THERE ARE NO MORE ART JOBS? JUST GIVE UP?!!

Many people are scared that there are fewer jobs in the video game industry, but nothing could be further from the truth.
Rumblings around the art world on youtube are that art jobs are no more. Many of these artists just want to quit because AI can do it faster, or young artists are really good. What should we do? Break their hands? Shut down the internet? I think not!
I propose that there are more art jobs now than ever before in the history of humanity!
THERE ARE NO MORE ART JOBS? JUST GIVE UP?!!

Games I've worked on -
CURRENTLY WORKING ON- Twilight Monk Metroidvania
Fortnite (Environment concept art)
Overwatch (Environment concept art + Sprays artwork)
League of Legends (Character design + Environment concept art, UI + Icons)
Diablo 3 (Character design + Environment concept art)
Hearthstone (Illustration)
Burning Crusade(Character design + Environment concept art)
Wrath of the Lich King (Character design + Environment concept art)
Indivisible (Environment concept art)
Final Fight Streetwise (Voice Acting + Character Design + World Design + Cutscene Direction + Co writer on script)
He Man GBA (Pixel Art)
Terminator 3 GBA (Art Direction + Pixel Art)
CannonBallers (Character + World design)
Ikeda: The Scrap Hunter (Programming + Art + Design)
Goblins and Gnomes (Concept Art)

Books available-
CreeD Re:Imaginary (2021) - 2 part Comic series
Twilight Monk - Return of the Ancients (2021) - Illustrated Novel
Twilight Monk Secrets of Kung Fulio (2020) - Illustrated Novel
Escape from Giants Crown (2019) - Illustrated Novella
World Of Twilight Monk Vol 1 (2019) Art Book
The Man and the Moonken (2019) - Illustrated Novella
The Beast of Tuksa (2018) - Illustrated Novella
Twilight Monk (2012) - 2 Graphic Novels
Nova Colony (2009) - 1 Graphic Novel
CreeD (1993-2007) - Comic Book Series
Ghost Rider (2000) - Comic Book Series
The Fuzz (1997) - Comic Book

[TrentKaniuga]

If you want to get work as a concept artist in video games, Check out my PRO level workshops! www.gumroad.com/trentk

[scarletsletter]

I’m an environment designer & a few months ago I started a mural painting business which has made me feel better about the situation. Trent, AI isn’t taking jobs from established professionals like us. Most of us work on big productions & for studios that can’t use generative AI anyway. But AI is taking entry freelance gigs. I used to do tons of pinup illustrations on the side, & that work has dried up by ~50%. My mural biz is going gangbusters though so I highly recommend that for any artist who enjoys painting big

[moderndayjames]

I think the same is true in the animation industry. People are saying AI filters are replacing animation but those rely entirely on live action footage. The whole purpose of animation is to make up choreography and movements of characters that couldn't exist in reality.

[Iad]

Currently working an internship for an indie game company. So far I've moved from illustration/concept art to texturing, modeling, fixing LOTS of UV maps, and recently was asked to be the new art director by the project manager.
I'm loving all the work, but transitioning to a paid position has been difficult😅

[LolixBelle]

everytime I feel like I am not getting any jobs, especially after I am done with a project, I get swamp with work, I was working on 3 at the same time and now I am left with 2, some are recurring clients who still need me and some are new, I started wanting to work as a concept artist, ended up making things I never done before, like UI art, skill icons, pixel art, etc, sure I don't make much but the experience is so useful for me, I am constantly learning.

[sylphes]

I... think your video gave me the reality check and the courage to stop persuing a career in the gaming industry. That sounds like bad but tbh it's liberating.

For the longest time I thought drawing is the only thing I'm good at and that's the only way I can offer some value to the world... but I've come to realize that's not true. I also thought that it would be the only thing I'd enjoy doing, but your insights into the industry make me realize that it's nothing like how I imagined at all... I'd probably hate selling my creative ideas and having thousands of my drawings thrown into the bin for someone else to take credit of the ones don't get discarded. It is work, and as any work goes and it's not all flowers and roses.

I think I can finally let myself draw just for my own enjoyment now, and look for a different way to make money. In a way, I think the way I contribute the most value to the world is to drawing things for myself.

Thank you, for your videos. I think this is the wakeup call that I needed.

[rainygrimm]

I need an hour long version of Trent just telling me to give up on art, for some reason that was extremely motivating🔥

[coyoteclockworkstudios]

I was in the industry once upon a time. The money could be decent, but my job got shipped to China, and lots of people were predatory. They wanted you to do free work. Even one of my professors who owned a game studio met me and a friend at a networking party that said he'd figured out a way to get college students to work for free.
Deathmarches suck and Blizzard and EA have gotten in trouble for abusing their workers. It's rough out there.
I do my art for myself now. But be careful, newbies! Know your worth!

[isekaiednatsu]

Quitting isnt worth it i promise you that
Ive tried to quit many times due to mental health reasons and self doubt and rejections but if you truly enjoy it and if it brings joy then yes stressing about it is the challenging part but that stress is a indicator that you are learning ive tried to throw my life away with art (not self harm) but there will be someone or something that will bring you back to your path


Patients.

[karnoldas]

Been dreaming to be in this industry since 2018, finally meeting the bar of art, and suddenly industry goes stale for remote positions.
A big part of companies want you to work hybrid, thus less and less oportunities for someone like me who raises family in a place not populated with games or film companies...

