Top 10 strategies to become a Master Concept Artist

If one embarks on the process of becoming a concept artist, it is much like opening the door to a very colourful and creative world. Imagine yourself as a creator of a gaming universe with mesmerising characters and locations that entice the audience to games, movies, and others.

It is not just a creative course; it is an exciting journey one can pursue as a profession, and certain tools are developed to hone your talent. 

Regardless of whether you are creating illustrations of mythical animals or building a world that one could get immersed in, knowing these 10 techniques will enable you to take your work to the next level. Are you set for the creative stage and to turn your passion into a career? Let’s dive in!

Accept that Concept Art is Real

It is necessary to accept that concept art is not only drawing. Feng Zhu further explains that 90% of a concept artist’s job involves solving problems and not creating new ideas.

This means the technical aspects of a character, i.e., how the costume the character wears and operates during the action, the vehicle it runs, etc. This will, however, help you prepare for what is ahead since it is an absolute reality to accept.

Nurture Problem Solving

If you want to become a concept artist, surely your work means solving numerous design tasks. Lucasfilm’s Christian Alzmann, a concept design supervisor, says generating good designs is not about art but addressing challenges. 

You may be required to create a vehicle that adheres to this style with conventional features stripped off; the resulting concept will simply be a formula of a mathematical problem to show your solution.

Take the role of a problem solver, and the production team will better understand your designs.

Learning to Acquire Knowledge

Education in today’s generation is more easily obtained than ever before. Self-taught, one can pursue many online tutorials, according to Ben Mauro, senior concept designer.

Although people are often advised to pursue art school, a long list of artists built up their talents using Gumroad, Schoolism and Learn Squared. Concentrate on the information coming from the specialists and study the methods and instruments that appeal to your ideas.

Hone Your Portfolio

Your portfolio is your calling card in the industry. Ensure it reflects your readiness and understanding of the company’s style. It’s a balancing act: you can demonstrate your unique style or align closely with the company’s needs.

A mix of both can showcase your versatility and creativity, appealing to a broader range of potential employers.

Develop Communication Skills

Artistic talent is only half the equation. Communication skills are vital for success in this field. Whether freelancing or working on a team, you need to convey your ideas effectively and understand the client’s needs. Sometimes, that means helping clients articulate what they want.

Clear communication fosters collaboration and ensures your designs meet the project’s goals.

Master the Fundamentals

According to Laura, it is impossible to have one’s flamboyant style before proper foundation and grounding are laid. Elements of perspective, lights, and anatomy are crucial for making believers out of mock-up designs. Look at frames from your favourite movies and understand how these elements narrate something.

However, as a starting point, clear advice is to connect your artwork to the real world in some way possible. It is with this solid structure that you can discover how to develop your style.

Find Your Unique Style

As relevant as these trends are today, it is also equally pertinent to discover and define your style. In his practice, Mauro advises persuading oneself to approach as many fields as possible, from automobiles to architecture or the history of arts. Stop copying and try to look through the sources and analyse them from your perspective. It may give your portfolio a competitive edge in such a saturated industry, hence the importance of maintaining such a view.

Share Your Work Strategically

Simply put, making art that the observers would stop at and marvel at is just half of the job description. How one shares that information is what makes it stand out. Make some time to promote your work using websites like ArtStation and LinkedIn.

It’s also important to send it to companies you would like to work with once you feel you have a compelling portfolio. Participating in Conventions or using social media can also lead you to people who can offer you a job.

Be Adaptable

Flexibility is a key factor for concept artists because change is inevitable in most artistic projects. Schedules are often rigorous, and the nature of projects varies quite frequently. One day, you could be building a small prop concept; the next, creating an entire universe in the eyes of the showrunners. Holding yourself in high regard and being prepared for a turn keeps you on the employers’ list to consider in a constantly evolving sector.

Never Stop Learning

Last but not least, adopt the learning culture now that learning is a continuous process. The creative industry is a complex and dynamic field whereby an idea, tool, trend, or technique will emerge now and then. Today, even forty-something professionals are not ashamed to watch the tutorials and consider new ideas. Develop passion or interest in your work, and you will never become complacent.

Bottom Line

Well, are you ready for the ride of your life to become a concept artist? Some of it won’t be easy… but the benefits are invaluable. You’ll get to create every day, make your imagination come to reality, and interact with other like-minded professionals. 

Whether you are working on the next big character or painting the next splendid landscape, every idea you are working on is an important cog in a rather big and complex machine. Bear those strategies in mind, and you will be on the right path to stake your claim in the creative media industry.

MAGES Institute is an art of excellence that can help you achieve your career goals in the designing field dynamically. Get in touch with us today.