Lead Artist - Computer Games
(AKA - Art Director or Creative Manager)
The Lead Artist is responsible for the overall look of the game.
Working with the Game Designer in the first instance, the Lead Artist devises the game’s visual style and directs the production of all visual material throughout the game’s development.
The Lead Artist produces much of the initial artwork themselves, setting creative and technical standards and also determining the best tools and techniques to deploy.
In conjunction with the producer, the Lead Artist puts together and manages the team of artists and animators who produce the bulk of the art assets for the game (including environments, characters, objects and effects) under the Lead Artist’s direction.
The Lead Artist must ensure that the art and animation team works to schedule and within budget. They also work closely with the programming team to make sure that all art and animation assets produced can be easily imported into the game engine.
Lead Artists are employed by development studios, both independent and publisher-owned. This is the highest paid position in the art department, reflecting the skills and experience required.
The computer games market is highly competitive and subject to seasonal peaks – the hours can be long and the work quite pressurised, particularly as launch dates approach.
What is the job?
A Lead Artist’s day to day work can vary greatly according to how far down the development path the project has progressed.
Initially the Lead Artist works with a small core team which can include the Game Designer and Lead Programmer, defining creatively the overall look and artistic approach for the game.
The styling is often communicated through concept art, and the Lead Artist will supervise, if not actually undertake, the production of illustrative material which indicates the visual atmosphere and graphical design for the game.
The Lead Artist also researches and tests out different modelling, texturing, animation, rendering and lighting techniques and tools appropriate to the games technology, with input from the Lead Programmer.
Once the overall style and techniques have been defined, the Lead Artist puts together and manages the art and animation team and then helps to define and specify which pieces of art and animation need to be produced by whom and when.
They supervise the team’s output from a creative and technical point of view, and also ensure that the work gets done according to budget and schedule, alongside the game’s producer, anticipating problems and planning for any contingencies.
Additionally, the Lead Artist is usually responsible for overseeing any outsourced art production. It is this combination of research, design, creative development, and management that makes the Lead Artist’s role unique.
Typical career routes
This is not an entry level role. Lead Artists need considerable games industry experience, usually acquired in various roles within the art department, culminating in a senior or team leadership role.
They should be able to use the various software packages and have a thorough understanding of games technologies, particularly in terms of what can and can’t be achieved for any given delivery platform.
Essential knowledge and skills
The Lead Artist will be an artist with a distinctive and original style, able to inspire and motivate a large team of creative talent. They must understand all the roles within the art department and also of any outsourced contractors. If there are any problems they have to be able to fix them.
They must also build good working relationships with other departments. The ability to communicate clearly with senior managers, designers, programmers, testers and other personnel in their own language is essential. They also need an understanding of the technology, its capabilities and constraints.
Key Skills include:
- traditional and computer art and design skills;
- ability to manage people, time and resources;
- excellent communication skills;
- knowledge of 2D and 3D modelling and animation packages;
- knowledge of constraints, conflict resolution and problem solving skills;
- ability to lead and work as part of a team;
- tact and diplomacy;
- a passion for games and a good understanding of what makes a game visually appealing and fun to play;
- knowledge of the requirements of the relevant Health and Safety legislation and procedures.
Experience is the key to this role. In addition to an art education (usually a fine arts, graphics or animation degree) Lead Artists need at least 5 years experience in the games industry, some of which will have been spent in a leadership role.
They will have a portfolio demonstrating a range of creative styles and must have expertise in the relevant tools and technology, including 2D and 3D modelling and animation packages.
Lead Artists also need management skills and experience, which might include knowledge of planning software applications, such as Microsoft Project.
A lot of the training for this role is carried out on the job, but some advanced short courses in specific tools and packages are available. Skillset’s regional training partners can advise about local training opportunities.
Where to go for more information
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