5 qualities (skills) an artist should have

The ability to draw круто and at the same time maintain the company's style is the key skills of an artist. However, there are other skills, without which, according to expert Tatiana Nazhimova, you can fail the interview in game dev. Tatiana Nazhimova is a 2D artist with eight years of experience in developing mobile games. Now she collaborates with CM Games as a Senior Artist and, through her experience, tells how the life of game dev companies works, and helps начинающие artists to feel more confident in the industry. Read about what other skills, besides professional ones, an artist should have in the article. The material was released as part of the special project Map of Professions from Skills Up School.  

Be interested in technology

Use 3D dummies, photographs, procedural generation — everything that will simplify and speed up the work process. Feel free to tell the employer that you are interested in technology and show in your portfolio how you know how to use them, that you are keeping up with the times. This way he will understand that you value his time/money and are ready to work for results.  

Concentrate on individuality

Let's give an example. The Draw it in your style challenge reflects this concept: you copy the original, but in your performance it becomes unique. You convey your vision of an already familiar idea, creating it anew. But what about the requirement of companies to draw in a given style? Yes, this is one of the key skills of an artist lately, which you learn in courses or on your own. It does not contradict the above: you draw according to the rules of the chosen style, adding your own design to the work. Design is WHAT we draw, style is HOW we draw.  

Be able to communicate effectively

The higher the position on the career ladder, the more weight soft skills will have, so gradually pump these skills too.

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At the interview, they check basic communication, for example, whether it is comfortable to talk to you, whether you will fit well into the team, how you see your future within the company.

Meet deadlines

Throughout the entire hiring process, the company will assess your reliability. Complete tasks on time, and if for some reason you do not make it in time, warn in advance — this way trust in you will grow.

If you violate deadlines or ignore feedback corrections without explanation, then your value as a professional will decrease.

Play games

If you want to be in trend and to make your art look modern, you need to play games. The ability to find and analyze competitor games is a very valuable skill for a game artist — it allows you to understand and apply the best solutions that will make the game more desirable.

Start your journey into game dev at Skills Up School — sign up for courses in 2D and 3D graphics in Moscow, St. Petersburg and online. You can choose courses here.