Computer Gaming Design and Development (FETAC level 5)

JenniFurr

Hi, I'm looking for advice about this course

Entrance to the course depends on a portfolio and I'm a little lost as to what exactly to provide in mine.

This course is aimed at individuals who are interested in pursuing a career in the computer games industry and address the demand for training in computer-games design and development.
This course is intended as a solid foundation for anyone interested in working in games design development. The course, introduces the techniques and concepts behind design and programming with applications to interactive entertainment in mind.
Entry to the course is based on a basic leaving certificate or equivalent, an interview and a portfolio. The portfolio can include animations, artwork, multimedia – it is important that candidates display, above all, an interest and enthusiasm for games development.

I'm sorted for artwork but as this is a level 5 and an evening course I'm a bit confused as to the level of experience they want shown in programming. I basically have none but have wanted to learn for quite a long time and assumed this would be a great start. I thought because it is a low level course there would be no experience necessary. Now I feel like my assumption was quite wrong. I don't have experience with producing multimedia projects. I feel like this course may start at a point which is already over my head.

Does anyone have any experience in applying for this type of course? Can anyone maybe suggest applications I could take a look into? I could take a stab at multimedia stuff but it'd really help if someone pointed me in the right direction. Any help would be appreciated since I've tried contacting the school but haven't be able to get speaking to someone involved in the course.

Also I'm sorry if I should have posted this in Computers & Technology forum but I thought it was more of an education type thread.

spurious

Download Scratch and make something in it.
It's very simple to use.

looksee

I can only speak from my own interviewing experience, but nothing too complex is required. Level 5 starts from first principles so it does not anticipate that you will have a lot of specific skills. What they are looking for is intelligent interest. If you have at least looked at animation programs, if you can name a couple is a good start. If you can show that you have enough interest to have drawn characters, thought out plot angles, actually done something, no matter how simple; unless they specify something else, that is the kind of basic knowledge they will be looking for.

The kind of conversation that will not do you any good is
'so why do you want to do this course?'
'Well I have always been interested in computers'
'What do you use your computer for?'
'I play games and talk to my friends'
'And do you have any graphics programs?'
'Er, facebook?'

JenniFurr

spurious wrote: »

Download Scratch and make something in it.
It's very simple to use.

Thanks spurious, will look into scratch.

looksee wrote: »

I can only speak from my own interviewing experience, but nothing too complex is required. Level 5 starts from first principles so it does not anticipate that you will have a lot of specific skills. What they are looking for is intelligent interest. If you have at least looked at animation programs, if you can name a couple is a good start. If you can show that you have enough interest to have drawn characters, thought out plot angles, actually done something, no matter how simple; unless they specify something else, that is the kind of basic knowledge they will be looking for.

The kind of conversation that will not do you any good is
'so why do you want to do this course?'
'Well I have always been interested in computers'
'What do you use your computer for?'
'I play games and talk to my friends'
'And do you have any graphics programs?'
'Er, facebook?'

I'm not too bad with interviews and was planning to bone up to sound at least a bit informed but you put my mind at ease there. Will heed your advice.