What does a Technical Artist do?
Technical artists act as links between artists and programmers while working on a game and serve as a hybrid between artists and programmers. They work closely with the lead artist, creative director, and lead programmers working on the project and set up and maintain the workflow. They also investigate new techniques to implement along the way. Technical artists review completed art, which could include a character or environment background. After they are delivered, technical artists must ensure the art designs maintain standards of visual quality.
Technical artists prepare and design character systems including cloth and collaborate with environment artists and other programmers to optimize environments and establish physical barriers. Technical artists also create custom tools that are carried out using scripting languages, including modeling and animation packages. They oversee and research the implementation of rendering techniques, including standard and specular maps and pixel shaders. Technical artists must know console hardware architecture and are highly skilled in 3D graphics software with a fluency in lighting and rendering, texturing, and graphics-related programming languages.
- Develop custom workflows using scripts and coded tools solutions for the visualization team
- Integrate off the shelf and custom applications into an efficient production pipeline.
- Maintain the integrity of art content pipelines by identifying inefficiencies and recommend and implementing improvements.
- Troubleshoot key pipeline issues and solve core problems in cooperation with the development team.
- Facilitate technical art communication across disciplines by providing clear and constructive feedback and guidance.
- Collaborate with engineering, design, and art to achieve project goals.
- Create new techniques and procedures to improve asset quality.
- Analyze and improve art asset inefficiencies to optimize console performance.
- Act as a liaison between engineering and the art departments.
- Identify lacking areas and contribute to documentation and tutorials.
- Bachelor's Degree in computer science or engineering.
- Demonstrated careful attention to detail.
- Trained in the use of Maya and other animation programs.
- Accomplished with Python, C++ and other programming languages.
- Adept with debugging tactics.
Technical Artist Salaries
Average Base Pay
Technical Artist Career Path
Learn how to become a Technical Artist, what skills and education you need to succeed, and what level of pay to expect at each step on your career path.
Years of Experience Distribution
Technical Artist Insights
Fortitude Games“There is good emphasis on personal and career development that helps elevate the talents within the studio even further.”
Gameloft“The projects we get to work on are fun and the people are awesome.”
NetEase Games“Working life balance was not the best.”
Imagination Technologies“Compared to my friends starting in the games industry I was being pay a decent amount more.”
Pacific Columns“Terrible PTO offerings and not much vacation.”
MOTIONX STUDIO“Hard work and overtime.”
Superformula“I've accepted that there's no such thing as a perfect company and the best characteristic of a company is its ability to listen and change.”
“Direct Supervisor was not helpful”
Frequently asked questions about the role and responsibilities of a Technical Artist
- Concept Artist
- Environment Artist
- 3D Artist
- Game Artist