4 answers
Nathan
Student
Henderson, Nevada
2
Questions
Updated
668 views
how to become a video game art designer?
so I like video games I like to play dragon ball, minecraft and etc in my free time in my house and I want to be a video game designer because it's very cool to be a video game designer.
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4 answers
Emily Henderson
Environment Artist & World Builder
1
Answer
Austin, Texas
Updated
Emily’s Answer
Hey Nathan,
My first advice to you is to get a bachelors degree or relevant certificate. Though it is not necessary in most cases to have a degree it is highly sought after. Degrees can be very expensive and not always an option. For situations that are tight on money I would recommend checking out local community colleges. You might be surprised to find great classes there. There are also several online trade schools like CGMA (computer graphics master academy) which is where I learned many of my skills.
My next advice is to decide what part of game design you like most! Do you like making art? Do you like thinking about ways to make a game more fun or different? I am an Environment Artist and more specifically I am a World Builder (or level artist). Most of my time is spent creating a game level from the ground up (literally). I often work with a library of assets (game objects) and build out an entire world. Depending on the game engine, this can require only minimal technical skills.
I work closely with level designers, who do a lot more technical work but a lot less art than I do. We collaborate to create cool spaces for combat encounters, puzzles, and story missions. Though most designers do not NEED art skills, I agree with others that it is incredibly valuable to have them. Basic understanding of light, color, value, and composition can go a long way in any game career path.
Making connections are a great way to get hired. Go to whatever events you can and find the right connections for you.
Lastly, as other have mentioned, start learning today. Whenever you can. Unreal and Unity are great game engines that are easily accessible and free. YouTube has many videos to help you get started. I hope this helps!
My first advice to you is to get a bachelors degree or relevant certificate. Though it is not necessary in most cases to have a degree it is highly sought after. Degrees can be very expensive and not always an option. For situations that are tight on money I would recommend checking out local community colleges. You might be surprised to find great classes there. There are also several online trade schools like CGMA (computer graphics master academy) which is where I learned many of my skills.
My next advice is to decide what part of game design you like most! Do you like making art? Do you like thinking about ways to make a game more fun or different? I am an Environment Artist and more specifically I am a World Builder (or level artist). Most of my time is spent creating a game level from the ground up (literally). I often work with a library of assets (game objects) and build out an entire world. Depending on the game engine, this can require only minimal technical skills.
I work closely with level designers, who do a lot more technical work but a lot less art than I do. We collaborate to create cool spaces for combat encounters, puzzles, and story missions. Though most designers do not NEED art skills, I agree with others that it is incredibly valuable to have them. Basic understanding of light, color, value, and composition can go a long way in any game career path.
Making connections are a great way to get hired. Go to whatever events you can and find the right connections for you.
Lastly, as other have mentioned, start learning today. Whenever you can. Unreal and Unity are great game engines that are easily accessible and free. YouTube has many videos to help you get started. I hope this helps!
Michael Howard
Creative Director
16
Answers
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Michael’s Answer
Hello Nathan,
I have about 15 years of experience in the video game industry, working on the NBA 2K series in marketing, production, and development. I had the honor of working with the Thomas brothers, the creators of NBA 2K, and learning about their journey. Over the years, I’ve also worked with many other video game designers, and if there’s one key takeaway from their experiences, it’s this—there’s no single path to becoming a video game designer, but one thing is certain: just start.
Taking Initiative as a Game Designer
One common trait among all the successful game designers I’ve met is that they didn’t wait for permission to create the game of their dreams. No one told them to get to work—they simply started. And they did so in a time before the incredible, free tools available today.
To succeed, it’s crucial to understand what a game designer truly does:
A video game designer creates the world, characters, and gameplay mechanics that shape a player’s experience. They use their understanding of computer graphics, programming, storytelling, and player psychology to develop engaging games across various platforms.
Think of a designer as the architect of a game’s world and experience. Maybe your strength is animation, or perhaps you excel in scriptwriting. Identify what you’re best at and lean into that skill when developing a game idea.
Gaining Experience
If you’re not ready to start your own project immediately, consider gaining experience by contributing to indie games. Many developers are creating games for platforms like Steam and mobile, and working on these projects—whether as a tester, intern, or collaborator—can put you in the same room as other designers and provide real-world experience.
Here are a few steps to help you break in:
- Use LinkedIn to find indie game development opportunities and entry-level roles.
- Research your favorite games and identify the studios behind them—learning about their hiring process and culture can help you position yourself for a role.
- Explore major game companies: For example, 2K is based in Novato, California, while its parent company, Take-Two Interactive, is in New York (also the publisher of Rockstar Games’ GTA series). What jobs are they looking to fill?
- Attend the Game Developers Conference (GDC): GDC is one of the best places to network with industry professionals, learn about the latest trends, and even land job opportunities. Many people I’ve worked with got their foot in the door by meeting developers at conventions like GDC.
The Power of Starting Small
Many successful game designers started by developing a small game themselves. Even if it’s a simple project, bringing an idea to life and launching it demonstrates your ability to execute, which is invaluable when applying for opportunities.
