March 26, 2025 If you're passionate about both art and video games, why not turn your hobby into a career? From game designer and game animator roles to concept artist and visual effects artist, there's a need for knowledgeable and skilled game art professionals across virtually all areas of the field.
So, how do you set yourself up for a career in game arts? Starting with the right education can help you build the foundational skills needed to thrive in this competitive yet rewarding field. With a better idea of the career opportunities you can explore with a bachelor's degree in game art and design, you can decide whether this educational path may be right for you.
What Is Game Arts?
Game arts as a discipline combines elements of art, design, technology, and storytelling in an effort to create immersive gaming experiences. In many ways, game arts intersects with game design animation and simulation — although game art tends to be more centered on the aesthetic of the game than its structure or technical aspects.
Career Opportunities in Game Design, Animation, and Simulation
While earning a degree in game arts may not automatically guarantee you a specific job in the field, game arts graduates do tend to have opportunities at both indie studios and with major developers. Much of this has to do with the fact that the skills gained in a game arts degree program are highly versatile, allowing them to be applied to various roles within the field. What can you do with a degree in game and simulation development arts? Below, we explore some of the most common career paths for graduates.
Game Design and Development
Working in game design and development involves collaborating with artists, programmers, and writers on a regular basis. It also involves creating prototype gameplay concepts and iteratively refining designs as needed. Game designers and developers often work in indie studios, mid-size game development companies, and even major gaming corporations.
Game Design and Development Roles
Common roles in game design and development include:
- Game designer – Professional game designers develop game mechanics, storylines, and gameplay features.
- Level designer – These professionals create engaging game levels, balance challenge and fun, and design spatial experiences.
Key Skills Needed in Game Design and Development
Working in game design and animation requires a strong sense of creativity and conceptual thinking as well as some basic programming knowledge and familiarity with game engines. A firm grasp of user experience (UX) and gameplay balance is also critical in designing interactive and exciting gameplay experiences.
Animation and Simulation
In animation and simulation, professionals may be responsible for developing fluid animations, integrating motion capture into gaming, and character rigging. Ultimately, individuals are tasked with enhancing gameplay realism through the use of dynamic animations and effects — working frequently in AAA studios, independent game companies, and cross-industry sectors like film and virtual reality.
Animation and Simulation Roles
Common roles include:
- Game animator/3D animator – These professionals bring characters and environments to life using motion and visual effects.
- Simulation artist – These artists create realistic or stylized simulations for various game scenarios.
Key Skills Needed in Animation and Simulation
To succeed in animation and simulation, proficiency in commonly used animation software (including Blender and Maya) is a must — as is understanding physics and motion principles and maintaining a keen eye for detail.
Character Development and Concept Art
Professionals in character development and concept art are responsible for sketching, illustrating, and rendering detailed character concepts. They must also collaborate regularly with game designers to ensure that character designs are aligned with the overall gameplay and narrative of the project. Most often, game developers and concept artists work in development studios and animation companies, though some may prefer to freelance.
Character Development and Concept Art Roles
Popular roles in this area of the field include:
- Character designer – These professionals develop original character concepts and visual identities.
- Concept artist – These artists create preliminary artwork that guides the overall visual style of a game.
Character Development and Concept Art Key Skills
Character designers and concept artists must both have strong drawing and illustration skills as well as an in-depth understanding of such concepts as anatomy, color theory, and digital painting techniques. These professionals also need to have the ability to translate creative ideas into visual representations.
Level Design and Environment Art
Level designers and environment artists create maps and layouts to facilitate gameplay. They may be responsible for developing textures, lighting, and atmosphere for in-game environments — and they may work in indie studios, larger-scale development companies, or VR/AR design firms.
Level Design and Environment Art Roles
Common roles in this realm include:
- Level designer – These professionals craft immersive levels that challenge and entertain players.
- Environment artist – These experts design realistic or fantastical settings that enhance the gaming experience.
