Someone wishing to become a texture artist may pursue a traditional formal education and training, or could instead rely on self-taught skills. These digital media professionals are responsible for adding textures that bring scenes to life in video games, television, and films. These can range from rust streaks on the side of a ship to skin textures on animal characters in a computer game. The work requires a thorough understanding of digital editing as well as a strong aesthetic eye that can be used to bring scenes to life.
One option is to attend art school, or to take digital media classes in a conventional college or university. This training to become a texture artist creates opportunities to learn a variety of software, practice with various assignments, and meet people who may be active in the industry. Students can begin to develop portfolios, which are critical for job applications, and have a chance to refine their skills and engage with particular areas of interest. A four year degree can provide a strong basis for job applications.
Another way to become a texture artist is to learn independently. Some people learn by buying copies of the software used in the industry and working with them directly to hone their artistic skills. They can also start to establish portfolios with samples of their best work. These can include a variety of projects from retextures of familiar media to showcase their skills to entirely new projects developed from scratch.
Entry level positions in the industry may be open to people with experience, training, and strong portfolios to prove it. These typically come with low pay and may provide varying opportunities for actually generating textures. As employees demonstrate competence, they can be trusted with more complicated and demanding project. For college students, it can help to have internship experience to become a texture artist. People with a history as interns might be offered long-term employment after graduation or could cite their experiences on employment applications.
Once someone has become a texture artist, it typically pays to keep up with trends in the industry. People can develop texture libraries, to have a store of images and ideas to draw upon. They may belong to professional organizations and subscribe to trade magazines. Attendance at conferences, trade shows, and other events can help artists keep pace with the latest software and trends. Texture artists who stay ahead of the curve can be more competitive in the industry, and may be eligible for more pay and bonuses.
