You might not think of Picasso when you think of video games, but the fact is that art is everywhere in video games. As technology has improved, the graphics and art in video games have become truly phenomenal.

Graphic designers that are behind the art in video games are truly artists. In fact, some of the smartest people in the world design video games and make sure they are constantly improving every year when there is a new release to the latest games.

Art is art because it inspires us, and video games can do that too clearly fitting them in the definition of what art is. Whether it is a musician composing a great master piece or an artist painting something great, the big picture and result is much the same as when video games are created.

One of the most famous museums in the world, The Smithsonian, even has a piece detailing art and video games. As the Smithsonian points out, video games have a place in history just like all other major pieces of art in the world.

Graphic Designers
There are a lot of ways you can learn about art in video games like by reading Planet 7’s blog post on the subject. The first way we associate video games with art is the graphics since pictures and paintings are usually what we think of when we think of art.

In the case of video games, designers create them in the same way that artists draw, paint, and sculpt. The imagery is a product of the imagery and creation of the artist, or in this case, of the graphic designer.

Just like there are schools for artists and musicians there are also schools for graphic designers. That said, the best artists learn tricks of the trade outside the classroom and that is no different for video game creators. Many of the most talented people in the video game industry learned to create on their own, with no formal education or training.

Just because an artist or a designer did not have formal training do not think that means he cannot create a masterpiece. There are many paths to a masterpiece from schooling to apprenticeships to learning on the job, and all are successful.



Art as Inspiration
Video games are so clearly works of art because of how they inspire us. Art takes many forms, and each form inspires us. From music that reaches the depths of our soul when we need it most to beautiful pieces of art that have been admired for centuries, the common theme of the arts is inspiration.

Video games are more than just an escape for teenagers at the end of a long day, they serve as inspiration for their creators in the same way that painters were inspired to create masterpieces.

Think about how difficult it is to craft a video game. The coding, the graphics, and the technology all have to come together in just the right way in order for the game to be a success just like a musician has to put the right instruments, with the right notes, with the right musicians in order to craft a masterpiece.

Looking at video games from a high level like that really helps you appreciate the artistic nature that goes into creating a game. It’s more than just graphics, and it’s the sum of all the parts that show the artistic genius behind great games.

Video games not only inspire the creators but they also inspirer the gamers. Many friendships have been formed, and even some love interests, bonding over a video game. Anything that brings people together like that should certainly be considered a work of art.



The Smithsonian
If it’s in a museum, it must be true – right? In the four decades since they came on the scene, video games have generated some of the most artistic talent in the world. As such, the Smithsonian has had an exhibit that goes into detail about the history of video games and where they are headed in the future.

The exhibit focuses on the visual effects of video games while also explaining the technology behind games. Keep in mind, when video games first were created technology was not as advanced as it is today making it much more difficult for people to create games. Nowadays, it’s a little easier as the technology is in place to do most of the hard work.

The first 40 years of video games were difficult, as the tools were not there. It was like Michelangelo painting the Sistine Chapel with the limited tools he had back then. Nowadays, tools are so much better so it’s easier to both paint and to create quality video games. The true pioneers creating video games were very talented artists.

Collaborative Efforts
Like many great works of art, video games help foster creativity and teamwork. You can’t create a good piece of music by yourself and you cannot create a good video game either. The teamwork behind art is truly to be admired.

Art teaches us many skills from being patient with your brush strokes to channeling our inner inspiration to learning to work well in teams. Video games cover all of those elements, which is why they should not be overlooked as beautiful pieces of artwork.

Blend of Sports and Art
Video games really are the perfect blend of an artistic masterpiece with the competition and thrill from sports. Where else can you go to see beautiful imagery while making friendships and getting your competitive juices flowing? If you think about it, video games are way more than what they appear on the surface, and there is truly something for everyone.

They also cover a variety of interests from sports to fantasy, leaving nobody left out of enjoying them. With the ability to now play games on mobile phones, it has become easier than ever to enjoy video games for all they have to offer.