Saturation of digital artists?

[Kirsten_Zirngibl]

(hope this is the right forum to put this in)

It seems like so many of us are trying to get into the field of game design that we all may end up choking ourselves.

Most of the people who are very successful have been in the field a long time. The people who had to teach themselves (in the case of someone I know, animation) are the ones who have been in it for 20+ years. They are the few and needed of their time, and have experience and some higher salaries to go with it.

But with all major art universities offering game design and animation, and the multitudes of video-game loving artists joining, it seems like there would just be too many. Will the average salary of a concept artist go down? Will employers become much more selective in who they hire? If that's the case, some of us will be in for some harder times being successful.

I know the video game industry is growing at a steady rate right now, but will it start to level off in 10 years? I think it will, and that it would probably mean something bad for us... That is, unless something new comes along that we can jump into and be at the top of (before they start offering degrees for it).

I guess this issue just is something else that bothers me (perhaps I fret too much, heh). Any insights?

[Craig D]

The people who have been in the field the longest are generally the best or the ones with the most perseverance. People with fewer skills or the will to stick around long enough to aquire them disappear. This is not just the case in art but in many other competitive fields as well.

There are a number of succesfull young artists on this forum, and some are self taught.

The general consensus from art directors I have talked to is that there will always be jobs for the best. So put your head down and work harder than your peers and you will probably not have to worry (working smarter as well as harder is always good)

[Storyboard Dave]

I think the fear of a saturation of digital artists are unfounded.

To me, working digitally is just another medium. It's not better than gouache, acrylic, pencil or oils. If one's a really solid artist, they can adapt to the mediums, adapt to new trends, find new markets and still be a success.

It's akin to keyliners & paste-up artists being put out of work because of the advent of computers. In reality many of them really weren't good enough graphic designers but if they were, they could've slid over to doing solid design work again.

It's all about adaptability in a fast changing market. The really talented artists will always find work.

[supermark]

I used to think the same thing and sometimes it still enters my mind. Which leads me to doubt and worrying, but I've learned to repel those negative thoughts and bring positive thoughts instead.
If the salary of artist goes down then we shouldnt quit, after all this is our passion and the art should be our first priority not the cash.
The way I look at it is, there are thousands of artist out in the world competing...so I have to perform at my best and use persistance as a key tool. If you believe you will be successful than it shall happen. The world requires each of us to work harder, if we want our goals and dreams to become reality than we must go the extra mile everyday to ensure our dreams. Some other things to keep in mind: :)

"The slaughterhouse of failure is not my destiny...I will persist until I succeed."

" I will apply all my efforts to become the highest mountain of all and I will strain my potential until it cries for mercy."

Those are by Og Mandino from The Greatest Salesman in The World. These are just a few things I remind myself of every day. God Bless

[Seedling]

The field of law is also currently saturated. That doesn't mean that everyone who wanted to study law should turn away. It means that those who thought it would be easy money or fame are going to wash out, and those who stick with it out of love for the job will be the ones who find success.

[idoru]

EVERYTHING is saturated. It's a pretty darn saturated world. If you're in art for the money, you're probably in the wrong field, anyway. :D

[angryswine]

Yes, I believe that being rich in life is far more important than being rich in materials. We die with the happiness we have had in life, and work is a huge part of being alive. If you like what you do, then you are rich and you will die happy. In terms of not being able to find a job, however, there are numerous other jobs that art can be applied to, it doesnt have to be the game industry, it can be a multitude of other jobs. Toy designer, gallery artist, tattoo artist, web designer, and the list goes on further than I would be willing to type.

[OlegDjimbinov]

i haven't seen many great digital artists. can count them on my fingers.

[bluefruitbowl]

i haven't seen many great digital artists. can count them on my fingers.

.....what?