If you want to know how to create visuals in computer games that will have players completely entranced, a computer game art course can be a great place to start. With the right set of creativity, passion and technical skills, you can be on your way to creating games that you’re not only proud of but allow players to get completely immersed in.

This blog post will explore the skills you’ll acquire in a computer games art programme, the software tools you’ll use and the range of career paths available to you.

Introduction to Game Art Tools and Software

Game art tools are at the centre of storytelling in video games. They let game artists create everything from immersive environments to intricate character details. The type of software you choose will depend on whether you’re creating a 2D or 3D game.

It’s especially important to make sure you’re using the right tool that can support painting, modelling, texturing, animation and rendering to make your game look exactly how you’d like it.

The choice of software often depends on what your project requires and your level of expertise. Industry-standard tools like Adobe Photoshop are great for 2D projects and 3D projects usually rely on Unreal Engine.

However, there are a number of emerging tools and open-source alternatives that can also make room for exciting innovation.

What to Consider When Choosing Game Art Tools

Computer games art is a vast discipline with a number of tools at your disposal. When it comes to selecting the right tools, here are some things you should consider:

  • Project scope: Determine whether you need tools for 2D or 3D art or both.
  • Compatibility: Ensure the software can integrate seamlessly with other tools in your workflow.
  • Ease of use: If you’re a beginner, you may prefer user-friendly interfaces, while professionals might need advanced features.
  • Budget: Some software requires expensive licenses, while others are free or open-source.
  • Industry relevance: Learning industry-standard tools can enhance employability.

Core Skills You’ll Learn in a Game Art Degree

A game art degree can enhance your creativity and passion for games and give you an industry-ready skill set that can take you far in your career. The degree typically combines traditional principles with cutting-edge digital techniques to give you the tools to create visually appealing assets for games.

During your studies, you’ll likely get a mix of a theoretical understanding and hands-on practice, giving you an all-round education that will help you develop both artistic flair and technical ability.

Let’s take a look at some of the core skills you could walk away with from a degree:

  • Digital painting and illustration: Digital painting is the foundation for creating 2D assets and concept art. By mastering tools like Photoshop and Clip Studio Paint, you can bring all of those creative ideas to life.
  • 3D modelling and sculpting: A game art course will also teach you this skill where you’ll know how to create three-dimensional assets for games using industry-standard tools like ZBrush and 3ds Max. This will let you do things like create organic shapes with intricate details or polygonal modelling for hard surface objects like vehicles or buildings.
  • Animation: This is where your game will come to life by adding movement and personality. You’ll learn about both 2D and 3D animation techniques, including rigging, motion capture editing and keyframe animation
  • Texturing and shading: You’ll also learn how to add texture and shading to your game, giving 3D models a higher level of realism. You’ll become skilled in techniques such as procedural texturing for complex patterns and using PBR materials for realistic lighting effects.
  • Game engine integration: Game engines like Unreal Engine and Unity are where all game assets come together. This skill ensures seamless integration of art into the game world, including optimising assets for performance and setting up dynamic lighting systems to enhance visual fidelity.

Requirements to Become a Game Artist

If you want to become a game artist, all you really need is a good bit of creativity and passion. But if you want to be a successful one, there are a couple of things you will need.

  • A strong portfolio showcasing your work
  • Proficiency in industry-standard software
  • Creativity combined with technical problem-solving skills
  • A degree in game art or related fields (optional but advantageous)
  • Collaboration skills for working with designers and developers

Why Choose a Game Art Degree?

Choosing a game art degree programme can offer you several benefits, including industry credibility and tons of networking opportunities. You’ll gain access to a specialised curriculum designed by industry experts who can give you the skills the industry is currently looking for.

You’ll also gain access to state-of-the-art facilities currently being used to create your favourite digital art games. You’ll get the opportunity to be hands-on with your learning and work on real-world projects that mimic professional game development environments.

By completing a degree in this field, you’ll be graduating with a new set of skills as well as an impressive portfolio ready to show off to potential employers.

