Hello,
I have just finished a 2 years’ formations in computer science, so I have 6 months of nothing (I repeat a semester, that's why I finish on February) and I have the opportunity to try to enter in a level designer formation, this formation prepares to be a level designer and a game designer assistant, so the course is cut in two part, one for learn the basics of game design and the other for learn the level design. The registration is in two parts, the first one is to make a portfolio for June and send it to the university, the second one is to make an interview.
So I decided to spend my next four months working on my portfolio. And that's why I make this post, I’m a complete beginner in the level design field so I begin by looking at some job ads. The first thing that I saw was obviously that you had to be able to use a level editor, like Unity Udk, etc... But I was quite surprised that the studios not looking for someone who uses a level editor in particular, I guess it's because if you master one level editor you can use the others easily (like with programming languages in some way). I have never really touch a level editor before and I read that unity was one of the most easier to use for the beginner. So I will begin by learning how to use Unity, do you know some well-made tutorials?
The second thing that was quite interesting in those ads was that they search for people who have an artistic sense. I suppose that they want someone who know how to bring out some element of the level by using lights, placements, etc ... So I would like to know if you have some reading advise on the subject. I would like to read about game design too, I think that I know basically what is game design (ways to make player learn things and to give him the envy to continue playing) but I can't really see what is a typical game designer week, what are his tasks on the development of the game. For me the biggest part of the game designer work is in the conception phase. The final objective will be to create concept and prototype and so I would like to **read about ways to present a game concept and prototype** too.
For conclude I would like to know you've try to do an online game jam, if it was a good experience. I think it will be the best way to work my skills and my English.