Sheridan Game Design senpai, help me!

An unofficial, informal blog created by some students of Game Design at Sheridan College. Ask us for advice about the portfolios or anything related to BGD! If it's something common, try reading the FAQ first, or search for it using the searchbox. We can get busy with our work, but we try to reply when we have time. Good luck! ACCEPTED PORTFOLIOS: All | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017

[ask-sgd]

How long did it take to make your portfolio? I didn't realize how many requirements there were, and I have to complete it by the end of Feburary, so I've only got about a month and a half to do it.

It really depends on the person. It took me around 2-3 months, but I had a little advantage because I had works that fit some of the requirements from previous projects. It really helps to look at the Game Design program’s sample portfolio requirements beforehand – they might be slightly different than the portfolio requirements you will be sent after you apply, but they are a really good reference to get you an early headstart.

[ask-sgd]

Hello, I wish to study in Sheridan game design but I'm currently studying diploma in animation. I would like to ask if for the enrollment portfolio there is needed to have a prototype game or whether I can do without it and whether there are other factors they look out for in portfolios. I found accepted Sheridan animation portfolios online but I can't seem to find game design ones. Sorry for being so wordy. Any advice would help. Thank you! :)

(Copypasting from the FAQ)

This is a sample of what the portfolio requirements look like. Take note this is just a reference for the general format, since the portfolio requirements may change a little bit from year to year.

When you apply, you will receive a PDF with the exact portfolio requirements. This will also include instructions on how/where to pay for the review fee and submit your portfolio.

[ask-sgd]

I want to thank you all sooooo much for starting this blog!!! On a side note, what are some advice/tips and tricks that you’d like to share for Sheridan’s VGD bachelors? Thank you in advance :D

No problem!

The 2 biggest pieces of advice I always like to talk about are (1) be a team player, and (2) remember you aren't making your dream game.

1. A lot of times, within and outside of school, you'll be in teams that are less than perfect. Maybe too many people have the same skillset, or maybe nobody has the one skillset your team needs. Maybe all of your team has strong opinions and loud voices. Learning to adjust your work ethic accordingly is REALLY important, and being a team player (no matter the team) is a difficult but amazing skill to have.

2. In the program, we make a lot of little games. We make games in any length of time, from 2 days to 8 months. Either way, it's not the 2+ years you need for your dream game, especially after classes and electives. I like to think of the program as training to get me into the workforce, and once I'm here, I can make my dream game on the side -- but that's just me. :)

[ask-sgd]

Hey, I just got accepted into Sheridan... Does anyone have any first hand experiences with getting transfer credits they can share?

You can only transfer elective credits unless the courses you did are the same in content/code as Sheridan’s BGD courses. They don’t compare content by default, however, only code. If the credits are able to be transferred without any extra work, it will happen automatically in the system.

You’d probably have to have someone from the OTR look into it for you on a case by case basis if you want other credits transferred. I don’t know if they will or can do this now, though.

In my case, I wasn’t able to transfer any of my previous art credits despite BGD having several of them, because “the content was too different”. I was told because they had different course codes, they couldn’t be compared in terms of content, despite both being Sheridan courses (note: they were animation credits, if it applies to anybody out there. You would think they’d accept those, but apparently not).

M

[ask-sgd]

It says that first and second year game design students can’t add classes online so where do we do it

You cannot add classes to your timetable online regardless of year for BGD, only swap empty elective slots with actual electives (that aren’t full).

If you want to change your timetable, you have to organize it with the OTR. They prefer people to make appointments and come in person, but it’s possible to make changes over email or the phone depending on what you need from them. Also, I believe now they require the program coordinator’s approval on timetable swaps.

M

[ask-sgd]

How many people applied

Not sure. It’s not something the profs usually tell us, but it could be around 400-500 people

-Jen

[ask-sgd]

Why was the acceptance grade so low

Sometimes if not enough people are accepted with the set acceptance grade, they’ll lower the grade to fill the classes. This happened with the previous two years as well.

-Jen

[ask-sgd]

When do they mail the results usually .... Thankyou~

You’ll probably hear from Sheridan around late March/early April!

Good luck!

-Jen

[ask-sgd]

Where do students post their work? Tumblr seems scarce and googling it doesn't give much for tags. Do people use other social media to post stuff?

Students in our program generally show off their works on itch.io, which lets you post your games and prototypes for free, and sometimes post WIPs on twitter.

