Concept Artist: Visual Language Mastery

Concept artists create initial visual concepts, such as characters, props, vehicles, and environments, based on a script or creative brief. They found the tone and style of the project, bringing an abstract idea to life. The concept art they create is used as a reference point throughout the project’s development.

What does a concept artist do?

The primary job of a Concept Artist is to narrate stories through visuals by creating characters and worlds beyond the written word and giving them life. If you possess a knack for visualizing intangible ideas, a profession as a Concept Artist might be the perfect fit for you!

Concept artist job description

The Concept Artist is crucial in creating animations, video games, cartoons, and similar projects.

They are responsible for producing the initial stylistic building blocks of the project by interpreting the design brief from the client or expanding on their original idea.

They achieve this by creating illustrations of the key characters and environments of the project.

The preliminary artwork they produce is simple yet expressive, as it serves as a starting point for further development and expansion during the rest of the project’s development process.

Role & Responsibilities of a Concept Artist in Film & Games:

  • Liaising with the game developer producer, art director, etc, regarding the brief for the project
  • Exploring concept subjects, styles & genres 
  • Producing detailed key designs from a written brief
  • Delivering a series of drafts of the concepts for approval
  • Replying positively & proactively to feedback 
  • Drawing up specification sheets, setting dimensions & details for others to follow
  • Working to a schedule
  • Employing traditional & technological approaches to creating designs in either a 2D or 3D environment
  • Assisting in the output of marketing materials and assets
  • Resuming to develop concepts & designs for the duration of the production process

Skills needed to become a concept artist for film and games

Concept artists must possess a practical imagination to be capable of bringing the ideas of others to life. Interpreting a brief is a critical skill for a concept artist, and what takes from this is constant development and refinement until the final design is approved.

Film & Game Companies look for these skills in a concept artist:

  • Firm drawing skills with a specialization in concept design
  • Capacity to draw in a variety of styles
  • Understanding physical settings, anatomy & zoology, costuming, and history-related references. 
  • Solid grasp of facial expression, pose, posture, gesture, and movement
  • Capable to draw from written briefs
  • High-level attention to detail
  • Tangible understanding of visual language – texture, color, dimension, scale, perspective, shade, composition, depth of field, proportion, spatial awareness, etc
  • Excellent communication skills, ability to explain concepts and support artistic choices
  • Skilled in technical drawing
  • Exceptional time management skills, ability to consistently meet deadlines
  • Team player, skilled at working independently
  • Understanding of the animation & game development processes 

What software and tools do concept artists use?

Concept Artists work with a selection or combination of the following software. Some artists prefer sketching initial drawings using paper, pens, and pencils. However, all final artwork is delivered in digital format.

Concept artists may need knowledge of a combination of the following software:

  • Paper & drawing tools
  • Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Acrobat
  • Corel Painter
  • Zbrush
  • Mudbox
  • CAD
  • Quixel
  • Autodesk sketchbook
  • Tablet & digital pen

Conclusion: The Visual Communicator

In summary, concept artists are like visual architects in entertainment: they use art to turn vague concepts into cool stuff you can see. But to make it here – and do well! – you’ll need more than just an idea machine brain plus computer program chops (even though both help). 

That’s why, M3DS Academy, among the top 10 in the industry, functions as an online game design school with all sorts of classes for people like yourself who want jobs designing playthings; after finishing up at one of them, there will be nothing stopping your rise except gravity itself. Don’t believe us? Just, wait and see. 

We have you covered with specialized concept art educational mastery. Start your game development journey by establishing strong fundamentals in concept art.

And don’t forget to check out what other educational approaches we offer: academy programs, individual software courses, and masterclasses from industry professionals–those folks know their stuff! When ready, feel free to visit the enrollment & finance area online anytime, 24/7, because you can start your learning process immediately by becoming a top-notch creative pro.