Game art design#Video game artist

A game's artwork included in media, such as demos and screenshots, has a significant impact on customers, because artwork can be judged from previews, while gameplay cannot.{{Citation |last=Robson |first=Jon |title=The Beautiful Gamer? |date=2018-03-19 |work=The Aesthetics of Videogames |pages=78–94 |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.4324/9781315210377-6 |access-date=2024-10-11 |place=New York : Routledge, 2018. {{!}} Series: Routledge research in aesthetics ; 2 |publisher=Routledge |doi=10.4324/9781315210377-6 |isbn=978-1-315-21037-7}}

Artists work closely with designers on what is needed for the game.Chandler 2009, p. 23

Tools used for art design and production are known as art tools. These can range from pen and paper to full software packages for both 2D and 3D digital art.McGuire, Jenkins 2009, pp. 116-118 A developer may employ a tools team responsible for art production applications. This includes using existing software packages and creating custom exporters and plug-ins for them.McGuire, Jenkins 2009, p. 281

Early video games typically had very limited visuals, and were developed by sole programmers. Dedicated artists were however involved very early in video game history, for example for box art and promotional materials. In 1974, Maze Wars achieved rudimentary 3D graphics using wireframes, and more detailed pixel art emerged through the late 1970s.{{cite web |title=The History of Video Game Art |url=https://www.artofvideogames.org/history |website=www.artofvideogames.org}} A notable early game artist was Shigeru Miyamoto, creator of Mario and Donkey Kong.{{Cite book|title = Level Up!: The Guide to Great Video Game Design|last = Rogers|first = Scott|publisher = John Wiley & Sons|year = 2010|isbn = 978-0-470-68867-0|location = United Kingdom|pages = 14}}

Visuals were offered more complexity by technological advances in the 1980s, including the addition of broader colour pallettes.Bethke 2003, p. 45 Microprose hired its first dedicated artist, Michael Haire in 1985.{{cite book |last1=Meier |first1=Sid |last2=Noonan |first2=Jennifer Lee |title=Sid Meier's memoir! a life in computer games |date=2020 |publisher=W.W. Norton & Company |location=New York |isbn=9781324005872 |edition=First}} Better colour depth came with the 16 bit generation in 1989, and the arrival of the CD in the 1990s increased storage space for games. This opened possibilities such as full motion video. 3D artwork became more common beginning in the early 1990s. Games in the 2010s pushed for increased realism, such as the use of photogrammetry and motion capture.{{Cite journal|title = Creating the atmosphere of Until Dawn|url = http://www.develop-online.net/tools-and-tech/creating-the-atmosphere-of-until-dawn/0214056|journal = MCV|date = 23 November 2015|access-date = 2016-02-22}} The reduction of hardware limitations has continued to broaden possibilities for video game art, and larger art departments have become the norm.{{Cite web|title = The Art of Video Games|url = http://americanart.si.edu/exhibitions/archive/2012/games/|website = Smithsonian American Art Museum|access-date = 2016-02-22}}

There are several roles under the game art umbrella. Depending on the size of the project, there may be anywhere from a single artist to an entire department. In smaller teams, individual artists will generally have to take on multiple responsibilities. AAA projects generally require large teams composed primarily of specialists in the different game art disciplines.{{cite web |last1=Gorman |first1=Sean |title=THE ROLE OF ENVIRONMENT ARTISTS & LEVEL DESIGNERS |url=https://www.gormandev.com/post/the-role-of-an-environment-artist-a-level-designer |website=Sean Gorman Website |language=en |date=21 December 2020}} Like any other kind of artist, game artists require an understanding of the artistic fundamentals.{{Cite web|title = Gamasutra - The Aesthetics of Game Art and Game Design|url = https://www.gamedeveloper.com/design/the-aesthetics-of-game-art-and-game-design|website = www.gamasutra.com|date = 30 January 2013|access-date = 2016-02-23}}

A number of game art roles are listed below. Some of these are only applicable to certain kinds of projects, for example a 3D title may not require sprite work.

The art director/lead artist is a person who monitor the progress of the other artists to make sure that the art for the game is staying on track. The art director is there to ensure that all the art created works cohesively. They manage their team of artists and distribute projects. The art director often works with other departments in the game and is involved from the conception of the game until the game is finished.Bethke 2003, p. 46{{Cite web|title = Getting a Job as a Games Artist|url = http://www.cybergooch.com/tutorials/pages/gamejob/getting_a_games_art_job.htm|website = www.cybergooch.com|access-date = 2016-02-23}}

