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Entry Level Game Designer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Athleta

Assistant Designer, Print

San Francisco, CA

$57K - $71K/yr

... game-changing products and experiences. We use business as a force for good by putting people and ... or entry-level roles included) in print, textile, or graphic design * Strong creative sensibility ...

Sunrun

Entry Level Sales Representative

Santa Ana, CA · On-site

$75K - $90K/yr

To do it, we're designing a dynamic culture where employee development, well-being, and safety come ... Attend weekly team meetings to elevate your game * Grow with Sunrun : Sharpen your skills, boost ...

Sunrun

Entry Level Sales Representative

Santa Ana, CA · On-site

$75K - $90K/yr

To do it, we're designing a dynamic culture where employee development, well-being, and safety come ... Attend weekly team meetings to elevate your game * Grow with Sunrun : Sharpen your skills, boost ...

Sunrun

Entry Level Sales Representative

Santa Ana, CA

$75K - $90K/yr

To do it, we're designing a dynamic culture where employee development, well-being, and safety come ... Attend weekly team meetings to elevate your game * Grow with Sunrun : Sharpen your skills, boost ...

Sunrun

Entry Level Sales Representative

Santa Ana, CA · On-site

$75K - $90K/yr

To do it, we're designing a dynamic culture where employee development, well-being, and safety come ... Attend weekly team meetings to elevate your game * Grow with Sunrun : Sharpen your skills, boost ...

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All JobsGame Designer JobsEntry Level Game Designer JobsEntry Level Game Designer Jobs in California

Entry Level Game Designer information

See California salary details

$46.4K

$154K

How much do entry level game designer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 27, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level game designer in California is $147,165.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $153,000.00 and $153,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Entry Level Game Designer vs Junior Game Developer?

AspectEntry Level Game DesignerJunior Game Developer
Required CredentialsDegree in game design, computer science, or related field; portfolioDegree in computer science, software engineering, or related; coding skills
Work EnvironmentDesign studios, game companies, remoteDevelopment teams, coding environments, collaborative
Industry UsageDesign-focused roles, concept creationProgramming, coding, implementing game features
Common Search IntentEntry level design roles, game design careersStarting coding roles, game development jobs

While both roles are entry-level positions in the game industry, an Entry Level Game Designer primarily focuses on creating game concepts, storylines, and gameplay mechanics. In contrast, a Junior Game Developer emphasizes coding, implementing features, and technical development. Both roles often require related degrees and are part of collaborative game development teams, but they serve different functions within the game creation process.

What Does an Entry-Level Game Designer Do?

A game designer is involved in creating the concept, story, and characters of a video game. While lead game designers are experienced professionals with previous experience, entry-level game designer jobs include positions such as level designer, video game artist, or programmer. The duties of an artist involve designing the game's visual elements, while level designers produce the story elements and gameplay mechanics. Programmers use existing game engines or frameworks to translate the artistic vision of their team into a playable game, and programming specialists may even create new game engines from scratch.

What does an entry level game designer do?

An entry level game designer assists in creating and developing the concepts, mechanics, and rules for video games. They often work on tasks such as designing levels, writing documentation, and helping to balance game play. Entry level designers typically collaborate with artists, programmers, and senior designers to implement features and ensure the game is fun and engaging. This role is a great starting point for those looking to build a career in the game industry, offering opportunities to learn from experienced professionals while contributing creative ideas.

What types of projects and tasks can an Entry Level Game Designer expect to work on during their first year?

As an Entry Level Game Designer, you’ll typically start by assisting senior designers with tasks such as brainstorming game concepts, designing levels, playtesting, and balancing gameplay mechanics. You may also be responsible for documenting design ideas, creating simple prototypes, and providing feedback on game features. Collaboration is key—you’ll work closely with artists, programmers, and producers to bring ideas to life, learn about the development pipeline, and gradually take on more responsibilities as you build experience. This hands-on involvement helps you develop a broad understanding of both creative and technical aspects of game development.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Entry Level Game Designer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Entry Level Game Designer, you need a solid understanding of game mechanics, creativity, problem-solving abilities, and a relevant degree or coursework in game design or a related field. Familiarity with industry-standard tools such as Unity or Unreal Engine, basic scripting, and prototyping software is often required. Strong communication, teamwork, and an eagerness to learn make candidates stand out in collaborative development environments. These skills and qualities are crucial for contributing to engaging games and integrating effectively within multidisciplinary teams.
More about Entry Level Game Designer jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Game Designer jobs in California? The most popular types of Game Designer jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Entry Level Game Designer jobs in California? For Entry Level Game Designer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Entry Level Game Designer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Entry Level Game Designer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Entry Level Game Designer jobs? Cities in California with the most Entry Level Game Designer job openings:
Entry Level Game Designer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Entry Level Game Designer job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 6% Locum Tenens, 81% Full Time, 8% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $147,165 per year, or $70.8 per hour.
Assistant Designer, Print

