Schools For Me» Game Development, Art & Design

Visual Effects: Storyboard Artist

admin — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 08:06:05 +0000

A storyboard artist works closely with directors, heads of a story and producers, working from a script to create a sequential visual drawing of that story. These storyboard drawings provide the initial vision and concepts of commercials, movies, video productions (corporate or entertainment), video games and any other place where animation or moving images will be produced.

The storyboards provide the concepts of the production’s storyline, the characters and the tone to be created when produced. Typically, a storyboard artist works collaboratively with the production leads making required revisions until completed. He/she may also be required to pitch storyboards. These sequences can then be edited into a story reel to provide an initial feel of how the production will appear.

A storyboard artist is highly accomplished and can draw quickly and clearly. A successful artist will produce desired emotions though his/her storyboards, setting tone, character emotions and attitudes. Compositions will provide perspective and staging. He/she is skilled in 2 dimensional animation processes and has strong staging, composition, drawing, mechanical and draftsmanship skills. Experience in computer creative software is expected.

Average Salary: $44,454

Top Salary: $63,108

Entry Level Salary: $29,385

Average Hours: 40+, over time is often required during deadlines.

Union: Possible, especially in movie industry.

Certifications/Education: Bachelors Degree or equivalent.

Years of Experience: 3-4 years, additional similar work experience may be required.

Strong Markets: This position is predominately found in motion pictures and video industries; advertising, public relations and related services; computer systems design and related services; software publishers; and specialized design services. Strongest markets for the majority of these posts remain in California, Washington, New York, Minnesota and Oregon. This position may also be available in other software development hubs throughout the U.S.

Job Growth Forecast: Employment is projected to grow at about 14 percent between now and 2018. It is considered a highly competitive job, as interest in this career is expended to exceed the number of available openings.

Illustrators who work on computers will see more demand for services as media companies use more detailed images and backgrounds in their designs. Realistic video, movie and television special effects, and 3D moves will continue to drive demand for multimedia artists. Additional job openings will arise from an increasing need for computer graphics in the growing number of mobile technologies. The demand for animators is also increasing in alternative areas such as scientific research and design services.

Visual Effects: Rotoscope Artist

admin — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 08:05:14 +0000

Responsibilities may include:

Sophisticated shape creation and editing.
Shape animation (by hand and with trackers).
Shape compositing, fill modes, opacity settings.
Correcting work as may be required and/or directed.
Paint based on layer information and customer requirements as defined by the Stereographer and Shot Producer.
Paint and edge fill to meet the highest quality standards.
Perform conversion activities using manual and tool related techniques within each task based on layer information and customer requirements as defined by the Executive Producer and Shot Producer.
Provide conversion to meet the highest quality standards.

Average Salary: $42,906

Top Salary: $65,118

Entry Level Salary: $21,631

Average Hours: 40+, over time is often required during deadlines.

Union: Possible, especially in movie industry.

Certifications/Education: Bachelors Degree or equivalent.

Years of Experience: 3-4 years, additional similar work experience may be required.

Visual Effects: Effects Animator

admin — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 08:04:06 +0000

An effects animator is responsible for creating and rendering two and three dimensional animate organic characters and non-organic objects, such as scenery, text and particle effects. He/she will be completely versed in the main 2D and 3D computer applications in order to create these objects, such as Light wave, Electronic image, Wavefront or other high end 3D applications. Artists typically receive source art from other teammates from which to create and render the effects, and must be willing to take broad conceptual guidance from requesters, and use their expertise and judgment to develop proposed products.

An effects animator must be multi-faceted in his/her ability to create concepts, as well as be comfortable mimicking a variety of styles to create consistently themed animations with a high level of finish. She/he visually translates complex, abstract concepts to audiences of diverse backgrounds. He/she may also formulate design concepts and presentation approaches for team collaboration on desired effects.

