Game art design
Encyclopedia
Game art design, a subset of game development
, is a process of creating 2D
and 3D
game art for a video game. A game artist is a visual artist
who creates video game art, such as concept art
, item sprites
, character models
, etc.
3D artist role became prominent around 1994–1997; before which industry was prominently 2D art design.
and screenshot
s, has a significant impact on customers, because artwork can be judged from previews, while gameplay
cannot.
Artists work closely with designers on what is needed for the game.
Tools used for art design and production are art tools. These can range from pen and paper to full software packages for both 2D and 3D art. 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.
An artist may be responsible for more than one role.
The artist's job may be 2D oriented or 3D oriented and there are several disciplines involved.
45k a year. Artists with three to six years of experience earned US$61k. Artist with more than six years of experience earned $90k.
A lead artist or technical artist earned $66k with three to six years of experience; and $97k with more than six years of experience and an art director with six and more years of experience earned on average, $105k a year.
Game development
Game development is the software development process by which a video game is developed. Development is undertaken by a game developer, which may range from a single person to a large business. Mainstream games are normally funded by a publisher and take several years to develop. Indie games can...
, is a process of creating 2D
2D computer graphics
2D computer graphics is the computer-based generation of digital images—mostly from two-dimensional models and by techniques specific to them...
and 3D
3D computer graphics
3D computer graphics are graphics that use a three-dimensional representation of geometric data that is stored in the computer for the purposes of performing calculations and rendering 2D images...
game art for a video game. A game artist is a visual artist
Visual arts
The visual arts are art forms that create works which are primarily visual in nature, such as ceramics, drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, design, crafts, and often modern visual arts and architecture...
who creates video game art, such as concept art
Concept art
Concept art is a form of illustration where the main goal is to convey a visual representation of a design, idea, and/or mood for use in films, video games, animation, or comic books before it is put into the final product. Concept art is also referred to as visual development and/or concept design...
, item sprites
Sprite (computer graphics)
In computer graphics, a sprite is a two-dimensional image or animation that is integrated into a larger scene...
, character models
3D modeling
In 3D computer graphics, 3D modeling is the process of developing a mathematical representation of any three-dimensional surface of object via specialized software. The product is called a 3D model...
, etc.
History
In early days of game development, a single artist could produce all backdrops and sprites for a game. In mid-1980s a team of at most three people would work on game art. Starting early 90s art requirements increased substantially.3D artist role became prominent around 1994–1997; before which industry was prominently 2D art design.
Overview
A game's artwork included in media, such as demosGame demo
A game demo is a freely distributed demonstration or preview of an upcoming or recently released video game. Demos are typically released by the game's publisher to help consumers get a feel of the game before deciding whether to buy the full version....
and screenshot
Screenshot
A screenshot , screen capture , screen dump, screengrab , or print screen is an image taken by a computer to record the visible items displayed on the monitor, television, or another visual output device...
s, has a significant impact on customers, because artwork can be judged from previews, while gameplay
Gameplay
Gameplay is the specific way in which players interact with a game, and in particular with video games. Gameplay is the pattern defined through the game rules, connection between player and the game, challenges and overcoming them, plot and player's connection with it...
cannot.
Artists work closely with designers on what is needed for the game.
Tools used for art design and production are art tools. These can range from pen and paper to full software packages for both 2D and 3D art. 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.
Roles
The art production is overseen by an art director or art lead, making sure their vision is followed. The art director manages the art team, scheduling and coordination within the development team. The art director must also make sure art produced by different team members is consistent within the game. A team may also have a lead artist fulfilling day-to-day management of the team.An artist may be responsible for more than one role.
The artist's job may be 2D oriented or 3D oriented and there are several disciplines involved.
2D artists
- A concept artist works with the game designers, producing character and environment sketchesConcept artConcept art is a form of illustration where the main goal is to convey a visual representation of a design, idea, and/or mood for use in films, video games, animation, or comic books before it is put into the final product. Concept art is also referred to as visual development and/or concept design...
and story-board and influencing the "look of the game". A concept artist's job is to follow the art director's vision. The produced art may be in traditional media, such as drawings or clay moldsMolding (process)Molding or moulding is the process of manufacturing by shaping pliable raw material using a rigid frame or model called a pattern....
, or 2D software, such as Adobe PhotoshopAdobe PhotoshopAdobe Photoshop is a graphics editing program developed and published by Adobe Systems Incorporated.Adobe's 2003 "Creative Suite" rebranding led to Adobe Photoshop 8's renaming to Adobe Photoshop CS. Thus, Adobe Photoshop CS5 is the 12th major release of 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. A storyboarder is a concept artist who designs and articulates scene sequences for review before main art production.
- A sprite artist creates non-static characters and objects or sprites for 2D games. Each sprite may consist of several framesFilm frameIn filmmaking, video production, animation, and related fields, a film frame or video frame is one of the many still images which compose the complete moving picture...
used for animation.
- A texture artist creates texturesTexture (visual arts)In the visual arts, texture is the perceived surface quality of a work of art. It is an element of two-dimensional and three-dimensional design and is distinguished by its perceived visual and physical properties...
or skins and applies them to 3D model meshesPolygon meshA polygon mesh or unstructured grid is a collection of vertices, edges and faces that defines the shape of a polyhedral object in 3D computer graphics and solid modeling...
.
- A map artist or background modeller creates static art assets for game levelsLevel (video gaming)A level, map, area, or world in a video game is the total space available to the player during the course of completing a discrete objective...
and maps, such as environmental backdrops or terrain images for 2D games.
- An interface artist works with the interface programmer and designer to produce game interface, such as game menus, HUDsHUD (video gaming)In video gaming, the HUD is the method by which information is visually relayed to the player as part of a game's user interface...
, etc.
3D artists
- A modeller or 3D modeller creates meshes for characters and objects, using 3D computer graphics software3D computer graphics software3D computer graphics software refers to programs used to create 3D computer-generated imagery. This article covers only some of the software used.-Uses:...
, such as 3ds Max or Maya. A Character Modeller is a 3D artist adept at creating life-like character models.
- An animator works with 3D models to produce realistic animations. Often motion captureMotion captureMotion capture, motion tracking, or mocap are terms used to describe the process of recording movement and translating that movement on to a digital model. It is used in military, entertainment, sports, and medical applications, and for validation of computer vision and robotics...
is utilized to create smooth animation.
- An environmental artist or level artist creates 3D assets for game environment, such as terrain shape, landscape features, objects, etc. While an environmental artist's job is similar to a level designer's work, the artist is only responsible for visual appearance and not gameplay.
- A cinematic artist or cut-scene animator produces cinematics and cutsceneCutsceneA cutscene is a sequence in a video game over which the player has no or only limited control, breaking up the gameplay and used to advance the plot, strengthen the main character's development, introduces enemy characters, and provide background information, atmosphere, dialogue, and clues...
s for the game. Companies may also hire outside studios to produce cinematics. Larger companies have their own dedicated 3D artist teams.
- A lighting director, often the art director or level artist, is responsible for illuminating the game world.
Compensation
In 2010 an artist or animator with less than three years of experience on average earned US$United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
45k a year. Artists with three to six years of experience earned US$61k. Artist with more than six years of experience earned $90k.
A lead artist or technical artist earned $66k with three to six years of experience; and $97k with more than six years of experience and an art director with six and more years of experience earned on average, $105k a year.