Those words don’t work together like that.
Game designer is a specific set of roles/job titles on a project. Those roles don’t have anything to do with creating art.
I have no idea what a 3d design department is. That isn’t a term used anywhere near game development.
What is it like being a game artist? Based on my observation of the character and environment art teams I’ve worked with, 80% of time they are in Maya grinding out some art. 15% of the time they are looking at it in game/dealing with integrating it in game. 5% is getting feedback and doing reviews and meetings.
But I’m not an artist and I don’t spend all day watching them. That is purely observation from the last 20 years.
What is it like being a Game designer? Depends. There are lots of types of designers. Since I work mostly in AAA, most of the designers I deal with a level or combat designers. People also hire remote developers but that is a completely different discussion.
Generally 50–60% of the design team is composed of level designers. There are also system designers, narrative designers and a few other niche areas. Each one has a very different experience.
I’d recommend you do some research on what the correct terms are for game development teams and what those people do and then make a new question.
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