Top 11 Game Artist Certifications

Certifications for a game artist are important in the job market because they demonstrate to employers that the artist has the skills necessary to work in the industry. Certifications provide evidence that an artist is knowledgeable and experienced in creating art assets, such as 3D models and textures, as well as animation and special effects. Additionally, certifications can be a way for an artist to stand out from other applicants who may not have them. Employers often value certifications as it indicates to them that the artist has invested time and money into their own development, which is indicative of dedication and passion for their craft.

The purpose of this article is to review the most beneficial certifications for game artists and demonstrate how they can help to advance a game artist's career.

What are Game Artist Certifications?

Game Artist Certification is an industry-recognized credential that demonstrates a professional's knowledge and proficiency in the field of game art. This certification is designed to validate the skills, knowledge, experience, and expertise of game artists who design and develop video game assets. Through this certification, professionals can demonstrate their technical ability in creating high-quality 3D models, textures, environment design, animation, UI/UX design, and more. With this certification, employers can be sure that the professionals they hire are qualified for their job and have the necessary skills to take on complex projects. Additionally, it allows employers to identify potential candidates quickly from a pool of applicants due to the fact that it serves as proof of an individual’s skill set. Furthermore, having this certification may open up additional opportunities for game artists such as consulting or teaching positions. Finally, having Game Artist Certification will help increase an individual’s credibility within the gaming industry which could lead to better job prospects in the future.

Pro Tip: Make sure to do research on different game artist certifications and find one that is right for you and your skill set. Many certifications require a certain level of experience or knowledge, so make sure you understand what is required before enrolling in a program. Additionally, look into the cost associated with certification and make sure it fits within your budget.

Related: What does a Game Artist do?

Top 11 Game Artist Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Game Artists today.

1. Unity Certified Expert

A Unity Certified Expert is a professional certification program designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated mastery of the Unity platform. The certification is awarded by Unity Technologies, the company behind the popular game engine and development platform.

To become a Unity Certified Expert, you must pass an exam that tests your knowledge of the platform’s features and capabilities. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and takes approximately two hours to complete. It covers topics such as game design, scripting, optimization, physics, animation, lighting, audio, and more.

The cost of the exam varies depending on where you take it. In most cases, it costs $150 USD to take the exam at an authorized testing center or online with ProctorU.

In order to get certified as a Unity Certified Expert, you must first register for the exam through either the official website or an authorized testing center. Once registered, you will be given access to study materials which can help prepare you for the exam. After studying these materials and preparing for the exam as best as possible, you can then schedule a time to take it either in person or online with ProctorU.

Once you have successfully completed the exam and passed with a score of 70% or higher, you will receive your official certificate from Unity Technologies within four weeks after passing your exam. This certificate serves as proof that you are officially a Unity Certified Expert!

2. Unreal Engine 4 Certified Developer

Unreal Engine 4 Certified Developer is a certification program offered by Epic Games, the creators of the Unreal Engine. The certification is designed to recognize developers who have demonstrated proficiency in creating games and applications with the Unreal Engine.

The program consists of two parts: an online course and an exam. The online course covers topics such as game design, programming, and art production. It also includes hands-on tutorials that help developers gain practical experience with the engine. The exam tests a developer’s knowledge of the engine and its features.

It typically takes around 40 hours to complete the online course and pass the exam. However, this can vary depending on individual learning speed and experience level.

To get certified, developers must first register for an account on Epic Games’ website. After registering, they can purchase access to the online course for $99 USD and take the exam at any time after completing it. Once they have passed the exam, they will receive their certification from Epic Games via email.

The cost of becoming a certified Unreal Engine 4 developer is $99 USD for access to the online course plus any additional fees associated with taking the exam (usually around $50 USD).

3. Autodesk Maya Certified Professional

Autodesk Maya Certified Professional is an industry-recognized certification for professionals who use Autodesk Maya software. It is designed to demonstrate that a professional has the skills and knowledge necessary to create high-quality 3D projects using Autodesk Maya.

It typically takes around two weeks to complete the certification process, depending on your experience with the software. To get certified, you must first complete an online application and then pass a series of exams. The exams cover topics such as modeling, texturing, lighting, rigging, animation, and rendering. Once you have passed all of the exams, you will receive your certification from Autodesk.

The cost of getting certified varies depending on which version of Autodesk Maya you are using and how many exams you need to take. Generally speaking, it can cost anywhere from $100-$500 USD to become certified.