I hope this advice helps! If you have any other questions, feel free to reach out.
Best,
Michael
I have about 15 years of experience in the video game industry, working on the NBA 2K series in marketing, production, and development. I had the honor of working with the Thomas brothers, the creators of NBA 2K, and learning about their journey. Over the years, I’ve also worked with many other video game designers, and if there’s one key takeaway from their experiences, it’s this—there’s no single path to becoming a video game designer, but one thing is certain: just start.
Taking Initiative as a Game Designer
One common trait among all the successful game designers I’ve met is that they didn’t wait for permission to create the game of their dreams. No one told them to get to work—they simply started. And they did so in a time before the incredible, free tools available today.
To succeed, it’s crucial to understand what a game designer truly does:
A video game designer creates the world, characters, and gameplay mechanics that shape a player’s experience. They use their understanding of computer graphics, programming, storytelling, and player psychology to develop engaging games across various platforms.
Think of a designer as the architect of a game’s world and experience. Maybe your strength is animation, or perhaps you excel in scriptwriting. Identify what you’re best at and lean into that skill when developing a game idea.
Gaining Experience
If you’re not ready to start your own project immediately, consider gaining experience by contributing to indie games. Many developers are creating games for platforms like Steam and mobile, and working on these projects—whether as a tester, intern, or collaborator—can put you in the same room as other designers and provide real-world experience.
Here are a few steps to help you break in:
- Use LinkedIn to find indie game development opportunities and entry-level roles.
- Research your favorite games and identify the studios behind them—learning about their hiring process and culture can help you position yourself for a role.
- Explore major game companies: For example, 2K is based in Novato, California, while its parent company, Take-Two Interactive, is in New York (also the publisher of Rockstar Games’ GTA series). What jobs are they looking to fill?
- Attend the Game Developers Conference (GDC): GDC is one of the best places to network with industry professionals, learn about the latest trends, and even land job opportunities. Many people I’ve worked with got their foot in the door by meeting developers at conventions like GDC.
The Power of Starting Small
Many successful game designers started by developing a small game themselves. Even if it’s a simple project, bringing an idea to life and launching it demonstrates your ability to execute, which is invaluable when applying for opportunities.
I hope this advice helps! If you have any other questions, feel free to reach out.
Best,
Michael
Thank you, Michael for the advice.
Karthik Ramachandran
Senior Manager
8
Answers
Atlanta, Georgia
Updated
Karthik’s Answer
Hey Nathan, being a video game art designer involves a mix of artistic creativity and technical skills, and would require training in both the fields.
Assuming you are able to nurture your artistic skills on your own through creative outlets like painting, sketching, etc, learning the technical skills involve a lot of training.
You would have to learn foundational Digital art and 3D tools like Adobe photoshop, Autodesk Maya, Blender, etc. These tools will give you all the basics that you would need to know to become a video game art designer. Additionally, learning theoretical computer graphics will also give you a basic understanding of how digital visuals are created, manipulated and optimized for games.
Finally, you would also need to be trained on Game engines like Unity and Unreal Engine which are two popular game engines used to create video games.
Good luck with to you
Assuming you are able to nurture your artistic skills on your own through creative outlets like painting, sketching, etc, learning the technical skills involve a lot of training.
You would have to learn foundational Digital art and 3D tools like Adobe photoshop, Autodesk Maya, Blender, etc. These tools will give you all the basics that you would need to know to become a video game art designer. Additionally, learning theoretical computer graphics will also give you a basic understanding of how digital visuals are created, manipulated and optimized for games.
Finally, you would also need to be trained on Game engines like Unity and Unreal Engine which are two popular game engines used to create video games.
Good luck with to you
Donzel Facey
Computer Programming
1
Answer
Orlando, Florida
Updated
Donzel’s Answer
The journey to becoming a video game art designer in Nevada involves several key steps that can help aspiring designers succeed in this exciting field. First, learners should focus on mastering the basics of art and design by improving drawing skills and familiarizing themselves with digital tools such as Photoshop and Procreate. Next, gaining proficiency in 3D art and animation through software like Blender and Autodesk Maya is essential.
Understanding game engines like Unity or Unreal Engine allows designers to see how their assets fit into actual gameplay, which is crucial for development. Building a comprehensive portfolio on platforms like ArtStation showcases one’s best work and is vital for attracting potential employers.
Additionally, taking structured courses can accelerate learning, while participating in game jams provides practical experience and networking opportunities. Lastly, staying inspired through gameplay analysis and continuous practice keeps skills sharp and fosters creativity. By following these steps, individuals in Nevada can carve a successful path in video game art design.
Understanding game engines like Unity or Unreal Engine allows designers to see how their assets fit into actual gameplay, which is crucial for development. Building a comprehensive portfolio on platforms like ArtStation showcases one’s best work and is vital for attracting potential employers.
Additionally, taking structured courses can accelerate learning, while participating in game jams provides practical experience and networking opportunities. Lastly, staying inspired through gameplay analysis and continuous practice keeps skills sharp and fosters creativity. By following these steps, individuals in Nevada can carve a successful path in video game art design.