| Level of studies: | master’s degree |
| Recommended high school specialisation: | Artistic |
| Employability: | Good |
| Starting salary: | € 2,500 |
| Salary after experience: | € 3,350 |
| Mobility: | Good |
| ROME code: | E1104 |
| FAP code: | U1Z82 |
Responsibilities
In the development of a video game, three careers are essential:
- Developers
- Game designers who create the rules of the game
- Game artists who take care of visual elements
The latter (if the studio has no specialists, for example) is responsible for designing a visual identity. They will then create the characters’ clothes, for example, imagine the decorations, think about the colours, design creatures, etc. They always have the consistency of the whole and the user experience in mind.
Qualities and skills
You’ll need imagination and a sense of creativity to do this job, as well as a general culture and a certain sense of observation. You’ll also need to know how to work in a team and have concepts of management as well as an outlook on the project.
These are the fundamental qualities, but that’s not all. A game artist must master 2D / 3D software and know how to draw, model, and animate. In addition, they have a strong video game culture.
The game artist is able to handle several software such as the two below:
The pros and cons
Like any job, being a game artist has its advantages and disadvantages. Here they are :
Advantages :
- Working on the visual aspects of a video game, for game and graphics enthusiasts, is a real bonus
- Use your creativity
- Have great latitude in terms of creation
- A motivating salary as soon as you leave your studies
- Rapid evolution
Disadvantages :
- Strong involvement with significant hours
- Too much versatility can overshadow creativity
The level of study required
Between a high school diploma + 2 years of higher education and a master’s degree, the level of study needed to be able to become a game artist is quite broad. In high school, a general high school diploma with a speciality in math or arts is preferred. Then, choose a school specialising in video game careers.
Obtaining the basics of graphics and developing a video game while learning management and project management knowledge are the objectives of our school G. Art. Our in-depth training trains future professionals in video game careers, the latest innovations and technologies, management and gaming culture.
To become a game artist, we, therefore, recommend that you first go through the 2D / 3D Computer Graphics – Game Art bachelor’s degree. It is a three-year diploma that teaches all the basics of video games: technical and digital aspects (software, programming, etc.), to creative culture (gaming, concept art, game design, etc.), including management and communication.
Then, in two years, our Game Artist MBA, recognised at the RNCP Level 7 Title, trains students to create coherent and immersive graphic universes with a component on improving certain subjects seen in bachelor’s degree and with a high-level training course in game art.
During the five years of studies, meetings, internships, masterclasses complete our unique pedagogy based on concrete productions.
Game artist internships
Company internships are a great school to apply the knowledge learned in training and confront the reality on the ground. We offer internship periods from one month to a whole year throughout the years of study. This means in bachelor’s degree:
- Internships last two months in the 1st and 2nd year
- Three months at the end of 3rd year
In the MBA:
- Six months in 4th year
- A 5th year exclusively in internships and fixed-term contracts
To facilitate your internship search, we regularly publish internship offers. Also, in order to increase your chances, it is possible to find one on sites like Gaming job or Welcome to the jungle.
The salary of a game artist
As soon as they leave their studies, a game artist earns on average between 30,000 and 40,000 euros per year, depending on the company for which they work.
In Canada, they will earn between $ 41,000 and $ 82,000 annually.
In the United States, the salary range is almost the same as in neighbouring Canada. A game artist can earn an average of $ 56,000. Lowest $ 39,000, highest $ 80,000.
Companies that hire
The profession of game artist is sought after by many companies of all sizes, but the responsibilities can be different. So at Oh Bibi, MXM or Vertical, the role of the game artist will be to create the entire graphic environment of the game.
When for large studios, it is rather managerial and project manager profiles that are required.
Possible evolutions
By having this characteristic versatility of working on level design and 3D computer graphics, a game artist can multiply the tasks. So much so that they can quickly evolve and therefore become a project manager or artistic director.
They can work in video games as well as in animation or cinema.
Become a freelance game artist
It is possible to evolve as an independent game artist. A game artist may very well want to work alone, as a freelancer. To achieve this, however, they must have a little experience in a studio. This will be a plus and an argument that will solicit future customers. After creating their business, a freelance game artist will be able to work for one or more studios after negotiating their contract.
If they work from home, they will either collaborate with a team or have contact with one person. The advantage is being able to choose their own customers, responsibilities and organisation. The downside: having little or no visibility.
In summary
Game Artist in video
How can you become a game artist?
A game artist, a jack-of-all-careers, an artist at heart who knows how to create characters and environments, manages teams of character designers, graphic designers or 3D modellers, is responsible for all aspects of visuals of a video game. Which requires them to master drawing, software, have a video game culture and many other things. Therefore, becoming a game artist is done through a school specialising in video game careers, such as ours, G. Art. In Lyon, we offer training for future professionals both with our 2D / 3D Computer Graphics – Game Art bachelor’s degree and our Game Artist MBA.