"How To Get A Game Design Internship"

How To Get A Game Design Internship


Introduction:

So you just learned to make games recently, and now you want to work as a game developer and make a career in game development. Like other careers, here you also need to have some experience which definitely comes from making games more and more, and doing an internship at any studio.

In this article, I will guide you on how to make an interesting portfolio and how to get a game design internship. Read the complete article and I promise at the end you will have enough confidence to apply for a game design internship.

What Is An Internship?

An internship is a short training program designed for students to apply their knowledge and get experience. An internship may be paid or unpaid. It lasts 3 to 6 months and grants a certificate to the students.

How To Get A Game Design Internship

What Is A Game Design Internship?

A game design internship is designed for game developers to get experience and practical learning of game development, that is how games are made in big studios. Of Course, there are many advantages of doing an internship in game development.

Experience:

You will get practical knowledge of game development and how big companies make games like RokcStar, Ubisoft EA, etc.

Connections:

When you do an internship, you will work with industry professionals as a teammate, allowing you to become friends with them.

Skills:

You will develop hard skills like technical, or problem-solving as well as soft skills like communication and collaboration skills.

Resume building:

Internships will provide you experience that makes your resume stronger and stand out among others.

How To Get A Game Design Internship

What Does a Game Designer Intern Do?

A game designer intern does all the tasks of a game designer but under the supervision of senior developers.
  • You will participate in the brainstorming of ideas.
  • You will update the game design document.
  • You will work with UI designers, level designer, programmers, and playtester. 
  • You will receive feedback to improve the gameplay.
  • You will report to your seniors about the development process.

What Are The Requirements To Get An Internship?

How can I become a game designer intern, well there are some requirements that you should fulfill before applying for an internship.

Prepare Your Application Documents:

To get an internship, the first step is to make a portfolio. Here I want to make the difference clear between a resume and a portfolio. 

A resume is a short description of your education, personal information, and skills, whereas a portfolio is a detailed description of your project. For game development, you are going to make a portfolio. Don't worry. I will tell you everything.

Develop Skills:

To apply for game development first, you need to learn something about game development like programming or industry-standardized software like game engines. Master any game engine such as Unity or Unreal engine and get some knowledge on how to write Hello World.

Connections:

To get a job easily and fast, make connections with industry people. Join game jams on itch.io and collaborate with other people, go to game development conferences, and make friends. These friends will help you land a job quickly. 

Career Path:

It is very important to know about your interests and career path, what you want to be, and how you see yourself in the future. I wanted to be a game programmer so from the start I focused on learning C# and C++.


How To Get A Game Design Internship

How To Make A Game Design Portfolio?

Game development is a multi field so you have to first decide your interest whether it is programming, level designing or making art and sounds. 

Build Projects:

Now make games that focus on your interest. For example, if you love programming, make games about advanced topics like procedural generation, and animations. If you love to make the world then show your skills in level design e

Document Your Work:

Now document your best work which you want to show like adding a small description of the project.

Build A Website:

The last thing is to make a website. And put all your information about projects. You can code your own website or simply make a WordPress website. Here you have to spend some money to buy a domain and hosting, but if you want to go for free then Blogger is an good option.

How To Find An Internship In Your City?

For an internship, I will recommend you to search within your city. Because in the end, it is just an internship and most are unpaid. You have made your portfolio so now go to Google and type game design internships. 

It will show all the available go through each of them, see what they are offering, and demand Filter out the best internships according to your skills and start applying through email and contact number.

How To Find International Internships?

Some of you want to do an internship in a foreign country and might get a job offer from the same company and settle there. But this is not a very practical approach. Because internships are unpaid mostly and you will have to manage your expenses by yourself. 

For example, flying out of the country, staying in a hotel, and eating expenses. Now to get an internship keep searching on LinkedIn and other platforms and apply as many as possible. Someday you will get a call for an interview. Good luck.

Best Sites To Find Game Design Internships:

There are many platforms where you can search for jobs. I am listing the best 10 platforms below to make your account and start posting for jobs.

Game Design Internships Salary:

Well, most video game design internships are unpaid but some studios pay a small salary to game developers like 10 to 15 $ per hour. The games design internship lasts 10 to 15 weeks and the salary varies all around the globe based on several factors such as location and size of the studio, big or small. 

Companies like EA, Ubisoft and Blizzard have structured video game internships with competitive pay.

Game Design Internship Interview Most Asked Questions:

After applying for so many game design internships you finally get a call for an interview so now you are thinking about what will happen or what questions he may ask you. 

Relax, I will also tell you about the most asked questions during the interview with a game designer. 

Below are the top ten questions: read them carefully and prepare your answers if possible. The paper practice if you practice asking these questions believe me you will never be nervous in the interview. 

  • Can you walk us through your portfolio?
  • What projects are you most proud of?
  • What are the key principles of game design that you believe are essential?
  • Can you explain a game mechanic you designed and how it enhances gameplay?
  • Describe a time you worked on a team project. What was your role, and what challenges did you face?
  • What games have influenced your design style?
  • Why do you like them?
  • How would you approach a design problem if you encountered one during development?
  • How do you handle feedback on your designs, both positive and negative?
  • What game design tools or software are you familiar with?
  • How do you consider the target audience in your design process?
  • What trends do you see shaping the future of game design?
If you want to know, how to preapre for an interview, wacth this video on youtube. 

