Is Art School Worth It for Game Development?

When I decided to go to art school, I made the choice because I saw the value in learning directly from industry professionals. For me, it wasn’t just about honing my creativity; it was about setting myself up for success in a competitive and ever-evolving field—game art and design. The experience was rewarding, but like any major decision, it comes with its own set of pros and cons. Here’s what I’ve learned, and what you might want to consider if you’re weighing the decision for yourself, whether for goals of being a professional artist or for video game development.

The Pros

1. Guidance from Industry Professionals + Opportunities

One of the biggest advantages of attending art school is having direct access to experienced instructors. These are people who have already had some success and experience in the industry, and their insights can save you years of trial and error. They don’t just teach you the basics; they share real-world advice about what it takes to stand out in the field. For me, this mentorship has been invaluable.

Instead of reinventing the wheel, I’ve been able to learn industry-standard tools and techniques that are essential for developing video games, designing illustrations, and creating digital assets for various projects. If digital art isn't what you're interested in pursuing, it can also provide a great foundation for delving into traditional illustration, painting, and fine art, among other creative fields such as photography, interior design, or even fashion. For me, digital art opens a wide variety of possible fields to go into besides just game development or film. The skills used for those fields are also applicable to things like education, professional training such as in medical or military fields, creating simulations for anything from pilots to soldiers to surgeons to engineering projects, etc. The possibilities for the use of art and digital creative tools are very extensive in our world today.

2. Streamlined Learning

Art school gave me a roadmap. Before enrolling, I had no idea where to begin or what to focus on. There are endless YouTube tutorials, forums, and courses online, but trying to piece together a curriculum on your own can be overwhelming. By attending art school, my learning was streamlined. I could focus on what matters most—whether that’s learning 3D modeling software like Maya, understanding game asset pipelines and engines, mastering texturing techniques, or improving my traditional sketches with better perspective, detail, and proportion—instead of wasting time on unnecessary or outdated skills that were not pertinent to my goals nor industry standard.

3. Exposure to New Skills and Software

Before art school, I didn’t even know half the tools or techniques I’m using now existed. The curriculum is designed to expose students to everything from foundational skills to advanced industry practices. This breadth of knowledge is critical because sometimes you don’t know what you don’t know. I could have spent hours and days pursuing unnecessary content, ads, and tutorials trying to figure out processes and skills without really knowing what to look for or what was worth my time and money. If you're serious about turning art or creativity into a career or side hustle skill set, then you're going to be investing time and money in skill development and tools to create projects. It's important to be discerning about where you invest so that your time and money is not wasted. Art school can give you guidance on where to start and what to look for when deciding what to learn and use.

4. Networking Opportunities

Art school isn’t just about the education; it’s also about the connections you make. Your instructors, classmates, and other alumni can become valuable contacts in the industry. These relationships can open doors to internships, collaborations, and job opportunities.

5. Motivational Environment

Let’s face it—learning creative skills on your own can be a slog. Being surrounded by peers who share your goals and passions creates an environment that keeps you motivated, even in an online learning environment. The feedback and constructive criticism I’ve received from instructors and classmates have helped me improve much faster than I would have on my own and provides accountability to consistently keep doing the work and improving, when I otherwise might get distracted or lazy.

The Cons

1. The Cost

There’s no getting around it: art school is expensive. Between tuition, supplies, and software, the costs add up quickly. For me, the investment felt worth it because of the structured guidance and industry connections, but not everyone will feel the same. If you’re unsure about committing financially, consider exploring online courses or community college programs first to see if art school aligns with your goals.

Additionally, be resourceful with how you get funding for school if you choose to pursue that. There are scholarships and grants you can apply for, and if necessary, you can get student loans. Try for federal student loans such as the FAFSA if you qualify, and beyond that, there are personal student loans that can help. I have used all of those options to fund 2 associate degrees and 2 bachelor's degrees, and sometimes, if you make high enough grades consistently, some schools will offer you additional funding based on your merit as a student.

