Are you a game designer at Relic, Radical, Piranha, Rockstar, or other local studio?

Hello,

I would like to converse with as many local game designers as possible, in order to obtain some advice on how to best seek out a game designer position with one of the local development studios.

To briefly introduce myself, I have over four years' experience in software development, building Web and desktop applications, and another four years' experience in systems administration and integration. I hold a Bachelor of Arts degree (Psychology), and I attended the Electronic Game Art and Design Foundation program at CDIS/AI Vancouver - Burnaby. I have contributed as a designer to a prominent volunteer project, Ultima V: Lazarus (u5lazarus.com).

I have attempted to transition to the games industry by applying for programming positions, but my efforts have not met with any success. Game design is my true passion, and perhaps it is best if I focus solely in that area.

What I could really use is some guidance or direction from game designers who are employed at local development studios as to how I can best prepare an application for a game developer position. There is obviously no way that I can have "at least one shipped 'AAA' console title" under my belt, but perhaps if I can put together a strong enough portfolio, I might be successful. Any advice or direction would be very much appreciated.

Thanks,
Chris