The role of designer works quite differently depending on the company you're working for. At Sigil, for area/dungeon design, designers will usually create a very basic layout and then write about the area. This get's submitted to art who will concept it based on the designers writing and then they will build the area. The designers then populate a finished area/dungeon with npc's, quests, interractive objects, etc. At other companies, the level designers will often be working in the editor actually placing meshes. It all depends on how the company has decided to do things.

In terms of breaking into the industry, artists and coders are usually in pretty high demand, but that isn't the only way to get in. I was a business major in college and started my career in CS/sales/management. When I decided to switch to the games industry, I applied for a GM spot at Monolith. A HUGE number of people currently at Sigil got their start as a GM.

If you're interested in Design, especially in the MMO world, any creative writing experience can be a huge help. Work on a novel, write pen & paper campaigns, become a wizard on a MUD.

If you really want it, don't give up. Just be willing to get your foot in the door in any way you can. CS, testing, office assistant, anything. Also, being willing to move half way across the country is a must.

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