2. Time Commitment

Art school is a major time investment. Classes, projects, and deadlines can leave little room for other commitments. While the structure keeps you disciplined, it can also feel overwhelming at times. If you have a full-time job or other responsibilities, balancing them with school can be a challenge. Unlike other school homework commonly expected up until college, art and creativity programs tend to be very project-oriented which can be individual or collaborative.

Most of the work will take long periods of time to complete and involve a lot of personal creativity. When students rush their projects and don't invest a lot of time and effort into their projects, it is pretty obvious in the final result and will not do well when graded. In professional industries, cutting corners and poor-quality results will result in being fired, if you can even get hired in the first place. Remember, your school projects or personal projects while you are learning will form the foundation of your professional portfolio and will be what represents the extent of your abilities. If you want to show others that you are worth paying for your work, whether in a studio or as an entrepreneur, you have to show your highest quality work in all of your projects and practice a lot to continue improving.

3. Not All Programs Are Equal

One of the downsides of art school is that quality can vary significantly between institutions. Some schools have cutting-edge programs with instructors who are deeply connected to the industry, while others may offer more generic or outdated curricula. Researching and choosing the right school is crucial to ensure you’re getting the best education for your money.

Remember, an art degree will not teach you everything. All it can do is give you a foundation for getting started and barely scratch the surface of all there is to learn to be successful. It is a great place to start, but it is important to continue learning after graduation. For me, my degree gave me enough exposure and experience with tools and techniques that I felt more confident in my ability to identify and find higher quality training and tools to pursue after school was completed. You are in charge of your own learning pace and quality, whether or not you go to art school, but going to school can give you a lot more options and resources to have the best chance at finding opportunities that best fit your goals.

4. You Still Need to Put in the Work

This isn't necessarily a "con," but it seems increasingly unpopular these days. Art school isn’t a magic solution. The instructors provide guidance and resources, but your success ultimately depends on how much effort you put in. Late nights working on assignments, practicing techniques on your own, and seeking out additional learning opportunities are all part of the package. If you’re not willing to put in the work, art school might not be worth it. However, if you are serious about a creative career or even making money on the side with your art, having a strong work ethic is necessary to succeed, with or without a degree. If you are unwilling to discipline yourself to consistently improve and prolifically produce more creative content, it may be best to just keep art as a hobby.

5. Focus May Be Narrow

Again, not necessarily a "con," but this can feel limiting. While art school helps you specialize, it’s worth noting that some programs might have a narrow focus. For instance, if you decide later that you want to shift from game art to concept design or another field, you might find gaps in your education. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it’s something to keep in mind when choosing your program.

I chose to pursue game art because it was the broadest art program offered by the school I attended. I wanted that broad focus because I was uncertain what area of art I would like the most or be best at when I started. Game art has a broader focus because it entails a variety of other art foci to implement into game development. These artistic foci include; illustration, concept art, technical art, digital painting, 3D modeling, animation, UI & FX design, character & level design, color theory, and much more. As a result, I was able to get exposure to a variety of artistic skills that also apply to more niche fields such as fine art (illustration, painting, color, composition), animation (3D/2D illustration, modeling, perspective, technical art), or interior design (environmental art, staging, color harmonizing) as examples. If I had wanted to switch to a more niche artistic degree, my experience in game art would have helped me make that decision by giving me a taste of each area. As it turned out, I like most of the creative processes, so I did not switch to a more niche focus. I enjoy learning it all, but I do tend to focus more on 3D modeling and concept art as my most enjoyable projects.

Is Art School Worth It?

The answer to this question depends on your goals. My goal is to learn to create Indie video games and develop game art and assets, so the structured guidance of art school has been an excellent fit for me. It has fast-tracked my learning, introduced me to essential skills and software, and provided a clear path to achieving my ambitions. But if your goals are more exploratory, or if you’re confident in your ability to teach yourself, art school might not be necessary.

Ultimately, art school is what you make of it. For me, it’s been a valuable investment despite not necessarily needing or agreeing with every course required of me, but it’s not the only path to success. Whether you choose formal education, self-teaching, or a combination of both, the most important thing is to stay committed to your craft and keep growing as an artist and creative artist.