Topic

What can I do with a degree in Applied Immersive Game Design?

18 August 2023

Whether you want to be an Applied Immersive Game Designer or a Product Design Manager, see what you can do with a degree in Applied Immersive Game Design from UC.

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Product Design combines creative design, science, engineering and business studies. Product designers plan and develop items for use in homes, businesses and industry.

Graduates will be able to develop creative ideas based on their knowledge of related sciences and engineering disciplines, as well as gain the practical business skills needed to commercialise new product ideas. This degree will prepare you for a modern career path in many areas of Aotearoa New Zealand’s innovative economy.

Through their degree in Applied Immersive Game Design, graduates will gain the skills needed for the design of games for various applications and the commercialisation of their ideas. These include:

Creativity
Ability to design games that meet end-user needs eg, for entertainment, education, rehabilitation and industrial applications
Understanding of idea generation, game structure and interface design
Practical experience in game prototyping for a range of platforms
Ability to use industry-relevant animation software and game engines, with an emphasis on virtual, augmented and mixed reality
Critical thinking and application of logic to proposed design solutions.

Opportunities to apply your learning are available in this major through team-based projects, entrepreneurship courses, and the use of dedicated hands-on product innovation spaces.

Where might Applied Immersive Game Design graduates be employed?

Many graduates in this rapidly expanding area are self-employed and working on the design and commercialisation of their own product ideas.
Existing game development companies are looking for well-qualified graduates with advanced technical skills.
Typically, small start-up companies benefit from ‘all-rounders’ who can work on a wide range of activities, from technical aspects through to marketing and customer support.
As the applications of virtual, augmented and mixed reality grow, we expect many companies will look for graduates with broad skills and a user-centred approach to game design. Growth areas are expected in the areas of: entertainment, industrial, retail, tourism, education, medical and rehabilitation, behavioural intervention, and robotics.

Graduates with this degree will have a broad range of skills that can be applied in a variety of roles. Graduates will be prepared to take novel gaming ideas to commercial implementation.

Note: Some of the jobs listed may require postgraduate study. See the ‘Further study’ section.

Examples:

Applied immersive game designer / consultant

Researches a client’s brief, an organisational or social need, or a gap in the market
Designs, produces and tests a prototype
Investigates patents and commercialises the product
Creates new and improved version releases User interface (UI) designer
Creates web and mobile application interfaces that are user-friendly
Communicates requirements to other developers, designers and writers
Improves usability and desirability to showcase all the product features
Develops interface concepts, prototypes, user flows and final design
Solves problems and ensures correct implementation

Product manager

Manages a specific product or line of products that are already in the market
Coordinates the production of a finished prototype
Oversees operations and logistics
Handles product enquiries, complaints, orders

Marketing or sales manager

Conducts market research into product usage and audience preferences
Analyses performance of existing products or identifies new requirements
Communicates intelligence to designers and managers to inform product changes
Markets the products, develops new business opportunities and increases sales

Product design manager / senior designer

Manages technical design staff
Leads the product design function
Leads business initiatives on new products
Manages budgets, staff and processes

Entrepreneur and CEO

Develops an idea, product or service to form their own business
Gets involved in a start-up
Offers their skills or services as a freelancer or consultant

Get started with Entrepreneurship here.

As they progress in their studies and into a career, students and graduates often join professional bodies or organisations relevant to their area of interest. These organisations often provide regular communications and offer the opportunity to network with others within the same community.

Social media networks such as LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter can provide avenues to keep up-to-date with industry knowledge, networking opportunities, events and job vacancies.