, or the amount of content to be included on a web page.

The web designer must therefore be able to identify these factors and think laterally so as to produce flexible designs that work correctly in a range of circumstances. They need to understand usability issues, the principles of interaction design, and any user-interface standards that are relevant to the website.

Training and qualifications

Although there are now various specialist web design courses available, many web designers' qualifications are in more traditional art-related subjects. Architecture and product design are particularly useful backgrounds, as they tend to encourage the combinations of creative and technical thinking that web design requires, design in its broadest sense. Experience is generally valued most, however, and a good portfolio of web design work is essential.

*If you enjoyed this article you may also find our Web Design Process and How To Create a Website articles useful.

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Saturday, February 20, 2016

Want To Be An Interior Designer?

careers , design careers
Want To Be An Interior Designer?

Interior Design Career Information:

Starting an interior design career can be a dream come true, but that doesn't mean you may not feel some anxiety about beginning this new phase of your life. Knowing what to expect in the industry can help minimize stress.While all this is good news for aspiring interior designers, students should prepare themselves to face a competitive job market. Getting the right interior design education and experience will give you an advantage.

Interior Design Career Paths:

If you find the variety, flexibility and creativity of an interior design job appealing, you'll be happy to know that this is no one-size-fits-all career. You can customize your interior design career to fit your interests and working style. Here are some things to consider.
What does an interior designer do?
What does an interior designer do?


Self Employment vs. Design Firms

Many interior designers are self-employed or do contract work on top of their jobs at design firms. When deciding where you want to work, you must evaluate the risks and rewards for yourself.

Work Hours - If you are self-employed or work for a small firm, you are more likely to work flexible hours as you adjust your schedule around your clients' needs and deadlines. If you start your interior design career in a large design firm, you will probably have more predictable hours.

Environment - Large design firms may have the resources for a more comfortable work environment and state-of-the-art equipment. They also have established connections with related firms and specialists. This can be an important consideration for anyone starting an interior design career.

Clients - If you are self-employed, you may have more say in which jobs you take; however, you are responsible for finding your own clients and connections.

As your interior design career progresses, you may discover a preference for one type of interior design over another. You can specialize in designing for corporate settings, restaurants, hotels, and hospitals or other health care facilities, or you may decide to focus on residential design. You may even narrow your focus further to kitchens or bathrooms, for example. If you like choosing colors and fabrics, but would rather not handle the nitty-gritty details, such as safety codes, you may want to be an interior decorator rather than an interior designer. Although many people use the terms interchangeably, interior decorating is less technical than interior design.

Whether you prefer sticking to one interior design style that fits you perfectly, or you want to switch things up now and then, an interior design career gives you many options. Choose from types of interior design, such as residential, modern or Feng Shui interior design.

Types of interior design...



  • Bathroom Design - Help your clients get the bathrooms of their dreams with designs that are elegant and restful as well as functional.
  • Corporate Interior Design - Design ergonomic and efficient work spaces that will project the right image for a company.
  • Exhibit Design - Create exhibits for clients ranging from art galleries to zoos, or help companies design exhibits for tradeshows and showrooms.
  • Feng Shui Interior Design - Use the principles of Feng Shui to get the energy flowing and create balance in an environment.
  • Green Interior Design - Develope expertise in designing spaces using products and methods that are environmentally friendly.
  • Health Care Interior Design - Help make health care centers such as hospitals, cancer centers, drug treatment centers, nursing homes, social services providers, doctors' offices, dental offices, etc. more efficient and welcoming through interior design.
  • Hotel Interior Design - Create inviting spaces for the hotel industry while considering several important factors such as: comfort, function, aesthetic appeal, concept and budget.
  • Japanese and Asian Interior Design - Bring the graceful, uncluttered aesthetic of Japanese and Asian interior design to clients in any geographic location.
  • Kitchen Design - Give your clients the kitchen they've always wanted. Develop expertise on appliances and efficient kitchen design.
  • Modern Interior Design - Incorporate the sleek look and practical principles of modern design into your work.
  • Residential Interior Design - Work with clients to improve the form and function of their living spaces, while helping them define and reflect their personal style.
  • Restaurant Interior Design - Develop design concepts that will contribute to positive customer experiences and the success of restaurant businesses.
  • Set Design - Use your design skills to work in film, television or theater.
  • Zen Interior Design - Create beautiful interior spaces using the minimalist style of Zen interior design.


