AI is transforming game development at lightening speed. Some call it a revolution, others see it as a threat. So, what does this mean for YOU as a game artist?

To answer this, I am joined by Shrungar Dadarkar, Director of Gen AI at Scopely. With a background in concept art and game art direction, he’s seen both sides: the all-manual work and the AI-driven. In this episode, we explore:

- Why game studios are integrating AI into art production?

- Should game artists embrace AI, or is there a downside?

- How AI is changing skill expectations and hiring in game art

- How artists can future-proof themselves and stay ahead in the AI era?

Connect with Shrungar: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shrungar/

If you have topic requests for future episodes, or if you would like to be a guest on an upcoming episode, please connect with and write to me on LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kshiraj/⁠

Watch this podcast as video on: https://youtu.be/hbF_VCwqNWk

Chapters:

0:00 Intro Sequence

0:08 Opening and introduction

1:49 Introduction: Shrungar Dadarkar

3:28 The Growing Role of Gen AI in Game Development

5:59 Player Perceptions of AI-Generated Art

10:41 Should Artists Embrace Gen AI?

17:18 Artists’ Concerns About AI Adoption

20:31 Roles at Risk

37:58 Recruitment and Evaluation in the Age of Gen AI

45:58 Standing Out in the Era of Gen AI

47:37 Wrap up

Today, we are in for a visual treat, as our guest is Lluis Danti, a highly accomplished animator who has worked on games like Horizon Zero Dawn, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III, Tearaway, Farm Heroes Super Saga, and more. In this episode, we will learn from Lluis about what a day in the life of a game animator looks like.

Some of the topics covered include:

- Do animators influence other aspects of the art pipeline?

- What is the importance of acting in making animations for games?

- What are the main differences for an animator working on games vs. working on films?

- What are the current-gen tools for an animator working on games?

Connect with Lluis:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lluisdanti/

Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/neodanti

Connect with Kshiraj (Host):

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kshiraj/

Resources & Tools mentioned in the video:

animbot: https://animbot.ca/

Ragdoll Dynamics: https://ragdolldynamics.com

Xsens motion capture: https://www.movella.com/products/motion-capture?nis=2

iAnimate: https://ianimate.net

Animation Mentor: https://www.animationmentor.com

Chapters:

0:00 Episode Intro

0:32 Introduction: Lluis Danti

1:10 Career Journey

8:14 Daily Workflow

14:30 Influence on Art Pipeline

16:33 Technical Artist Role

18:16 Common Challenges

20:56 Tools & Evolution

24:12 Acting in Animation

27:01 Guidance to Mocap Artists

29:04 Proud Projects

32:14 Exciting Tasks in Your Role

34:37 Boring Tasks

36:34 Advice for Aspirants

39:45 Wrap Up

Watch this podcast as video on: https://youtu.be/gnhUjKUooHg

How often have you sent your portfolio for a game art job and never heard back? Was your portfolio seen by the hiring manager? Was it something in your portfolio that led to rejection? Or was there something else, for example, the hiring was already completed, or the company cannot provide you with relocation assistance?

This episode is all about how hiring works in the game art function. We have two very experienced guests, the first one is Tatu Petersen-Jensen, who has been in art leadership roles for over 20 years, and the other is Alexei Ryan, who has been in talent acquisition roles, helping several art directors build their dream teams. In this episode, we decoded the recruitment process when it comes to game art, and what an art applicant should do to increase their chances of getting hired.

Some of the topics covered include:

- Does an artist's online presence impact their hireability?

- Key features in an art portfolio that encourage decision-makers to proceed further

- Do confidentiality/password-protected portfolios raise a red flag?

- Mistakes game artists make when submitting their job application.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tatupj/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexeiryan/

If you have topic requests for future episodes, or if you would like to be a guest on an upcoming episode, please connect with and write to me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kshiraj/

Chapters:

0:00 Episode Intro

0:40 Introduction: Tatu Petersen-Jensen and Alexei Ryan

1:50 Hiring Workflow Overview

9:17 Role of Talent Specialist

15:22 Screening Criteria

24:08 Online Presence Impact

30:28 Decoding Job Descriptions

42:45 Promising Portfolio Features

52:18 Memorable Applications

1:03:56 Common Application Mistakes

1:15:54 NDA and Confidential Portfolios

1:21:37 Perfect Match Portfolio

1:30:23 Reapplication Strategies

1:35:33 Networking and Feedback

1:38:59 Wrap Up

Watch this podcast as video on: https://youtu.be/8VKJFlm3fuA

An Art Director could be a highly skilled artist or even someone immensely loved by their art team. However, if the Art Director is not in sync as a business partner with their Studio Lead, then the alignment fails, eventually leading to repercussions in the entire game development process. In this episode, Mishka Katkoff emphasizes the importance of this alignment and shares various insights from the viewpoint of studio executives, highlighting what they expect from art leaders.

Some of the topics covered include:

- How flexible are studio leaders when supporting decisions about game visuals made by their art directors?

- What actions do studio leads take when artists in their company express concerns about their art directors?

