For those who grew up playing PONG on Atari, or Super Mario Brothers on Ninetendo, Game Art and Design probably sounds somewhat like a fantasy career. Professionals who can wrap their hands around the creative and technical process of producing video games are diving into the games industry as a unique way to make money.
Industry Outlook
The release of PONG in 1971, with its paddle and ball games, marked the explosion of the games industry. In 2005 the video game industry grossed about 7 billion dollars according to the ESA annual report. The industry has been booming since the 1990’s and is expected to continue to expand throughout the next decade. Lumped together with software publishing, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that game art and design will be the third fastest growing profession through the year 2014.
Career Options in Game Art and Design
Students interested in pursuing a bachelor’s degree in game art and design have several career options. Artistically-inclined individuals may do well as a game artist. The game artist is responsible for everything in a video game that requires visual art. Characters, scenery, and props are all parts of the game that must be designed before production is possible.
Alternatively, graduates with a bachelor’s degree in game art and design may be able to land a position as a game designer. A game designer creates the concept, layout, and design of the video game. These positions tend to me more competetive as a bad idea can cost a developer major profit losses.
Educational Requirements
There is no specific standard for education in the games industry. Necessary qualifications are determined by the employer’s needs. Sometimes an associate’s degree combined with on-the-job training is sufficient to secure an entry-level position. More often, students choose to pursue a bachelor’s degree in game art and design. Programs such as the bachelor’s degree in game art and design from Westwood College equip students with a well-rounded knowledge of 3-D modeling, animation, and practical business information.
Students serious about pursuing a career in game art and design must have creativity, good problem-solving skills, and a working knowledge of computers. Additional qualifications may be required depending on the specific career of interest. Students may contact Westwood College for more information about a Bachelor’s Degree in Game Art and Design. College-Pages.com, the education resource, also has a complete list of available programs and additional resources.
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Tags: computer, computers, game art, game art and design, software, video game industry
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