How do I become a game artist?

[bomsazer]

Does anyone know how i can become a game artist?
E.g. what courses to take up, etc...

by the way, im only 17.

[Masakari]

Can't really comment on courses and stuff, since i don't have any. For me the key has been hard work. Work work work! Athletes never stop training, so should you, make your 2d and 3d package your best friend, constantly work on them, keep improving yourself, read lots and lots of tutorials, and try out some modding.

Eventually if you keep at it, keep improving, keep practicing, your first job will come!

[tkaza]

Get a 3d app and dig in theres no better teacher than yourself and time.

[SlappyBag]

Yeah, basically to be a game artist, make game art. Its that simple, research 3D Modelling programs, Photoshop or Level Design programs to make things for your favorite game - thats the best way to start.


If you are serious about getting into though, do NOT, and I repeat, do NOT rely on educational programs (such as college/uni courses) to teach you what you need to know. They are a good suplement but you won't get anywhere unless you do thing in your own time (or are very lucky).

[TinchoPF]

Fromal education can help you guiding, giving you short term targets, so you can learn and research to accomplish them. Of course a good teacher can give you some basics and experienced advise, but practicing will make you an artist.

[P2xelgen]

It would be a dream job for me, but I'm a late comer to the game-art scene.

[SlappyBag]

Originally Posted by TinchoPF

Fromal education can help you guiding, giving you short term targets, so you can learn and research to accomplish them. Of course a good teacher can give you some basics and experienced advise, but practicing will make you an artist.

Exactly, maybe I should reword my previous statement. I'm in no way saying having formal classes is a bad thing, just that I see too many people rely on it and wonder why they aren't up to par with others whom have done things in their free time.


The first thing to ask yourself would be what type of game art do you think you may be interested in? Do you like the idea of making the characters, the environments or maybe weapons or anything else?

We can then tell you how to start in those specific areas and you'll be able to progress into other areas easily as and when they interest you. =)

[retardedmonkey]

I have to agree with SlappyBag, a formal eduction is fine, but you can in fact learn everything you need to on your own free time.

The first thing is, you're never "too late" and having that mind set will slow down your learning process. The beautiful thing about 3D now is that, thanks to the internet, there is an amazing amount of information all over. The amount you can learn just from diving in, joining a community, and asking questions is more than enough to get you started.

While a formal eduction and a degree may help you in other areas, it is not totally necessary in this industry. Tbh, it is really about how you learn best. If you feel you will learn best in a school setting then go that route. However if you are willing to devote, your time and effort, and apply yourself to learning 3D...there is no reason why you can't teach yourself. I started 3D about 2.5-3 years ago, and I have zero formal education. My mind set has been...hey, if I can learn it for free just as well, why would I pay? Sure it is a struggle alot of the times, but it is well worth it when you can look back and see how far you've come.

Most of my learning has come from other artists, mainly on this forum. I've looked at some of my starting threads and what I've been doing lately, and there is definite improvement. So you can in fact learn just fine without formal education.

I've spoken to Ben Mathis about this a bit, because people I know have really given me a pretty hard time for not going to college. His question for me was...do any of them know anything about this industry?....none of them did. He then went on to say that in the course of all his jobs he has never once been asked to show a degree. (correct me if I'm wrong guys from your own experience) Mostly it is really on your skill.... If you want to read Ben Mathis' article on this it is up on his site. I believe in his article he suggest, traditional art training, if you are going to get training. I have to agree with him on that, as I'm finding the more I know about traditional art, the more it is helpin me be more solid in 3d.

Ben's Site

The next important thing that you need to understand is this. It is not easy. If you have some kind of idea that you will make amazing models overnight, you will be totally disappointed. As with learning anything, it takes time and devotion. You will improve as you apply yourself more and more. From my own experience, I opened up a program and have been on the comp ever since messing around.

But mainly, if you really want to learn....you can do it on your own just as easy as with formal training. I'm not saying formal training is bad, but it is really dependent on how you learn best.

Now that I've rambled on about formal training and all that, I should answer what you should do.

I think your best start is to get some trial versions of different programs. Max, Maya, Modo even Blender is a decent program (that is what I started on) Max and Maya are the main ones I believe, and Modo is gaining momentum. Still have to learn it myself, but it looks quite interesting.

Once you have chosen which program you want to use, just start going through beginners tutorials. Learn how to use the program...once that is done you can move on to understanding the ins and outs of game art.

As I said there is plenty of information out there, you just have to find it. You can find the most tutorials on here.

One other spot that has a good amount of tutorials is 3D Total.

We have a decent amount of tutorials on our site for when you start to understand the basics of your program. But remember we're here to help so don't hesitate to ask, or find someone and chat with them on msn.

Anyway I have work to do, so good luck on your quest

[AthleteUK]

I think this is about the millionth time i've said this but learn to draw. people have this horrible habbit of putting 3D in one catagory and traditional hand drawing into another. They are the same thing. Learning to draw will inform your 3D greatly.

As for formal education. I can't really expand on what's been said it's pretty much spot on. I'd suggest doing something like a foundation course as Art at school/6th form tends to be pretty crap actually as they don't teach you many skills and focus on you filling critirea just to pass. Foundation gives you freedom and you will learn a lot.

Having said that formal training is worth absoloutly squat unless you actually practice it. Sitting in a class room listening to what your lacturer says, does not eqaute to being a better artist. Taking what you have learned, understaning it and then proceeding to contextualise and apply it to your own work does. The only way to do this is to practice practice practice.

The reason us artists don't have bodies like Heracles is because our muscles are the creatives sides of our mind. If we don't sit down and excersise these muscles regularly they become floppy and useless. We need to keep them at top stength to perform.

And again as useual I suggest people take hold of a sketchbook and get working. Keep it with you at all times and just draw. Not matter how bad you are just draw. Drawing is a skill that can be learned not an inate talent practice and you will get better. You have a thousand bad drawings in you and you have to get them out before the good ones start to flow.

[retardedmonkey]

Good word Athlete

Having a knowledge of 2d does help alot, but don't get worried if you can't draw. You can still be an amazing 3d artist without massive 2d skills. I think that both of these areas are hand in hand, but you can do one without the other.

Foundation art classes would be a real help, I plan on taking some next year. So it wouldn't hurt at all, like athlete said. But don't get all stressed out if your not amazing at 2d, you can still do 3d. Just might help you out a bit if you develop your 2d skills

I hate how drawing has kind of given the impression that you are born an artist or not. I think that stunted my growth in traditional art, because I figured since I wasn't amazing I didn't have it. That isn't the case tho, as athlete says, it can be learned....in the same way as 3D lots of practice.