Game artists play a pivotal part in bringing video games to life, handling key tasks such as character design, lighting, environment design, and animation. Like many roles in the gaming industry, however, the work of gaming artists has been gradually transitioning to freelancing and independent contracting.
If you’re interested in kickstarting your own career as an independent contractor, you may be wondering what it takes to get started in the competitive niche of freelance game design. With a better understanding of how to handle building your client base, setting freelance rates, and financial planning for freelancers, you can be better prepared for the unique opportunities and challenges that this realm has to offer.
Getting Started in Freelance Game Art
As you get ready to enter the field as a freelance game artist, there are several ways to prepare and set yourself up for success.
Assessing Your Skills and Portfolio
First, take inventory of your strengths as they relate to game art. Do your strongest skills lie in 3D modeling? Animation? Perhaps you’re better at environment design or character design. Regardless, knowing your skills can help you better market yourself when the time comes to start finding clients. Likewise, you’ll want to be sure that your skill set is well represented with examples in your professional portfolio.
Identifying Your Niche in Game Art
Freelance game artists can take on various roles within a project. They may work as character modelers, environment artists, animators, texture artists, and more. By assessing your distinct strengths, you can pinpoint your ideal niche within the field. This isn’t to say you’ll never take on any work in another area, but it’s a good place to target your efforts, especially early on in your career.
Setting Up Your Online Presence
As a freelance game artist, there’s a chance that you’ll find the majority of your clients (and vice versa) online. Therefore, having a strong online presence is essential when it comes to finding work.
If you haven’t done so already, take time to set up an online version of your portfolio on a dedicated artist website. Creating and maintaining a profile on a professional networking site (like LinkedIn) could also help you find new clients and make other industry connections.
Building a Client Base as a Freelance Game Artist
Depending on the size and scope of each project, you may find yourself working with one client at a time or multiple clients at a time. Gradually, you’ll build up your confidence along with a steady client base that will help you develop skills in different areas of the field.
Networking in the Gaming Industry
Networking within the gaming industry is one of the best ways to find new clients. You can build your professional network by being active on sites like LinkedIn or Instagram as well as attending industry events in the form of conferences and workshops.
Using Freelance Job Boards and Platforms
Additionally, dedicated freelance artist platforms can help you find work as a game artist. Some examples of websites to consider include:
- Upwork
- Freelancer
- 99designs
- Creative Market
- ArtStation
By creating profiles on these kinds of sites, you can increase your chances of connecting with clients who need specific work done on a short-term basis. These platforms also help serve as a go-between to handle matters like payments, contracts, and more.
Collaborating With Indie Game Developers
In some cases, freelance game design professionals may also be able to use their professional connections to network and collaborate with indie game developers. This can be an exciting way to get involved in a new gaming project while potentially enjoying more creative freedom in the process.
Managing Your Freelance Game Art Business
Another central aspect of working as an independent contractor is freelance project management — or striking that ideal balance between taking on too much work and not having enough to keep you busy.
Pricing Your Work and Setting Rates
One of the most challenging aspects of freelancing for newer game artists is knowing how to price your work so you are paid fairly. Many freelance game artists will either set a fixed hourly rate for their work or perform tasks on a per-project basis. Ultimately, it’s all about figuring out what works best for you. Over time, as you become more comfortable in your work, you may be able to develop and publish a set fee schedule for your clients (and potential clients) to reference.
Creating Contracts and Agreements
If you secure work through a freelance artist job platform, there’s a chance that your contracts and formal agreements will already be covered (but not always). However, if you’re finding work outside of a third-party platform, then you may need to draw up your own contracts and agreements for each project.
In creating a contract, be sure to include key details such as:
- The terms of your payment.
- The precise scope of your work.
- Information related to copyright/ownership or intellectual property rights.
- Important deadlines and due dates.
Time Management and Productivity
When you first start off, it’s generally wise to take on only one or two smaller projects at a time. This way, you can avoid overbooking yourself and potentially missing deadlines or stressing yourself out. Over time, you’ll get a better feel for how much you can take on without being overwhelmed as a game artist.
Essential Skills for Success in Freelance Game Art
In addition to the technical skills you need to thrive in a freelance game art career, other core competencies to develop include communication, adaptability, and a commitment to lifelong learning.
Communication and Client Relations
As a freelance game artist, communication is key. This is especially true if you’ll be working remotely and thus may not be in a central office to meet other team members in person. Consistent, clear communication is critical from the start of a project to its completion, so go out of your way to keep clients in the loop on your project’s progress. A bit of effort here can go far in establishing excellent client relations that could lead to repeat work.
Adaptability and Continuous Learning
Freelance game designers must also commit to being flexible and always looking for new ways to differentiate themselves in this field. Game design is highly dynamic, with new technologies and advancements emerging seemingly overnight. With this in mind, freelancers should be prepared to take classes, attend workshops, and otherwise stay on top of the latest trends to remain competitive.
Marketing Yourself as a Freelance Game Artist
Getting your name out there as a freelance game artist is important for connecting with new clients and building a reputation for yourself. Consider the following tips for marketing yourself in this increasingly competitive field.
Showcasing Your Work on Social Media
Each time you complete a new project, don’t hesitate to share your work on social media, LinkedIn, your website, and other platforms. The more you share, the more you can increase your exposure to potential clients.
Building a Strong Brand and Unique Style
Another way to stand out in game design is to cultivate your unique sense of branding and style in everything you do. A strong brand will help you become distinguishable from other game artists while positioning yourself as a thought leader in the field.
Dealing With Challenges in Freelance Game Art
No career path comes without inherent challenges (like navigating taxes), but with a little perseverance and preparation, you can overcome common obstacles in the freelance game art industry.
Handling Unpredictable Workloads
As with any freelance position, you will likely have busy times and quiet times as a game artist. When work is sluggish, you can always focus on building up your portfolio and marketing. When things pick back up, you can take on a little extra work to make up for the slow period.
Managing Finances and Taxes as a Freelancer
Freelancers are typically 1099 workers, meaning they don’t have an employer withholding taxes from their pay. As a result, you must become familiar with paying your own taxes to avoid penalties and fees when it comes time to file. In many scenarios, freelancers need to pay self-employment taxes and quarterly estimated taxes — so this is something to plan for.
Learn More in a Game Art Degree Program
With a better idea of how to become a freelance game artist, are you ready to take the next steps toward a rewarding career? Having a formal education can set you apart from other game designers, not to mention help you gain valuable skills and knowledge in this dynamic industry.
Specifically, a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Game Art degree from Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design can equip you with the foundational knowledge and skills you need to make a difference in the gaming world. Plus, during your time at RMCAD, you’ll develop a robust game art portfolio that you can leverage when you graduate.
This program is offered both on campus and online, so get in touch to request more information and determine which format is right for you. Ready to apply? You may begin your online application for admission today.