Elements of game design: Part 2

These blog posts are really visually unstimulating.. I apologise for that.

So what is an Art Director? From the looks of things, they’re essentially the bees knees, the commanding officer, the over lord. They’re responsible for setting not only the visual tone, quality and style of the game but also have an indirect responsibility to every object, texture, level, character and effect in a game. They must consider how each single object, character, prop, set, location and each individual aspect of these areas will look from any area in the game in any level. That’s a hell of a lot for a single person to be responsible for if you ask me. Hell, I can’t even imagine the stress that would come with such a job title.

Personally I believe it’s an incredibly creative role – being responsible for each aspect of the game, making sure the appearance is correct and in place, and focusing on a variety of detailing in the game in order to portray what they want. Simple things like what colours would correctly define the mood of the environment, to in game item detailing in textures or environment accuracy. The art director works closely with the game designer to shape the game world, and attempts to communicate their vision of the game to teams of artists. In order to convey this vision in an accurate manner which will be understood by all, yet leave room for enough interpretation to have a more collaborative feel to a design; I’d say they’d have to be incredibly creative. Just because they aren’t creating or painting the items first hand, it doesn’t mean there would be no creative process necessary for the world of a game to envisioned.

In comparison with a film art director, I don’t think there’s much difference - especially when you consider the increasing cinematic narrative styles popping up in video game stylisation. They both go through similar visualisation processes with story boards and having to portray an idea through visual means. And then the accuracy, realism of certain aspects, in reference to films 3D elements when necessary and CGI being pulled off with correct texture detailing, then concepting for characters, personalities, clothing and so on.

If I wanted to become an art director? Oh jeez I’d have to improve a lot. My ability to concept would have to improve about tenfold, alongside my technical ability as well as colour knowledge and application and understanding the psychology behind such apparently simple aspects. My knowledge on stylisation and application would need to improve, as well as perspective and the way layouts of areas or scenes work. Oh, and self-confidence with my ideas, the way I handle stress and responsibility, and the ability to talk to large groups without freaking out… the usual thing I end up having to improve on.