Chapter 1. Basic Game Design Art

One of the most highly sought after jobs in the game industry is the concept artist. The concept artist is responsible for designing the visual aspects of the game, and works hand-in-hand with the game designer to craft the foundation upon which the game will be created. This foundation is called the game design, and it is the document that defines all of the aspects of a game. It is similar in nature to an architect’s blueprint of a complex building. The game design contains detailed descriptions of the characters, settings, story, game play, and technology. It also contains extensive amounts of art.

In a game design, graphics are usually the first thing that a publisher or investor sees. The better the design’s graphics, the more likely the publisher or investor will be to have a favorable impression of the design. Great concept art can often mean the difference between a design being read or ignored.