Depending upon experience, responsibilities may include:

Oversee and help design plans for creating 3D models and animations to be incorporated into video productions and multimedia products.
Create special effects, animation, and photo-realistic 3D models using film, video, computers, or other electronic tools and media for use in video productions and multimedia products.
Oversee and develop pencil sketch boards and original artwork/illustrations.
Ensure animation content created is consistent with the style set out for production.
Work with clients to develop concepts for productions.
Maintain relationships with inside and outside creative resources.
Work with internal animators to ensure consistency in animation application.
Oversee research prior to the commencement of a new production, ensuring effective plan/budget/schedule is in place.
Keep up to date in latest animation technology and may train other less experienced animators.
Create and manages animation pipeline.
Provide team leadership to less experienced staff.

Average Salary: $46,615

Top Salary: $65,118

Entry Level Salary: $30,658

Average Hours: 40+, over time is often required

Union: Possible, especially in movie industry.

Certifications/Education: Bachelors Degree or equivalent

Years of Experience: 3-4 years as an animator, additional similar work experience may be required

Visual Effects: Compositor

admin — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 08:02:32 +0000

A compositor creates photorealistic final composites for film, video or digital projects.

He/she is ultimately responsible for the aesthetic integrity and technical quality of the final image delivered to the client. Compositing combines live action and computer generated elements into visual effects shots, bringing the vision of the creative direction to life.

The position requires extensive skills using creative and high-end three dimensional software. A compositor must be able to perform all the creative and technical tasks, such as 2 dimensional tracking, matte extraction, layering of elements, digital matte painting, texture painting or paint, lighting, and color grading. A compositor will work closely with producers and visual effects supervisors, so the ability to work collaboratively is a must.

Average Salary: $42,906

Top Salary: $65,118

Entry Level Salary: $21,631

Average Hours: 40+, over time is often required during deadlines.

Union: Possible, especially in movie industry.

Certifications/Education: Bachelors Degree or equivalent.

Years of Experience: 3-4 years compositing experience, additional similar work experience may be required.

Visual Effects: Animatic Design & Production

admin — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 08:00:31 +0000

An animatic designer creates animates a storyboard to create the next step in a production so concepts can be tested. Anamatics are used for a variety of purposes, such as testing advertisements, previewing scenes of live-action films before they are shot, in the pre-production stages of animation and in the video game industry.

The position requires excellent computer skills in creative and two and three dimensional software applications, such as Photoshop, Illustrator and AfterEffects. An anamatic designer must be capable of carrying a conceptual thought through from the story boards to production using Photoshop or After Effects.

An animatic designer is a specialization of 2D and 3D animation. It requires a lot of detail work to ensure that conceptual storyboard artwork is accurately translated into moving animation to provide the necessary feedback producers require before embarking on more costly real-life production.

Average Salary:

Top Salary:

Entry Level Salary:

Average Hours: 40+, over time is often required during deadlines.

Union: Possible, especially in movie industry.

Certifications/Education: Bachelors Degree or equivalent.

Years of Experience: 3-4 years as an animator, additional similar work experience may be required.

Electronic Gaming Production Designer

admin — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 07:59:01 +0000

An electronic gaming production designer is responsible for developing the design documents for new games. These are detailed design documents that contain descriptions of all aspects of an electronic game, such as mission, plot, rules, flow charts, sound, artwork, and special features, for the production teams to create the game software.

The electronic gaming production designer maps out a game, providing information about the characters, worlds, story and other details. He/she may build some of the interactive elements using 3-dimensional modeling software. She/he collaborates with other team members to develop the vision, production and possibly marketing of the game.

If in a lead role, the electronic gaming production designer may be responsible for the overall design and manage the design through every phase of the project. This will include concepts, presentations, implementations, tuning, and release. A more senior designer may also be responsible for objectives and flow within the game, and may place and tune game-play elements.

Average Salary: $38,875

Top Salary: $51,819

Entry Level Salary: $29, 777

Average Hours: 40

Union: Possible

Certifications/Education: Design or Game Design degree (Associates or Bachelors) and experience with creative software

Years of Experience: 2-3+

Strong Markets: This position is predominately found with game development companies. It can also be found in other industries that might produce games to support business objectives, such as motion picture and video industries; advertising, public relations and related services; computer systems design and related services; software publishers; and specialized design services. Electronic game development is predominantly found in Calif., Wash., Tex., NY., Mass., and Ill. This position may also be found in other major cities throughout U.S. for other industries.

