Game Art

To break into a very competitive and skilled industry, you have to start somewhere. But how do you prove yourself when you haven’t yet earned experience on paper? Here are some ways you can find an entry-level game art related roles, and gain experience to break into the field!

• Build Technical Skills:
  • Learn programming languages: C++, C#, Java, or Python depending on your desired role
  • Game design tools: Unity, Unreal Engine, Game Maker, etc.
  • Art and animation skills: 3D modeling, 2D art, animation software if you want to pursue art-related roles
• Build Your Portfolio & Join Game Projects:
  • Create your portfolio & highlight projects: Create small games or mods to showcase your skills and understanding of game development principles.
  • Game jams: Participate in game jams to work collaboratively on short game projects within a time limit.
  • Open-source contributions: Contribute to open-source game projects to gain experience and collaborate with others.
  • Consider commissioning temporarily on small projects, or with small video game companies who may want only one or two pieces from you rather than hiring you as a full-time employee.
• Build Your Own Games:
  • One of the best ways to get experience is to build and complete your own games. Your output will prove your determination, creativity, and hunger for growth.
• Network & Connect With Fellow Gamers:
  • Industry events and conferences: Attend gaming conventions and meetups to connect with industry professionals
  • Online communities: Join online forums and communities dedicated to game development to learn from others and share your work
• Craft Your Resume:
  • Take the time to tailor your resume and cover letter to the job or internship you are applying for. Highlight your relevant skills and experience, even if it’s not directly related to the job.
  • Consider using a functional resume format that focuses on your skills and abilities rather than your work experience.
• Explore Internships or Early Career Development Programs:
  • Apply for internships: Look for internships at game studios (like Epic Games or Activision) to gain hands-on experience.
  • Pursuing an internship at a game studio and or applying as a QA tester are also other ways to break into the industry.
  • Research early career development programs in the gaming industry.
  • SNHU has partnered with several employers on Handshake where these gaming industry employers post jobs and internships targeting SNHU students:
    • Microsoft, Activision Blizzard, Belfrost Studios, ZeniMax Online Studios, Girls Make Games, Rainbow Unicorn Games, & Veterans Gaming Mental Health Mission

Lastly, you can explore & research entry-level jobs, such as:

• Junior 3D Modeler/Animator: Entry-level positions in 3D modeling or animation involve creating basic assets or animations under the guidance of senior team members, gaining hands-on experience in game development.
• Game Tester/QA Analyst: Graduates can start as game testers, identifying bugs, glitches, and providing feedback on gameplay, contributing to the quality assurance process before game releases.
• Junior Level Designer: Entry-level level designers work on designing and building game environments, learning the fundamentals of spatial layout, player experience, and interactive elements.
• UI/UX Assistant: In UI/UX roles, entry-level professionals assist in designing and implementing user interfaces and experiences, focusing on creating intuitive and visually appealing interactions for players.
• Assistant Game Developer: Graduates can begin their careers as assistant game developers, working alongside experienced developers to implement code, features, and functionalities in game projects.
• Concept Artist/Storyboarder: Entry-level concept artists or storyboarders contribute to the visual development of games by creating preliminary sketches, storyboards, and concept art, assisting in the early stages of game design.

Knowing how switching to a gaming career can be beneficial can help you plan the next part of your professional life!

• Switching Careers : Advice for Career Changers:
  • As a career switcher, you have a distinct advantage over graduates and early-career job seekers: Your career to date. Through your career you’ll have accumulated lots of skills and knowledge which may be transferred into a new career and are sought-after by employers!
  • In many cases, making a successful switch is a matter of refining specific skills, and highlighting transferable skills from your past experience.
  • Spend time researching the skills your ideal game art or game design job requires, and spend time updating your resume and applications to be sure you have noted all your current/newly acquired skills, relevant certifications, and transferable skills from your past experience.
  • Create a game artist portfolio that demonstrates your skills! You should include samples of your work, such as games, prototypes, designs, scripts, or art.

• Popular Game Art Jobs To Explore:
  • As you begin considering career options, you might want to spend some time researching the various game artist career paths out there and which aligns closest with your passions and skillsets.
  • While researching specific roles, you will want to consider researching some of the top companies looking to hire gaming students and graduates!
  • SNHU has partnered with several employers on Handshake where these gaming industry employers post jobs and internships targeting SNHU students:
    • Microsoft, Activision Blizzard, ZeniMax Online Studios, Girls Make Games, Rainbow Unicorn Games, Veterans Gaming Mental Health Mission.