2D Game Art Software Tools

2D art remains vital for games that focus on stylised visuals or retro aesthetics. If that sounds like what you’re looking for, here are some popular tools:

1. Clip Studio Paint

Known for its intuitive interface, Clip Studio Paint is ideal for creating character designs, UI elements and animations. It offers customisable brushes, vector layers and perspective rulers.

2. Adobe Photoshop

A staple in digital art, Photoshop excels at creating textures, concept art and UI components. Its extensive brush library and layer-based editing make it versatile for various artistic needs.

3. Spine

Spine specialises in 2D skeletal animation, enabling smooth character movements. It’s widely used for mobile games and indie projects.

4. Adobe Animate

This tool is perfect for creating vector-based animations. It supports frame-by-frame animation as well as rigging workflows.

5. Krita

An open-source alternative to Photoshop, Krita offers robust painting features tailored for digital artists on a budget.

3D Game Art Software Tools

If you’re looking to incorporate immersive environments and lifelike characters into your game, there are a ton of 3D software options available to you, including:

1. 3ds Max

Popular among professionals, 3ds Max is used for modelling complex assets and environments. Its robust toolset supports everything from polygonal modelling to animation.

2. MotionBuilder

Specialising in motion capture editing, MotionBuilder helps bring characters to life with realistic movements.

3. ZBrush

ZBrush is renowned for its sculpting capabilities, allowing artists to create highly detailed models suitable for AAA games.

4. Unreal Engine

A powerhouse engine that supports both asset creation and rendering. Its real-time capabilities make it ideal for creating cutting-edge visuals.

5. Daz Studio

This tool simplifies character creation with pre-built models that can be customised extensively.

Top Game Art Software that Can Handle Both 2D and 3D

If you’re looking for some tools that can bridge the gap between 2D and 3D workflows, take a look at the list below.

  1. Blender: This is an open-source tool offering modelling, sculpting, texturing, animation and rendering capabilities.
  2. Unity: While primarily a game engine, Unity also supports asset creation through a number of plugins.
  3. Substance Painter: This software tool is ideal for texturing both 2D sprites and 3D models with high precision.

What Career Paths are Available in Game Art?

Game artists have access to a wide range of career opportunities, allowing them to develop specialised skills and grow within the industry. Let’s take a look at some of the roles available and their expected salaries.

  • Entry-level roles – Junior artists typically focus on specific tasks such as texturing, modelling or environment design, gaining hands-on experience in their chosen discipline. Roles include junior game artist, environment artist, texture artist and concept artist.
  • Mid-level and senior positions – With around three to six years of experience, artists can move into senior roles, taking on greater creative responsibility and contributing to the overall artistic vision of a project. These roles can include senior game artist, senior environment artist, senior character artist and technical artist.
  • Lead artist roles – Lead artists manage teams, oversee project workflows and collaborate with other departments to maintain a cohesive visual style. Roles include lead 3D artist, lead animation artist, lead environment artist and lead technical artist.
  • Long-term career prospects – Experienced professionals may progress to art director positions, where they shape the artistic direction of entire games. Others may transition into related fields such as animation, visual effects or even game production. These roles include art director, creative director, VFX supervisor, or even game production manager.

Salary expectations for game artists

Salaries in game art vary depending on experience, specialisation and company size. Below is a general salary range for different career levels:

  • Entry-level: £18,000–£25,000 annually
  • Mid-level: £30,000–£40,000 annually
  • Senior/lead roles: £40,000–£60,000+ annually

Overall, game art is an exciting field that blends creativity with technology. By mastering the right tools and finding the best computer games art course, you can bring your artistic visions to life in interactive worlds. Whether you’re just starting out or you want to take your education further in this field, investing time in learning these tools and broadening your skill set will set you up for success.

 

FAQs

1. How long does a computer games art programme typically take?

Most programmes last three to four years at the undergraduate level. Some institutions also offer shorter diploma courses or longer postgraduate options.

2. Is studying a game art degree worth it?

Yes! A degree provides structured learning, access to resources like high-end software, networking opportunities and better job prospects in a competitive industry.

3. How much does a game artist make?

Salaries range from £18,000 at entry-level to over £60,000 for lead roles. Freelancers may earn more depending on their reputation and workload.