Video Game Artist or Computer Game Artist is a professional who uses his imagination and artistic skills to develop and create the visual elements of a game that may include animated characters of the game, their clothing, the scenery, objects, vehicles, surface textures, and even user interface components to name a few.
Video Game Artists also create concept art and storyboards which help communicate the proposed visual elements during the pre-production phase of the video game they are working on.
Being the foundation of any new game, the artwork is the most important part of any Widow game and the Video Game Artists are the most bankable of all the professionals involved in the process of development of a Videogame. Thus, a Video Game Artist must be quite innovative and expert in the latest technology.
Video Game Artist Eligibility
Educational Qualification
The minimum educational qualification for becoming a Video Game Artist is a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts or Illustration related subjects.
Age Limits
There are no specific age limits to becoming a Video Game Artist.
Video Game Artist Required Skills
- The foremost requirement to become a Video Game Artist is Drawing skills. While artistic ability is a key prerequisite for a career in game art creation, this is not the only skill that can produce efficient Video Game Artists. Excellent computer skills; wide knowledge and understanding of computer games; creativity and imagination are must for becoming a successful Video Game Artist.
- Video game artists must also have knowledge of the video game art creation pipeline along with the processes and techniques involved in the creation of digital assets for games.
- Video Game Artists should have a logical approach to problem-solving; good teamwork and communication skills; flexibility and adaptability.
- They are required to have the ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines; patience and attention to detail.
- They also have basic drawing and 3D design skills; be able to adapt quickly to change; work well in a team and alone; work well under pressure and be able to meet deadlines.
- Video Game Artists must be creative, imaginative, and original. Should be fluent in a number of software packages like Maya, Max, Photoshop, Z Brush, Substance Designer, etc to name a few. and have a rudimentary understanding of how game engines such as Unreal or Unity work.
- Video Game Artists should have a thorough understanding of the market and target audience for computer games and have storytelling ability.
How to become Video Game Artist?
One has to follow the below-given steps for becoming a Video Game Artist
Step 1
After passing the 10+2 class in any stream, the candidates have to complete their Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts i.e BFA or B.A(Fine Arts) or any related subjects like Graphic Design or Illustration. For having admission to these courses in some good colleges of India the candidate may have to clear some entrance exam. However, most of the colleges provide admission to these courses on the basis of % of marks in the qualifying exam.
Step 2
After completing Bachelor’s degree in fine art aspiring Video Game Artists can go for on job training and join some game development company or opt for a Master’s degree in fine Arts i.e M.A(Fine Arts) to have a thorough knowledge of the field. A Master’s degree can be followed by Ph.D. (Fine Arts).
Step 3
After getting the required educational qualification the candidates can look for a job as a Vidoe Game Artist in some reputed Game development companies or go for his own game development house.
List of some of the related courses required to become a Video Game Artist
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Foundation Diploma Course in Fine Arts |
Advance Diploma in Fine Arts (Digital Arts and Animation) |
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B.A (Fine Arts) |
B.F.A |
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B.F.A (Applied Arts) |
B.F.A (Commercial Arts) |
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B.F.A (Hons.) |
B.F.A (Drawing & Painting) |
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M.A (Fine Arts) |
M.F.A (Applied Arts) Arts |
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M.Phil (Fine Arts) Arts |
Ph.D. (Fine Arts) |
Institutes offering Courses for Video Game Artist
- National Institute of Design - NID Ahmedabad
- Government College of Arts, Chandigarh
- University of Delhi, Delhi
- Indian School of Design and Innovation, Mumbai
- MAEER'S MIT Institute of Design, Pune
- Asian Institute of Gaming and Animation (AIGM), Bangalore
- The Indian Institute of Digital Art & Animation (IIDAA), Kolkata
- Creative Mentors Animation College (CMAC), Hyderabad
- ANITECH College of Technology and Management (ANITECH), Bangalore
- Seamedu School of Pro-Expressionism (SSPE), Pune
- Image Institute of Multimedia Animation and Graphic Effects (IIMAGE), Himayat Nagar Hyderabad
- Global Institute of Gaming & Animation (GIGA), Chennai
- Toonz Academy, Trivandrum
Video Game Artist Job Description
Video Game Artist job description basically includes hands-on art Creation under the guidance of Senior Video Game Artists i.e., to develop and create animated characters of the game, their clothing, the scenery, objects, vehicles, surface textures, etc.
Their job also includes going through emails of the other team members and prospective customers, attending the meeting to discuss work status, immediate priorities, project updates, etc.
Besides these, his work profile includes reference gathering analyzing games from all over the world, and playing games they are working on or those created by competitors. So that they could enhance their creative skills and generate a new idea for improvement in their work.
Video Game Artist Career Prospects
The Video Game industry is growing so fast globally and especially in India - after the digital India concept and availability of smart homes virtually in every hand -that there is ample scope for Video Game Artists to earn a great living. Owing to the huge gap between demand and supply there is a constant demand for skilled game artists in India.
Although there are quite a few gaming companies in India right now but owing to its huge youth population there is a great scope for an increase in the audience of the gaming industry there by a boost for establishing a new gaming industry in India in coming times.
Looking into these facts it can be concluded that there are great opportunities for Vidoe Game Artists not only in India but also in the overseas gaming industry.
Besides Video Game Artists have good career progression within games development. Many who enter the industry at junior level end up at the leadership level within a few years as depicted below:
- Video Game Artist: Starting position
- Senior Artist: Experienced artists (at least 4 to 5 years)
- Lead Artist: Talented artists with team management skills who can lead an artist team in specific areas such as Character creation or Environment creation.
- Art Director: Apex in the Arts Division
Video Game Artist Salary
Video Game Artist salaries vary depending on the skills, abilities, experience, and employer. Qualified entrants should expect starting salaries ranging from Rs.30,000 to Rs.35,000 per month. This can rise considerably with experience and proven expertise.
Candidates’ performance and experience are the factors that determine the pay packages in this industry. Candidates having industrial experience can earn up to Rs.50,000 to Rs.60,000 per month. Candidates who work in reputed firms are paid between Rs.8,00,000 and Rs.10,00,000 annually. Experienced candidates can earn salary hikes according to their performance.