• Popular Gaming Industry Job Boards To Explore:
  • You are probably asking, where can you find jobs with great companies? Well, job boards are one place you can start!
  • We put together this list of the best game industry job boards so you can quickly and easily find jobs to apply to!
• Job Titles To Explore:
  • Senior 3D Artist/Animator: Mid-level professionals in game art and development can take on more complex projects, overseeing the creation of detailed 3D models or advanced animations, and providing mentorship to junior team members.
  • Lead Level Designer: Progressing in level design, individuals can become lead level designers, taking on a leadership role in shaping game environments, managing design teams, and ensuring cohesive and engaging gameplay experiences.
  • Game Producer/Project Manager: Mid-level careers may lead to roles in project management, where individuals oversee the development process, coordinate teams, and ensure projects are delivered on time and within budget.
  • UI/UX Designer/Lead: Those in UI/UX roles can advance to become UI/UX leads, taking on a more strategic role in defining overall user experiences, leading design teams, and ensuring the integration of effective user interfaces.
  • Senior Game Developer/Programmer: Mid-level game developers can progress to senior roles, taking on more complex programming tasks, leading coding efforts, and contributing to the architectural design of game systems.
  • Art Director: In the artistic realm, mid-level professionals can become art directors, providing creative direction, overseeing the visual style of games, and collaborating with other departments to ensure a cohesive and visually stunning final product.

• Creative Director (Game Development): At the senior level, individuals can become Creative Directors, guiding the overall artistic vision and creative direction of game projects, overseeing multiple aspects of game design, art, and development.
• Technical Director (Game Development): Senior game developers may transition into technical director roles, leading the technical aspects of game development, setting coding standards, and ensuring the implementation of advanced technologies.
• Executive Producer: Those with significant experience can become executive producers, overseeing the entire game development process, managing budgets, timelines, and collaborating with stakeholders to bring projects to successful fruition.
• Chief Technology Officer (CTO): In the technology sector of the gaming industry, individuals can reach senior leadership positions such as Chief Technology Officer, where they guide the technological strategy and innovation within game development companies.
• Lead Game Designer: Senior game designers can take on lead roles, responsible for shaping the overarching game design, mechanics, and narrative, leading design teams, and ensuring the overall player experience aligns with the vision of the game.
• Artistic Director (Game Art): At the senior level, individuals may become Artistic Directors, overseeing the artistic direction of games, managing art teams, and ensuring the visual coherence and innovation in the aesthetics of game projects.

Professional associations play a crucial role in connecting individuals in the game art and development industry, providing networking opportunities, resources, and support. These associations cater to various aspects of the game art and development industry, from programming and design to audio and visual arts. Joining these organizations can provide professionals with opportunities to connect with peers, access educational resources, and stay informed about industry trends. Here are ten prominent professional associations for game art and development:

1. International Game Developers Association (IGDA): A global organization supporting game developers, artists, and designers, offering resources, events, and networking opportunities.
2. Entertainment Software Association (ESA): Represents the video game industry in the United States, focusing on policy advocacy, industry research, and organizing events like E3.
3. Game Developers Conference (GDC): While not a traditional association, GDC is a major annual event bringing together game developers, designers, and professionals from around the world.
4. Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences (AIAS): Recognizes excellence in the video game industry through the annual D.I.C.E. Awards and provides networking opportunities for professionals.
5. International Game Developers Association Foundation (IGDAF): The charitable arm of IGDA, dedicated to advancing diversity and inclusion in the game development community.
6. Women in Games International (WIGI): A global organization focused on promoting diversity and advancing the inclusion of women in the gaming industry.
7. Game Artisans: An online community and network for game artists, providing forums, challenges, and resources for artists working in the gaming industry.
8. IndieCade: Supports independent game developers and hosts events to showcase innovative and creative indie games.
9. The International Association of Game Audio (IAGA): A community for professionals involved in game audio, offering resources, networking, and educational opportunities.
10. The International Game Audio Network Guild (G.A.N.G.): Focuses on the promotion of excellence in game audio and provides a platform for collaboration and networking.