[sarapregel]

I am following you for a very long time and every tip you gave through videos were (and still are) super encouraging to me! I live in very VERY small country where video game industry isnt that big (we have two well known studios and few others who are less known), artistic carriers are in general neglected. Its extremely struggling to get ANY designer job, borderline impossible! Ever since i was little, i wanted to work in video games and i still want that. I quit my last designer job because of extreme toxic environment, it ruined my health and it never helped me grow as designer. Basically i have nothing to lose and just try in video game industry. My skill lvls are growing, every day i am working on portfolio, educating myself on internet and finding free courses that can help in character creations (i dont mind do props or creatures as well). Its tough and challenging but i do believe i can make it one day. Your videos are helping me to stay strong and motivated. Ai cant beat us artist and it never will.

[ArtDadDraws]

Hey Trent! Recently dedicated myself to pivot from copywriting to art. Lost all my clients when AI writing became insanely cheap. I was apprehensive because my dad hasn't ever been successful as a comic book artist and that was a huge mental roadblock for me. But between you and Steven Zapata I found the courage to take the leap.

Loving art again, making massive improvements every week and I'm feeling quite close to being ready to apply for jobs. Currently building some portfolio pieces doing concept art for a world I've been creating in my spare time.

How would you recommend I approach job applications? I was previously a management level employee at an indie video game startup and I'd be seeking entry level art jobs. (I was let go because of money troubles.)

[Stroggoii]

"Management doesn't know what they want until they see it."
After a decade in graphic design that's exactly why I'm not worried at all about generative art.
Clients can't communicate what they want in a way a logical entity can understand.

[foxiizarita]

Most companies, at least in my country, only search for lead and senior artist positions when it comes to anything 2D related. I'm fresh out of university and there is little to no room for junior artists. I'm still looking since 3 months now. I'll be forced to start freelancing in hopes to earn some money or do literally anything else (which btw. doesn't help my CV if people expect you to have x-years of experience in x-position) even though I would've loved to get hired for a fix 8h or 9h/5d week job (or more, since I love what I do). And of course I am willing to also learn more about 3D and whatnot, but it would be nice to do that and increase my capabilities on the side while having a stable job first so I can pay my rent. Like you said, you never stop learning. Also totally agree on the team aspect. The team I worked with before was everything to me. Being creative while having a good laugh is simply the best. If they could take me in again even for a smaller pay, I would never complain. Sadly they couldn't hire me long term since they were still a small indie studio.. yes there are plenty, but they mostly struggle financially themselves. And AI is for a matter of fact frightening. Sure, I can work with it and tweak it's output to whatever my employer envisions, but it still hurts (and yes, I do apply even for those jobs). By now some even call it "Original AI Art" online. Just makes me sad to jump over my own shadow and accept this. On top of that it's scary to see how many people apply for 2D jobs in the shortest amount of time. E.g. on LinkedIn if there is a 2D-Artist position posted you can be sure that there will be 40+ applications between 1-2 hours. After a few days 200+. It's crazy. The example with switching from inking to digital doesn't seem like the best comparison in my eyes when it comes to the struggle with AI. You switched the medium but you are still performing your honed craft (it's your drawn lines, your knowledge, your talent/learned skills with the pen that are necessary), while AI just blatantly takes the whole process and all you do is correcting and modifying, maybe setting up splash art animations.. it's just not the same in my eyes, since you literally give up a big chunk of the creative process, drawing form start to finish and the very aspect that makes you an artist. "Inking" digitally still required you to be an artist; typing words into AI art generators doesn't. It only needs a vision. Potential employers even told me it's a healthy way of thinking, if you're willing to work with and not against AI to still hold your place in the future as an artist.. You said yourself that you are a veteran in the industry so of course you will receive more requests than beginners and maybe it's also what makes your words in this video seem less meaningful to me in comparison to the same content but posted/spoken by a junior. Please don't take my critique as an offense and sorry for the long comment. I highly admire your skill and passion and besides everything I still thank you for your encouragement in these (at least for me) dire times – it's much appreciated! Wishing you a great day.

Edit: And remember that AI is still at the very beginning of its journey. Who knows what it will be capable of in the near future? Don't want to sound pessimistic but rather realistic and also wanted to mention that every creative job is affected, not only artists.

[wronghole]

I love what you do Trent, lately I've been down a lot, discourage and overwhelm by the competition and the challenges that I'm about to face. Last week I decided to drop out off college and pursue learning Financial and Business aspects through online courses and online resources and this is very new to me, I am going towards the opposite direction of where my peers are going. I'm planning to start an Art business, a graphic design and illustration agency with my market of writers and brand owners and I'm just afraid of failing and what people might say behind my back, especially my peers, and additional to that the rising AI art is a big competition that I also need to face, I am devastated, the anxiety that I'm feeling discourages me to the point that I might've made the wrong decision, then I found this video. Your video and your opinion just eradicated all the frustrations that's going in my mind and I thank you for that, keep up what you're doing, you're inspiring and motivating a lot!

[trevorvergesart]

This video is exactly what I needed today Trent. I was running around looking for someone to confirm or deny the lack of jobs in the game industry, feeling down about ai and my own work. Thank you.

[renathohaziel]

Hello Trent, I've been following your content since 2019, when I found your channel, I was in college at the time, studying Game Design, where several areas were covered, and I really identified with the art part, and since then I've been working hard a lot to be able to learn a lot and reach the required level. I look for a lot of content from different places besides Brazil, which helps me a lot to learn other languages. Talking about AI I even felt insecure, but I started to see things from a different angle, and listening to your opinion I feel more calm. Thank you so much for bringing your knowledge to all of us. You are an inspiration.

[fooxylol]

I want to work at an indie studio in the future anway, cus those blizzard and riot horror stories scared me off AAA studios forever💀

[alejandropupo]

This video really got me pumped up! All I want to do right now is grow, draw, and work. Even if I'm not working in my industry of choice in the next year or 2, the desire to learn and keep growing has never gone away

[BetoSantosArt]

As an artist, I hate AI.
As a programmer, I love AI.
As a dungeon master, I mostly discard AI.
ETC.