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First, some facts. Of the Game Art graduates we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:
These are estimates based on AI analysis of 51 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 59%, Game Art graduates have a lower likelihood (-8%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:
And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.
Also, after graduating, only 3% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests a Bachelors degree is enough for most Game Art graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.
See the details:
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Relevance score: 0% We think this person has NOT gone into a career related to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2016 from Full Sail University with a Bachelors Degree in Game Art. Also pursued further education since (see below). JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONInside Sales Account Manager Dell Technologies Nov 2019 - Present Account Manager 2 Dell Technologies Aug 2021 - Present FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATINGMaster's degreeFull Sail University 2017 - 2018 ABOUTI am an accomplished, Customer-centric, Account Manager for Dell Technologies. My passion for bettering my customer's lives has helped me to achieve Sales Person of the Year FY21. I am hoping to further my career in a more customer service based role to really let myself focus on helping people. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
When looking at the career trajectories of people who have graduated with a degree in Game Art, it’s clear that many of them have found their way into relevant positions in the gaming industry, primarily as 3D Artists, Animators, Environment Artists, and various forms of Game Designers. For instance, positions like "3D Artist," "3D Environment Artist," or "Animator" are hotspot roles since they directly apply the technical skills honed during their studies. Roles that center around creating models, animations, or environments are essential to game development and are explicitly taught in Game Art programs. This shows a promising alignment between education and career path for many graduates.
However, it's not all sunshine and rainbows. Many graduates also end up in jobs that have little to do with what they studied. Out of the examples analyzed, several individuals transitioned into roles like customer service representatives, quality assurance testers, and even kitchen staff. These jobs tend to use very few, if any, of the skills learned in a Game Art program. Positions like "Freelance Artist" or "Product Designer," while they might pull some creative skills from Game Art, often lean more towards general art or product development rather than video game design specifically. This indicates a disconnect for some graduates who, despite their investment in specialized training, find themselves in unrelated fields, often due to industry demand, personal choices, or economic factors.
Overall, while the Game Art degree certainly sets a strong foundation for entry into the gaming industry, it’s clear that the journey after graduation isn’t universally smooth. Many graduates enjoy useful roles that align directly with their education, but there’s also a significant population that strays into various unrelated careers. That said, the most common and relevant positions typically involve art and design directly tied to game development, showcasing the importance of these skills in the industry.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Game Art graduates:
So, if you're diving into the world of Game Art through this list of LinkedIn profiles, there's a lot to unpack about the kinds of career paths these graduates tend to take. First off, let's talk about what their first jobs look like right after graduation. A good number of recent graduates pick up some freelance gigs or role as 3D artists in the gaming industry, which is promising. For instance, someone who graduated from Full Sail University in 2023 landed a position as a 3D Environment Artist at Firaxis Games just a year after graduating. That's pretty cool and tells you that there are solid entry points into the industry for fresh grads, especially if you network and land internships while in school.
Now, zooming out to see where these folks are headed 5 or 10 years later, things start to look a bit more mixed. While some people stick closely to Game Art, like those who evolved from 3D artists to senior roles in their companies, others veer away from the creative paths altogether. For example, one grad from Full Sail University who graduated in 2010 ends up becoming a service technician at Walmart after dabbling in several roles in the gaming world. It seems like there’s a tangible risk of these graduates getting sidetracked into various non-art-related jobs. The presence of roles like "Quality Assurance Tester," or even jobs that seem unrelated to Game Art, indicates that not everyone finds a perfect landing spot in the game industry.
Overall, graduates from these programs seem to experience an initial wave of excitement and opportunity in Game Art roles, especially within the first few years post-graduation. However, the longer you look, the more varied the paths become. It's a bit of a mixed bag—some thrive in creative positions while others find themselves in different sectors entirely. So, if you’re thinking about Game Art as a career, it’s crucial to have a backup plan and be ready to pivot if you don't land in the ideal job right away. The important takeaway? Stay passionate and keep honing your skills, because the industry can be unpredictable, but there are also really cool opportunities out there waiting for you!
A Bachelor’s degree in Game Art can be pretty challenging, especially if you’re not already familiar with the technical skills and artistic concepts involved. You’ll be juggling things like 3D modeling, animation, game design principles, and various software tools, which can feel like a lot at times. It definitely requires both creativity and a good grasp of technology, so if you love art but aren’t as comfortable with computers, it might feel a bit overwhelming. Overall, it’s not necessarily harder than average, but it’s definitely a degree that demands passion and dedication if you want to keep up and really excel.
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 2 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Game Art.
Looking at the job trajectories of these Game Art graduates, it seems like some are doing quite well in the industry while others are still finding their footing. For instance, graduates from Full Sail University who landed roles as 3D Artists or Environment Artists at big companies like Firaxis and Blizzard are likely earning decent salaries, which can range from the mid-50s to over 100K depending on experience and location. Others are still freelancing or taking on less stable positions, which might not be as lucrative in the short term.
However, a few graduates have taken on jobs that suggest they're not capitalizing on their art degrees as effectively, with roles in non-art fields or positions that typically pay less, like customer service and store associates. Overall, while there's definitely potential to make good money in game art, the paths individuals take can vary significantly, impacting their financial success. It’s all about finding that right fit in the industry and leveraging the skills they've learned to get a foot in the door.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Game Art. This may or may not be useful:
Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Game Art (ordered by the average relevance score of their Game Art graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:
| College | Score | Count |
|---|---|---|
 Full Sail University
|
52 | 33 |