• Concept artist: A video game artist who works with game designers to produce concept art (such as character and environment sketches) and shape the "look of the game".Moore, Novak 2010, p. 86Bates 2004, p. 173McGuire, Jenkins 2009, p. 280 A concept artist's job is to follow the art director's vision.Chandler 2009, p. 24 The produced art may be in traditional media, such as drawings or clay molds, or 2D software, such as Adobe Photoshop. Concept art produced in the beginning of the production serves as a guide for the rest of development. Concept art is used for demonstration to the art director, producers and stakeholders.
• Storyboard artist or storyboarder: A concept artist who designs and articulates scene sequences for review before main art production.Bethke 2003, p. 49 They work with the concept artists and designers of the game from conception, to create an outline for the rest of the artists to follow. Sometimes this is passed on to other departments, like game writers and programmers, for a base of their work. They develop the cinematics of the game. The storyboards that are created breakdown scenes and how the camera will move.
• Texture artist: A video game artist who creates and applies textures (skins) to the work that has been created by the 3D modellers (polygon meshes).Moore, Novak 2010, p. 88Bates 2004, p. 176Bethke 2003, p. 48McGuire, Jenkins 2009, p. 283 Often 2D/texture artists are the same people as the 3D modellers. The texture artist gives depth to the art in a video game, applying shading, gradients, and other classic art techniques through art development software.
• Sprite artist: A video game artist who creates non-static characters and objects or sprites for 2D games.Bethke 2003, p. 47Moore, Novak 2010, p. 87 Each sprite may consist of several frames used for animation.
• Map artist: A video game artist who creates static art assets for game levels and maps, such as environmental backdrops or terrain images for 2D games. Historically sometimes referred to as a background modeller.
• UI artist: A video game artist who works with engineering and design to produce a game interface, such as menus, HUDs, etc.{{cite web |title=How to Become a Video Game UI Artist |url=https://www.gameindustrycareerguide.com/how-to-become-a-video-game-ui-artist/ |website=www.gameindustrycareerguide.com}} Historically sometimes referred to as an Interface artist.

• 3D modeller: A video game artist who uses digital software (e.g. Maya, 3ds Max, Blender)Bates 2004, p. 175 to create characters, environments (such as buildings), and objects such as weapons and vehicles. Any 3D component of a game is created by a 3D modeller.
• Environmental artist: A 3D modeller who works specifically to model the environment of a game. They also work with texturing and colours. They create the terrain that is featured in a video game. Environmental artists build the world, the layout, and the landscapes of the video game.Moore, Novak 2010, p. 90
• Animator: A video game artist responsible for bringing life to the characters, the environment, and anything that moves in a game. They use 3D programs to animate these components to make the game as real as possible. The animators often work with technical artists who aid in making the characters able to move in a realistic way.
• Lighting artist: A video game artist who works on the light dynamics of a video game. Lighting artists adjust colours and brightness to add mood to the game. The lighting changes made in a video game depends on the type of game being created. The goal of the lighting artist is to create a mood that suits the scene and the game.McGuire, Jenkins 2009, p. 286

Technical art is a cross-discipline profession, and technical artists act as a bridge between the programming team and art direction. The discipline requires a diverse range of skills including tools development and programming, specialist rigging and physics, rendering, materials and VFX. The technical artist (TA) is responsible for directing the course of development in these areas to achieve a particular visual or look.{{cite web |last1=Dealessandri |first1=Marie |title=An introduction to games technical art |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/an-introduction-to-games-technical-art |website=GamesIndustry.biz |language=en |date=11 May 2022}} It is often described as a problem solving role. Given its breadth, it is sometimes broken down into more specialised roles:{{cite web |title=What does a technical artist do? - CareerExplorer |url=https://www.careerexplorer.com/careers/technical-artist/ |website=www.careerexplorer.com}}

• Technical art director or lead technical artist: oversees a technical art team and also provides guidance to the rest of the art team. Provides direction for tools, techniques and workflow as well as technical standards for others.
• Shader artist or material artist: A role involving the development of shaders and materials using either graph based solutions or scripting languages. They may also contribute to VFX, and are responsible for optimization of shaders.{{cite web |title=All You Need to Know about a Shader Artist |url=https://pixune.com/blog/shader-artist/ |date=16 October 2024}}
• Pipeline technical artist: A role which involves negotiation between technical and artistic disciplines, establishing working practices, building tools and ensuring that art content will meet the technical demands of the target platform.{{cite web |last1=Shown |first1=Shane |title=What is a Technical Artist? |url=https://medium.com/nxt-level/what-is-a-technical-artist-b75233a335be |website=Nxt Level |language=en |date=1 March 2022}}
• Rigger: a role which involves the rigging and skinning of characters, preparing them for animation. It may also involve specialised systems such as physics.{{cite web |last1=Spectrum |first1=C. G. |title=Character Rigger Job Description, Salary, Skills & Software |url=https://www.cgspectrum.com/career-pathways/character-rigger |website=www.cgspectrum.com |language=en}}
• VFX artist: a role which develops particle effects such as fire, splashes, lasers etc. This may also include creating cached simulations for expensive operations such as fluid work.{{cite web |title=Visual effects (VFX) artist in the games industry |url=https://www.screenskills.com/job-profiles/browse/games/technical-art/visual-effects-vfx-artist/ |website=ScreenSkills |language=en}}{{cite web |title=What is a Visual FX Artiist and what do they Do? |url=https://www.cgspectrum.com/blog/what-does-an-fx-artist-do |website=www.cgspectrum.com |language=en}} By some definitions VFX is considered a separate role outside of the technical art discipline.{{cite web |last1=Reveron |first1=Adolfo |title=What is the difference between Houdini Technical Artist and a Houdini VFX artist? |url=https://techartworlds.com/blog/learn-houdini-difference-between-houdini-tech-artist-and-vfx-artist |website=Adolfo Reveron |language=en}}