Assistant Designer, Print

Athleta

San Francisco, CA

$57K - $71K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 22 days ago

Job description

About Athleta

For the past 25 years, we’ve committed ourselves and our brand to a single aim: to empower all women and girls. Inspiration. Collaboration. Connection. Inclusivity. It’s what we do best, and we’re on the hunt for people who share our passion for leading an active lifestyle, growing personally as well as professionally, and creating game-changing products and experiences.

We use business as a force for good by putting people and the planet right up there with profit, which is why Athleta is a certified B Corp. Ready to make a move? Join us. Because we know that alone we’re strong, but together we’re unstoppable.

About the role

The Assistant Designer, Print supports the creation and execution of print and graphic concepts across Athleta product categories. This role sits within the Design team and partners closely with Concept, Product Development, and Merchandising to help bring seasonal concepts to life. Working under the guidance of the Surface Manager and Design leadership, this role contributes to artwork development, CADs, and technical setup while building foundational skills in the end-to-end print process from concept through commercialization.This role is ideal for someone who is highly creative, detail-oriented, and eager to learn and grow within a collaborative, fast-paced environment.

What you'll do
  • Support the Surface/Print Design team in the creation and development of original prints and graphics that reflect the Athleta brand and customer
  • Assist in translating seasonal concepts into print and graphic executions across product categories
  • Create and update CADs, repeat layouts, placement graphics, and colorways using Adobe Creative Suite under team direction
  • Partner with Color, Concept and Design teams to support alignment of artwork with seasonal palettes and product direction
  • Assist in preparing artwork packages and files for vendor communication and development
  • Support the review process of strike-offs and samples to help ensure print accuracy, scale, and color consistency
  • Maintain and organize digital whiteboard spaces (e.g., Miro), including seasonal boards, artwork submissions, and development tracking
  • Assist in building and maintaining digital libraries of print, graphic, and inspiration assets to support team access and creative development
  • Color match seasonal color palettes to printers and maintain calibration.
  • Support trend and market research focused on print, pattern, and graphic direction relevant to Athleta’s customer
  • Support in-season updates and help track multiple workstreams to meet key milestones
  • Collaborate with cross-functional partners including Product Development, Technical Design, and Production to support on-time delivery
  • Learn and adopt best practices for print development, file setup, and vendor communication through ongoing feedback and mentorship
Who you are
  • 1–3 years of relevant experience (internships or entry-level roles included) in print, textile, or graphic design
  • Strong creative sensibility with an understanding of print, pattern, and graphic design for apparel
  • Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop
  • Experience or interest in using generative AI tools (e.g., Fal, MidJourney, DALL·E, or similar) as part of the creative process
  • Familiarity with digital collaboration tools such as Miro, with an understanding of how to organize and maintain shared workspaces
  • Basic understanding of print repeats, placement graphics, and color application
  • Strong attention to detail, organization, and time management skills
  • Eagerness to learn, take direction, and grow within a collaborative team environment
  • Ability to manage multiple tasks and adapt in a fast-paced, deadline-driven setting
  • Strong communication skills and a proactive, positive attitude
  • Passion for Athleta’s brand, customer, and lifestyle

Salary Range: $57,500.00 - $71,900.00
Employee pay will vary based on factors such as qualifications, experience, skill level, competencies and work location. We will meet minimum wage or minimum of the pay range (whichever is higher) based on city, county and state requirements.

Benefits at Athleta
  • Merchandise discount for our brands: 50% off regular-priced merchandise at Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic and Athleta, and 30% off at Outlet for all employees.
  • One of the most competitive Paid Time Off plans in the industry.*
  • Employees can take up to five “on the clock” hours each month to volunteer at a charity of their choice.*
  • Extensive 401(k) plan with company matching for contributions up to four percent of an employee’s base pay.*
  • Employee stock purchase plan.*
  • Medical, dental, vision and life insurance.*
  • See more of the benefits we offer.

*For eligible employees

Gap Inc. is an equal-opportunity employer and is committed to providing a workplace free from harassment and discrimination. We are committed to recruiting, hiring, training and promoting qualified people of all backgrounds, and make all employment decisions without regard to any protected status. We have received numerous awards for our long-held commitment to equality and will continue to foster a diverse and inclusive environment of belonging. In 2022, we were recognized by Forbes as one of the World's Best Employers and one of the Best Employers for Diversity.

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