Peernovo
Designers

How to become a CG Artist

Also called: CG designer, CG creator

Creates still and moving computer graphics (CG) images using computer graphics tools.

Main tasks

Workers in this job say vocational college (senmon gakko) or university is common. From job tag's survey of people in each job, who could give several answers. It shows what workers see as common, not how many workers hold each level.

How to become one

No particular education or qualification is required to start, but many people become interested, learn the skills from videos and instruction books, and then apply. Modelling ability and a good eye are valued, so more and more people have studied design at university or a senmon gakko (vocational college), or have CG knowledge and experience. Mid-career hires need CG experience. The abilities needed for simple CG for web browsers and smartphones differ from those for films and big games. The first needs generalists who can handle many roles alone. The second divides the work up, so it needs specialists in one role. For example, modelling specialists need strong modelling skills, and animation specialists need skills in acting and staging. However, for group work to go smoothly, it is important to be keen to learn about work outside your own role. In team production, communication skills and cooperation are valued. There is a lot of long, steady work, so persistence is also needed. It is also important to watch CG works such as films and games regularly to sharpen your eye and skills.

Ways in

Pay · Job openings · AI and this job

Related jobs

Not sure this is for you? Take the 2-minute career quiz

Questions people ask

How do I become a CG Artist?

No particular education or qualification is required to start, but many people become interested, learn the skills from videos and instruction books, and then apply. Modelling ability and a good eye are valued, so more and more people have studied design at university or a senmon gakko (vocational college), or have CG knowledge and experience. Mid-career hires need CG experience. The abilities needed for simple CG for web browsers and smartphones differ from those for films and big games. The first needs generalists who can handle many roles alone. The second divides the work up, so it needs specialists in one role. For example, modelling specialists need strong modelling skills, and animation specialists need skills in acting and staging. However, for group work to go smoothly, it is important to be keen to learn about work outside your own role. In team production, communication skills and cooperation are valued. There is a lot of long, steady work, so persistence is also needed. It is also important to watch CG works such as films and games regularly to sharpen your eye and skills.

How much does a CG Artist earn in Japan?

Average annual income in the private sector, bonus included, is ¥5,395,800 (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare). The figure is for the wage survey group Designers, which covers several jobs.

Do you need a degree to become a CG Artist?

Not always. In this job's census occupation group, 46% of workers are university graduates. Ways in include: Vocational college (専門学校) course: Design.

Will AI change the work of a CG Artist?

Generative AI could change some tasks in this job, by the ILO's global estimate.

Sources

独立行政法人労働政策研究・研修機構（JILPT）作成 職業情報データベース 解説系ダウンロードデータ（IPD_DL_description_7_01.xlsx）ver.7.01 職業情報提供サイト（job tag）より2026年10月4日にダウンロード（https://shigoto.mhlw.go.jp/User/download）を加工して作成

独立行政法人労働政策研究・研修機構（JILPT）作成 職業情報データベース 簡易版数値系ダウンロードデータ（IPD_DL_numeric_7_00.xlsx）ver.7.00 職業情報提供サイト（job tag）より2026年10月4日にダウンロード（https://shigoto.mhlw.go.jp/User/download）を加工して作成

Sources: JILPT Occupational Information Database download data via job tag (解説系 ver.7.01 and 簡易版数値系 ver.7.00, downloaded 4 October 2026), processed by Peernovo; MHLW, Basic Survey on Wage Structure 2025; Statistics Bureau of Japan, 2020 Population Census; MEXT, School Basic Survey 2025; MHLW, Employment Referrals for General Workers (Hello Work statistics). Figures processed by Peernovo. English job names, translations and the matching of jobs to statistical groups, schools and degree fields by Peernovo.

Updated 4 October 2026