Thanks to technological advancements, gamers can now record themselves playing games. Live streaming has made video games so much more enjoyable, mainly because there’s usually a live audience watching the action online. Thus, there has been demand for a twitch graphic designer.
Live streaming’s popularity has grown in recent years, with Twitch being the go-to live stream platform. It offers professional streamers a platform for high-level play and the chance to play for money.
Video game streaming is now regarded as a content creation outlet as more gamers become full-time sponsored streamers. Rising to the top requires a gamer to have more than the dedication to get better in every session.
For example, streamers who stream how they play Minecraft (one of the most popular video games) often need to design their logo, overlays, or making Minecraft animations, whether it’s to share in a 10-second reel for TikTok or a multi-episode epic with a full voice cast to make and win over worldwide audiences.
Identifying as a full-time streamer gives gamers celebrity status, and this comes with it is advantages. It is no wonder, so many part-time streamers are working hard to get full-time sponsorship.
Access to a high-end streaming setup is every gamer’s dream, but you don’t have to make your wallet cry to get a wholesome streaming experience. If you’ve already settled for an on-camera personality and have the right hardware to play on Twitch, you’re ready to go.
As a streamer who is just getting started, don’t try too hard to please your viewers; be yourself, and your ideal audience will find you. After all, this is something you’re supposed to enjoy doing. Before you know it, individuals that love seeing you in action will hop on your chat with donations.
What you Need for a Wholesome Streaming Experience as a Twitch Graphic Designer
It is no surprise that more gamers are jumping on the Twitch bandwagon. Streaming is one of the easiest ways gamers get to earn money doing what they love. Imagine getting paid $50,000 an hour to try out a new game?
Professional gaming has officially become a recognizable profession; it’s no longer something that IT buffs do on the side. Therefore, the best part is that it comes with sponsorships and donations, and entertaining commentary to make the game thrilling.
As a budding gamer who wants to one day be a full-time sponsored streamer, the first step is to ensure you have the ideal setup.
Fortunately, the good news is, you don’t need much to get started; in fact, you might already have most of the equipment you need for the setup.
Let’s look at what your setup should have:
Computer
Most streamers have a dual-computer streaming setup. They use one of the computers to play and the other to stream their live-action. As you know, both streaming and gaming require massive computer resources.
However, this might not be a viable solution for beginners because purchasing two computers is expensive. To keep costs low, you can play and stream on the same machine, even though you’re likely to experience a drop in performance.
If you have the resources, get a computer with superior specs because such machines are better at handling simultaneous action. Over time, you can save and get a second computer for the perfect dual-computer setup.
Processor (CPU)
As earlier mentioned, playing and streaming require massive computer resources. Investing in a superior CPU ensures your machine has the power to keep you in the game. Besides, a sub-par processor will create a bottleneck that won’t allow you to explore streaming and playing as seamlessly as you’d like. When you have access to the best streaming services, it’s best to make the most of your subscriptions.
Consider getting a multi-threaded processor with six or eight-core configurations. It would be best to have a CPU with sufficient resources for the perfect streaming/playing system.
Also, look at the computer’s thermal design power because if your CPU generates too much heat when you’re playing or streaming, the machine might not be ideal for this purpose. You should be able to play or stream games at maxed-out settings without your system shutting down.
Graphics Card (GPU)
The computer’s graphics card is the most crucial element in a gamer’s streaming experience. This piece of graphics hardware renders out all imagery and sends them to your computer’s display. Without it, your viewing audience cannot see your custom Twitch overlay. Every Twitch graphic designer knows that a streamer’s overlay and logo make a massive contribution to their on-camera personality.
The GPU is the most expensive component you’ll buy, and for a good reason. It has more cores than the CPU because of the many visual tasks it has to handle. A high-value graphics card will convert code into high-resolution panoramas with ease.
System Memory (RAM)
You need Random Access Memory (RAM) to store your processor’s program instructions. The system memory is an essential component because your CPU cannot function without it.
RAM with enough storage space boosts your computer’s performance because it allows the CPU to quickly access programming commands. RAM with little space will need to move older instructions to virtual memory, and as a result, your CPU will take longer to load incoming instructions. You’ll end up dealing with a machine that freezes or crashes when there are too many incoming instructions.
If you’re going to play high-end (AAA) games, you need a considerable amount of system memory. Your threshold should be 16GB because anything below that will probably interfere with your streaming experience, especially if you live and play from the same computer.
You can double the storage if the budget allows; the more system memory you have, the better your gaming experience gets.