Certifications and micro-credentials in game art and development can enhance skills, validate expertise, and demonstrate proficiency in specific areas of the industry. When pursuing certifications or micro-credentials, it’s essential to align them with your specific interests and career goals within the game art and development industry. Additionally, staying updated on the latest tools, technologies, and industry trends is crucial for professionals in this dynamic field. Here are some top recommended certifications and micro-credentials for game art and development:

Certifications:

1. Unity Certified Developer: Validates proficiency in Unity, a popular game development engine. Offered by Unity Technologies, this certification is recognized in the industry.
2. Unreal Engine Certification: Provided by Epic Games, the Unreal Engine Certification demonstrates expertise in using Unreal Engine for game development.
3. Autodesk Certified Professional (ACP) in Maya: Validates skills in using Autodesk Maya, a 3D modeling and animation software widely used in game development.
4. C++ Certified Professional Programmer (CPPP): While not specific to game development, a C++ certification can be valuable for game programmers using C++ as their primary language.
5. Game Art Institute Certifications: Various specialized certifications in areas like character modeling, environment art, and rigging, offered by the Game Art Institute.
6. Game Design and Development Specialization (Coursera): A series of courses from Michigan State University on Coursera, covering various aspects of game design and development.

Micro-Credentials:

1. Unity Micro-Credentials: Unity offers micro-credentials through Unity Learn, focusing on specific skills and features within the Unity game development environment.
2. LinkedIn Learning Game Development Badges: LinkedIn Learning provides badges for completing courses in game development, covering topics like game design, programming, and art.
3. ArtStation Learning Micro-Courses: ArtStation offers micro-courses covering specific skills in game art, including character design, environment art, and concept art.
4. Udemy Game Development Micro-Degrees: Udemy offers micro-degrees that include multiple courses focused on specific areas of game development, such as Unity game development.
5. Gamasutra Micro-Credentials: Gamasutra, a leading resource for game developers, offers micro-credentials in various game development disciplines.
6. Coursera Game Development Micro-Credentials: Coursera provides micro-credentials for completing specific courses or specializations in game development.
7. Pluralsight Game Development Paths: Pluralsight offers learning paths for game development, allowing individuals to focus on specific skills and technologies.
8. Interactive Audio Design and Game Music (LinkedIn Learning): A micro-credential focused on audio design and game music, offered on LinkedIn Learning.

Game art and development require a combination of software tools and skills to create immersive and engaging gaming experiences. Game art and development require a blend of technical and artistic skills, and professionals in this field should continuously update their skills to stay relevant in the ever-evolving gaming industry. Here are some top recommended software and skills for game art and development:

Software:

1. Unity: A widely-used game development engine that supports 2D and 3D game development. It is known for its versatility and ease of use.
2. Unreal Engine: Another powerful game development engine, Unreal Engine is renowned for its high-end graphics capabilities and is often used for AAA game titles.
3. Maya: Autodesk Maya is a 3D modeling and animation software extensively used in the game development industry for creating characters, environments, and animations.
4. Blender: An open-source 3D modeling and animation tool that is popular for indie game developers. It supports a wide range of features, including sculpting and texturing.
5. Photoshop: Adobe Photoshop is essential for creating 2D assets, textures, and concept art in game development.
6. Substance Painter: A texturing tool that allows artists to create realistic and high-quality textures for game assets.
7. ZBrush: Widely used for character modeling and sculpting, ZBrush enables artists to create intricate and detailed 3D models.
8. Autodesk 3ds Max: Particularly useful for modeling and rendering, 3ds Max is employed in game development for creating assets and environments.
9. GameMaker Studio: Ideal for indie game developers, GameMaker Studio simplifies the development process, making it accessible for those with limited coding experience.
10. CryEngine: Known for its advanced graphics capabilities, CryEngine is used in the development of visually stunning games.

Skills:

1. Programming Languages: Proficiency in programming languages like C# (for Unity), C++ (for Unreal Engine), or other scripting languages used in game development.
2. 3D Modeling: Skills in creating 3D models using software like Maya, Blender, or 3ds Max, understanding concepts such as topology and UV mapping.
3. Animation: Knowledge of animation principles and tools to bring characters and objects to life.
4. Texturing and Shading: Understanding how to create textures and apply shaders to achieve realistic or stylized visuals in games.
5. Level Design: The ability to design game levels, including layout, flow, and placement of assets, to create engaging gameplay experiences.
6. UI/UX Design: Designing user interfaces and ensuring a positive user experience within the game.
7. Game Physics: Understanding and implementing realistic physics in games, including interactions between objects and characters.
8. Shader Programming: Advanced skill in writing shaders to achieve specific visual effects and optimize rendering performance.
9. Storyboarding and Concept Art: Creating visual concepts and storyboards to plan the visual elements of a game.
10. Problem-Solving: The ability to troubleshoot and solve technical challenges that arise during the game development process.
11. Team Collaboration: Effective communication and collaboration skills, as game development often involves working in interdisciplinary teams.
12. Knowledge of Game Engines: Deep understanding of the chosen game engine’s features, tools, and workflows.