Game Artist

luna2 · (#1 (**permalink**))

lets see for a while now i kinda wanted to be my own manga artist but my teacher kept telling me that things arent as easy-there are only a handful and other blah blah yadda yadda's
so i decided on a career of being a game artist.
thing is im not to sure on how to get there.
so if anyone has some pointers or advice or anything please feel free to post^^
-btw does anyone know the starting amount of a game artist?
-and how many years do you need in order to be one-currently i have about 12 yrs thinking, but for school maybe about 4-5 yrs so far.

MMM · (#2 (**permalink**))

The game world is completely different from the manga world. I am not an expert, so I won't pretend to know, but my guess is you are thinking more about character design than being an actual CG animator.

My suggestion would be DRAW DRAW DRAW! Build up a portfolio and communication skills. Practice listening to people, and try to draw characters you read descriptions about (like from novels). A character designer needs to be able to work with a team, and bring the game designer's vision to life. The nice thing about that field (and maybe what your teacher was trying to say) is that games are made all over the world, not just in Japan, so it's an easier field to break into than manga or anime.

Nyororin · (#3 (**permalink**))

I`m not sure if they`re still doing it, but Konami used to do an exchange program for those interested in the game design field. (Aspects other than programming.)

I took part in it back in 99, and was able to attend their "In Game Item Open Forum" where there were artists and people with ideas but no art skills presenting their ideas for game items.

I will echo MMM and say build a portfolio - not just of art, but of concepts also. (My art isn`t all that great, but my ideas and concepts were enough to get me into the course on a scholarship.)

Good luck!

luna2 · (#4 (**permalink**))

thank you both of you^^
im actually starting on a folder
trying to collect my best works and put it into
one-im also trying to join as much competitions as possibple(so hard!!!!)
but if i win in more competitions does it mean that i will be able to get a job in the feild easier?

Kyousuke · (#5 (**permalink**))

You should take all your work and put it onto a CD. if you go to walmart or something you can scan it so you can have a digital copy of your work and you can send it to people or put it up onto a website. i did that with mine. just in case something happens to the originals.

MMM · (#6 (**permalink**))

Quote:

Originally Posted by luna2

thank you both of you^^
im actually starting on a folder
trying to collect my best works and put it into
one-im also trying to join as much competitions as possibple(so hard!!!!)
but if i win in more competitions does it mean that i will be able to get a job in the feild easier?

Everything helps. I think joining competitions is a great idea. Also, you can send pics to Newtype USA and they may publish your art.

luna2 · (#7 (**permalink**))

Quote:

Originally Posted by MMM

Everything helps. I think joining competitions is a great idea. Also, you can send pics to Newtype USA and they may publish your art.

ive been thinking about doing that sending things to Newtype
but i-well im not into anime no more i just draw them.
and well buying the magazine and stuff is ya...plus do they give you heads up on if your drawing made it in?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kyousuke

You should take all your work and put it onto a CD. if you go to walmart or something you can scan it so you can have a digital copy of your work and you can send it to people or put it up onto a website. i did that with mine. just in case something happens to the originals.

i have my own scanner here^^
i am trying to scan all of them but i want to make new drawings
im trying to put my all into everything as much as possible im hoping that my art will be my ticket for college-or i can just trust my grades as a backup^^

Shaelyn · (#8 (**permalink**))

if you can, get your stuff copyrighted before you send it to anyone. some people you send it off to may steal your work. you never know who would do that kind of stuff.

I recommend against the poor-man's copyright - snail mailing the stuff to yourself. it doesn't hold up in court.

good luck!

luna2 · (#9 (**permalink**))

thank you very much
actually all the work i posted arnt really my best-i save all my good work for my folder
i actually finsihd one of my works
its took a while but atleast i got one down-and alot mor to go^^
-does anyone know how much does a beginner game artist gets payed?

luna2 · (#10 (**permalink**))

still needing help here so anyone plz got any advice or so info plz feel free to help me out