Learn more about interior design specialities to find the one that's right for you. When you're deciding on an interior design school, find out about training they offer in the interior design specialities that interest you. You may also be interested in the infographic below showing the history of interior design.



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Furniture Design Careers

careers , furniture
Furniture Design Careers
Furniture Design Careers
Furniture Design Careers

Furniture Maker

Furniture is an essential part of our daily lives. It is what we sit on, eat and work from, where we store our clothes and possessions and where we sleep. Furniture makers design and craft individual pieces of furniture and storage cabinets such as chairs, tables, dressers, wardrobes, beds and more. They may also restore antique or damaged items of furniture. Antique pieces of furniture can be valued at tens of thousands of pounds so highly skilled restoration work, on behalf of the furniture maker, required to preserve them. Due to the unique nature of bespoke furniture, furniture makers often work alone or in a small furniture design studio workshop with a limited number of other furniture makers or designers.

Skills: 

Furniture making was originally a hands-on trade only, involving long hours creating individual pieces to demand. These days, however, the vast majority of furniture making is done in large factories with the use of industrial machines. In these cases the role of the furniture designer becomes more important than that of the furniture maker. The emergence of flatpack furniture has meant that lower manufacturing and storage costs can be passed on to the customer. Nevertheless, there will always be demand for beautiful and unique, bespoke pieces of furniture, and thus the most skilled aspects of furniture making, although in decline, will never become extinct.
These skills include creativity, attention to detail, good spatial awareness and an ability to visualise in three dimensions. The more practical requirements are being naturally good with your hands, a patience to work with great care and an ability to use a wide variety of woodworking tools. Alongside these skills an awareness of health and safety practices is recommended as furniture makers work in workshops and studios with lots of high powered industrial machinery and hand held electrical tools.

Qualifications/Experience: 

Furniture makers need no standard qualifications or specific training however, they should have a background and/or qualification in Art and Design, Wood Working or Model making. They may also have a more specialised background or training, for example, in industrial Design, Furniture Making or Fine Art. Alternatively, furniture makers may have started an apprenticeship and learned their skills on the job under the guidance of an existing furniture maker.

Furniture Designer  At Work

Prop Maker

Prop Makers work in the Properties Departments of feature films, television series and theatre productions making any props that are not being bought in, or hired. Prop Makers use a wide variety of materials, techniques and tools, to design and create the required props. These represent a huge range of objects, including 'stunt' props which are replicas of other props, made of soft or non-hazardous materials, and specialised objects that move or light up. They may also have to adapt or modify existing props. Prop Makers may work alone, or as part of a larger Props team in a Production workshop.
Prop Makers are generally given instructions, designs or rough ideas by the Artistic Director prior to filming. From these designs Prop Makers plan and create the necessary props. They may carry out their own research into the style and specifications of the props required. On period films, for example, this may also involve investigating how the objects would have been created during a particular historical period. Prop Makers often have to work within strict timescales and to tight deadlines. Normally Prop makers produce a minimum of two of every item, in case of damage. During the shoot Prop Makers may be responsible for operating any special props, or for instructing Actors in their interaction with Props.

Skills: 

Prop Makers should have a wide knowledge of the basics of Prop Making: technical drawing, a good knowledge of computer design packages, the ability to work safely with typical industry materials (e.g., fibreglass, latex, foam, polystyrene, wood, cotton and steel), and the ability to work with a variety of different machinery and tools. Prop Makers may also have specialist skills, such as: sign writing, upholstery work, mould work, woodturning, sculpture, casting, furniture making, modelling, electrical engineering and electronics.
Prop Makers need to be adaptable and able to work with imagination and ingenuity. They need good problem solving skills and must be open to learning new skills and techniques to keep up to pace with developments in the industry. The ability to work to external deadlines, under their own initiative, is essential, as is an eye for detail and accuracy. Working as part of the larger Properties Department, and at times as part of a Prop-making team, Prop Makers must have good communication skills and enjoy interacting with others. As they work with hazardous equipment and materials, an in-depth understanding of relevant Health and Safety legislation and procedures is vital to the role.

