Where can i learn to draw "Video Game Art?"

Question

I have always wanted to be a video game designer except for the fact that i can't draw too well. The type of art needed is video game art and I was wondering if there was a class in the Montreal or Chateauguay area. I would prefer the class/course to be outside of school.

Answer 1

This may not be exactly what you're looking for but here's a site that I found that offers some really great tutorials on drawing in general.  It has advice on how to think about drawing as well as definitions for drawing related terminology.  It has helped me improve on several drawing skills just by practicing and using techniques recommended on the site.  Hope it helps.  http://www.drawspace.com

Answer 2

First off, game designer is a real job, and you do NOT need to have any artist skills to become one.  There are a lot of misconceptions out there about what game design is.  There is no art in game design.  There is no programming.  There is minimal testing.  Game design is done almost exclusively with writing and math.  Game programmers program the games, game artists make the art, and game testers test the games.  It's the designer's job to come up with the ideas for every tiny detail of the game, and communicate those ideas to the programmers, artists, testers, etc.  The designer decides what NPC the player encounters where, and what the NPC will say; what weapon the player can get at what point in the game and how much damage it does; what attacks a boss mob has and how much damage they do, etc.

If you want to be a game designer – that is, create the gameplay of a game, using math and writing – rather than an artist, definitely pursue that.  Most game designers can’t draw above a stick-figure level.  If what you really want to do is create game art, then you should absolutely pursue that.

Either way, you need to go to a regular four year college for your education.  There are several good schools in Montreal that would work just fine.  If art is your passion, any art school or four year college with an art degree is fine.  The Art Institutes in particular can prepare you well for game art work, but any school with a Bachelors of Fine Arts is fine.

If you're interested in design, go to any good four year college and major in whatever you want.  Just pick a major that you enjoy and that will allow you graduate as quickly as possible.  Along with your major take math up through Calculus 1, and at least two courses in Statistics, two courses in writing, one Computer Science course, and one art course.  Math and writing are the main tools of a designer, and the CS and art courses will help you work with your programmer and artist colleagues later on.  Fill up the rest of your course requirement with a wide liberal arts education -- history, literature, mythology, sociology, psychology, etc, are all useful in game design.

Answer 3

I think you mean a video game concept artist? There isn't really such thing as a "video game designer", as these days video games are designed by many different people working on different aspects (elements like story, script, characters, in-game assets, user interface, etc -- are all designed and produced by different people). Of course, these things are all overseen by a production director, but that takes experience and promotions.

The hard truth is that if you want to be a video game concept artist, you will need to draw exceptionally well, because illustration of any kind is a highly competitive field and if you can't compete you will struggle to find work. To draw well you need to be passionate about drawing and work at it every day. If you don't think you can achieve this, I would suggest that a course concentrating more on 3D modelling and animation may be more beneficial for you. These are the people who actually create the in-game characters, environments, etc., and though they work from designs produced by the concept artists, they ultimately determine the way the games look when they are played.

You will need to go to college/university for this. I'm afraid I know nothing about the courses in your area, but there are degrees which are geared toward the games industry and will teach you about art, modelling, animation, etc., so you can then make your own decision about exactly what role you wish to look for. You'll have to research these on your own - search online for video game courses and I'm sure you'll find something close to what you are looking for.

Good luck!