How to get into being a concept artist for video game/movie companies?
Question by John Smith: How to get into being a concept artist for video game/movie companies?
Im a senior in high school and Im going college next year (or the year after, I haven’t decided). Im majoring in accounting and minoring in art, or at least, that is what im planning to do. I have always planned on becoming a CPA. But my friend suggested that I get into something that has to do with art. Oh, I forgot to mention, I one of the best artists in my school. Anyway, Im a gamer. Not hardcore but enough to the point where im spending a little over 400 bucks by the end of the year on games. Im semi-hardcore (please not dick references to that). Anyway so im thinking about getting into concept design. Getting hired to put my spin on people, places, objects. I always thought that if I couldn’t cut it in accounting then Id be a tattoo artist. But working for video game or movie companies to design stuff. That actually kinda excites me! Let me make one thing clear. I do not want to program games. All of the math, typing, letters, computer stuff would drive me crazy. I just want to be one of the artistic minds behind all of that. Look at the character designs for the characters of Batman Arkham City, and the zombies from Left 4 Dead, and the soldiers from Call of Duty (sorry, video game references). Anyway some helpful tips and advise as far as what i should study in college; how to get noticed/get hired by big companies; what the field is like as far as job avalibility, income, hours, work environment, what it is like. Opinions are welcome to. Thnx alot
Best answer:
Answer by Arturo
I don’t know where you live. I teach 3d and motion graphics at Ithaca College in upstate NY, one of the premiere colleges in media in the US. Our alumni are placed in some of the most important positions in the entertainment industry. Some of my students are now working at Electronic Arts and Blizzard among other places. It is an intense career and you need to study a lot and practice even more because competition is fierce. Just look at http://www.raph.com/3dartists/ for an example of the type of work you are expected to do. See also http://www.cgsociety.org/ or look at some of my student’s work: http://arturosinclair.com/studentwork.html
Another good school is fullsail and there are many others. Most schools, if you are very good will help you get into the industry after some good internships:
Here is another list: http://www.gamecareerguide.com/schools/
Get going!
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