Qualifications/Experience: 

Prop Makers need no standard qualifications or specific training however, they should have a background and/or qualification in Art and Design, Wood Working or Model making, and experience in the basics of Prop Making. Many Prop Makers train in Stage and Set Design or Stage Management. They may also have a more specialised background or training, for example, in Graphic Design, Furniture Making or Fine Art. Alternatively, Prop Makers may have started in junior roles in the Art department and learnt their skills on the job under the guidance of an existing Prop Maker.


Cabinet Maker

Cabinetmakers, as the name suggests, make cabinets and other (predominately kitchen) furniture. Cabinetmakers often make their products according to set specifications, sometimes for mass production. In addition to designing and building cabinets, they may also have the task of installing them. They need to be familiar with various tools and machines, skilled with their hands and adept at sanding, staining and sealing wood into polished products. Part of cabinetmaking includes creative design and woodworking. They may find employment in furniture stores, furniture repair shops and construction companies.

Qualifications/ Experience: 

A lot of woodworkers receive their training on the job, however, they can also obtain skills through formal training at colleges, vocational schools, universities or through an apprenticeship. Some programs result in a certificate or an associate's degree, and others may offer craft qualifications. Training can include instruction in computer aided design (CAD) and computerized cabinetmaking programs for creating 3D drawings, plans and elevations. Students learn about the characteristics of differnt wood, joinery techniques, design and product assembly and installation.



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Sunday, February 14, 2016

Want A Career In The Games Industry?

career in gaming , careers
Want A Career In The Games Industry?
Games Industry Careers
You could end up working on projects like the very popular Minecraft
This article covers the following sections of the Games Design Industry that you could work in.

Animator | Concept Artist | Level Editor/Builder | Programmer | Audio Engineer | QA Tester


ANIMATOR

Animators in the games industry are responsible for the portrayal of movement and behaviour. Most often this is applied to give life to game characters and creatures, but sometimes animations are also applied to other elements such as objects, scenery, vegetation and environmental effects. Specialist software packages are used to create the animations, which are used for both automated or 'in game' behaviours and predefined sequences or 'cut scenes'.
What is the job?
Game production is a collaborative process and Animators work as part of the art department team. Using the objects, models, and most importantly, characters created by 3D Artists, Animators define their movements and behaviours and apply them using the animation tools and techniques provided by the selected 3D animation software package.
Game animation can be a complex combination of many different types of movements, so the Animators must make extensive libraries of re-usable animations for each character. They are also usually responsible for the technical processes of rigging and skinning of the characters, (which involves creating an underlying structure rather like the bones of a skeleton and attaching appropriate body parts to each bone).
Essential knowledge and skills include...
  • knowledge of traditional and computer 2D and 3D animation techniques.
  • creativity and imagination.
  • knowledge of full motion video (FMV).
  • spatial awareness and a feel for movement over time.
  • knowledge of constraints.
  • ability to work independently and as part of a team.
  • organisational skills and the ability to work to deadline.
  • good communication and presentation skills.
  • knowledge of the requirements of the relevant Health and Safety legislation and procedures.
Training and qualifications
An animation-related degree is usually a prerequisite. This might be a general art course with a computer animation component, or a specialist animation course. Animators will be required to demonstrate their work through a portfolio and/or show reel. Reels should last about 2-3 minutes and detail the specific contribution the Animator made to the work. Recruiters look for a variety of genres and styles; walk and run cycles, as well as more fully developed sequences; and, perhaps most important, an ability to portray a character's personality through movement and behaviour.