Many universities offer game art courses as a way to learn the profession in a formal setting. A few of these courses were available as early as the 1990s. However, more general art courses are also an avenue into the industry, and a number of professionals come from a more traditional art background. It is beneficial to seek out a game art degree for those intending to work in the industry, but it is not a requirement. Universities can offer tools and equipment, as well as offering an environment with other like-minded students. Princeton Review accredits games courses in the United States, while TIGA does this in the United Kingdom.{{cite web |title=TIGA University Accreditation |url=https://tiga.org/education/tiga-university-accreditation |website=TIGA}} TIGA also hosts an education conference annually for universities and game studios.{{cite web |title=TIGA launches new Games Education Conference for 2024 |url=https://tiga.org/news/tiga-launches-new-games-education-conference-for-2024 |website=TIGA |date=4 March 2024}} University courses may also be required for artists who seek to work in another country.{{cite web |last1=Dealessandri |first1=Marie |title=How to get a job in game art |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/how-to-get-a-job-in-game-art |website=GamesIndustry.biz |language=en |date=13 July 2021}} In the UK there are also BTECs available in game art for those seeking to move into a games course at university level.{{cite web |title=Thwarting growth, delaying new releases & more: The impact of game development skills shortages in the UK |url=https://tiga.org/news/thwarting-growth-delaying-new-releases-more-the-impact-of-game-development-skills-shortages-in-the-uk |website=TIGA |date=15 November 2023}} The Rookies maintains a global ranking of schools for the subject, though all games disciplines are considered a single category. The rankings are often dominated by for-profit organisations such as Gnomon School of Visual Effects.{{cite web |title=The Rookies - Top Game Design & Development Schools of 2024 |url=https://www.therookies.co/schools/rankings/2024/game-design-and-development |website=The Rookies |language=en}}

Actually entering the industry is challenging even after completing a degree, due to a lack of sufficient entry level positions. Hiring a junior requires the studio to provide training to bring them up to speed, and this is a long term investment that studios are not typically willing to make. The proportion of junior jobs available was already low in 2022, but fell dramatically during the 2023-24 layoffs. In the UK, 9% of jobs available were junior level in 2022; this had fallen to under 3% by 2023 with only 34 junior jobs available nationwide over the entire year.{{cite web |last1=Chapple |first1=Craig |title=Why is the UK games industry struggling to fill vacancies despite mass layoffs? |url=https://www.pocketgamer.biz/why-is-the-uk-games-industry-struggling-to-fill-vacancies-despite-mass-layoffs/ |website=www.pocketgamer.biz |language=en |date=24 November 2023}}{{cite web |last1=Partis |first1=Danielle |title=5% of H1 2022 games jobs were entry level |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/5-of-h1-2022-games-jobs-were-entry-level |website=GamesIndustry.biz |language=en |date=10 August 2022}} Junior positions are often available only in outsourced roles, and even these can attract thousands of applications.{{cite web |title=Everything you need to know about applying for your first job in game development |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/everything-you-need-to-know-about-applying-for-your-first-job-in-game-development |website=GamesIndustry.biz |language=en |date=26 January 2024}} This has contributed to structural issues with skills in the industry, as the focus on hiring only mid or senior positions for years has led to shortages of experienced staff.{{cite web |last1=Batchelor |first1=James |title=How can the UK games industry solve its skills shortage? |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/how-can-the-uk-games-industry-solve-its-skills-shortage |website=GamesIndustry.biz |language=en |date=17 July 2024}} Additionally, many senior staff sought "greener pastures" in other creative industries amid the turmoil in games, and this further tightened the pool of available talent at the top end.

