Video Game Art: It’s On Another Level
The complexity and depth of video games have progressed at an astonishing rate. Games that were considered state of the art a mere 15 years ago are now a visual marker that demonstrates just how far video game technology and graphics have come.

The depictions of virtual worlds in video games are so photo realistic that a casual glance at the graphics can be easily mistaken for the real world. If you have talent in illustration or art, there are opportunities for you to enter this exciting field.

Select Your Field of Specialization
While artist is a generic term, there are specific jobs within the art department of a video game company. Some of these are:

• Concept Artist - The job of a concept artist is to come up with visual design ideas that meet a set of parameters as set forth by the producers of a video game. A great degree of imagination, creativity, and good communication skills are necessary for this position.

• 2D/3D Animator - 3D artists provide the motion, action, and realism to characters and objects within a video game. They accomplish this by using cutting edge animation and modeling software.

• Illustrator - The job of a game illustrator is to draw character models, backgrounds, objects, 2D art, and any other art necessary for the production of a video game.

• 2D Texture Artist - The surfaces of objects and characters need textures or realistic “skins” for their shapes. Fur, shinny surfaces, lighting effects and stressed concrete are examples of what 2D artists do to fill out the final look of 3D images.

Career Training for a Job in Video Game Art
There are various universities and online colleges that offer programs specifically geared towards game art degrees.

Typical course curriculum covers subjects such as the history of video game art, game platforms, concept art theory, level design, use of 3D modeling and animation software, texture and lighting for games, motion studies, and character rigging.

Since coursework differs from college to college, make inquiries to see if the curriculum fits your needs.

The Job Outlook for Video Game Artists
The demand for multimedia artists and animators is expected to increase due to the market for cutting edge video games. However, competition for job positions will be very high. In spite of this, the industry is always on the lookout for bright new talent.

Typically, production jobs in the video game industry have tight deadlines to meet. Overtime and weekend work is usually required during “crunch time.”

How To Get Your Break In the Industry
Try to get a position with an independent or smaller video game company. Usually, these companies are on smaller budgets and as a result, are more willing to take on new talent in exchange for a reduced salary.

Larger game companies sometimes offer internships for artists. Check game publisher websites for information on these opportunities.

Another method is to get a job as a game tester. Although seemingly unrelated to the goal of becoming a game artist, testers have a foot in the door and have access to game producers and those associated with the production of games. Contacts can sometimes be made during the testing cycle and may open opportunities or inside track information for art department jobs.

What Is the Salary of a Video Game Artist?
Entry level positions as a video game artist average approximately $41,500 a year.

Individuals who have six or more years experience in the industry average $66,700 a year. Lead video game artists or lead animators can expect a salary of about $64,000 a year.

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The 10^th International Computer Graphics Conference is seeking entries for its View World Wide Short Competition. All 3D animations and VFX (visual effects) produced between 2006 and 2009 are eligible. The maximum time limit for these shorts is 30 minutes.

In order to widen the scope of talent for this competition, students are now eligible to enter their work in this contest.

The 2009 VIEW Award Categories are:

Best 3D short
This award is given to the best short movie created with 2D / 3D  digital animation or live footage integrated with digital visual effects. Motion capture data is acceptable for sourcing animation. Entries will be judged on the following: technical excellence, originality, creativity, design and aesthetics. The time limit for entries is no more than 30 minutes.

Best 3D Design
This award is for the best entry that depicts an original 3D model for non-character subjects such as automotive, industrial design, architectural, or other common non-living objects. Any 3D modeling software may be used to generate models but must include all textures and shading information. Judging is based upon aesthetics, creativity, originality, and technical excellence.

Best Environment Design / Digital Matte Painting
This award category honors the best digital created digital virtual environment. The entries can consist exclusively of 3D graphics or a mix of digital 3D graphics and digital matte painting techniques. The digital environment can be of an interior or exterior setting and must be compete with surface appearance whether it is painted or textured. Entries are judged upon aesthetics, architectural value, originality, creativity, and technical excellence.