Pros And Cons Of Game Design Internship?

What are the benefits of a game design internship? Well, there are many benefits of doing an internship. I have listed some major ones.

Experience:

You will get practical skills and experience in the game design process and tools.

Portfolio:

You will get the opportunity to work on real-world projects that will add value to your portfolio.

Networking

You will get the chance to make friends and connections with the people working in the industry.

Career:

If you show your best during an internship you may get a full-time job in that studio.

Personal skills:

As you will work with other people including senior game designers, level designers, programmers , play testers and artists your communication and collaboration skills will definitely improve.

Cons:

Well, there are also some cons of a game design internship. I don't want to demotivate you but you should also know about them before applying for an internship.

Competition

Game development is a challenging and competitive field and you will find it hard to secure an internship.

Lower pay

Internships are generally unpaid or pay less than the actual pay. It means you have to manage your expenses by yourself especially if you are thinking of applying internationally.

Time commitment

If you are in high school or college you will have to work hard to balance your studies and internship.

Burnout

You will be working by sitting on a chair for long hours and the game development industry itself has high demands that lead to stress and burnout.

How Can I Get A Game Job With No Experience?

The article is all about gaining experience by doing a game design internship but is there any way you can get a job without experience? The answer is no but you can try and if you are lucky you will get the job.

First, learn a game engine like Unity and Unreal engine. Along with their respective programming languages c# and c ++. Because these are the industry standards and most  studio uses these two engines.

Second, make games as much as you can, participate in game jams, and collaborate with other indie game developers. Here quality matters over quantity, make fewer games but should be related to your interest and you have show your skills in them so that you can add them to your portfolio.

Who Can Get A Game Internship?

Anyone who wants to make games, loves to play games and has knowledge of how games are made. He can apply for a game design internship.

How Long Does An Internship Last?

A game design internship is a short program to teach game developers practical skills. It is of short duration which lasts 10 to 15 weeks. Sometimes an internship can be as long as 6 months.

Apply for Multiple Internships:

Game development is a very competitive field. Everyone is looking for jobs and internships. As a result, it has become hard for game developers to find and secure jobs. Similarly, game design internships are limited. So you have to apply for multiple game design internships at many studios. What I want to say is that if you apply to 10 studios you will get a call at  least from one.

Best Companies Websites Link:

We have played GTA, Farcry, FIFA and Call of Duty etc . These are made by the world's biggest and most respectable studios. Every one of us wants to work for these companies. 

So I am giving you the top ten game development companies. You should always check their website regularly  about jobs and internships.

Tips And Tricks To Get An Internship In The Games Industry:

Now as a brother, there is some advice and tips I want to give you from my personal experience. If you follow all there are high chances of getting an internship. Showcase your best work, including
  • Include a variety of skills, such as programming, art, or design.
  • Learn industry-standard tools and software (e.g., Unity, Unreal Engine, Blender).
  • Focus on programming languages commonly used in game development (e.g., C#, C++, Python).
  • Attend game development events, conferences, or local meetups.
  • Join online communities and forums (e.g., Discord, Reddit) related to game development.
  • Participate in game jams to gain practical experience and collaborate with others.
  • Show your knowledge during interviews and networking.
  • Emphasize teamwork, communication, and adaptability.
  • Practice common interview questions and technical challenges related to game development.
  • Apply to multiple internships and don’t get discouraged by rejections
  • Continuously seek feedback and improve your skills.

Conclusion:

I has tried my best to give you the complete information about how to get a game design internship, from making a portfolio to applying on multiple sites. Game design internships are a great way to gain experience like game design books. If you want to increase knowledge about game design, Read the 20 best game design books.

Read also books on game design so you can master the art of making games. I hope you find this article helpful if so then subscribe to our website I write on game design topics.

Watch this video to get more info on how to get a game design internship or job.



Faqs

What should I include in my game design internship application?

A tailored resume highlighting relevant experience and skills. A cover letter that expresses your passion for game design and specific interest in the company. A portfolio showcasing your projects, prototypes, and any relevant work.

Can I apply for multiple game design internship simultaneously?

Yes, it’s common to apply for multiple internships to increase your chances. Just make sure each application is tailored to the specific role and company.

Are game design internships paid?

Many game design internships are paid, but some may be unpaid or offer academic credit. It’s important to check the specific listing.

What skills are required for a game design internship?

Proficiency in game development tools (e.g., Unity, Unreal Engine). Basic programming knowledge (e.g., C#, C++). Understanding of game design principles, storytelling, and user experience.

Who is eligible for a game design internship?

Eligibility often includes current students or recent graduates pursuing a degree in game design, computer science, or related fields. Some internships may also require specific coursework or skills.

How long do game design internships typically last?

Game design internships generally last between 3 to 6 months, depending on the company and internship structure.

What can I expect to learn during a game design internship?

Hands-on experience in game development processes, collaboration with professionals, and insights into the industry. You may also gain skills in project management and feedback incorporation.

Do game design internships lead to full-time employment?

Many companies use internships as a talent pipeline. Successful interns often receive offers for full-time positions, but this varies by company and individual performance.