Key Pointers for People Exploring A Career in Game Art

 

A Creative Industry Cliche

“I was just ___ years old when I started practicing digital art.” While this is a cliché, it has been proven true in the creative industries. Artists who have started out young are generally ahead in their craft than others. Here are some things you can do to enhance your talents and sharpen your skills to get ahead of the curve and jumpstart your career in the Digital Arts :

 

1. Learn How To Draw Like a Professional

If you’re passionate about drawing, this step should come easily. Paying attention to better artists and studying their work is vital. Total beginners can start with the following :

·         YouTube - Learning through YouTube video tutorials by hobbyists and artists – this step requires minimal cost, and the tutorials popular on YouTube are generally made for beginners in mind.

·         Local Art Class. Enrolling in a local art class or school is a safer and better way to build your skills as you’re guided by a tutor who can ensure you’re learning the right skills in the right manner.

Do take note, whether you’re a beginner or have some experience in drawing, the key (as with any form of art) is constant improvement via practice.

2. Learn How To Use The Software

In the technology-driven gaming industry, having drawing skills alone will only take you so far. Knowing your way around software like Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator is essential too.

While these are popular platforms for making 2D art, for 3D art you’d need to have a firm grasp on tools like Maya and 3ds Max.

Whether you aspire to be a 2D artist or have a penchant for 3D art forms, learning the software is a must. How you do it is a matter of choice. There are online tutorials for each that can be a good start. Taking professional online courses is another great way of becoming proficient in the software.

3. What Kind Of Art Would You Like To Do?

“Game artist” is quite an unspecific and a general term, as the role is multi-faceted (3D modellers, concept artists, art directors all can be referred to as “Game artists”).

However, it’s important to pick one role and excel at it rather than being a generalist. Which aspect or game artistry is it that you want to learn, do and be the best at?

Here are some of the different (and the most common) art positions you can find in a studio:

·         Concept Artist

·         Environmental Artist

·         2D Animator

·         Character Artist

·         Character Animator

·         Level Designer

·         3D Generalist Artist

·         Lead Animator

·         FX Animator

·         2D Texture Artist

·         3D Animator

·         User Interface Artist

4. Enrol In a Certificate Program.

Pursuing formal education is not necessary to land a job as a game artist, however it is the path which guarantees a base level of technical competency and skills necessary for any job in the field, and hence is the safest option. Programs by established entities such as MAGES Institute and its Concept Art Course are high quality certification programs which provide the know-how to excel in the Game Art field.

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