Best Options for Proto-Game Designers?

I'm teaching at NIU TIme Arts and I get asked a lot iof we teach "Video Game Design". Of course we don't directly but we do indirectly. We teach 3d and 2D animation, interactive deisgn and most importantly - critical thinking skills. This recent article from Game Career Guide does a good job setting out some of the advantages and disadvantages of going to the 'Game Schools'.

Link to article

I like this bit especially:

"What I mean is this: If the only thing you've done is gone to game school, chances are small game developers will see your experience as being too limited for their line of work. Small game development studios need employees who can do a little bit of everything and whose experiences will bring new information and ideas to the table. They fear that game graduates -- especially those who went directly from high school to game school -- have little to no life experience and work experience, and are in essence a bit parochial. "

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