- Get a high school diploma. …
- Pursue a bachelor’s degree. …
- Obtain an art certification. …
- Practice on a regular basis. …
- Create a portfolio of your work. …
- Start networking. …
- Get some experience. …
- Apply for jobs.
What does a concept artist do?
Although a concept artist’s specific responsibilities will depend on their place of employment, the following are typical daily activities for concept artists:
What is a concept artist?
A concept artist, also known as a “conceptual artist,” is a kind of designer who develops various media, including vehicles, characters, and settings. In order for animators and modelers to create and produce these ideas, these professionals create illustrations of them. Concept artists work in a variety of industries, including animation, video games, print media, graphic design, advertising, and more.
Concept artists frequently collaborate closely with other art departments to correlate visual styles in order to ensure that they satisfy the requirements of each project stage.
Work environment for concept artists
Most concept artists work in an office environment. If they have the necessary tools and their employer permits it, they may also work from home. Concept artists typically report to the art director and are employed by an art department or art team. Most of the time, these professionals are available during regular business hours, and their jobs rarely require them to travel.
How to become a concept artist
The actions you can take to pursue a career as a concept artist are as follows:
1. Get a high school diploma
To become a concept artist, you must first obtain a high school diploma or its equivalent. For consideration for any entry-level concept artist positions, candidates must possess at least a high school diploma.
2. Pursue a bachelors degree
The next step is to pursue a bachelor’s degree in fine arts or a related field in order to become a concept artist. While employers of concept artists may not always require this, a bachelor’s degree offers in-depth knowledge that cannot be found elsewhere. A degree program will also present opportunities for practical education, and it might assist you in developing contacts within this industry that will be useful after you graduate.
3. Obtain an art certification
After earning your bachelor’s degree, you should think about enrolling in a post-secondary art program to earn an art certification. Getting an art certification is not necessary to become a concept artist, but it can help you stand out from the crowd by providing employers with proof of your skills and abilities. Additionally, a certification will give you beneficial knowledge and expertise.
4. Practice on a regular basis
You should regularly practice drawing while pursuing higher education to hone your skills and polish your artistic abilities.
5. Create a portfolio of your work
You must put together a professional portfolio of your work either while enrolled in or right after your bachelor’s program. You can set up a website for your work where you can showcase your finest works as well as provide contact details for potential employers.
Include artwork created in the medium with which you are most comfortable when building your online portfolio. Additionally, you ought to incorporate a wide range of artistic mediums, including environmental art, character and machine illustrations, diagrams, and graphic design. Include captions that detail the process behind each piece.
6. Start networking
The larger your professional network, the more opportunities there are to find a job as a concept artist. Connect with other concept artists on social media sites like Twitter and Instagram, go to networking events for concept artists, get in touch with concept artists who work at companies you’d like to work for, and routinely update your portfolio with your most recent work.
7. Get some experience
For some concept artist positions, prior experience is a requirement. Consider applying for an internship with an art-related company to gain practical experience. If graphic design is a profession you are familiar with, you might pursue it.
8. Apply for jobs
It’s time to begin applying for concept artist jobs once you have built a portfolio and gained some experience. Most likely, you’ll have to start at the bottom and work your way up. As a concept artist, you will have more opportunities as you gain experience.
FAQs about a career as a concept artist
The following inquiries about becoming a concept artist are frequently asked:
How much do concept artists make?
What is the job outlook for concept artists?
What primary skills do concept artists need?
The top skills that concept artists should possess include:
What are similar careers to being a concept artist?
Some occupations that are comparable to those of a concept artist include the following:
Jobs similar to concept artists
There are numerous positions you could look into if concept art is something you’re interested in. 10 jobs that are comparable to concept artists are listed below:
SO YOU WANT TO BE A CONCEPT ARTIST?
FAQ
What qualifications do you need to become a concept artist?
- Degree in graphic design or fine art preferred.
- A portfolio of work demonstrating strong artistic and storytelling ability.
- Concept artists and graphic designers with at least two years of experience are preferred.
- Excellent sketching abilities for rough conceptualization.
How hard is it to become a concept artist?
Concept art is repetitive, it’s labour-intensive. Finding a job in and becoming good at it are difficult tasks. You could even contend that concept art isn’t really art. However, it’s also a really amazing job, and many people want to pursue it.
How much do you get paid as a concept artist?
Salary Ranges for Concept Artists The median annual salary for Concept Artists in the US is $69,119, with salaries ranging from $14,263 to $379,980. Concept artists earn an average salary of $69,119 to $172,706 while the top 86% earn $379,980.
Are concept artists in demand?
To meet this increased demand, more concept artists and animators will be needed. Concept artists can expect the following job growth in other sectors: Software Development (games), which is 24% higher than the national average for all occupations. Web Development, 15%, much faster than average for all occupations.
