Center for
Continuing Education
Digital Game Artist Certificate

Become a Digital Game Artist

Successful digital games rely on a great visual experience. And a great visual experience begins with talented and dedicated visual artists. In this 100% online, skills-based course, you will learn to become a professional video game artist. Key topics include modeling game elements and characters, fitting and importing elements into the game environment, animating game assets, and more.

 

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Job Outlook for Digital Artists

  • The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that multimedia artists and animators earn $75,270 per year, on average. According to GameDesigning.org, new game artists often earn over $62,000 within their first three years of experience.
  • GameDesigning.org also notes that major game design studios are hiring new designers both to replace retiring designers and because new designers can bring a fresh perspective to established game franchises. Independent (Indie) game studios also actively recruit talented new game artists.

Frequently Asked Questions

GamesIndustry.biz outlines a career progression for digital game artists that often begins with a specialized position like concept artist or character artist. The site recommends that new artists focus on an in-demand specialization such as technical artist, technical animator, VFX artist, and UI artist.

While game experts generally agree that the quality of an artist's work is the most important standard, completing a challenging course indicates that you are a professional committed to excellence and to honing your game art skills. A certificate signals to employers, clients and teammates that you have made an investment of time, resources and hard work to become a valuable member of their game design teams.

The video game industry is one of the few that has prospered during the Coronavirus pandemic. Forbes reports that game sales jumped 30% over last year's sales during the second quarter of 2020. Forbes notes that many gamers have found the social aspects of gaming an especially effective way to keep in touch with family and friends during the public health crisis. This increase in sales naturally drives an updraft in new titles and new opportunities for game artists.

Course Objectives

  • Develop game art skills specific to prop, environment, and character art/animation.
  • Learn how to use popular 2D and 3D modeling software.
  • Master modeling and texturing techniques to bring your designs to life.
  • Learn the fundamental principles of making good art.

 

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Prerequisites and Requirements

Basic computer literacy and software installation.

 

Curriculum

  1. 3D Modeling I
  2. Elements of Visual Design
  3. Texture Maps and Digital Painting
  4. 3D Modeling II
  5. Elements of Digital Design
  6. 3D Modeling III
  7. Sub-D Modeling
  8. Digital Lighting and Game Engines
  9. Character Design and Animation
  10. (CAPSTONE) Final Practical and Portfolio

 

Instructors

Christian Bradley is the Director of Curriculum Development for Digital Media at the Art Institute of California, Orange County campus. He was an instructor and Academic Director of Game Art and Design at the Art Institute of California, San Diego from 2003 to 2015. For more than twenty years, Bradley was an environment artist and texture artist with more than 35 commercial video game titles for PC, and Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo consoles in his portfolio. He has worked at Interplay, the Dreamers Guild Studios, and the Collective Studios. Some previous clients include Activision, Digital Extremes, and Legend Entertainment.

Registration and Enrollment

This course is open enrollment and 100% online. You can enroll and begin at any time.

 

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