​Students will learn about:

1. The Art Industry and Pipline

2. The Entire Development Process from Beginning to End

3. Mood Board/Inspiration Board Creation

4. Establishing Overall Art Style, Genre, and Theme

5. How to Tell a Story Through Visualization

6. Producing Thumbnail Sketches and Silhouettes

7. Understanding Shape and Design Language

8. Follow Through Initial Designs Through an Iterative Process

9. Bring Their Art to a Final Render

10. Showcasing Their Work

11. Presenting Their Ideas in a Mock Studio Environment

 

What to Expect in Weeks 1–2:

 Introduction to Concept Art

✔ An introduction to concept art and how it’s used in movies, games, and animation

✔ A look at the production pipeline and the role concept art plays in early creative development

✔ An individual project built around a chosen fairytale (e.g., Beauty and the Beast)

✔ Creative exploration as students redesign characters, props, and environments

✔ Research time to build mood and inspiration boards that set the visual direction

✔ Short presentations with instructor feedback to help refine ideas

✔ Hands-on practice with thumbnailing and sketching to develop early design concepts

✔ Homework focused on producing a variety of sketches to spark strong visual ideas

 

What to Expect in Weeks 3–5:

Thumbnails and Sketching

✔ Presentation of thumbnails and mood boards to guide visual direction

✔ Lessons on drawing from reference, shape design, and visual language

✔ Exploration of effective thumbnailing and sketching techniques

✔ Plenty of hands-on time generating multiple creative ideas through sketches

✔ Supportive feedback and critiques from both peers and the instructor

✔ Homework focused on continuing sketch and thumbnail development

 

What to Expect in Weeks 6–8:

 Iterations

✔ Active participation in peer feedback and critique sessions to develop soft skills like collaboration and constructive criticism

✔ Guidance in navigating studio-like environments where feedback is integral to creative growth

✔ Introduction to the concept of iteration in the design process

✔ Refining thumbnails by adding detail, enhancing shape language, and strengthening the core design

✔ Exploration of multiple design iterations to push creative boundaries and explore new directions

✔ Focus on visual storytelling through design, considering character, mood, and narrative in every decision

✔ Completion of the thumbnailing and sketching phase as students refine and evolve their concepts

 

What to Expect in Weeks 9–12:

Rendering and Bringing Designs to Life

✔ Introduction to rendering techniques to bring designs to life visually and conceptually

✔ Tonal rendering exercises focusing on light, shadow, and form using a full range of values

✔ Exploration of temperature-based rendering to add mood, depth, and dimensionality with warm and cool tones

✔ Transition into full-color rendering, combining tonal and temperature techniques for polished, final designs

✔ Focus on refining and perfecting concept pieces, preparing them for presentation by week 12

 

What to Expect in Weeks 13–15:

Final Stages and Presentation

✔ Presenting final designs to the class, showcasing creative choices and reflecting on the design process

✔ Final critiques from both the instructor and peers, offering constructive feedback and insights

✔ Emphasis on developing essential soft skills like presentation, communication, and self-promotion

✔ Opportunity to prepare designs for professional environments and future projects