\u201cGames had such a big influence on me growing up. Combined with my love of drawing that would go on to be so important for my course, I ended up mixing the two together when I found out all about game art and game design being a route I could go down. After initially not being exposed to careers like that, especially in high school, I didn\u2019t have much experience before I came to the College to start my degree,\u201d they say.<\/p>\n
Most technical choices after GCSEs at other educational institutions focused more on computer science rather than games. Charlie found that a lot of their new course mates who had already been at the College for the previous two years had already been developing their experience at the Academy.<\/p>\n
![\"Charlie](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Charlie-Beer-e1752839126970.jpg\")
Charlie Beer
\nThey said:<\/p>\n
\u201cI was lucky that they took on people like me without the digital experience, but with the firm experience in art,\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I first started my course, I thought it would result in me being a concept artist because I didn\u2019t have any experience of 3D modelling or game design. I thought I\u2019d find a job drawing, but I fell in love with the modelling and character design side of things very quickly. It made my drawings become a real, moving thing which was really cool to me. There\u2019s so much to learn about the niches and styles of character designs too.<\/p>\n
\u201cI can\u2019t even bear to look at my work from the first year of my degree because it\u2019s so boxy and horrible!\u201d they laugh. \u201cBut as the course went on and we explored our specialisms, I got much better. By the final year, we weren\u2019t really given prompts and we had the freedom to design what we wanted.\u201d<\/p>\n
The College\u2019s more rounded provision in digital was also there to help Charlie develop other digital skills. \u201cI helped in the design of an NHS clinical trials website which included receiving feedback from its future end-users. I was also heavily involved with a podcast by and for members of the gaming community,\u201d they say proudly.<\/p>\n
While it may not necessarily seem like the most formal of career paths, the burgeoning number of academic courses in game design are rooted in solid foundations. \u201cIt is vital that people have access to industry standard pipelines and programs like ZBrush, Maya and Substance Painter before they start looking for a job in the industry,\u201d claims Charlie, who is now fully prepared to take on their first job in the industry.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis experience gets people ready for working in busy studios. If you\u2019re self-taught, you will most likely be using free-to-use programmes which might not be used across the industry.<\/p>\n
\u201cI wouldn\u2019t know where to begin if I\u2019d not done this degree, because of the support I\u2019ve had from staff and other students from day one. The tutors have got so much experience and have been a huge help.<\/p>\n
\u201cBeing in an educational environment also helps you build confidence in presenting your work and accustoms you to giving and receiving the kind of feedback expected in the industry. I\u2019m taking that experience with me now as I\u2019m taking my design document and portfolio around industry shows like the Liv Game Summit,\u201d they conclude.<\/p>\n
For more information on the kinds of academic courses related to gaming that are available nationwide, click here<\/a>. Find out what\u2019s good up North on our new platform, The Northern Guide.<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n From the best hotels, beauty spots, days out, food and more up North \u2013 visit\u00a0thenorthernguide.com<\/a>\u00a0and follow The Northern Guide on Instagram\u00a0HERE.<\/a><\/p>\n
\nFind all the latest Liverpool news here<\/a>. <\/p>\n