By the way, a lot of game devs use twitter. In fact it’s unusual if they don’t have a twitter account, so I recommend getting one and getting the hang of it. 

-Jen

[ask-sgd]

Hello! Do you know where I can find someone to asses my portfolio before I submit it. Thank you for your help

There’s no portfolio reviews done at Sheridan outside of review sessions that typically take place in November or December. Sorry! Good luck though!

Jen

[ask-sgd]

Which would be the best (not too expensive) computer for me to use while attending Sheridan? Which one(s) most students use?

We’re not required to buy computers for our program, as the school provides labs that are fully equipped for our needs. 

If you still want to buy a computer, I suggest trying to find a gaming computer that fits within your budget. Just don’t feel like you absolutely have to get one though. Plenty of students didn’t buy computers for the program.

Jen

[ask-sgd]

How many people applied for the next program?

We don’t know. Based on previous years, there maybe around 400 to 500 applicants, but it may have gone higher or lower this year.

Jen

[ask-sgd]

How long it takes for me to know if I get accepted?

You’ll probably find out around end of March, early April. Good luck!

Jen

[ask-sgd]

Would 3D Models help you get a good assessment score? I do mostly 2D stuff. I'm worried that if I don't do anything 3D, I have a lesser chance of getting in .

What you put in your portfolio doesn't matter so long as you're following the requirements and you can justify the reason why each portfolio piece belongs in a game design portfolio. 2D or 3D art makes little difference otherwise. -Jen

[ask-sgd]

Could you give me an example of 'rationale' Suppose I include a 3d sculpt, then what should the rationale be? Should I include the name of the software, render engine or the face that whether it's rigged and UV unwrapped or not?

the rationale is an explanation of each piece of your portfolio, so yes it would be ideal to include the software and such! but the key factor is how it connects with game design, so don’t forget to explain that too.

for examples, we all did brief explanations for each of our pieces in our portfolios so those might be helpful! 

- viv

[ask-sgd]

Heyyo I just had a q about whether it's better to have a game sample made in a short amount of time, or if having the components of a game that are strong samples is better? Eg animation, 3d models, strong digital art, game assets. Is it not better to show best work? Or does it not matter as long as you make a game on a game engine it will weigh more towards better grade? Ty ty

To the asker: apologies for not posting this answer sooner - it was drafted during the college faculty strike.

Definitely put your best foot forward! On the Sheridan website, you can see a sample of the admission and portfolio requirements that will more or less be similar to the one you will be sent after you apply for the program.

In the Portfolio & Rationale part, you’ll see different categories like game mods, design sketches, and art assets. I would recommend choosing the ones you are most comfortable and confident with, instead of forcing yourself to use a game engine you may have less experience with.

-Kristy

Show the work you consider to be the best representation of your abilities. For this purpose, it’s typically better to spend more time with the components you know are good rather than to hastily throw together something complicated or unfamiliar just to try to impress. I would aim for multiple strong pieces to showcase your variety of talents.

Also: there’s a link to the sample portfolio requirements PDF hosted on the Sheridan College website on our F.A.Q. page. It would be best to closely refer to the actual requirements when creating your application portfolio. Good luck!

M

[ask-sgd]

Will Sheridan help me get a decent job after graduation? I've read many negative comments on colleges that offer game development course, most of the graduates Indicated that it wasn't worth the money at all.

Remember that reviews of any sort are always going to be subjective and won’t apply to everybody, so take them with a grain of salt. Also keep in mind that no college can guarantee a job after graduation, since most of the work is done on the student’s part.

In terms of game development courses, it’s likely to be mixed due to this type of education being so new and nobody really knowing what to fully expect. This is especially true since these courses range from 1-year certificate to 4-year degree programs and vary widely in instruction. Sheridan College offers the latter with co-op in the 3rd year, which helps immensely with networking and experience for future job searches. The co-op department is always trying to help their students connect with potential employers, too, but they can’t control who is really serious about trying to get a job and who isn’t. Being part of an art industry that relies heavily on self-promotion, this is a really ‘you get what you give’ scenario, and where you give it counts.

tldr; There are a lot of connections to go around if you talk to the right people, but it’s always going to be the student’s responsibility to secure their own jobs, regardless of what comes their way. In the end, the value and immediacy of doing what you love as a career is always going to be up to you.