4. Adobe Creative Suite Certified Expert

Adobe Creative Suite Certified Expert (ACE) is a certification from Adobe that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated a high level of proficiency in using Adobe Creative Suite software. It is designed to help professionals and students demonstrate their expertise in the use of Adobe Creative Suite applications, including Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Dreamweaver, Flash Professional and Acrobat Pro.

The ACE certification requires an individual to pass two exams: one on the fundamentals of Adobe Creative Suite and another on a specific application. The exam focuses on topics such as design principles, file management, workflow processes and troubleshooting.

In order to get certified as an ACE, you must first register for the exams through the Adobe website. After registration is complete, you can take the exams at any authorized testing center or online through Pearson VUE. The exams cost $180 each and typically take about two hours to complete.

Once you have passed both exams with a score of 70% or higher, you will receive your official ACE certificate from Adobe. You will also be added to the list of certified experts on the Adobe website so potential employers can easily find your credentials.

The cost for becoming an ACE varies depending on how many exams you take and where they are taken. Generally speaking, it costs around $360 for both exams plus any additional fees associated with taking them at a testing center or online through Pearson VUE.

5. D Modeling and Animation Certification

D Modeling and Animation Certification is a professional certification program that provides individuals with the skills and knowledge needed to create 3D models and animations for use in film, television, video games, and other digital media. The certification is offered by a number of organizations including Autodesk, Adobe, Unity Technologies, and Pixologic.

The certification typically takes around 6-12 months to complete depending on the organization offering it. To get certified you must complete a series of courses that cover topics such as 3D modeling techniques, animation principles, rendering techniques, game development concepts, and more. After completing the courses you will need to take an exam to demonstrate your proficiency in the subject matter.

The cost of the certification varies depending on which organization is offering it but typically ranges from $500-$2,000 USD.

6. Adobe Photoshop Certification

Adobe Photoshop Certification is a professional certification program offered by Adobe Systems Inc. It is designed to demonstrate an individual's expertise in using Adobe Photoshop, the world’s leading image editing software. The certification is available for both beginners and advanced users of Photoshop.

The certification exam consists of multiple-choice questions that cover topics such as image manipulation, color correction, retouching, compositing, and more. The exam typically takes about two hours to complete and can be taken online or at an authorized testing center.

To qualify for the Adobe Photoshop Certification exam, applicants must have at least six months of experience working with the software and have a basic understanding of its features and tools. Additionally, applicants must have access to a computer with the latest version of Adobe Photoshop installed on it.

The cost of the Adobe Photoshop Certification exam varies depending on where you take it. Generally speaking, it costs around $180 USD for the online version and $250 USD for the in-person version.

7. Unity 2D & 3D Game Development Certification

Unity 2D & 3D Game Development Certification is a certification program offered by Unity Technologies, the creators of the Unity game engine. It is designed to help game developers learn how to use the Unity engine to create and deploy high-quality games. The certification program covers topics such as game design, programming, art and animation, and more.

The certification program consists of two parts: a series of online courses and an exam. The online courses are self-paced and can be completed in as little as 4 weeks or up to 6 months depending on your experience level. The courses cover topics such as game design principles, scripting with C#, physics simulation, lighting systems, and more. After completing the online courses, you must pass an exam to become certified.

To get started, you will need to purchase a Unity Pro subscription which includes access to the online courses and the exam. The cost of a subscription varies depending on your needs but typically starts at $150 per month for an individual license.

Once you have purchased a subscription and completed the online courses, you can register for the exam which costs $99 USD. The exam consists of multiple choice questions and takes approximately 1 hour to complete. Once you pass the exam, you will receive your Unity 2D & 3D Game Development Certification which is valid for one year from date of issue.

8. Google Play Console Certification

Google Play Console Certification is a program that allows developers to demonstrate their knowledge of the Google Play Console and its features. It is designed to help developers create better apps, faster. The certification includes topics such as understanding the Google Play Console, managing app releases, using analytics to improve app performance, and more.

The certification process takes approximately 2-3 hours to complete and consists of a series of multiple choice questions. To get certified, you must pass an online assessment with a score of 80% or higher. There is no cost associated with the certification; however, if you fail the exam you will be required to pay a fee for retaking it.

To get started with the certification process, you must first register for an account on the Google Play Console website. Once registered, you can access the certification page and begin taking the assessment. Once completed, your results will be emailed to you within 24 hours. Upon passing the exam, you will receive a certificate verifying your successful completion of the program.

