Environment Artist

[DCJones]

What do you mean by environment artist? A level designer or perhaps a "skydome" artist?

As far as I know, you'll have to know at least one 3d package and know how to work with low-poly meshes. Perhaps some texturing skills will do you good as well.
Apart from that, just build your portfolio using (low poly) 3d... but focus on buildings, landscapes etcetera.

Hope that answers your question :)

[pomru]

Check out the job descriptions for environment artist openings at game companies. For instance, here's a list of skill requirements from a job posting for a 3D Background Artist at Blizzard North (http://www.blizzard.com/jobopp/bn-art-3dback.shtml):

Required Qualifications
- Expert modeling skills using Maya, 3DS Max or equivalent 3D program
- Superior eye for light, shade, color and detail in creating texture maps.
- Proficiency in using Adobe Photoshop.

Pluses
- Experience with architecture, illustration and traditional drawing skills
- Experience creating game levels and scenes

So, yeah, as DCJones says, you'll need to know at least one 3D package, and architecture skills wouldn't hurt... 3D packages can include game level editors such as the Unreal editor.

Note that environment artists are sometimes called different things at different companies: background artists, level artists. And sometimes level designers do the same thing as level artists, but other times, level designers are more "designers" than "artists." Some of the job descriptions for those designery level designers require some AI knowledge because you'll be responsible for putting monsters and NPCs in the levels and program a script for how they will react when they encounter a player.

[dell]

thanks lads


I'll do some more research and look around.:thumbsup:

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