BREAK INTO GAME ARTS IN 13 WEEKS
Learn and apply the skills you need to start a career in games.
Know Your Stuff
Learn the most sought after skills in game arts, from anatomy to texturing, with guidance from our team of experienced instructors
Build Your Portfolio
Build in-game characters while mastering the software and tools used in today's Game Arts pipelines
Get Hired
Launch your new career in game arts with the support of our career counselors through every step of the job search.
CAREER SUPPORT
We provide each of our immersive graduates with access to job readiness training, connections to employers, and opportunities to hone new skills.
Job
Preparation
Build a strong portfolio with one-on-one mentorship.
Online Presence
By the time you graduate you'll have a strong online presence and a portfolio that reflects your value in the job market.
Coaching
We offer guidance in evaluating job offers and negotiating terms before job acceptance.
Former VFX Artist
Darrell Raymundo
Graduate Of The Character Artist Bootcamp
Now A 3D Artist At Gentle Giant
"You really have to focus on one thing. If you really want to be a character artist you have to be obsessed with character arts. "
Companies who've hired our alumni
"Everyone told me to forget about trying to be a character artist, that artists have been trying for 6-7 years and that it would take me years before i get that chance. Now here i am making characters for an unannounced triple A title and already have watchdogs 2 in my resume. I feel like saying thank you to you and all the instructors here is not enough, but it's all I can say really, thank you so much for making my dream come true."
Testimonial
Sands Kopaei
"I think i had a vague idea of how to make a character for games before but now I am much more confident. When I compare my new work with my old work it is just really better. This is the first time I was doing something realistic and it was a huge step for me and it went really well. "
Testimonial
OcƩane Bidou
"Seriously....last weekend, i was like "i'm seeing a movie where Hosein did the likeness and one of my fellow students ran one of the biggest doll companies around for years, i'm totally in the right place."
Testimonial
Uriah Redden
Student Life
We break up our daily scheduele with a mix of demonstrations, skill-focused labs, and team collaboration. Every day is different, but here's an example of what your day could look like on campus.
Review
Daily group review and art exercises that reinforce concepts and skills.
Class
Instructor-guided lessons & activities. Learn key skills through lectures, discussions and activities.
Lunch
Review morning lessons and labs with instructors and classmates (optional)
Labs & Exercises
Student-guided group activities. Practice new skills, work on labs solo or in groups, and receive further instruction on key concepts for the day.
One-on-Ones
Catch-up on goals and progress. Personal review and support from instructors.
Homework
Assignments and projects. Evening TA's are on hand to support the class in completing daily assignments and review exercises.
STUDENT STRAIGHT TALK
Hear From KORY MOLOHON In our Part-Time Character Artist Bootcamp about how he creates realistic skin in Marmoset. Then listen in as we review his progress through the bootcamp.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
We teach the skills you need to kickstart your career as an artist and a lifelong learner. From anatomy fundamentals to 3D modeling tools to game engines, you'll learn to create game art while mastering Pipeline and best practices.
Anatomy Fundamentals
Begin by discovering artistic anatomy, it's rules and processes. Learn the fundamentals of seeing form in three dimensions and study directly with the life model using digital and traditional tools.
The Basics Of 3D Production
Understand how to setup your 3D models, work effeciently as an artist and make your characters a success. Learn how to properly model 3D props and characters for both high-polygonal and low-polygon workflows. Focus on edgeflow, optimization and pipeline requirements.
Digital Sculpting
Before you start working on advanced character pipelines, gain an understanding of the foundations of Digital Sculpting through targeted exercises and lessons. Develop your skills sculpting clothing and using more advanced ZBrush features and realistic clothing simulations via Marvelous Designer.
Texture Development
Build realistic and/or stylized textures within a high quality game pipeline. Build materials, lighting and rendering to integrate with texturing via advanced tools like Substance Painter or Mari.
Pipeline: Advanced Workflows
Build your character from the ground up using Autodesk's Maya & ZBrush. Build detailed texture maps using software like Mari or Substance Painter. Integrate everything into the game engine for your project.
Working with Teams
Learn to collaborate with others to produce high quality models as you work with a team to design, model, texture and render a game character.
Request A Detailed Syllabus
Build Your Portfolio
You'll complete several projects, including a primary portfolio project that will help you begin your job search with confidence. Check out an example of a past student project
Brief
Create female character that fits in the post-apocalyptic land of the game Horizon Zero Dawn and is patterned after the main character Aloy.
Assets
- Female base mesh via ZBrush
- Clothing via Marvelous Designer
- Accessories via Maya & ZBrush
- Texturing via Substance Painter
- Materials via Marmoset
Process
Digital Sculpt
Using Maya, ZBrush and Marvelous Designer Oceane created the high resolution design sculpt. With feedback she was able to increase her level of realism and create more detailed accessories.
Production Model
Oceane optimized the mesh and generated the maps using a few different software tools including Maya, ZBrush and Handplane 3D.
Pipeline Development
Oceane created the texture in Substance Painter, which was new to her and rendered it in Marmoset using PBR materials and submitted it for a job opening during that last weeks of the Bootcamp.
MEET GAI'S INSTRUCTORS
Learn from skilled artists with professional experience in the field through our classes, bootcamps and immersives.
Adam Skutt
Epic Games
Jarad Vincent
Epic Games
Hosein Diba
Freelance Sculptor
Jason Martin
Id Software
Eric Wilson
Anatomist & Sculptor
Alex Senechal
343 Industries
Eytan Zana
Naughty Dog
Forrest Stephan
Cloud Imperium
LEARN IN IRVINE, CALIFORNIA
JUN 19 - SEP 8
Mon - Fri
9am - 5pm
$12,995 USD
SEP 25 - DEC 15
Mon - Fri
9am - 5pm
$12,995 USD
MAY 15 - JUL 27
Mon & Thu
10am & 6pm
JUN 19 - AUG 25
Mon & Wed
12pm & 6pm
LOOKING FOR A PART TIME CLASS?
GET ANSWERS
We love questions, almost as much as we love providing answers. Here are a few samplings of what we're typically asked, along with our responses:
Why are these skills relevant today?
There's never been a better time to be a well-trained 3D Artist. The Game industry is growing and offers stable employment for artists trained in anatomy and the latest software.
What practical skill sets can I expect to have upon completion of the course?
By the end of this course you'll be able to:
- Understand fundamental anatomy of the human body.
- Develop complete characters using the latest pipeline tools such as Mari and Substance Painter.
- Insert your character in a game engine with all the data, maps, and materials needed to showcase your skills.
- Problem solve within Maya, ZBrush, Substance Painter, Marvelous Designer, Mari and more.
- Collaborate with a team to create high polygon and low polygon models.
Who will I be taking classes with?
Our students are artists, engineers transition into the arts, people just out of college, people who couldn't afford to go to college, vfx artists, baristas - artists who, just like you, have a passion for creating characters for the film and game industry.
What can I expect to accomplish by the end of this course?
By the end of the course, you will have:
- Completed several individual and group projects, including one primary portfolio project.
- Learned about character creation from experiences game artists.
- Networked with some of the best artists & companies in your local area.
- Prepared yourself with the foundational knowledge you need to begin a career of continuous learning.
What are my financing options for an immersive program?
We don't want financial obstacles to get in the way of you achieving your dream job so we offer payment plans for those who qualify. Note, you must first be accepted into the program before applying for financing.