CONCEPT ARTIST

Artists create the visual elements of a game, such as characters, scenery, objects, vehicles, surface textures, clothing, props, and even user interface components. Artists also create concept art and storyboards which help communicate the proposed visual elements during the pre-production phase.
Some games try to look as realistic as possible while others aim for a more stylised or fantastical look and it is the Artist's job to model and texture characters and objects to achieve the desired result. The look of the game and its graphical detail is often a significant factor in a game's success, second only to its playability.
What is the job?
Concept artists usually begin with traditional materials (eg pen and paper) and progress onto computer software. The Concept Artist sketches ideas for the game worlds, characters, objects, vehicles, furniture, clothing and other content. They also suggest level designs, colour schemes, and the mood and feel of the game. They are usually very good at perspective drawing and architecture. Although not involved in creating the actual game art, their concept will determine the look of many aspects of the game.
Essential knowledge and skills include...
  • art and design skills.
  • Awareness of colour, modelling and texturing techniques.
  • the ability to work as part of a team and independently.
  • imagination and creative talent.
  • attention to detail and observation skills.
  • good communication skills.
  • ability to work to a style guide.
  • knowledge of the requirements of the relevant Health and Safety legislation and procedures.
Training and qualifications
Concept artists in the games industry work with 3D graphics packages, such as 3D Studio Max, Maya, Softimage, etc., and 2D packages such as Photoshop. They might also use software tools that have been developed in-house.




LEVEL EDITOR/BUILDER

The Level Editor defines and creates interactive architecture for a segment of a game, including the landscape, buildings, and objects. The Level Editor also develops the game play for the level, which includes the challenges that the characters face and the actions they must take to overcome them. The architecture helps to define those challenges by presenting obstacles, places to hide, tests of skill, and other elements to explore and interact with.
Level Editors play an important role in game development, creating memorable environments and game play elements to satisfy an increasingly sophisticated and widening games audience. They should also keep up to date with advancing technologies. Level Editors are employed by development studios, both publisher-owned and independent.
What is the job?
The Level Editor first sketches ideas on paper or using 2D drawing software. They have to imagine the playing experience, putting themselves in the position of the player, mapping out all the possibilities. They need to think about the logic and flow of events and actions, the conditions that need to be met for certain things to happen, the challenges the player will encounter, and the game play that occurs as a result.
The ideas are then worked out in 3D and tested in the game engine, which produces further ideas. In consultation with the programmers and artists, the Level Editor draws up a detailed inventory of level 'assets' (all the objects and programming requirements needed to make the level run in the game in its final form).Every asset can impact on the game's performance and the Level Editor must understand the technical constraints the team is working to, eg there may be a limit on the number and complexity of objects that can be displayed on screen at any one time.
Essential knowledge and skills include...
  • spatial awareness and the ability to visualise layouts; imagination and creativity.
  • excellent communication skills (both verbal and written).
  • IT skills and competence in the use of world editing tools.
  • attention to detail and the ability to evaluate quality.
  • knowledge of different platforms.
  • a passion for games and knowledge of game design theory.
  • knowledge of the requirements of the relevant Health and Safety legislation and procedures.
Training and qualifications
Level Editors usually need to be able to use industry standard 3D modelling packages, such as 3D Studio Max or Maya, and may also be called upon to learn and use game world editing tools developed by studios in-house. The ability to sketch ideas on paper and model in 3D is also useful.




PROGRAMMER

Programmers work at the heart of the game development process. They design and write the computer code that runs and controls the game, incorporating and adapting any ready-made code libraries and writing custom code as needed. They test the code and fix bugs, and they also develop customised tools for use by other members of the development team. Different platforms (games consoles, PCs, handhelds, mobiles, etc.) have particular programming requirements and there are also various specialisms within programming, such as physics programming, AI (artificial intelligence), 3D engine development, interface and control systems.
What is the job?
The Lead Programmer translates the design into a technical specification for the game and then delegates tasks to the programming team. Some work as general Programmers on a whole range of tasks, often working with code that other Programmers have written. Others might have a more specific task, such as physics (eg programming movable objects so that they appear to obey the laws of gravity, etc.). Specialist tools programmers identify and design any custom tools which may be needed, perhaps by the artists or level designers, then build them to an agreed specification. The Programmers create different 'builds' of a game, liaising with the testers to fix any bugs that the QA team has identified at each stage. They might also work with a Localisation Manager to create versions of the game for different platforms and territories. There are many different programming roles.
Essential knowledge and skills include...
  • ability to write in C, C++ and other languages.
  • specific platform experience - e.g. PS2, DirectX.
  • good understanding of game play.
  • ability to work independently and as part of a team.
  • ability to take instruction and work to deadlines, tenacity and patience.
  • creativity and problem solving skills.
  • knowledge of the requirements of the relevant Health and Safety legislation and procedures.
Training and qualifications:
All Programmers start in the industry with proven ability to programme in C++ (companies will usually ask for some kind of demo and/or ask candidates to work through a test). Sound knowledge of contemporary game hardware platforms, as well as the latest software development techniques, is also highly desirable. The games industry is constantly evolving, both creatively and technically, and it is important that programmers keep up to date with the latest developments. Most training is self-driven and much happens on the job.




