WHY SHORTCUTS ARE CONCEPT
ART STANDARDS (2021)
Breda University - Master's Degree
Roles: Researcher, writer, artist
Intro:
After graduating in 2020 I decided to make full use of the time stuck in the Corona/COVID-19 pandemic and continued my way onto the master's degree. It was my goal to get all the necessary data on the most recent methods of working in the concept art industry.
Abstract/Full thesis summary:
Photobashing and 3D model painting are considered to be useful methods for rapidly creating concept art. A photo or image of a 3D model can serve as a base for artworks. It is common that concept art has to be made within a short amount of time, meaning within a few days or hours. Although this might seem difficult to achieve, it is possible with the aid of the earlier mentioned methods. We also call these methods: shortcuts.
The focus, for this research, is on the photobash- and 3D model painting shortcuts. A debate online among non-professionals and students was whether the use of said shortcuts was considered cheating or not. 65 International concept art students were asked to fill in a questionnaire about this mindset. When asked about why they had avoided the use of shortcuts in the past, eight participants confirmed that shortcuts felt like cheating. However, 14 participants mentioned various other mindsets being involved for not using shortcuts. All students eventually grew accustomed to using shortcuts in later life. When asking about industry standards, five professionals were approached and interviewed. Professionals confirmed the use shortcuts being acceptable, standard, and necessary. They also mentioned being on the lookout for new and improved shortcuts. In the end, it was confirmed to be a standard method to add shortcuts within the professional concept art workflow. However, it also showed that various art students existed who did not necessarily agree with these standards and instead picked it up in later life.
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If I use these methods, do I stop being an artist? Am I cheating for doing this?
Answer to both: No.
An artist and an employee
The entire thesis focuses on the discussion of what is and what isn't considered normal and acceptable in making the artworks.
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I wanted a clear view on the concept art industry with this thesis by showing new concept artists about the reality of the workflow. With this I also wanted to give them a view into the reality of how it's a job and not just an art project.
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However, it was important to also mention the essentials of being an artist in the first place and that both professionalism and creative freedom need to coexist in this job.
Let's ask the world about their view!
The importance of multiple perspectives
For the most unbiased view on the subject, I reached out to over 50 students all over the world, who were studying this subject. It might lead to new perspectives or perhaps a similar experience.
The main rule: No answer is wrong if we only go by facts and data.
Working efficiently leads to
more experience and more projects!
What methods are out there?
The research focuses not only on the method discussions but also on the methods being developed in the industry and the most effective ones compared to others.
What do professional concept artists say?
Words from experience
It was important to also ask the experts and professionals in the industry and made sure to approach 5 different professionals from different countries and companies.
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It was the final necessary step to make sure the entire research was fairly constructed of essential information about the discussions, methods, and future of this industry.
The mindset of concept art
"How appreciating bad concept drawings will help you improve"
During the research it was also important to share views to the outside audience about similar subjects of said research. In the end it was my passion about the mentality and feeling behind the concept and the acceptance of imperfections. Read the full article below:
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End results
The final verdict
In the end it was a success to get the story out of the most modern shortcuts in the concept art industry and in turn also convinced me more of the necessary steps to make in order to catch up with the modern times of the concept art industry.
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It taught me to be more critical but not feel bad if I was wrong about something and instead made me more curious as to why I was wrong about something and how to improve.
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It also gave me more confidence in how to approach problems, while also keeping in mind in how to change course fast if better options, either in software or design choices, are presented.
In the end I printed out a research poster together with 1 book print, which I gave to my parents.
Follow the Master course!
Master's degree interview
Around the end of the master course I was approached to give an interview and personal story about how I experienced the master program of Breda University.
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It was an interesting feeling to explain my year of gathering research and educating myself on the most modern methods in the concept art industry.
These specific subjects weren't discussed in detail but the entire interview was publicized on the main page of the Master Game Technology page of the university.
