SAE Bachelor of Interactive Entertainment alumnus Jair Wallace decided to pursue a career as a games designer and developer after realising it was the perfect mix of his passion for visual design, problem solving, music composition and 3D modelling.

What inspired you to enter into the career you’re in?
Prior to studying video game design I was working as a freelance graphic designer, having studied design a few years earlier. I realised the typical design process was not fulfilling enough alone and that video games combined all my creative passions into one outlet. My passion for visual design, problem solving, music composition and 3D modelling could all be directed towards one end goal.

What are your fondest memories of your time at SAE?
The best memories I have of my time at SAE are my interactions with other students and lecturers. With so many like minded people surrounding you at all times, you can’t help but be inspired and guided to new and exciting ideas on a daily basis.

Are you able to shed some light on how studying at SAE lead you to where you are now?
Studying at SAE allowed me to discover what opportunities there were in the video game industry and where I might fit in the video game creative process. I now work user interface and experience designer for mobile strategy games. My training in popular video game engines and creative problem solving while at SAE have been integral to my smooth transition into a medium sized studio environment while learning the unique process here.

What are your career highlights?
My career highlights so far have involved shipping two mobile titles that tens of thousands of people are engaging with every day. Knowing that the decisions you make have a very real effect on an ever shifting economy and social system is exciting, challenging and scary. When you pull off a feature, it really feels great to see your audience receiving it well.

What projects are you working on at the moment?
At the moment the bulk of my attention is directed toward ‘Orcs vs Knights: Heroes of War”, made by ‘Twiitch’, a mid size studio based here in Melbourne. I am responsible for the design and execution of user interface systems as well as core multiplayer battle systems. Aside from that I work as a freelance writer for a video game publication named ‘Another Dungeon’, my own personal interactive projects and a few books in the works. The curse of a game developer is having your hand in so many pies!

What advice would you give to students aspiring to become successful in their field?
The key to succeeding in any field, is to immerse yourself in what you are passionate about 24/7. If you love what you’re doing, you will never feel like you’re working and you will always be inspired to create and discover. While studying or working it can become difficult to see past the immediate task at hand and understand how it benefits you in the long run, but as long as you always keep your passion alive with manageable side projects alongside your workload, you can always find a way to make it work.