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Become a Job-Ready Game Artist with Expert Mentorship and Real-World Projects

Game Art Program

9 Months / Online / Beginner-Friendly

Studios want more than talent, they want artists who are ready to contribute. In this hands-on program, you’ll work closely with industry experts, build real-world projects, and create a portfolio that helps you stand out and land a career. 

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PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Program delivery


  • Entirely virtual
  • Pre-recorded videos on demand
  • Live class sessions
  • One-on-one or small group live mentorship
  • Online student labs
  • Certificate upon completion

Topics covered


  • 3D Modeling Workflows
  • Game Resolution Techniques
  • UV Layout
  • Texturing for PBR
  • Rendering in Unreal Engine
  • and much more...

Time commitment


  • Minimum: 20+ hours per week
  • Recommended: 30+ hours per week 
  • Meet twice per week then complete your work on your own schedule
SEE THE SYLLABUS

Game Art Program Tracks 

The Game Art Program is 9 months long and consists of 3 terms, each being 12 weeks long. Term 2 is when you start focusing on either Environment Art or Character Art.

9 MONTHS  -  3 TERMS  

 

Character  Art


TERM I: 12 weeks

  • Modeling, Texturing, Rendering

TERM II: 12 weeks

  • Character Sculpting and Texturing

TERM III: 12 weeks

  • Character Rendering in Unreal Engine
9 MONTHS  -  3 TERMS

 

 Environment  Art


TERM I: 12 weeks

  • Modeling, Texturing, Rendering

TERM II: 12 weeks

  • Environment Art in Unreal Engine

TERM III: 12 weeks

  • Advanced Environment Techniques
TUITION

Pay in full

$8,997

Save when you pay in full

6-month payment plan

$1,632/mo

Pay over 6 months

9-month payment plan

$1,099/mo

Pay over 9 months

12-month payment plan

$833/mo

Pay over 12 months

In the case that none of these payment options work for you, you can discuss more payment options during your admissions call.

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Our Mentors

Get one-on-one and small group mentorship from these industry experts!

Vertex School Industry Expert Crystal Bretz Framestore

Crystal Bretz

Lead Modeller at 

Framestore 

PROJECTS:

Black Panther, Spiderman: No Way Home, The Willoughbys, For All Mankind

Vertex School Industry Expert Jacob Claussen Fall Damage

Jacob Claussen

Environment Art Director at

Fall Damage

PROJECTS:

Avatar Frontiers of Pandora, Overkill's The Walking Dead

Vertex School Industry Expert Marcin Klicki CD Projekt Red

Marcin Klicki

Senior Character Artist at 

CD Projekt Red

PROJECTS:

Cyberpunk 2077, The Witcher 3, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, The Witcher 3: Hearts of Stone

Vertex School Industry Expert Ashley Sparling K9 Digital

Ashley Sparling

Character Art Director at

K9 Digital

PROJECTS:

Assassin's Creed Odyssey, Fable Legends, Remnant 2, Immortals Fenyx Rising

Vertex School Industry Expert Ben Merrick Stellar Entertainment

Ben Merrick

Principal Environment Artist at

Stellar Entertainment

PROJECTS:

Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered, Artemis Fowl, Need for Speed Hot Pursuit Remastered, Pearl Quest, Fable Legends, Kinect Sports: Rivals

Vertex School Industry Expert Salvador Sánchez Playground Games

Salvador Sánchez

Lighting Artist at 

Playground Games

PROJECTS:

Fable, Warhammer Age of Sigmar: Realms of Ruins

Vertex School Industry Expert Cairo Goodbrand Playground Games

Cairo Goodbrand

Associate Lead Environment Artist at

Playground Games

PROJECTS:

Star Citizen, Judas, Age of Darkness

Vertex School Industry Expert Stefan Oprisan Ubisoft

Stefan Oprisan

Ex-Senior Material Artist at

Ubisoft

PROJECTS:

Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, Forza Horizon 4, Planet Zoo

Vertex School Industry Expert Filipe Strazzeri d3t

Filipe Strazzeri

Lead Technical Artist at 

D3t / Keyword Studios

PROJECTS:

House of the Dragon, Alien Romulus (Oscar-nominated), Exoborne, The Three Body Problem, Shadow and Bone, The Witcher, Roald Dahl's The Witches

Vertex School Industry Expert Oscar Hallberg Arrowhead Game Studios

Oscar Hallberg

Lead Character Artist at 

Arrowhead Game Studios

PROJECTS:

Alara Prime, Battlefield V

Vertex School Industry Expert Kem Yaralioglu Highdive

Kem Yaragliou

Expert Environment Artist at 

Highdive

PROJECTS:

Kena Bridge of Spirits, Sea of Thieves Season Six, Sea of Thieves a Pirate's Life, Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege, Elite Dangerous Odyssey

Vertex School Industry Expert Andrew Baker Traega Entertainment

Andrew Baker

Ex-Environment Artist at 

Traega Entertainment

PROJECTS:

Star Trek Strange New Worlds, Star Trek Discovery, Dawn of Defiance

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What Our Students Are Saying...

Tiger Yang

"The program gave me access to advice from mentors who are industry professionals. 

My mentors helped me push my term III project to a level where, although it was the only complete environment project in my portfolio, it was enough to land multiple interviews with AAA companies and also a job. 

To add to that, one of my mentors helped connect me with numerous recruiters and other professionals in his contacts. This included the art director at Maverick Games, who connected with me for an interview after the referral."

After Graduating from Vertex: Environment Artist at Maverick Games

Étienne Cardona

"Switching from 2D animation to 3D character art, Vertex School’s 9-month Game Art Program was the best configuration I could’ve hoped for.

During the classes, I was taught the necessary tools to complete a full project, and the one on one sessions with industry mentors allowed me to pinpoint my weaknesses and further deepen my knowledge of both the softwares and techniques used.

Thanks to Vertex School and a recommendation from my mentor, Ashley Sparling, I’ve been hired by Ubisoft as a 3D Character Artist. I was not expecting such an awesome conclusion to the program."

 After Graduating from Vertex: 3D Character Artist at Ubisoft

Angela Jeong

"With the knowledge I gained and portfolio I made at Vertex, I got hired into the game industry! 
Prior to Vertex, I had very little software knowledge. Now I’m comfortable using Maya, Zbrush, Substance Designer, Painter, etc.

I really enjoy the community Vertex provides. People are always exchanging info and providing feedback - there is always someone willing to help you. I guarantee that if you are willing to push yourself, you will be able to get a lot out of the Game Arts Program.

With Vertex I felt that I was supported and part of the school community both during and after graduating. 

I'm super grateful that I joined Vertex!"

After Graduating from Vertex: 3D Environment Artist at Liquid Development

READ MORE REVIEWS
WHERE OUR STUDENTS GET JOBS
Vertex School Student Jobs EA Dice
Vertex School Student Jobs Apple
Vertex School Student Jobs Ubisoft
Vertex School Student Jobs Blizzard Entertainment
Vertex School Student Jobs CD Projekt Red
STUDENT SUCCESS STORY

From Law Office to Environment Art:

How Julia Cui Built a Career in the Gaming Industry

Switching careers can feel like standing at the top of a mountain — exciting, terrifying, and uncertain. For Julia Cui, that leap took her from gastronomy, sales, and even law, to a career she truly loves: game art.

Today, Julia’s work is featured in Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed — a major milestone that reflects her passion and persistence.

Read the full blog post!

Before Vertex School: Sales Assistant

After Vertex School: 3D Environment Artist at Purple Lamp

READ THE FULL ARTICLE

Application Process

Step 1

SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION

Complete our quick and easy online application covering your background and goals. 

Step 2

SCHEDULE YOUR INTERVIEW

During this easygoing call, you'll connect with an admissions representative to discuss your application, walk through the program structure, and get your questions answered. 

Step 3

ENROLL FOR YOUR PROGRAM

Complete enrollment with your admissions representative, pay tuition, and prepare for the start of your program!

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Next Cohort Starts June 30th, 2025

LAST DAY TO ENROLL: JUNE 30TH, 2025

Apply Now

Submit the quick and easy application below to apply to the Game Art Program or Game Development Program.

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