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  • 2D Art

Concept Artist

A Concept Artist is responsible for designing and developing the visual aspects of video games, especially in the phase of creating the initial idea for the game. Their role is to bring the Game Designer’s ideas to life through hand-drawn or, more often, digital sketches, drawings and images. A Concept Artist typically closely collaborates with the Game and Art Director to understand the target audience, the overall vision of the game, and particularly its look and atmosphere. They are expected to offer multiple variations of conceptual solutions and to be able to further combine these solutions to achieve the closest representation of what the game’s creators envisioned.

In addition to possessing artistic skills, a Concept Artist must have a good understanding of the video game development process and the technical requirements of their design, that is, what is realistically possible to become part of the final product. They may be involved in creating character designs, environments, weapons and vehicles, and must be able to adapt their style and techniques to different genres and platforms. A Concept Artist may also be involved in scriptwriting, creating conceptual artwork for promotional materials and collaborating with other members of the game development team to ensure that the visual design remains under the umbrella of the same style and atmosphere and, above all, is appealing.

Tools

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Illustrator

Corel Painter

Procreate

Autodesk Sketchbook

Substance Painter

ZBrush

Maya

Cinema 4D

COLLABORATION WITH OTHER TEAMS:

A Concept Artist closely collaborates with members of other teams whose ideas they need to bring to life. One of the most important collaborations is therefore with Game Designers. A Game Designer needs to convey the overall vision of the game to a Concept Artist, especially through the lens of the game’s intended audience and together they need to adopt an aesthetic style that will be used throughout the game and its representation. The sketches and other visual representations of characters and environments created by the Concept Artist should help Game Designers refine their ideas.

Concept Artists also collaborate with other Art teams, such as 3D Artists, Animators and Texture Artists. The sketches created by a Concept Artist serve as a reference for 3D Artists and Texture Artists when creating game assets. The role of a Concept Artist in collaboration with Animators is to ensure that the movement of characters and other elements in the game aligns with the overall style and vision of the game. From the ideation phase to its realization, many changes occur, so a Concept Artist may need to revise their work during the development process to accommodate changes made by other members of the Art team. Effective collaboration is crucial to ensuring that the game’s appearance is appealing and aligns with the overall project vision.

Skills

This is what a typical Concept Artist should have in their tool belt: 

Hard skills

  • Drawing and illustration:
    • familiar with composition, anatomy, color theory and other basic principles of art, with the ability for quick sketching.
  • Software proficiency:
    • understands the capabilities of software and how to use different tools and functions to create visual content.
  • 3D modeling:
    • a basic understanding of 3D modeling software is desirable for creating rough 3D characters or environments.

Soft skills

  • Communication:
    • provides and receives feedback constructively and is open to revisions based on others’ comments and suggestions.
  • Time management:
    • respects project deadlines, understands priorities and knows when to step away from the canvas.
  • Adaptability:
    • demonstrates the ability to work in a fast-paced and dynamic environment, as well as flexibility in approach to style and medium.
As a concept artist, you start the game's graphic development pipeline by providing countless variations of dynamic visual references/sketches that convey the narrative, atmosphere, composition, character design and overall vision of the production. Not even the smallest graphic element of a video game will escape the concept stage.
Vladimir Atlagić
Vladimir AtlagićConcept Artist, Playrix

Seniority

Depending on seniority, the Concept Artist is expected to master, do and deliver the following:

Junior

  • Understands the brief to create a concept and is capable of receiving feedback to revise their work accordingly.
  • Works in accordance with established style guides and the overall vision of the game provided by team members with more seniority.
  • Effectively collaborates with other team members and teams by communicating their ideas and constructively receiving feedback.
  • Is open to learning new skills and techniques to improve their work and learns art theory and history.

Medior

  • Creates original and innovative concepts for characters, environments and other game materials, generating ideas that are both visually compelling and functional.
  • Develops their own style and brings a unique perspective, pushing the boundaries of game visual design and creating recognizable art.
  • Takes a leading role in small projects or teams, overseeing the creation of specific concepts and communicating with other team members.
  • Acts as a mentor, providing feedback that helps improve the skills of juniors, serving as an exemplary Concept Artist and inspiring others.

Senior

  • Defines and specifies the visual style of the game in collaboration with the Art Director, creates a style guide and sets the visual direction for the project.
  • Leads large projects or teams, overseeing the creation of multiple environments, characters and other game assets, managing deadlines, budgets and resources.
  • Provides creative direction and feedback, helping others improve their skills, inspiring and motivating other team members.
  • Collaborates with external partners to ensure that their work meets visual standards that satisfy the game’s needs.
CONCEPT ARTIST // 2D ART //
CONCEPT ARTIST // 2D ART //

Education

If you are interested in a career in 2D art in the gaming industry, there are several educational paths you can consider. First and foremost, getting a degree in a relevant field, such as fine arts, digital art, animation, or game design, can give you a solid foundation. Still, it won’t fully prepare you for working in the industry. It’s best to look for a degree program specifically focusing on digital art and game development, as it’s more likely to cover topics like character design, concept art, illustration, and digital painting — all key skills for a 2D artist. In addition, courses in computer graphics, color theory and being familiar with software (such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and similar programs) will be useful in developing your technical skills.

Apart from formal education, you must build a good portfolio that showcases your skills. This can include personal projects, concept art, character designs and illustrations that convey your creativity and expertise in handling digital tools. It is especially useful to work with a video game development team to gain hands-on experience and expand your portfolio. Networking within the industry, whether through online communities, social media, or industry events, can also provide you with valuable insights. Follow industry trends and continually improve your skills to stay competitive in this dynamic field.

Faculty of Applied Arts

Belgarde University

Faculty of Dramatic Arts

Belgrade University

The Academy of Applied Studies Polytechnic

Concept Art and Character Design

Crater Training Center

Various Courses

Faculty of Modern Arts

Private school

Resources

Blogs

Books

  • “The Skillful Huntsman” – Scott Robertson, Khang Le, Mike Yamada
  • “Framed Ink” – Marcos Mateu-Mestre
  • “Color and Light” – James Gurney
  • “The Silver Way” – Stephen Silver
  • “The Art of Pixar: 25th Anniversary” – Amid Amidi

Podcasts

Individuals

  • Scott Robertson (@scottrobertsonconcept)
  • Lois van Baarle (@loish)
  • Sparth (@nicolasferez)
  • Jama Jurabaev (@jamajurabaev)
  • Feng Zhu (@fengzhu_design)

What does the interview process look like?

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CONCEPT ARTIST // 2D ART //
CONCEPT ARTIST // 2D ART //