It’s easy to see why people fall in love with games. They offer a temporary escape from reality: you could be fighting pirates, escaping a car chase, exploring a fantasy land or flying a spaceship. You name it. But what’s even more interesting is how the world you escape to came about. Who’s behind that imaginary land you visit?
The answer: game designers, artists and programmers. With the right training, that could be you.
How Does JMC Prepare You?
Turning your love of games into a career might sound like a long shot, but it’s more achievable than you think. If you’ve ever put down the controller and wondered whether you could build a world of your own, JMC Academy is the place to scratch that itch and turn your imagination into something tangible. In the Bachelor of Creative Arts (Game Design), you’ll start by building a foundation across both Game Art and Game Development (Programming). The course runs over two years full-time (accelerated) at our Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney campuses.
Why both? Az Valastro, Senior Lecturer in Games & Animation at JMC Academy, explains: 'Being a Game Designer on its own is a tough ask in industry, and having a secondary skillset is extremely important to ensure that you are able to have a sustainable creative career.' That’s why we focus on developing more than just one skill.
As you move through the course, you’ll choose a stream to specialise in. You might lean into the creative side, designing characters, environments and visual assets, or dive into the technical side, working with code, gameplay systems and engine development. Either way, you’ll graduate with a clear specialty backed by a broader skillset, which is exactly what makes you industry-ready.
At JMC, we are dedicated to supporting students and connecting them with industry. This year, we took PITCHFORK, created by JMC Academy Game Design alumnus James Berkelmans, to PAX Aus 2026, where it was showcased to players and industry professionals. Watching people crowd around a screen to play your game is the kind of moment every developer works towards. James is one of many JMC alumni who have built careers in the games industry. Find out where the course could take you by exploring our Game Design career outcomes.
Senior Lecturer Advice
Still wondering if chasing a career in games is a little crazy? Az doesn’t think so:
'If you are someone who wants to make games, and has a real passion and dedication to it, you will make them anyway, whether as a hobbyist or professional, so you may as well learn and build connections and community through study!'
Ready to Build Your World?
Pursuing higher education in game design can be a rewarding experience. It’s about taking the passion you already have and giving it the skills, structure and community to become a real career. If you’re ready to stop just playing in other people’s worlds and start creating your own, explore the Bachelor of Creative Arts (Game Design) at JMC Academy and take your first step into the industry.
Check out our Game Design student showcase.