What does a Game Artist do?

Game artists create art for one or more types of games and help create a game’s visual elements including character, vehicle, surface textures, and clothing. They create compelling and emotionally impactful artwork that fits and enhances the game theme’s established style and branding and push creative projects from the concept through development and into final execution. They collaborate with a team to execute large and small projects with the same enthusiasm and maintain existing products while providing assets for marketing purposes.

Game artists use computer software programs to create the animation, characters, environments, and user interfaces that make up the game. They combine classical art training with computer and graphic design using robust design and drawing principles to create characters and backgrounds related to the game’s subject. They must handle texture, animation, modeling, and rendering to create on-screen world and populations and use their artistic training to create visually appealing backgrounds and graphics. Game developers need a minimum two-year degree in video game art and fluency in design software.

What responsibilities are common for Game Artist jobs?
  • Research and pitch topics for news coverage, guide, and features about new and upcoming sports games.
  • Report to the Lead Editor and implement feedback efficiently.
What are the typical qualifications for Game Artist jobs?
  • Bachelor's Degree in engineering.
  • Expert level illustration skills, including technical illustration.
Education--
Work/Life Balance
3.5 ★
Total Pay--
Career Opportunity
3.1 ★
Avg. Experience8+ years

How much does a Game Artist make?

Confident
$57,977 /yr
Total Pay
$53,945
 /yr

Base Pay

+
$4,032
 /yr

Additional Pay

$57,977

 / yr
$36K$93K
Most Likely Range
Possible Range
See More Insights

Game Artist Career Path

Learn how to become a Game Artist, what skills and education you need to succeed, and what level of pay to expect at each step on your career path.

Game Artist

Years of Experience Distribution

0 - 1
3%
2 - 4
16%
5 - 7
6%
8+
75%
Not including years spent in education and/or training

Game Artist Insights

Read what Game Artist professionals have to say about their job experiences and view top companies for this career.
Combat Wombat StudiosCombat Wombat Studios
2D Game Artist
Apr 4, 2022

“Pay was almost decent and brainstorming ideas was fun.”

GameStopGameStop
Senior Game Advisor
Oct 19, 2021

“I got to work with amazing people who were passionate about games and really connected well with our loyal clientele.”

Jam CityJam City
Marketing Artist
Jul 14, 2021

“long tern career path is not so clear!”

UmlautUmlaut
Technical Illustrator
Feb 1, 2021

“good team work and managent”

WhiteBud StudiosWhiteBud Studios
Game Artist
Aug 16, 2021

“One of the best place to work for both fresher's as well as seasoned professionals.”

GameStopGameStop
Senior Game Advisor
Jul 3, 2021

“I liked my coworkers and the discount was decent.”

GameStopGameStop
Game Advisor
Apr 2, 2021

“My team was very fun and still got the Job done.”

CubicCubic
Technical Illustrator
Jan 25, 2023

“Bad management and I didn't like that.”

See More

Game Artist Interviews

Frequently asked questions about the roles and responsibilities of a Game Artist

The most similar professions to Game Artist are:
  • Concept Artist
  • Environment Artist
  • 3D Artist
  • Character Artist

Related Careers

Concept Artist
$53,200
No skills overlap
Environment Artist
$57,456
No skills overlap
3D Artist
$57,722
No skills overlap
Character Artist
$56,606
No skills overlap

Game Artist Jobs