Becoming a video game artist: from portfolio design to landing the job

248 Pages·2017·72.02 MB·English

by  Pearl

Becoming a Video Game Artist
From Portfolio Design to Landing the Job

Becoming a Video Game Artist
From Portfolio Design to Landing the Job
John Pearl
CRC Press
Taylor & Francis Group
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Version Date: 20160622
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Library of Congress Cataloging‑in‑Publication Data
Names: Pearl, John, author.
Title: Becoming a video game artist : from portfolio design to landing the
job / John Pearl.
Description: Boca Raton : Taylor & Francis, a CRC title, part of the Taylor &
Francis imprint, a member of the Taylor & Francis Group, the academic
division of T&F Informa, plc, [2017]
Identifiers: LCCN 2016024612 | ISBN 9781138824935 (alk. paper)
Subjects: LCSH: Computer art--Vocational guidance. | Art portfolios. | Video
games industry--Vocational guidance.
Classification: LCC N7433.8 .P42 2017 | DDC 776--dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2016024612
Visit the Taylor & Francis Web site at
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For Leah and Drake

Contents
Preface xvii
Acknowledgments xix
Author xxi
Contributors xxiii
1 Introduction 1
How I Got into Games ...........................................................................................1
Why Write This Book? ..........................................................................................3
“Some Companies” ................................................................................................4
Stability ....................................................................................................................4
Attention to Detail Exercises ................................................................................4
2 General Concepts and Skills 7
How Do You Get into Games? .............................................................................7
Excellent Communication Skills .........................................................................8
Interview ..................................................................................................................9
What General Skills Do You Feel Are Important
for Any Game Developer? ...............................................................................9
Collaboration ........................................................................................................10
Interview ................................................................................................................11
What General Skills Do You Feel Are Important
for Any Game Developer? .............................................................................11
Prototyping ...........................................................................................................11
Problem Solving ..................................................................................................12
Creativity ...............................................................................................................14
vii
Organization .........................................................................................................14
Working under Deadlines ..................................................................................15
Interview ................................................................................................................16
What General Skills Do You Feel Are Important
for Any Game Developer? .............................................................................16
Passion for Games ................................................................................................16
Interview ................................................................................................................17
What General Skills Do You Feel Are Important
for Any Game Developer? .............................................................................17
Conclusion.............................................................................................................18
3 Introduction to Being an Animator 19
Key Skills ..............................................................................................................20
Interview ...............................................................................................................20
What Are Some Key Skills for Working as an Animator? ......................20
What Are Some of the Tools/Programs That You Use
to Perform Your Job? .....................................................................................20
What Are Some Skills Not Usually Associated
with Your Position That Actually Play a Role? ...........................................21
Rigging and Character Setup .............................................................................21
Implementation ...................................................................................................22
Presentation .........................................................................................................23
Problem Solving ..................................................................................................24
Prototyping Abilities ..........................................................................................24
Strong Game Design Sensibilities .....................................................................25
Interview ...............................................................................................................26
What Does Your Average Day as an Animator Entail? ............................26
What Advice Would You Give Your Younger Self
Starting Out in the Game Industry? ...........................................................27
Are There Any Misconceptions You Find People
Have about Your Line of Work? ...................................................................28
Conclusion............................................................................................................28
4 Introduction to Being a Character Artist 29
Key Skills for a Character Artist .......................................................................30
Interview ...............................................................................................................30
What Are Some Key Skills for Working in Character Art? ....................30
What Are Some Skills Not Usually Associated with Your
Position That Actually Play a Role? .............................................................30
Anatomy ................................................................................................................31
Color, Clothing, and Detail ................................................................................33
Software Programs ...............................................................................................35
Textures ................................................................................................................36
Physically Based Materials ..................................................................................37
viii Contents
Process ..................................................................................................................38
Interview ...............................................................................................................39
What Does Your Average Day as a Character Artist Entail? ..................39
What Advice Would You Give Your Younger Self Starting Out
in the Game Industry? ..................................................................................39
Are There Any Misconceptions You Find People Have about
Your Line of Work? ........................................................................................39
Conclusion............................................................................................................40
5 Introduction to Being a Concept Artist 41
Key Skills ...............................................................................................................41
Interview ...............................................................................................................42
What Are Some Key Skills for Working as a Concept Artist? ................42
What Are Some Skills Not Usually Associated with Your
Position That Actually Plays a Role? ...........................................................43
Exploration ...........................................................................................................43
Concept Art and Illustration .............................................................................44
Context .................................................................................................................45
Communication ..................................................................................................46
Visual Story Telling.............................................................................................46
Thumbnails ..........................................................................................................47
Interview ...............................................................................................................49
What Does Your Average Day as Concept Artist Entail? ........................49
What Advice Would You Give Your Younger Self Starting Out
in the Game Industry? ..................................................................................49
Are There Any Misconceptions You Find People Have about
Your Line of Work? ........................................................................................50
Conclusion............................................................................................................50
6 Introduction to Being an Environment Artist 51
Key Skills for an Environment Artist ...............................................................51
Interview ................................................................................................................52
What Are Some Key Skills for Working in Environment Art? ...............52
What Are Some Skills Not Usually Associated with Your
Position That Actually Play a Role? ..............................................................53
Asset Creation Pipeline .......................................................................................53
Modeling...............................................................................................................54
Terrain ..................................................................................................................56
Lighting ..................................................................................................................57
Texturing ...............................................................................................................57
Shader Creation ...................................................................................................58
Performance Optimization ................................................................................58
Interview ................................................................................................................59
Contents ix