AUDIO ENGINEER

The Audio Engineer creates the soundtrack for a game. This might include music; sound effects to support the game action, such as gunshots or explosions; character voices and other expressions; spoken instructions; and ambient effects, such as crowd noise, vehicles or rain. The soundtrack helps to create a more immersive experience for the player by reinforcing the mood of the game. It can also enhance game play by affecting the tempo and adding emotional depth.
What is the job?
Working to a creative brief, the Audio Engineer produces a sound design for the game and, when this has been agreed, realises it. This might involve the composing, scoring and recording of music. They are responsible for sourcing any sound effects that are needed, improving or creating them where necessary. These might be real or imaginary sounds, depending on the type of game. The Audio Engineer then edits, mixes, and masters the music and sounds to produce the soundtrack for the finished game.
Game production is a collaborative process. Audio Engineers need excellent communication and interpersonal skills to be able to understand what designers and producers want from them and to keep up with any changes. They also need to communicate effectively with the programming and art department teams. They also need a sense of fun and the ability to think laterally - creating sounds, especially for fantasy games, requires creativity and imagination.
Essential knowledge and skills include...
  • ability to compose and perform music.
  • sound engineering skills and knowledge of the relevant tools and technology.
  • "aural skills", a sense of timing, and attention to detail.
  • strong communication and interpersonal skills.
  • creativity and imagination.
  • ability to work to deadlines.
  • knowledge of the requirements of the relevant Health and Safety legislation and procedures.
Training and qualifications
A musical education is beneficial, particularly the ability to compose music and play some instruments. Knowledge of relevant software packages, such as Logic Audio, Sound Forge, and Cool Edit Pro, is also useful. Candidates for audio engineering jobs will need to supply a portfolio or demo of their work. Demos should show originality, competence in various types of music, and indicate an awareness of how sound relates to games of different types.



QA TESTER

Quality Assurance Technicians, or Testers, perform a vital role, testing, tuning, debugging, and suggesting the detailed refinements that ensure the quality and playability of the finished game. Their job involves play-testing the game in a systematic way, analysing the game's performance against the designer's intentions, identifying problems and suggesting improvements.
They test for bugs in the software, from complete crashes to minor glitches in the programme. They also act as the game's first audience, reporting on its playability, and identifying any aspects which could be improved.
What is the job?
Playing games all day for a living might sound like an ideal job to some people, but this is in fact a highly disciplined role. Testers are responsible for assuring quality in the final product and for finding all the flaws in a game before it goes public. They look for programme bugs - spelling mistakes, localisation problems (variations of the game are required for different territories), graphical or audio glitches, and also any copyright issues (such as 'branded clothing' etc.). Testers work in teams, sometimes playing together on a multi-player game, and a team might 'own' part of a game. Testing involves playing a game over and over again, testing different levels and builds (incomplete 'development versions' of a game, sometimes with various features missing). The work can be repetitive and tedious, but Testers have to test long after the novelty and fun factor may have worn off.
Essential knowledge and skills include...
  • ability to communicate tactfully with other members of the team.
  • good attention to detail.
  • persistence and patience.
  • ability to play games for long periods.
  • good negotiation and conflict resolution skills.
  • passion for games playing.
  • knowledge of the requirements of the relevant Health and Safety legislation and procedures.
Training and qualifications
Above all, Games Testers must be avid games players. They must be able to demonstrate a detailed knowledge of the industry, including the different platforms and games styles and genres on the market. IT competence, including use of spreadsheets and database packages, is also required.

A Useful Infographic...





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