Character Concepting For Games
w/ Marek Madej
- Learn how character design looks in AAA games
- Learn to analyze and art direct your own designs
- Learn how to use visual storytelling
- Learn how to properly present your final project on your portfolio
What You’ll Learn
This course will take you through the full process of creating concept art for video games. You will learn from an industry professional, Marek Madej, how to create concept art in the AAA pipeline.
Many aspiring artists don't have the knowledge of how game development works, and how that impacts their designs. Marek will show you the whole process for character design, including how other departments might influence the design process during different steps.
You'll begin the workshop focusing on research, learning how to set up a proper and effective mood board. As the course progresses, you will focus on story-telling, details, and finally your portfolio-ready presentation.
By the end of the workshop you'll:
- Have improved understanding of how concept art fits into the game development pipeline
- Have an improved understanding of character design for AAA games
- Know what skills are important to showcase in your portfolio
- Have created your own portfolio-ready character
Marek Madej Talks About Character Concept Art
Curriculum
Week 1
Research & Reference
What is important in your character design process? Learn how to approach a brief to create a successful design. Learn to set up a proper mood board to help save time.
Week 2
Sketching The Basic Shapes
Learn techniques and strategies for initial sketches and designs. Learn advantages and disadvantages of different tools. Prepare moodboard.
Week 3
Designing Your Character
Exploration around initial sketches. Narrowing down the design options to support art direction and storytelling.
Week 4
Painting The Details
Visual storytelling in character design. Will work on smaller design elements that can add believability and depth to your character design.
Week 5
Lighting & Rendering Techniques
Work towards finalization of design. Learn when using simplified images might be beneficial, and when you should add more complexity and render heavy images. Learn when to use complex light, and how to make your design more interesting.
Week 6
Presentation For Clients
Importance of proper presentation. Notes for development team.
Week 7
Capstone Reviews
Final reviews of your work!
Marek Madej
Born in 1987. He has been working in this industry since 2007. Currently as Senior Concept Artist in Warsaw for CD Projekt RED. Some of his most interesting projects that must be listed are: Cyberpunk 2077, The Witcher: Wild Hunt including two expansion packs, Gwent: The Witcher Card Game, “The Melancholy” by Lars VonTrier and “The lost town of SvitieÅŗ” by Kamil Polak.
Character Concepting For Games
w/ Marek Madej
