How To Become A Game Artist While You’re Still In School? - mages

Interested in becoming a game artist without the hassle of a full-time, expensive, conventional university course? Now you can start as early as Year 10 of school and get ahead to beat the competition! (without burning a hole in your pockets!)

You know you’re a self-starter. You will go out of the way to learn things you love – especially technology and art – a Foundation Course in Art and Technology might be on the cards for you.

You’re highly-focused. You wish you could learn only those things or subjects that you enjoy the most all the time. You wish you could study only that which you’re deeply passionate about.

… and you’re looking to get ahead of the curve! You know what you want and where you want to be in the future. You want to make it big in creative industries like games and films. You want to create virtual worlds for players to immerse themselves in. Or art for movies that mesmerizes people.

And you want all of this faster!

Then this is a must-read for you.

Let me begin with a cliche that’s true for the creative industries!

A Creative Industry Cliche

Let me share a cliche from the creative industries that is definitely true.

When you meet someone new or you’re at a job interview, and you start introducing yourself…

“I first learned how to make digital art when I was just ___ years old”

The younger that age was, the more you probably outclass EVERYONE around you.

It’s not just a movie trope or cliche, it’s absolutely true.

And that cliche could be YOU.

But maybe you’re not like me – maybe you don’t care about being the youngest prodigy in the room.

Even so, if you’ve always only wanted to be a cool digital artist and you think you have to grow up more to become one, think again!

4 Things You Can Do To Become a Game Artist (while still in school!)

Here are some of the things you should do.

1. Learn How To Draw Like a Professional

Monkey King, a 3D Character created by student of Game Art Program
Monkey King, a 3D Character created by student of Game Art Program

This goes without saying.

To become a game artist, you have to learn how to draw. It brings a lot of versatility to the game.

If you’re passionate about drawing, it’s really not a big deal. But even if you’re a total beginner and haven’t drawn before, there are many things you can do.

  • Practice and Observation. The right amount of observation and practice goes a long way in determining how good an artist you are.
  • YouTube. Learning through YouTube videos is one of the simplest ways to learn how to draw.
  • Local Art Class. Enrolling in a local art class or school is a great way to build your skills too.

Whichever route you take, learning how to draw is one of the primary skills of a game artist. And once you start, you have to do it constantly to get better at it.

2. Learn How To Use The Software

In the technology-driven gaming industry, having drawing skills alone will only take you so far. Knowing your way around software like Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator is essential too.

While these are popular platforms for making 2D art, for 3D art you’d need to have a firm grasp on tools like Maya and 3D Max.

Here’s what you can do to learn how to get better at 3D modelling.

Whether you aspire to be a 2D artist or have a penchant for 3D art forms, learning the software is a must. How you do it is a matter of choice. There are online tutorials for each that can be a good start. Taking professional online courses is another great way of becoming proficient in the software.

3. What Kind Of Art Would You Like To Do?

A 3D Character and Wireframe created by student of Game Art Program
A 3D Character and Wireframe created by student of Game Art Program

“Game artist” is quite an unspecific and a general term. It only takes a good look at the closing credits of a game to know that this is true.

From concept artists to 3D modellers and art directors, there are many facets to the role.

It’s your choice to determine what aspect of art you enjoy the most. What is that you want to learn, do and be the best at?

Here are some of the different (and the most common) art positions you can find in a studio:

  • Concept Artist
  • Environmental Artist
  • 2D Animator
  • Character Artist
  • Character Animator
  • Level Designer
  • 3D Generalist Artist
  • Lead Animator
  • FX Animator
  • 2D Texture Artist
  • 3D Animator
  • User Interface Artist

4. Enrol In a Certificate Program!

Pursuing formal education is more often than not an expensive and time-consuming endeavour.

Trust me. I know that far better than anyone!

But this is the 21st century and you can pretty much get everything you want as per your needs and desires.

The Foundation Course in Art and Technology at MAGES is a perfect blend of just what I needed to become a high-worth creative professional. It offers:

  • Basic skills and understanding of the creative industries. Whether it’s drawing, programming, game mathematics or game design, the course helps strengthen your foundation for a successful future in the creative industries.
  • Guidance from mentors with industry-relevant experience.Having mentors with extensive industry experience goes a long way in determining the relevance and efficiency of our skills. And MAGES ensures that.
  • A rich learning environment to accelerate growth. Spending time with students and mentors as passionate about art and technology as you are, goes a long way in determining your growth as a successful creative professional.
  • A low-student-to-teacher ratio. A very low student to teacher ratio helps personalise attention and get the most out of a course
  • A hands-on learning method.The course is designed to provide a learning-by-doing process and test students as the industry would – based on skills and quality work.
  • Unique networking opportunities. Game jams, industry showcases and others – where you get to make the right connections as well as discover and leverage new opportunities every month.
  • An industry-relevant portfolio. Nothing beats a mind-blowing portfolio showcasing extensive skills and expertise in your field. Most studios and companies are looking for candidates who can prove their worth through skills. Expertise is what they need. And you can get that without even being a Year 10 graduate at MAGES!
  • Establish yourself as an expert by developing specialised skills.Your dream studio or company cares about your ability to get results. MAGES’ certification helps you demonstrate your skills and expertise in games, design or animation easily. It helps you stand out from the crowd and differentiate the skills you have. And increase your chances of being recognised by your dream studios and companies.
  • A great platform to test what you’re good at! Not just in art but other aspects of video games as well. The course allows you to understand and strengthen your existing potential better and discover even more.

It offers all this and more faster and way earlier than anyone else!

After the course, you can immediately take up a Diploma course and be industry-ready in another 12-24 months. No other qualifications are necessary.

It’s actually the fastest route to starting your career!

Traditionally, the path to a career in creative industries like games would be –

School year 10/11/12 -> Diploma -> Degree -> Industry

The course offers a fast-track career path that would look like –

School year 10 -> Foundation Certificate in Art and Technology -> Diploma -> Industry (2-3 years)

So that you can –

Get ahead of the curve, beat the competition by starting early and take full control of your career!

Final Thoughts

A 3D Character Model created during Advanced Game Art Diploma Program at MAGES Institute
A 3D Character Model created during Advanced Game Art Diploma Program at MAGES Institute

Imagine being ahead of the curve by the time you finish school. Imagine being able to create worlds every gamer and player across the world will find themselves immersed in. Imagine working for your dream studio and raking in good money for the same!

All this is highly possible. Even in an industry as creative and competitive as games, art and films. But this is how you beat the competition –

By starting out early!

And already mastering the skills needed to be an artist, a programmer or a designer for films and games.

You don’t have to worry about ditching the once-popular or conventional methods.

Especially when the educational space is changing drastically. Conventional education is taking a backseat.

Making a career in the creative industries like games, art and films is no longer out of your reach. Expensive and long-term programmes at big universities are not the only choice you have.

So if you are an individual who’s –

  • Passionate, focused and unwilling to spend money and time on something you don’t want to learn;
  • Looking for an alternative route to a creative career

MAGES is your answer.

After all, what matters in the end is whether that dream job at a studio or being able to make your own game and art.

And all it takes is a special set of skills and expertise. Which you can get at MAGES (just being a Year 10 graduate!) with its specialised foundation course.

Cementing the foundation for a creative future quite early is now possible.

SPEAK TO AN ADVISOR

Need guidance or course recommendations? Let us help!

    Mages Whatsup