Job Growth Forecast: Video game design is a vibrant and fast-growing part of the entertainment industry. It is a multi-billion dollar industry that will continue to thrive in any economic environment. Jobs will remain tight as the number of companies producing games remains relatively small and game design positions remain highly sought after. With the market continuing to grow, job stability will remain good.

Electronic Gaming Modeler

admin — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 07:57:56 +0000

An electronic gaming modeler models, textures and lights three dimensional environments and props necessary for a game’s development. An electronic gaming modeler creates detailed environments/worlds, set-pieces, buildings, vehicles, foliage, props, weapons, characters and more, for video, PC, arcade games and handheld systems.

Experience with stylized environments and lighting are added skills that make the electronic game modeler more desirable. The ability to create hand painted textures is necessary. A strong artistic background is essential.

An electronic gaming modeler can earn a game design degree to make him/her more highly sought after. This degree differs from a design degree in that it deals with game design only, but it is a necessary specialization because of the complexity of creating games.

Average Salary: $60,734

Top Salary: $100,390

Entry Level Salary: $31,570

Average Hours: 40+

Union: Possible

Certifications/Education: Design or Game Design degree (Associates or Bachelors) and experience with creative software

Years of Experience: 3+

Electronic Gaming: Concept Artist

admin — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 07:56:56 +0000

An electronic gaming concept artist is often considered the holy grail of art positions. His/her main focus is to convey a visual representation of a design, idea, and/or mood for use in an electronic game before it is put into the product.

This is accomplished using two-dimensional sketches and three-dimensional preliminary models. The position is highly collaborative with graphic designers, programmers, copywriters and the team marketing the game, and takes the lead to present concepts to all departmental levels within an organization. In a team setting, a great concept art can inspire the team and give them a strong goal to progress toward.

An electronic gaming concept artist can participate in early stages of product development to ensure that product can be manufactured within cost and profit targets. He/she may also support ongoing product development as needed by the game development team.

Average Salary: $60,694

Top Salary: $78,681

Entry Level Salary: $45,213

Average Hours: 40

Union: Possible

Certifications/Education: Design or Game Design degree (Associates or Bachelors) and experience with creative software

Years of Experience: 2-3+

Electronic Gaming Character Designer

admin — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 07:55:55 +0000

An electronic gaming character designer is a specialized animator, working solely on creating two- and three-dimensional character animations for a wide variety of games. He/she has a thorough understanding of human and non-humanoid anatomy and he can model, texture and animate complex but realistic characters using his/her good sense of volume, lighting and materials.

More than anything a successful character designer knows what makes a great video game and the style of character(s) that best suite that game. He/she has extensive technical training in graphic design and two and three dimensional animation software and can model form, shape, structure and silhouette.

A character designer understands and develops the physical as well as emotional aspects of his/her characters, He/she goes beyond basic emotions, creating as many nuances of gray as possible to ensure character development is fully explored. She/he may even develop dialog for the character, even if it isn’t going to speak in the actual game.

Average Salary: $38,875

Top Salary: $51,819

Entry Level Salary: $29, 777

Average Hours: 40

Union: Possible

Certifications/Education: Design or Game Design degree (Associates or Bachelors) and experience with creative software

Years of Experience: 2-3+

Electronic Gaming Animator

admin — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 07:53:21 +0000

An electronic gaming animator is responsible for creating two- and three-dimensional animations for a wide variety of games. He/she has an understanding of human and non-humanoid anatomy and has developed a creative eye for modeling form, shape, structure and silhouette.

An electronic gaming animator needs to create animations that look great, flow smoothly, follow established model sheets, and are versatile enough to be customized by users. She/he can model, texture and animate complex but realistic scenes, characters and background items, using his/her good sense of volume, lighting and materials.

A good electronic gaming animator has a solid background in academic drawing, traditional arts, sketching and/or illustration. An electronic gaming animator can also earn a game design degree to make him/her more highly sought after. Because of the complexity to create electronic games, this degree is more specialized than a standard design degree.

Average Salary: $38,875

Top Salary: $51,819

Entry Level Salary: $29, 777

Average Hours: 40

Union: Possible

Certifications/Education: Design or Game Design degree (Associates or Bachelors) and experience with creative software

Years of Experience: 2-3+