Camera/Webcam
Unlike games on video game consoles that come with lifelike characters and video game voice actors, your streaming audience relies on your camera feed to visually interact with you.
Even though some streamers choose to exclude a camera from their setup, it would help to add one as it authenticates your on-air personality. Your audience will feel more at ease if they can see the person behind the action.
In case you feel uncomfortable having a camera in your face, you can show a portion of your face to stay incognito without keeping your audience in complete darkness.
The most convenient way to include a camera in your setup is to use your computer’s webcam. Webcams are quite affordable, and setting them up is pretty straightforward.
Alternatively, you can buy a DSLR or a mirrorless camera for your stream. Even though this is a costly option compared to using a webcam, you get a more direct feed. The only thing you’ll have to grapple with is figuring out the best set up for it.
Microphone
In case you don’t include a camera in your stream setup, the only way your audience will set you apart is with your voice. That said, this is not the only reason why you need a microphone in your setup.
Even though streaming favorably inclines towards visual media, the role quality audio plays in all of it is unquestionable. Viewers are likely to abandon your stream if you have low audio quality.
It would help if you had a dedicated microphone to give your stream crisp audio. Even though you might be tempted to use headset microphones, they won’t give you the quality of audio your audience expects. Hence lookout for entry-level microphones that offer you the audio quality you need at an affordable price.
You need a mic that can pick up even the smallest sounds to give your audience a wholesome viewing experience. Set up your stream in a quiet place so that the mic doesn’t pick up irrelevant audio.
Dual Monitors
Purchasing two monitors might sound over the top for gamers who have never streamed before. Once you start gaming on Twitch, you realize how essential a second monitor is.
A dual monitor setup allows you to have a separate screen dedicated to streaming. Having your gaming and streaming windows on the same screen might be confusing, which will probably affect your performance.
Remember that aside from gaming, you’ll need to:
- Monitor your performance
- Chat with your viewers
- Make a layout transition
- Change audio levels
- Provide a live stream for the audience
Between a high-value microphone, a camera, and a computer, this list is getting expensive, but having only one monitor will limit your activities and affect your audience’s viewing experience.
How to Communicate on the Twitch as a Twitch Graphic Designer
Now that you have the ideal streamers set up, it’s time to learn how to communicate on Twitch. One reason Twitch is such a popular streaming website is its custom communication features.
Every Twitch graphic designer will tell you they enjoy making emotes to pass messages on the platform. You also have access to the chat feature that ensures you stay in touch with your viewers.
The platform allows you to experience other gamers’ streams through video game voices as well. As a critical component of video games, the agents help you give each character a fitting personality.
Moreover, game enthusiasts use emotes to generate an internal language they can use for inside jokes; only gamers can understand. The meaning of an entire message can change when you incorporate an emote.
Before you can have fun with this communication feature, you first have to learn how to make them. Twitch emotes are like emojis that come with remarkable stories. Remember, how you use the emoticon determines what message you communicate.
Twitch graphic designers sketch emoticons from scratch, bearing in mind the message they want to convey.
In case you’re having trouble sketching emoticons that express what you feel, you can always ask a Twitch graphic designer for help.
You can also flex your creativity muscles by following one of the two options below. In both instances, you need to follow the emoticon guidelines for Twitch subscribers.
1. Make a sketch
Sketch the emotion you want to express on a piece of paper; it could be sadness, joy, or even sarcasm. Scan the image and upload it to Twitch.
2. Make custom emotes
Use an image editor to generate custom emotes. Begin with a big file, which you’ll later size down. You can begin at 900×900 pixels and size down to 112×112 pixels.
It would be best if you exaggerated expressions and the features on your emoticons for them to fit the description of Twitch emotes. Save your designs as PNG or make the background transparent.
Ensure your image has 100% resolution before you submit it; this ensures that the people you communicate with on the platform can view and understand your message.
Note that any art you submit to Twitch should not show nudity, threaten violence, show sexual content, or be of hateful conduct. Respect other subscribers’ rights as you communicate on the platform.
Over to You on a Twitch Graphic Designer
Twitch ensures that streamers have an audience for all the live-action they’ve got to offer. Gamers who are either full-time or part-time streamers get to share their skills with an interested audience. Its custom communication features ensure that passive participants can be part of the live-action.
As you work on your ideal streamers set up, contact a Twitch graphic designer to help you design your logo and overlays. We hope this guide helped guide you through the equipment you need to get started. Learn more about graphic designers at Bunny Studio.
