If you’ve ever taken an interest in video games and graphic design, then becoming a video game artist may be a great move in your career. This is a great profession for those who enjoy video games and have an imagination for art. If you’re interested in this field, here is everything you need to know about becoming a video game artist: what they do, how much you can expect to get paid, and how to get started.
What is a Video Game Artist?
A video game artist is responsible for bringing a game to life. They create the visual aspects of the game, which begins with photographic research, digital painting, and 3D modeling. They often create characters, the surrounding environment around them, creatures, weapons, menu screens, and more.
These designs may be modern and life-like, or they could be more classic and flat. The sketches set the tone for the game and are how the rest of the production team move forward with development. A video game artist is often the creative mind behind the game. This visual art creates the story and theme of each game, which is then elevated with other elements (such as sound, words, etc.) for completion.
Roles of a Video Game Artist
Video game artists are responsible for creating high-quality rough drafts of the art for the game. Since they are often the creative minds behind the game, the artists determine the theme and mood for the game should be with their visual art.
Before they complete their sketches, they often will do research and use it as reference for their drawing. They will also be responsible for portraying characters’ personalities that will affect the tone of the game. Their art may go through multiple rounds of revisions with the client until a final copy is agreed upon.
After the art portion is completed, they are responsible for working with the rest of the production crew for completion, such as directors, animators, developers, programmers, level designers, and more.
Average Pay for Video Game Artists
As technology continues to advance, the field of video game development continues to expand. As with any profession, you can expect the pay to vary based on location, education, experience, and more. According to ZipRecruiter, the average national salary for video game artists in the United States is $69,194. This equates to roughly $33.27 per hour, $1,331 per week, or $5,776 per month.
The widest range of annual salaries for a video game artist ranges from $16,500 to $143,000, but the more common pay grade ranges between $36,500 to $88,000. With this profession, there are typically many opportunities to increase your pay as you gain experience and skill.
How to Become a Video Game Artist
As the industry of video games grows, the demand for video game artists continues to grow, as well. The jobs in this industry can be highly competitive in larger cities, but having education and certain skill sets can give you a competitive advantage. If you follow these steps, then you will have the best chance at becoming a skilled video game artist and landing your dream job.
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Pursue Education
With this field of work being highly competitive, there’s no doubt that you’ll want to pursue some type of education. This will give you a competitive advantage against other applicants, and it may allow you to secure a higher paying specialization later. With so many options available, which is the right option for you?
Many people choose to pursue a game art degree, because going to college is the traditional course of action. The problem with attending a specific college for game design is that many people spend a large portion of life savings (or even go into debt) to get this degree that doesn’t fully prepare them for the real working world.
So, what is the better solution? For most people, choosing an online education program is a better alternative and a more low-cost option. Vertex School offers a Game Artist Program that totals 9 months in length. It will teach you everything you need to know about game art design, and it will also prepare you for actually securing a job in the field.
At Vertex School, you will not only learn basic skills, but you will also be able to specialize in games, film, XR, or the metaverse after completion. The program is entirely virtual, so you can access it from anywhere in the world. There are live class sessions and also pre-recorded videos available on demand. Along with these classes, there is also one on one live mentorship available for answering any questions you may have.
Not only can you expect a higher education than what you might receive from a college for game design, but you can also expect to spend roughly $90,000 less. You’ll complete the program with better knowledge and be fully prepared to secure your dream job by being paired with professionals in the industry.
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Create an Online Presence
After completing your game art certification, you should have the skills you need to secure a job in the field. The next step will be to create an online presence. Building your presence can help you join online gaming communities to market your art. This may include creating a website, social media accounts, or even freelancing accounts to get started. Building a presence will help potential clients find you, see your work, and hire you.
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Create a Portfolio
Having a portfolio is essential for any artist. This means you’ll create a collection of your best work for potential clients to view after they reach out to you. Most clients will require submission of a portfolio with any application. This will also help you show your style and skill sets.
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Build Your Network
Just like having an online presence is crucial, so is networking. It might be uncomfortable to put yourself out there in the beginning, but building a network of people who have seen your work will lead to more potential clients. You can attend video game conferences and continue to expand your knowledge. Try to create professional relationships with other designers and artists. You may also get some great advice along the way.
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Apply For Positions
Lastly, you’ll want to start applying for positions. Again, putting yourself out there will bring you the biggest opportunities when it comes to securing a job. You can reach out to the art department of video game companies or check the website of specific companies of interest to see if they have openings available. Even if they don’t, you can still send them an email with a cover letter and your portfolio for them to keep on file for the future.
Starting Your Career
Starting your career as a video game artist can be challenging, but with the right education and strategy, you can truly find your dream job. It all starts with applying to the right education option for you, completing your program, and then putting yourself out there.