Key Skills Needed in Level Design and Environment Art
Skills required in this area of the field include a mastery of 3D modeling and texturing software (such as 3ds Max and ZBrush), along with a sense of spatial awareness and artistic compilation. Being able to seamlessly integrate environmental elements with gameplay mechanics is also useful in this line of work.
Additional Roles in Game and Simulation Design
Examples of other game and simulation design roles that don't necessarily fit into any of the above categories include:
- UI/UX designer – Enhance player interfaces and overall user experience.
- Visual effects (VFX) artist – Create dynamic visual effects that complement gameplay.
- Sound designer (with a creative focus) – Integrate audio with visual art to create immersive experiences.
Indie Studios vs. Major Developers
Those who study game art or game design development ultimately tend to work for either major game developers or smaller indie studios. Both options differ in terms of their overall work environments, team dynamics, and creative opportunities. Comparing the potential pros and cons of each, you can determine which path may better suit your personality type and career aspirations.
Indie Studios
Indie gaming studios tend to be smaller and lesser known than major developers. Although they may have limited access to resources due to smaller budgets (and thus lower pay, in certain cases), working in an indie studio also tends to come with a greater sense of creative freedom and autonomy. Some professionals also prefer working at indie studios because of the close-knit teams that tend to form, plus the opportunity to experiment with innovative and unique ideas.
Major Developers
Compared to indie gaming studios, major gaming developers tend to offer greater access to cutting-edge technology due to larger budgets and more cash flow. This may thereby mean taking on larger projects with bigger teams and more established workflows.
On the other hand, working for a major developer also tends to come with more bureaucratic processes and the potential for less creative control. Some of these roles (including advancement opportunities) can be highly competitive, so this is worth keeping in mind as well. Examples of major developers in gaming include:
- Electronic Arts (EA)
- Activision
- Ubisoft
- Nintendo
Why Earn a Game Art Degree?
Still wondering whether a game art and design degree (or similar degree) is right for you? Below are a few more benefits to keep in mind when it comes to completing this type of formal education.
Diverse Career Opportunities
No matter which aspect of game art you're most interested in, the right degree program could open pathways to roles in that area of the field. That's because the right degree program will cover essential topics like game design, animation, character development, level design, and more to prepare you for roles in both major development companies and indie studios.
Comprehensive Skill Set
In a game arts degree program, students also have the opportunity to develop their artistic and technical skills alike. From digital illustration to 3D modeling and game design, students can be equipped with the well-rounded skills that are needed to explore a variety of roles within the gaming industry.
Collaborative Project Experience
A game arts degree program should also provide opportunities for hands-on, project-based learning — empowering students to develop critical teamwork and communication skills needed to thrive in any role.
Creative Problem-Solving Abilities
Problem-solving is a must-have skill in the gaming industry, and the right degree program will foster a sense of innovative thinking within its students. This, in turn, can help them more confidently tackle design challenges and overcome real-world obstacles in their future work.
Industry-Ready Portfolio
A game art degree program will also emphasize project-based learning that enables students to build a strong, marketable portfolio during their time in school. By showcasing diverse projects and demonstrating their creative and technical skills to prospective employers, graduates can enter the job market with confidence.
Networking and Professional Development
Finally, being in a game art degree program gives students opportunities to connect with industry professionals, build a valuable network, and potentially explore internship opportunities that can help them launch successful careers.
Learn More About Shawnee State's Game & Simulation Arts Degree
Plenty of compelling career opportunities throughout the game arts industry can empower you to put your comprehensive skills, problem-solving abilities, and teamwork to use while creating incredible games in the process. Regardless of where your interests in game arts lie, you can likely find a degree program that suits your needs and professional goals.
At Shawnee State University, we offer a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Game & Simulation Arts that covers topics such as pre-production, game design, simulation, and much more. Check out our course catalog to learn more about this program, or take the next step in completing your application today.