Todd Sumamno
There can only be one thing better than playing video games and that’s getting paid to help create them. It’s because of this that working in the realm of gaming is so very competitive, but that cumulative passion is also what paves the way for so many brilliant games. Gaming companies need people who are excited, talented and willing to work hard to create something fantastic. If you feel like you have those attributes and you’ve got an artistic flair too, then you already have the foundations of a great video game artworker. Once you’ve got those basics covered, these tips will help you take each step you need to get your foot on the career ladder and maybe even land your dream job.
Take a Course
The first step to many careers is to take a course in whatever it is that you want to pursue. There’s a degree in so many subjects now that it really makes sense to specialize in exactly the field that you’d like to go into. As we previously published in our guide to becoming a video game designer having a strong educational background will always stand you in good stead in the job market. The other great thing about studying for a degree in video art working is that you’ll have a solid three years to really hone your craft. Being able to devote one hundred percent of your time to drawing, painting and creating is a chance that not many people will get, so if you can afford to take on a degree course, do it.
Get Used to Art and Design Software
If you decide to get your degree then you’re going to be doing this step anyway, a lot. However, even if you don’t have the time or finances to start a degree, then you can take this step all on your own. Gone are the days when designing took place entirely on paper, so it’s more important than ever to be well versed in design software. Of course, video games only exist in the digital realm, which makes this doubly important. There are all kinds of different software that are used to create video games, but for art working, you should focus on design software from the Adobe suite. Once you’ve got these skills under your belt then you’ll be able to pick up other programs much more quickly.
Find Your Niche
Once you’ve put in plenty of hours of drawing and you know your way around Photoshop, it’s time to start whittling down exactly where you see your career heading. Deciding on a niche can be a good way to get ahead of the competition. The super-real artwork for games like Journey, Darkest Dungeon and Red Dead Redemption require a totally different skill set to games from the quick-play genre, like casino games, arcade style games and similar cartoon-based titles. Do a little research into where your drawing style would best fit. The casino genre is massive, meaning plenty of potential within the jobs market, so exploring it thoroughly is a good idea. In order to save a little money it’s worth checking out which casinos are offering a casino no deposit bonus that you’ll be able to take advantage of as a new sign up. Casino Reviews provides information on well-reviewed sites including the types of bonuses that they offer and exactly what the means for the player. Those who have a more realistic style might want to point themselves in the direction of games like Journey and those others we mentioned above. There’s a big budget for artworkers in the blockbuster games and it’s also easy to research the artists who created the characters for them. Learning all about artists who are working in your field isn’t only inspiring, it shows dedication to any potential employers.
Curate Your Portfolio
Once you’ve found your niche, you’ll want to curate a portfolio. Some people like to do this with a particular company in mind so that you can really tailor things to them perfectly. For example, if you see an internship opportunity pop up, then being able to rework your existing portfolio to fit that position is a very valuable thing. Make sure that there’s plenty of variety and about three times the number of examples as you’ll actually need. That way when it comes time to interview, you’ll be able to switch out the less relevant boards and still have a really strong portfolio of work.
Brittany
