An interview with TIGA’s BTEC Learner of the Year

Congratulations to Bryony Larson who was crowned TIGA’s BTEC Learner of the Year at this year’s Games Industry Awards.

Now studying at university, she sat down with us to share her experience of studying games development at Leeds City College.

Tell us about yourself

Hi, I’m Bryony! I studied Games Development BTEC Diploma Level 3 at Leeds City College and I’m currently studying the same subject at the University of Staffordshire, with a focus on programming. 

I’ve been playing games since I was seven – mainly on the Wii and Nintendo DS before moving on to PC games. My favourite games are OMORI, Stardew Valley and Apex Legends!

What inspired your interest in games development?

I’ve been curious about how games were made since I was a child. I used to watch indie game development logs on YouTube, believing it was a form of dark magic that only geniuses could harness. Games development seemed so complicated that I could never picture doing it myself.

During my GCSEs, however, I began to seriously think about what I should pursue career-wise. Deep down, all I wanted was to work with computers and do something creative. 
Finding the games development course at Leeds City College allowed me to specialise in the subject early, rather than doing so at university level. It was one of the best decisions I’ve made and put me on the right path to working in the games industry.

What did your BTEC involve?

My first year of college introduced me to different games development fields, such as concept art, 3D modelling, sound design, programming and working in-engine, specifically Unity and Unreal Engine 4 and 5.

My course offered plenty of opportunities to experiment with these fields, which was really helpful when it came to choosing what I wanted to specialise in for my second year. Despite leaning towards 3D modelling – my best subject – I chose programming because I found it the most difficult. I challenged myself to better my understanding of it. 

As a result, I grew to enjoy the problem-solving process that comes with programming and now aspire to become a games programmer.

How did you become TIGA’s BTEC Learner of the Year?

Although I’d generally heard about TIGA as an organisation at various game industry events, I discovered the opportunity to apply for the TIGA awards at college. To enter the competition, I needed to submit a video showreel demonstrating my best work from college.

I decided to submit projects that demonstrated various skills, such as 3D modelling, level design, narrative writing and programming. I wanted to showcase my experimentation with different areas of game development over my two years of college and how I improved in those areas.

Has there been a teacher or mentor who’s inspired you?

In my second year there were times when I lost confidence in myself and suffered from ‘impostor syndrome’. The nature of programming means you inevitably face challenges along the way that can take days or even weeks to solve. There were times when I thought I wasn’t built for a career as a programmer. 

Thankfully, all of my teachers were extremely supportive and their encouragement helped me to stay resilient and not give up. My course leader, Peter, talked things through with me and provided a mental push during rough patches where my confidence and motivation was at rock-bottom. 

I would highly recommend the BTEC games development course – not only for its course material, but also for how helpful and genuine the tutors are.

What advice would you give to aspiring games developers?

For those starting out, I would say that even if you feel daunted by how much there is to learn, keep practising. Attend classes, watch YouTube tutorials and experiment at home. As with any other career path, game development isn’t solely about the stuff you learn but also determination and ambition.

Any advice for aspiring female games developers worried about working in the industry?

I would say that, while I understand their hesitancy, female developers are out there. Anyone who enjoys gaming and wants to contribute to a game in the future, should definitely consider [games] development as a career option. 

The industry is evolving and becoming more inclusive by the day. Plus, there are so many organisations nowadays supporting women to start their careers.
Games development comprises three main areas (art, design and programming), so you’re bound to find a role that suits you. And if it’s not for you in the end, you’ve still learnt transferable skills for other industries. Good luck!