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Game artist skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025
5 min read
Quoted experts
Paige Williams,
Nathaniel Foley
Below we've compiled a list of the most critical game artist skills. We ranked the top skills for game artists based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 15.2% of game artist resumes contained animation as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a game artist needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 game artist skills for your resume and career

1. Animation

Here's how game artists use animation:
  • Worked with programmers to develop custom animation tools, such one of the earliest real time cloth billowing and deformation systems.
  • Create Artwork and Animation for Online Slot Machine games and Video Poker Games for both Desktop and Mobile platforms.

2. Maya

Maya, also known as Autodesk Maya, is a software and a graphics application used to create 3D models, effects, and assets intended for use in such 3D products as video games, films, architectural plans and models, and other, often interactive, pieces of media. Maya has, since the late 90s, become a standard and one of the core tools in the film and video game industries, has become a part of the primary learning curriculum in schools devoted to these crafts, and has been used in many famous movies, such as Lord of the Rings.

Here's how game artists use maya:
  • Worked with engineers to develop process, using Maya.
  • Provided technical support in Autodesk Maya.

3. Sketch

Here's how game artists use sketch:
  • Received packages and signed vendors in and out Artist(Freelance) Present I sketch portrait drawings upon request.
  • Read scripts to ascertain the materials and the look required and sketch designs for future looks.

4. UI

Here's how game artists use ui:
  • Displayed expertise in designing artwork of user interface (UI), front end animations, and overall look of project.
  • Create concept art for assets, backgrounds, and characters - Finalize 2D assets - Create basic animations - Create UI art

5. Unity

Unity is a universal power word that has the same meaning of strength for everyone, regardless of race, nationality, or gender. It connotes equality, togetherness or oneness, and synchronized thinking and opinions to ultimately achieve a specific goal or mission.

Here's how game artists use unity:
  • Import models into Unity to test and implement them into levels so that they interface properly with the game engine.
  • Character animate then output and set-up in Unity -Create 2D art, UI and import to Unity -QA test.

6. Concept Art

Here's how game artists use concept art:
  • Create GIF web banners Design and create 2D sprite graphic for browser based games Concept Art
  • Mine * Concept art for all characters and art assets in photoshop.

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7. Graphic Design

Graphic design is the art of making visual content to communicate messages. Designers apply different page layout methods and visual hierarchy by using letters and pictures to meet the need of end-users. Most companies use graphic design to sell their product or services and to convey complicated information by using infographics.

Here's how game artists use graphic design:
  • Created graphic design images, kinetic typography animations and instructional videos to promote a font generator website/application called TYPOGRAFFIT.
  • Researched and illustrated art work depicting and in relation to important editorial illustrators and graphic designers.

8. Game Engine

A game engine is a type of game framework where a 3D Artist creates animation, graphics, three-dimensional models, visual effects, and models with special effects using computer software and program.

Here's how game artists use game engine:
  • Work with the level designer to ensure that all assets meet the optimal guidelines for the game engine.
  • Constructed and textured real-time models, environments and characters for in-house game engine.

9. VFX

Visual effects or, as it is known more often, VFX is a term used to describe the special imagery as well as the process of creating and applying said effects onto a visual piece of media, such as a photograph, a video, or a film. VFX is used in filmmaking to replace activities, actions, settings, objects, and animals that would otherwise be too expensive or dangerous or otherwise difficult to work with, create, or use.

Here's how game artists use vfx:
  • Developed and supervised a variety of projects ranging from internal demonstration videos to VFX supervising commercial spots.
  • Showcased great communication, and ability to complete shots as directed by Character FX supervisor and VFX supervisor.

10. FX

Here's how game artists use fx:
  • Modeled various rocks assets, collaborated with Senior FX artist to learn and implement new photogrammetry/ photoscan asset pipeline.
  • Lead FX artist in creation, development, and implementation of particle flow and rigid body simulations to production pipeline.

11. Game Design

Here's how game artists use game design:
  • Produce all art assets -Contribute to game design
  • Participated title: Cracked Created the environmental art Enhanced game design attributes

12. Adobe Photoshop

Here's how game artists use adobe photoshop:
  • Worked in Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator.
  • Scanned pictures and retouched when necessary using Adobe PhotoShop.

13. Game Art

Here's how game artists use game art:
  • Promoted from Associate Game Artist and Game Artist 1.
  • Worked as an Animator and Video Game Artist.

14. Character Design

Character design involves creating an entire style, concept, and artwork of a character from scratch. It requires an in-depth study of the character's personality to develop a virtual understanding of its physical features. Character design is a very complicated process and demands a lot of creative energy.

Here's how game artists use character design:
  • Created original character designs and final renders for an app that promotes emotional awareness in children.
  • Specialized in user interface solutions, virtual good creation, and character design.

15. ZBrush

Here's how game artists use zbrush:
  • Collaborate with level designers to brainstorm ideas and create white box art using a combination of 3ds Max and zBrush.
  • Selected to show a Zbrush digital sculpture portrait in the CSE Art Purchase Program exhibit at Miami University.
top-skills

What skills help Game Artists find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What skills stand out on game artist resumes?

Paige Williams

Academic Dean, Art Academy of Cincinnati

The skills that stand out on artist resumes are skills that distinguish them from other applicants. Potential employers are looking for individuals whose resumes provide evidence of exploration, risk-taking, and the ability to adapt. These traits are evidenced through experiences with internships, study abroad, and other real-world experiences such as client-based projects, exhibitions, performances, and readings in public spaces. Art school is experiential. Students aren't just observing but doing while they are in school. The ability to learn and adapt to new technology is also important. Art students don't just learn but utilize technological skills with purpose in their own creative work.

What game artist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Nathaniel Foley

Assistant Professor of Art & Design, University of Indianapolis

As we continue to grapple with technology and its impact on society, artists will continue to find ways to use it creatively, so there will be an increase in rapid prototyping, AI, and other digital areas. Additionally, fine art-based traditions will continue to evolve and remain important as a foundation to support all technological explorations and research. The artist's toolbox will always be expanding and supported by their training and ability to think, make, take risks and communicate.
Do you want to know more?
Read more about what experts have to say about game artist

List of game artist skills to add to your resume

Game artist skills

The most important skills for a game artist resume and required skills for a game artist to have include:

  • Animation
  • Maya
  • Sketch
  • UI
  • Unity
  • Concept Art
  • Graphic Design
  • Game Engine
  • VFX
  • FX
  • Game Design
  • Adobe Photoshop
  • Game Art
  • Character Design
  • ZBrush
  • Texture
  • Unreal Engine
  • Asset Creation
  • IOS
  • Video Games
  • Logo
  • Motion Graphics
  • Android
  • Art Direction
  • Production Pipeline
  • Game Content
  • Facebook
  • PC
  • UV
  • Art Style
  • Level Design
  • QA
  • Dragon
  • Character Art
  • User Experience
  • Game Titles
  • Digital Art

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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