9. Apple iOS Developer Certification

Apple iOS Developer Certification is a professional certification program that provides developers with the skills and knowledge to create applications for iPhones, iPads, and other Apple devices. This certification is designed to help developers understand the principles of designing and developing apps for the iOS platform.

The certification process involves completing an online course and passing an exam. The course covers topics such as Objective-C, Cocoa Touch, Core Data, Xcode, and more. It takes approximately 8-10 weeks to complete the course depending on how much time you can dedicate each week.

Once you have completed the course, you must pass the exam in order to receive your certification. The exam consists of multiple choice questions and is administered by Apple at select testing centers around the world.

The cost of obtaining Apple iOS Developer Certification varies depending on which country you are located in. Generally speaking, it costs around $150 USD to take the exam in most countries.

10. Amazon Web Services (AWS) Certified Solutions Architect

Amazon Web Services (AWS) Certified Solutions Architect is a certification program designed to validate an individual’s expertise in designing, deploying, and managing applications and infrastructure on the AWS platform. This certification is intended for individuals who have experience with designing distributed applications and systems on the AWS platform.

The AWS Certified Solutions Architect exam consists of multiple-choice questions that test a candidate’s knowledge of design principles, best practices, and other technical aspects of the AWS platform. The exam typically takes around 90 minutes to complete.

In order to become an AWS Certified Solutions Architect, you must pass the AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate exam. The cost of this exam varies depending on your region but typically ranges from $150-$300 USD.

To prepare for the exam, it is recommended that you have at least six months of hands-on experience with designing distributed applications and systems on the AWS platform. Additionally, there are several online training courses available which can help you prepare for the exam.

11. Microsoft Xbox One Developer Certification

Microsoft Xbox One Developer Certification is a program that allows developers to create games and apps for the Xbox One console. It requires developers to have a working knowledge of the Xbox One platform, as well as the ability to develop games and applications that meet Microsoft’s standards.

The certification process takes approximately two weeks, depending on the complexity of the project. In order to get certified, developers must submit an application with their game or app idea, along with any relevant documentation. After submitting their application, they will receive feedback from Microsoft and may be asked to make changes or provide additional information. Once approved, they will receive a certificate of completion and be able to start developing their game or app for the Xbox One platform.

The cost of certification varies depending on the complexity of the project and can range from free up to several thousand dollars. Developers must also pay for any additional services such as testing, marketing, and distribution costs associated with their project.

Do You Really Need a Game Artist Certificate?

No, you do not need a game artist certificate to be successful in the game industry. While having a certificate may help you stand out from the competition, it is not necessary to land a job or make progress within the industry.

Game artists are typically hired based on their portfolio and experience rather than any kind of certification. Companies will look at what kinds of projects you have worked on, what skills you possess, and your overall level of experience when considering whether to hire you or not. Certifications can be helpful for demonstrating your knowledge and proficiency in certain areas, but employers usually care more about your actual work than an official piece of paper.

If you want to become a game artist, the best thing to do is focus on developing your portfolio and gaining as much experience as possible. Participate in game development competitions, create personal projects that showcase your art style, or even take classes from expert instructors in order to learn new techniques and build up your skillset. A certificate can be beneficial if it's relevant to the position you're applying for, but it should never be seen as a requirement for success within this field.

Related: Game Artist Resume Examples

FAQs About Game Artist Certifications

1. What is a game artist certification?

A game artist certification is a professional certification that validates an individual's ability to create digital art, animation, and design for video games. It demonstrates the holder's proficiency in specialized software tools used to create video game content, as well as an understanding of industry best practices and standards.

2. How do I become certified?

To become certified, you must complete a course or program offered by an accredited institution or organization. This typically includes completing coursework related to game art and design, passing an exam or assessment, and demonstrating your knowledge in the field.

3. Are there any prerequisites for becoming certified?

In most cases, applicants must have some experience working with digital art and design tools such as Adobe Photoshop or Autodesk Maya before they can be considered for certification. Some programs may also require applicants to have prior work experience in the gaming industry or equivalent education in computer graphics and animation.

4. How long does it take to get certified?

The amount of time required to become certified depends on the specific program you choose and your level of experience with digital art tools. Generally speaking, it takes anywhere from several months to a year or more to complete the necessary coursework and assessments required for certification.

5. What are the benefits of becoming certified?

Having a game artist certification can open up opportunities for career advancement within the gaming industry by demonstrating your proficiency and commitment to excellence in this field. It can also provide access to exclusive job postings that require certifications as part of their hiring criteria, as well as potential salary increases depending on your employer's policies.