There has been an industry wide shortage of technical artists since at least 2019, which is ongoing as of 2024.{{cite web |url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5cf6449ae5274a0762dfc80c/28_05_2019_Full_Review_SOL_Final_Report_1159.pdf}} The shortage has been attributed to the difficulty of training them. The profession requires a broad set of skills, and training technical artists is "a long and time-consuming process".{{cite web |title=Aardvark Swift {{!}} Employer Resource {{!}} Out of the Box Skills Shortage |url=https://www.aswift.com/blog/2020/04/out-of-the-box-skills-shortages?source=google.com |website=www.aswift.com |language=en}} Dedicated technical arts courses do exist, though formal instruction through a specialised degree is not a common route for technical artists.{{cite web |last1=Wen |first1=Alan |title=How to get a job as a technical artist |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/how-to-get-a-job-as-a-technical-artist |website=GamesIndustry.biz |language=en |date=25 May 2022}} Technical artist is not typically an entry level position at all; rather it is a role that an experienced artist or programmer will move towards later in their careers. In 2024 Skillfull called for the creation of an industry body to address skills shortages, particularly technical artists.{{cite web |last1=Batchelor |first1=James |title=Report calls for new industry-led body to solve UK skills crisis |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/report-calls-for-new-industry-led-body-to-solve-uk-skills-crisis |website=GamesIndustry.biz |language=en |date=17 April 2024}}

Technical artists are notoriously difficult to recruit due to the small candidate pool. A 2022 study found that technical art was the most in-demand art profession in the UK games industry.{{cite web |title=What is a Technical Artist? |url=https://cghero.com/glossary/what-is-a-technical-artist |website=CGHero |language=en |date=26 September 2022}}{{cite web |url=https://gamesjobs.live/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Games-Job-Live-Report-August-2022.pdf}} The shortage has also affected related industries such as animation, which are competing for the same pool of technical artists.{{cite web |url=https://www.screenskills.com/media/4587/2021-06-08-screenskills-assessment-2021.pdf}}

There is a significant division among artist salaries based on discipline.{{cite web |title=Average British game dev salaries |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/average-british-game-dev-salaries |website=www.gamedeveloper.com |language=en}} Skillsearch found in 2024 that technical artists were paid more highly than any other art profession in the UK. At the mid level technical artists earn an average of over £60,000.{{cite web |title=Games & Interactive Salary and Satisfaction Report 2024 |url=https://www.skillsearch.com/news/item/games---interactive-salary-and-satisfaction-report-2024 |website=Skillsearch |language=en}} At the senior level a technical artist can earn over £100,000.{{cite web |title=Average British game dev salaries |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/average-british-game-dev-salaries |website=www.gamedeveloper.com |language=en}} In the United States, the comparable figure for technical artists is $205,000 per year, rising to $297,000 at the higher end.{{cite web |title=Search Salaries. Benchmark Compensation & Careers |url=https://6figr.com/us/salary/technical-artist--t |website=6figr.com}} This has been attributed to the hyper-competitive nature of acquiring a technical artist, given the shortage of them.{{cite web |title=Aardvark Swift {{!}} Employer Resource {{!}} Out of the Box Skills Shortage |url=https://www.aswift.com/blog/2020/04/out-of-the-box-skills-shortages?source=google.com |website=www.aswift.com |language=en}}

Bevan's salary data reports an average of £22,000 for 2D artists, rising to £37,500 at the senior level. For 3D artists the comparable figures are £28,000, rising to £35,000 at the senior level. The CEO of Silent Games Sally Blake has maintained a spreadsheet since 2022 which collates anonymously reported salaries from game developers in the UK and Ireland; the full data set is publicly available.{{cite web |title=Salary spreadsheet launched to promote transparency in UK games industry |url=https://hitmarker.net/news/salary-transparency-spreadsheet-uk-games-917007 |website=Hitmarker |language=en}}

• Game development
• Video game design
• Video game graphics
• Texture artist

{{Reflist|2}}

• {{Cite book | title=Game Design | last=Bates | first=Bob | year=2004 | edition=2nd | publisher=Thomson Course Technology | isbn=1-59200-493-8 | ref=Bates }}
• {{Cite book | title=Game development and production | first=Erik | last=Bethke |publisher=Wordware Publishing, Inc. | year=2003 | location=Texas | isbn=1-55622-951-8 | ref=Bethke }}
• {{Cite book | title=The Game Production Handbook | edition=2nd | first=Heather Maxwell | last=Chandler | publisher=Infinity Science Press | location=Hingham, Massachusetts | year=2009 | isbn=978-1-934015-40-7 | ref=Chand }}
• {{Cite book | title=Creating Games: Mechanics, Content, and Technology | first1=Morgan | last1=McGuire | first2=Odest Chadwicke | last2=Jenkins | publisher=A K Peters | location=Wellesley, Massachusetts | year=2009 | isbn=978-1-56881-305-9 | ref=McJen }}
• {{Cite book | title=Game Industry Career Guide | last1=Moore | first1=Michael E. | last2=Novak | first2=Jeannie | year=2010 | publisher=Cengage Learning | location=Delmar | isbn=978-1-4283-7647-2 | ref=MoNov }}

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Category:Video game design