Frequently Asked Questions

I am often asked these questions by people who are interested in getting into the industry. I am now posting a FAQ to summarize my feedback and to stop sounding like a broken record.

1. What are your job Responsibilities- I'm am a Lead Artist for console games.
My job duties include art directing all art assets that go into the game. That
includes character models, all level art objects, concept work (2d drawings of
what is going to be made into 3d). I also create art for the game. I mostly concentrate on
the characters, but in addition I put the levels together and light them so they look good
in game. I also do special effects like fire, explosions, water, etc... I help
manage our outsourcing team who creates a lot of the art that goes into the
levels. So I have a team of artists in India to manage and direct.

2. What you like about your Job- I am creative on a daily basis. I get to make
creative decisions that affect the way the game looks and how people react to it.
I also get to make art for a good living, which is a real blessing. Most artists are
broke. I also enjoy working with a team of other artists locally and overseas.

3. What you dislike about your Job- The hours and workload can be stressful.
The clients can be really picky and they don't always know what they want. This
creates more work for me and my team.

4. What kind of training would you suggest I get for the job- Focus on going to a
highly respected college for game art/animation. That is the best place to start.
Don't go to any run of the mill art-ish school with a game degree. Most of those
places are a rip off and you'll be stuck with $50-100K of debt and insufficient
skills to get hired. Do your research before you investing in your future. If the
graduates don't work at big studios like Pixar, Dreamworks, ILM, EA, Activision,
Rockstar, etc... don't go there! If you’re currently a high school student,
developing your drawing skills is a must. You must learn how to see things, and
then how to draw them correctly. Drawing is a fundamental skill and you will use
it throughout your career. If you can't draw, don't bother trying to be a CG artist.
The computer is just a tool, just like a paint brush or pencil. Your not a good artist
if your eye isn't trained and no tool will teach you that, only talent and lots of
practice.

5. What makes the job special to you? I enjoy when the game is finally out and
people are interacting with my art. Especially, when the media is talking about
my game; good or bad. It's still out there and that exciting.

6. What kind of hours are required? On a good week 40 hours. When I have a
big deadline and the game has to be finished, 60-70 hours per week. The job is
not for the lazy. You have to really want it or it will crush your soul.

7. What would you recommend I do to start preparing for the job in high school to
college- Keep your grades up in all subjects. Being a well rounded person is
most important of all. Draw as much as you can. Take as many art classes as
possible so you know what you like and are good at. It’s important to explore
your options for creative expression. All of your knowledge, no matter what the
subject, is needed to be a good artist. You have to be technical and artistic at the
same time. Understanding how the world works will help inform your artistic
choices.
Let’s say, for example, you have to paint the ocean at night. Now you
have to figure a few things out. First you have to figure out what color it should
be. How deep is the water? Where is the moon? Is it a full moon or a crescent
moon? Now you have to figure out how bright the ocean is. What time of night is
it? If its dusk, it will look different from midnight. This will determine what color
the lighting on the water will be. Is it by the shoreline? Is it by a boardwalk? or
just a beach? This will determine what kind off lights and effects show up along
the water. So you had to make a scientific decision (deepness = color change), a
mathematical decision (how time of day effects lighting), and a creative decision
(what elements are around) about a simple ocean painting.

Hope this helps,

Lisette

For more detailed info I recommend The Game Career Guide

http://www.gamecareerguide.com/getting_started/