STARTS JULY 3RD AT 9AM PST
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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
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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
COURSE FORMAT:  Standard
 
LECTURE TYPE:   Live 
 
FEEDBACK:   Live interactive group sessions
 
DURATION:   7 weeks
 
ASSIGNMENT:   Due each week. Expect to spend 10-20 hrs/wk viewing lectures, Q&A, and time on assignments
 
Q&A:   Once a week
 
MATERIALS:   Photoshop, ZBrush and 3D packages such as Maya, 3Dsmax, Modo, or else should be known to follow along
 
SKILL LEVEL:   Intermediate to Advanced
 
PREREQUISITES:   Knowledge of ZBrush and 3D Software Packages

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 Svitieź” by Kamil Polak.

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Character Concepting For Games
w/ Marek Madej

Join The Waitlist
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