levels

Video Game Design Research

There are various branches
Animators: Tak art ideas and put them in the computer and make them move
In one technique, artists and production technicians build
fiberglass or clay sculptures and scan them into the computer. The computer
translates the data from the scan into a digital model. The model is then painted
and animated in the computer. In the other technique, developers use actors
along with animators to create some action sequences. Actors perform motions
with sensors attached to their bodies. The sensors record their positions. Artists
use the data to animate computer characters. This motion-capture method is
most often used in sports games.
Character Artist: build characters
Character artists begin by sketching the creature on paper or a
white board.
When the creature's basic design is completed, artists build it
within the computer using modeling software. They start with simple shapes,
called primitive polygons. They twist, stretch, and combine the polygons until
they have a skeleton covered with a wire mesh.

Background artists and modelers: create the background and setting around

Background artists begin by making sketches of the background

suggested in the design document. Then, they draft an accurately proportioned
version on graph paper. "The scale has to be correct," says Kirkbridge.
"Otherwise, you could make a structure too large or too small for the size of the
characters." Once they are satisfied with the drawings, artists mold the
environment shape by shape, using the computer as a virtual movie set.
Concept Artist: create the first look at what characters and backgrounds would
look like
This person will create and design characters and worlds used
within the game. They first create a rough concept on paper. When the concept is
approved, it goes through a cleaning-up period which may involve scanning the
designs on to computer and using an art package such as Photoshop to perfect
fine line work and add details. Colour is then introduced into the Image so that
the texture artist can create the correct textures for the world or character. Once
the concept artwork has been completed it is passed on to the 3D Model Builder
Texture Artist: designer texture in game
Texture artists take a photograph or paint a picture of a surface
they need. Then, they scan it into the computer. Finally, they wrap the picture
around the object in a process called texture mapping.

Requirements
Art experience and knowledge as well as at least basic computer
programing skills
3d modeling and animating software experience

math and geometry

They study drawing, painting, color theory, sculpture, and graphic

design

Additional skills that will help the candidate are C/C++,

game/console development, vertex and pixel shaders, game "asset pipelines,"
and of course, experience playing Xbox, Wii, Playstation, and Nintendo.
Amount of Jobs
Extremely competitive field
Demand for video games is growing rapidly, industry is exploding
so there are jobs to be had.
Salary
Beginners make an average of $41,000
6 years or more of experience makes $81,000 to $215,000
Bachelor's degree in game stuff masters in arts or vice versa
Benefits
, 96 percent of game designers received some form of benefits in
2012. Roughly 84 percent received medical benefits, 80 percent got dental
benefits, and 70 percent had access to a company-sponsored retirement plan. In
addition to benefits, 79 percent of game designers reportedly received income
other than their salary through bonuses, royalties, stock options and employer
contributions to retirement plan
Western US has most opportunities
Pros get to work with video games and computers as well as art. benefits good

pay
cons some fairly strict work environments at least at times, highly competitive, to
get into to the big companies you have to be extremely talented with lots of experince,
and sitting in front of the computer doesnt suit all people.

Being a video game concept artist is a viable and rewarding art career in today's ever
changing technologically driven world. There are many Pros and Cons to the career, but if you
are driven it is a viable career with a great chance of success.
The career of video game concept artist is a dream job for me due to various reasons.
First of all I really love videos games and computers in general. I would love to work on creating
characters and environments on a digital platform. Second of all, I am intrigued with the
complexity of creating 3D environments and characters on a digital plane. The challenge of it all
draws me in. Details seem to be a big part of video game design and I enjoy focusing on details.
Finally, I want to give back the feeling of awe I get from the worlds in video games to the general
public. There is nothing like seeing an alien world or a villainous monster from a video game
concept artist mind on the screen. Overall, it would be a dream to work with computers, be
challenged by details, and create a sense of wonderment for the player of a game I worked on.
Each day would be exciting and challenging for a video game concept artist in regard to
their daily responsibilities. Although daily responsibilities would change for the artist based on
the stage of development, the main goal for a concept artist is to create characters and
environments for the video game. In the early stages of video game design a concept artist
would mainly be focusing their time on drawing rough concepts of what characters and
environments would look like. As the game progresses, a concept artist should get their concept
drawing approved by a supervisor of the project. After sketches are approved, the average day
of a concept artist would be more digitally focused. All drawings of characters and environments
would be scanned into the computer. Photoshop would then be used to retouch the drawings to
make them cleaner. Adding fine lines, details, color, and texture to the drawings are common at
this stage. When all drawings are polished, a concept artist would pass them onto a 3D
modeler. It would seem that the concept artist would be done with all their responsibilities for the
time being but that is not exactly true. Overseeing the 3D modelers work as well as animators
work is common for a concept artist. In this final stage the concept artist focuses on making
sure the original intentions and ideas behind each drawing are thoroughly represented and
come to life.
To become a concept artist for video games there are some requirements. Video game
design is a competitive field, so the more the stuff under your belt the better. Most companies
hire concept artists that have a degree in some field of art, may it be drawing, painting,
sculpture, or graphic design. Along with art, a proficiency in computer programing is essential.
An understanding and experience with various software is necessary for success in the video
game industry. Having a deep understanding of math and geometry is crucial for creating the
illusion of three dimensions on a flat computer screen. Many companies require their employees
to have experience with C/C++, console development, as well as vertex and pixel shaders. Out
of all these requirements on of the biggest pluses is that the person plays and has a genuine
interest in video games.

Competition is a major component in the field of video game design. Lots of people
consider being a concept artist a dream job so to break into the field is fairly tough. This being
said, video games are blowing up and are expected to continue to do so. Since more and more
people want to play videos games, more jobs will be created to fit that demand. So there will
jobs to be had, the only question is if an applicant is good enough or better than the others.
Salary as a concept artist is fairly good. Someone just starting out can expect to make
around $41,000 a year. It is a decent amount of money, but salary only grows the longer you
work in the video game industry. A working concept artist who has been in the business for more
than six years will make between $81,000 and $215,000 a year depending on the size of the
company they work for. Having a bachelors or masters degree in video game design or an art
degree will also boost salary. The bigger the company, the more experience, the bigger salary.
Along with the potential for a large salary, video game concept artist can expect benefits.
As of 2012 96 percent of video game designer received some sort of benefit. Medical benefits
were offered to 84 percent of videogame designers, 80 percent were offered dental benefits,
and 70 percent received a retirement plan. All of which is extremely helpful and comforting to
have with your job.
The West Coast is like a magnet for video game concept artist. Most video companies
are based in various western cities like, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle. These cities
do have a very high cost of living which is a downside to the video game career and there are
few companies based elsewhere. So if the West is not for you being a video game concept
might not be for you either.
Being a concept artist would be fun and rewarding career, especially if you are
driven. If you have the passion for videogames and art then this is the absolute perfect career.
Along with working with something you love, being a video game designer is a viable career.
There are jobs available and receiving benefits is more than likely. It's almost too good to be
true, so what are the downsides?
There are some obvious downside to choosing this career. One of which is if you
arent driven and passionate you could run into some problem breaking into the industry.
Without hard work and dedication the chances are dismal for getting a job. Along with this long
hours in front of a computer screen are necessary and for some it might be too much. Along
with this is the locations where video game companies are which can be both a positive and a
negative. it is negative when the West coast is not a place for you.