Game Design Lecturer: Teach, Prototype & Playtest

AIE, Academic Institute of Excellence; Midrand; On-site; ZAR 350,000 - 550,000; Full time

Job summary

The Academic Institute of Excellence (AIE) invites applications for a Game Design Lecturer in the School of Art and Design. You will help students conceive, prototype, test and refine games and interactive experiences, linking creative design with technical implementation to deliver playable projects.

The role includes teaching, assessment, invigilation, and curriculum development across Higher Certificate and undergraduate programmes up to third-year level, with emphasis on foundations,

Qualifications

• Relevant undergraduate degree and Honours in Game Design, Digital Arts, Game Development, Interactive Media or related field. Master’s preferred.
• Portfolio of playable projects and demonstrated design reasoning with implemented mechanics and iteration.
• Practical competence in a game engine (Unity or equivalent) with scripting or visual scripting.
• Ability to teach and assess at the assigned academic level; teaching qualification advantageous.
• Professional game design experience; knowledge of game art pipelines and UI/UX; accessibility.
• Ability to use learning management systems and maintain records; meet deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and deliver lectures, demonstrations, studio sessions and tutorials aligned with module outcomes and academic level.
• Prepare briefs and marking rubrics before projects begin, stating outcomes, submission requirements, criteria and resources. Set and mark assessments, provide constructive feedback, participate in moderation and invigilate as scheduled.
• Monitor attendance and progress, identify students at risk, provide appropriate academic support and refer concerns through institutional channels.
• Develop and review learning resources and curricula with colleagues. Integrate contextual studies, research, critical reflection, academic integrity and responsible use of creative and digital resources.
• Maintain accurate attendance, assessment and moderation records using institutional systems and the learning management system. Meet academic deadlines and contribute to programme meetings, interdisciplinary work and community engagement.
• Game design foundations: Game analysis, player experience, mechanics, rules, systems, progression, challenge, balance and ethical design.
• Interactive storytelling and worlds: Narrative, characters, world building, level design, interaction design, user interfaces and accessibility.
• Prototyping and implementation: Paper and digital prototypes, game engines, interactive systems, basic scripting, implementation of mechanics and iterative development.
• Game art and production: Characters, environments, props, 2D and 3D assets, asset integration, production planning, playtesting, optimisation and final builds.
• Guide students from a game concept and design documentation to playable prototypes, structured playtesting and refined outcomes.
• Teach implementation in an appropriate game engine, including introductory scripting or visual scripting; teach deeper programming where supported by the assigned curriculum and expertise.
• Coordinate collaborative projects with art and animation disciplines, helping students manage assets, versions, scope and individual contributions.
• Maintain current discipline knowledge through relevant research, creative practice and professional development; support student portfolios and final presentations.

Skills

Game design

Curriculum development

Prototyping

Scripting basics

Communication

Education

Honours in Game Design

Master's degree preferred

Bachelor's degree in related field

Tools

Unity

3D asset workflows

LMS systems

Job description

The Academic Institute of Excellence (AIE) invites applications for a Game Design Lecturer in the School of Art and Design. You will help students conceive, prototype, test and refine games and interactive experiences, linking creative design with technical implementation to deliver playable projects.

The role includes teaching, assessment, invigilation, and curriculum development across Higher Certificate and undergraduate programmes up to third-year level, with emphasis on foundations,