Thread: Game Designer vs Game Programmer

Thinking about the fact that I'm learning AI programming just so I can get a job as a game designer, I searched a little hoping to find out who exactly one is.

From my first try, I found out that Blizzard is looking for this. I was surprised that they did not ask for any programming or related skills explicitly.

Here, a Game Designer tells a little about his job, and how

if you have no direct experience, probably the best route into the industry, and game design in particular, is via a developer or publisher QA department.

But you will also find fulfilling promisses of eternal joy like

Imagine having a high paying job with flexible hours where you can wear jeans to work and play games all day. Welcome to the world of video game design!

... and how by reading a book you can ace an interview.
These things seem to take the serious of a profession that if we really look into it, is still not consolidated, where many ( or most ) succesfull Game Designers have started as programmers, book writters and such.
Here where I live, in Brasil, Game Design faculties have just started, and I am wondering if it is a viable option as a career.

Of course, just as anything else, you have to be good at what you do in order to succeed, but what is the reality of a starting Game Designer?
I know I definitely like reading more about Game Design theory, Philosophy, Psychology, literature than understanding linked lists and matrices, but is there really a choice?

Maybe I should ask John Romero about this on his orkut
Any insight is welcome.

Edit: If anyone is interested, here is an article on gamasutra ( needs free registration ) showing how a Game Designer can benefit from other sciences.