Concepting Process for Concept Artists

Created by Sarah Choi (prompt writer using ChatGPT)

The Concepting Process for a Concept Artist: From Start to Finish

Concept art is the foundation of any creative visual project, including video games, films, and animation. The process involves developing an idea visually from rough sketches to polished designs. Below is a breakdown of the stages of concepting, with detailed explanations, tips for different skill levels, and strategies for varying time constraints.

Stages of the Concepting Process

1. Research and Reference Gathering

  • What It Is: The first stage involves understanding the brief, identifying the theme or genre, and gathering inspiration and reference material to inform your designs.
  • Why It’s Important: Research ensures your designs are grounded in a context that feels believable and cohesive, whether it’s a sci-fi world or a medieval fantasy setting.
  • How to Do It:
    • Read the brief thoroughly and clarify any vague points.
    • Collect references from art books, Pinterest, movies, games, or real-world objects.
    • Create a mood board that organizes visual ideas for easy access.
  • Example: If designing a futuristic vehicle, research real-world cars, planes, and machines, as well as existing sci-fi designs.

2. Thumbnailing

  • What It Is: The process of creating small, rough sketches to explore multiple ideas quickly.
  • Why It’s Important: Thumbnailing allows you to test different silhouettes, shapes, and compositions before committing to one idea.
  • How to Do It:
    • Use simple shapes and focus on the overall silhouette.
    • Create 10-20 thumbnails exploring a variety of ideas.
    • Avoid focusing on details; prioritize strong shapes and readability.
  • Example: For a character design, sketch several distinct silhouettes for their pose, attire, and accessories.

3. Iteration

  • What It Is: Building on the most promising thumbnails by refining them into more detailed versions.
  • Why It’s Important: Iteration allows you to develop and explore the nuances of the design and add depth to the initial concept.
  • How to Do It:
    • Select 2-4 thumbnails to refine and add details such as textures, materials, or lighting.
    • Experiment with variations of the same design (e.g., different color schemes or accessories).
  • Example: If you selected a robot design, iterate on its head shape, arm attachments, or overall functionality.

4. Detailed Sketches

  • What It Is: Creating a larger, more polished sketch based on the selected iteration(s).
  • Why It’s Important: This stage establishes a clear and cohesive design that can be communicated to a team or client.
  • How to Do It:
    • Clean up the chosen sketch using solid line work.
    • Add clear indications of materials, proportions, and features.
  • Example: For a creature design, this might include defining scales, fur, or horns in the sketch.

5. Rendering

  • What It Is: Adding color, lighting, and texture to the sketch to create a visually compelling final piece.
  • Why It’s Important: Rendering provides the visual clarity needed to finalize the design and communicate its appearance in different contexts.
  • How to Do It:
    • Apply base colors first, then add lighting and shadows.
    • Add highlights, textures, and secondary light sources for depth.
    • Use tools like Photoshop or Procreate for advanced rendering techniques.
  • Example: Render the metallic sheen of a weapon or the glow of a magical object.

6. Feedback and Revision

  • What It Is: Presenting the design to stakeholders or team members for input, then refining it based on their suggestions.
  • Why It’s Important: Feedback ensures the design meets the project’s requirements and resonates with the intended audience.
  • How to Do It:
    • Prepare multiple options and present them with explanations for each choice.
    • Incorporate feedback while staying true to the core idea.
  • Example: Adjusting the color palette of a character’s costume based on feedback to fit the overall tone of the game.

7. Finalization

  • What It Is: Delivering the completed design in a presentable format.
  • Why It’s Important: A polished final design is ready for use in production or as part of an Art Bible.
  • How to Do It:
    • Include orthographic views, annotations, and breakdowns of the design (e.g., materials, functionality).
    • Save the files in appropriate formats (e.g., PSDs, PNGs).
  • Example: Providing front, side, and back views of a vehicle for 3D modelers.

Strategies for Time Constraints

  • Large Timeframe:
    • Deep-dive into research and reference gathering.
    • Explore a wide range of thumbnails and iterations.
    • Push rendering quality to a highly polished level.
    • Revisit and refine older ideas to improve cohesion.
  • Limited Timeframe:
    • Focus on a strong thumbnail and refine one or two ideas.
    • Use quick digital brushes for fast rendering (e.g., texture brushes).
    • Simplify by omitting complex details or secondary iterations.

Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced Versions

Beginner

  • Focus: Learn the basics of research, silhouette design, and simple sketching.
  • What to Do:
    • Spend time building your visual library.
    • Aim to create clean, readable thumbnails.
    • Practice with simple iterations (e.g., 3-5 variations of one design).
  • Tip for Beginners: Use free resources like Pinterest or ArtStation to study designs and mimic their structure.

Intermediate

  • Focus: Master iteration and rendering techniques.
  • What to Do:
    • Develop confidence in presenting multiple options.
    • Practice adding realistic textures and lighting.
    • Experiment with combining themes or genres.
  • Tip for Intermediates: Take online classes in advanced digital art techniques or study tutorials by professionals.

Advanced

  • Focus: Push creativity and storytelling in your designs.
  • What to Do:
    • Work on highly detailed renderings with orthographic views.
    • Create designs that convey personality and backstory.
    • Collaborate with peers for critique and feedback.
  • Tip for Advanced Artists: Enter concept art challenges or competitions to refine your skills further.

Gifted and Talented Approach

Enrichment

  • Deeply study art history or niche design fields (e.g., ancient weaponry or obscure wildlife) to add unique depth to your designs.
  • Experiment with integrating storytelling into every design, ensuring each element has a purpose or meaning.

Acceleration

  • Learn advanced software and tools like ZBrush for 3D sculpting or Blender for creating quick 3D models to aid your design process.
  • Work on professional-level briefs or join team projects to gain real-world experience.

By following this process, a concept artist at any level can create compelling designs, iterate effectively, and grow as a professional. The ability to manage time and adapt to constraints is essential for success, and continually building your skills through practice and enrichment opportunities will ensure long-term growth.