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Mark Symanski, Lead Game Designer / Creative Director on Notable Men

FOUNDER TO THE PROFILE

Mark Symanski

Lead Game Designer / Creative Director, Time Infinite Games LLC

“I attribute my success to the life skills I developed through self-taught graphic design and early business experience gained while working with a friend. Those experiences taught me how to think creatively, solve problems, adapt to new challenges, and understand the business side of creative work. These skills have remained invaluable throughout my career across multiple industries, including video game design, card games, and wargames.”

BASED IN
Visalia, CA 93291
INDUSTRY
Game Design and Development

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About

Mark Symanski is a Lead Game Designer and Creative Director at Time Infinite Games LLC, bringing approximately 20 years of experience in the game industry and 25 years of experience in graphic design. His professional journey began when he first pursued opportunities in the video game industry in his early twenties, a time when limited opportunities made entering the field particularly challenging. After spending several years as a retail manager with GameStop, he developed valuable industry knowledge and customer insights that helped inform his transition into board game and card game design. His extensive graphic design background has also provided a strong creative foundation for his work in game development, writing, branding, and music production.
Throughout his career, Symanski has built his expertise through hands-on experience, self-directed learning, and leadership. He draws on 20 to 25 years of management experience and leads by example, emphasizing adaptability, problem-solving, and continuous improvement. He attributes much of his success to the life skills developed through self-taught graphic design and early business experience gained through a venture with a friend, which became invaluable across the various industries and creative disciplines he has pursued. His education includes an Associate of Arts in Commercial and Advertising Art from the International Academy of Design and Technology, and he earned Microsoft's Fundamentals of UI/UX Design certification in 2024. He also received a scholarship to the Think Like a Game Designer masterclass, where he was recognized as one of the top participants.
One of Symanski's notable recent accomplishments is the development of Fury of the Elements, his first card game, which he completed in approximately nine months while working on it during weekends. The project has progressed through extensive playtesting and development as he prepares it for release, while additional games and expansions are also in development through Time Infinite Games. His approach to game design reflects his belief in creativity, iteration, and listening to the audience while maintaining a clear creative vision. He encourages those entering the industry to stay focused, embrace negative feedback as an opportunity to improve, and find ways to turn criticism into positive outcomes without sacrificing their goals or vision.

Key Areas Of Focus

  • 01. Board Game Design
  • 02. Card Game Design
  • 03. Graphic Design
  • 04. Writing
  • 05. Music Production

IN HIS OWN WORDS

The Q and A

  1. 01

    What do you attribute your success to?

    I attribute my success to the life skills I developed through self-taught graphic design and early business experience gained while working with a friend. Those experiences taught me how to think creatively, solve problems, adapt to new challenges, and understand the business side of creative work. These skills have remained invaluable throughout my career across multiple industries, including video game design, card games, and wargames.

  2. 02

    What advice would you give to young men entering your industry?

    My advice to young men entering my industry is to stay focused on your goals and remain open to feedback, even when it is negative. Criticism is inevitable, but it can be a valuable opportunity to learn, improve, and refine your work. Find ways to turn negative feedback into positive outcomes by understanding what people want while still staying true to your own goals, creative vision, and values.

  3. 03

    What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?

    I believe some of the biggest opportunities in my field exist at the intersection of technology, human connection, and adaptability. Artificial intelligence and emerging technologies are creating new ways for businesses and professionals to improve efficiency, make better decisions, personalize experiences, and solve complex problems, while human qualities such as creativity, leadership, empathy, communication, critical thinking, and relationship building remain essential. I also see significant opportunities for those willing to continuously learn, reinvent themselves, explore new industries, and apply their experience in new ways. Technology has lowered many barriers to entrepreneurship, making it easier for individuals with strong ideas and specialized expertise to build brands, reach audiences, and develop partnerships. At the same time, personal visibility and thought leadership have become increasingly valuable, as establishing credibility and clearly communicating your expertise can create opportunities for leadership, collaboration, business development, speaking, and media exposure. Ultimately, I believe those who embrace change while continuing to focus on solving real problems, creating value, building trust, learning, and helping others succeed will be well positioned to navigate the opportunities ahead.

  4. 04

    What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?

    The values that matter most to me are integrity, authenticity, accountability, empathy, perseverance, and continuous growth. Integrity is foundational because I believe a strong reputation is built through the decisions you make when no one is watching. I strive to be honest, keep my commitments, take responsibility for my decisions, and treat people fairly in both my professional and personal life. Authenticity is equally important, as I believe the strongest leaders understand who they are, what they bring to the table, and where they still have room to grow. I also value accountability and approach relationships and business with honesty rather than trying to create an image that is not genuine. Finally, I believe in perseverance and continuous growth because setbacks are inevitable, and the ability to remain focused, adapt, learn, and continue moving forward is essential to long-term success.

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