Best 3D Digital Character
This award goes to the best 3D digital character modeled for a video game or animated short film. Any 3D software maybe used for the 3D creation of the virtual character. Entries will be judged upon technical excellence, originality, aesthetics, and character personality.

Best Digital Visual Effects (VFX)
This award goes to the best digital visual effects sequence used in a computer generated animation or live-action digital effects short film. VFX may be created using any 3D graphics or compositing software.

Entries are judged upon creativity, originality, technical excellence, and the continuity and consistency of the main theme idea of the short. The entry forms and contest rules can be seen by clicking here. The deadline for this contest is October 15, 2009.

IN VISION, a TOPTEN International Art Competition is for artists working within the genre of Visionary, Fantasy, Mystical, Sci_Fi, Surrealism or artists that feel their work stretches and pushes the parameters of our imagination. Artists working in these styles tend to express themselves through a creative process which transcends the physical world and portrays a wider vision of awareness.

“Vision is the art of seeing things invisible.” Discovering possibilities that others do not see is what visionaries do best. The IN VISION International Art Competition gives artists the opportunity to share hidden visions which have been portrayed and transformed into tangible objects; paintings, photographs, sculpture etc.

You can participate by sending in your best five images. The theme is open, and includes all media: painting, digital, photography, watercolor, installation, sculpture, video, mixed media collage, textile, etc. Entry fee is 30 Euro for five images. Deadline is looming: March 31st, 2009. Visit the site to learn more.

The Art Interview - 16th International Online Artist Competition is a quarterly, international, juried exhibition of paintings, drawings and sculptures in any medium. It is open to all living artists worldwide aged 16 and up. A European gallery exhibition and a total of 17,000 Euros in cash may be awarded each quarter to the first, second and third place winners. First place winners receive up to 10,000 Euros plus a featured interview in Art Interview Online Magazine.

The competition is run completely over the Internet, which eliminates the need for you to send slides or arrange for physical transportation of your artworks. Gain international recognition for your artwork and be interviewed along with the world’s top artists, curators and gallery owners in Art Interview Online Magazine.

Entry fee is 25 Euro, which allows your to compete in the competition year-round. First, Second and Third Prizes are awarded each quarter. You may remove your entries from the competition at any time. Up to 3 artworks may be submitted per entry. Additional entries are permitted if you would like to enter 6, 9 or 12+ artworks into the competition. Payment via PayPal is required. Paypal is able to convert US Dollars and many other currencies into Euro. Entries must be submitted by this official competition submission form.

The next deadline is 31 March 2009. Visit the site to learn more.

In the context of the international design conference “Hit by Inspiration,” which will take place on 7th March 2009 in Munich, the design studio TOCA ME and the stock photo agency Getty Images launched an international design contest under the same topic as the conference. Until 31st January 2009 artworks created of images or videos from Getty Images as their basis can be submitted on the website designcontest.toca-me.com. Participation is free and open to everyone – no matter if you are a designer or just interested in design.

In the run-up to the conference an international jury will determine the winning entries of both the categories image and video – both will be awarded with a brand new Apple Mac Book. The jury consists, amongst others, of Joshua Davis, one of the leading web designers in the world and Strukt, a collective of young designers from Vienna specialized on the creation of unique visual styles.

Deadline for this competition is 31 January 2009. Visit the site to learn more.

The Creative Review Annual brings together the year’s best work in visual communication: Will you be in it? The Annual will showcase the finest creative work produced worldwide during 2008. The Annual aims to be the definitive guide to the year in visual communication, including Advertising, Graphic Design, Digital Media, Illustration and Music Video. As the only title to cover all these areas and with more than 25 years’ experience, Creative Review has allied its skills and knowledge with that of leading industry figures to select the most significant work of 2008.

This chosen work will be published with the May 2009 issue of Creative Review. The entry deadline by which all entries must be received is Thursday 11th December 2008. Visit the site to learn more.