- In the eyes of a studio lead, should an art director evolve and adopt new methods of work, such as using AI?

- Studio executives might not be browsing ArtStation; so, how should Art Directors make themselves visible on their radar?

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michailkatkoff/

00:00 Episode Intro

01:01 Introduction: Mishka Katkoff

02:52 Expectations from An Art Director

06:40 Art Director Skill Set Prioritization

12:19 Alignment with Organizational Culture

17:46 Decison-Making for Game Visuals

22:19 Navigating Creative Disagreements

29:14 Addressing Artists Concerns

33:32 Handling Organizational Changes

38:03 Adaptability and Adoption of New Methods

44:34 Discovery

48:08 Wrap Up

Watch this podcast as video on: https://youtu.be/aEG_ZC4DM1A

No game can be truly great in experience and feel without a functional and appealing UI. If the art and animations in games are equivalent to the contents of a book, then the User Interface is comparable to the typography, layout, and the meaningful presentation of visual materials. Today, we uncover the art and psychology behind Game UI with a very special guest, Gon Vazquez (UI/UX Designer for Brawl Stars at Supercell).

Connect with Gon at:

Behance: https://www.behance.net/gonvazquez

LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/gonvazquez

Instagram: http://instagram.com/gon_vazquez_art

Chapters:

0:00 Episode Intro

0:33 Introduction: Gon Vazquez

1:51 Exploring the UX Design Process

12:56 Generic vs. Thematic Game UIs

16:41 The Journey of UI Style Selection

21:13 Considering Long-term Efficiency in UI Design

24:59 The T-shaped Role of a Senior UI Artist

28:23 Career Path to Becoming a UI Artist

35:14 Artistic Skills and their Role in UI Design

37:44 Tools and Processes in UI/UX Design

43:05 Psychology of Colors and Shapes in UI

52:30 Challenges in Evolving UI for Ongoing Games

57:31 Negotiation and Conviction in UI/UX

1:00:40 Ensuring Standout UI Art and Experience

1:05:52 Creative Freedom and Enjoyment in UI Design

1:10:27 Creating an Ideal UI Portfolio

1:20:04 Wrap up

Watch this podcast as video on: https://youtu.be/wM1vEnp93uE

No two game art directors are carved from the same stone. While they may be united in purpose, each carries a unique essence. That’s because the making of an art director is not a straightforward path; it’s a maze filled with unique choices, challenges, and influences from their distinguished backgrounds. So, how do we define the role of an art director? And how does each art director, with their own methods, tackle the common challenges of team dynamics, managerial distractions, or even loss of creative control?

Today we are sitting down with Tatu Petersen-Jessen (Senior Art Director, Rovio Entertainment), whose insights and long experience with this role, will help us get our answers.

Some questions from the episode:

- What are the typical challenges faced by an Art Director?

- How can an Art Director navigate situations where they feel a loss of creative ownership?

- How can an Art Director ensure that the art team resonates with their direction?

- What are the first things an Art Director should do when they join a new company, team, or project?

- What's the career progression after you've become an Art Director?

- What's our advice for someone aspiring to become an Art Director in the gaming industry?

Connect with Tatu on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tatupj/

If you have topic requests for future episodes, or if you would like to be a guest on an upcoming episode, please connect with and write to me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kshiraj/

Watch this podcast as video on: https://youtu.be/vhVAbv6Y2iU

They say, “you never get a second chance to make a first impression,” and when it comes to game visuals, that first impression is often the splash screen.

More than just a backdrop for the loading bar, it’s the gateway to the game’s essence, rolling out a virtual red carpet for players and often showcased prominently on the App Store.Today, we dive deep with Matheus Oliveira (Senior Game Artist @ Rovio Finland), a visual development maestro with credits for creating splash screens loved by audiences worldwide. So, sit back and enjoy the show.

Connect with Matheus on:

ArtStation: http://www.artstation.com/omatholiv

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/omatholiv

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/omatholiv

Watch this episode with visuals on YouTube: https://youtu.be/qUCcnBBlrhY?si=p8rZjwb4VusouQY1

Today, I’m excited to delve into a topic that is both close to my heart and crucial for the long-term health of any creative endeavor—Talent Development within the Game Art Team.

In the ever-evolving landscape of game development, developing talent isn’t just an HR objective; it’s an artistic essential. How do Art Directors nurture individual artists? How do they create an environment that not only produces beautiful art but also fosters beautiful careers?

To help us navigate this subject, I’m thrilled to have Michel Strömbeck (Art Director @ Rovio Stockholm) with us today. He’s an esteemed Art Director who has worked as entry level artist, an art director for studio, and everything in between. Together, we’ll discuss the challenges and strategies involved in developing artists’ skills, from understanding their career goals to offering them opportunities for real growth.

Whether you’re an artist looking to chart your career path or an Art Director wanting to level up your team, this episode promises to offer a roadmap.

Connect with Miche on LinkedIn: https://se.linkedin.com/in/michelstrombeck

Watch this podcast as video on: https://youtu.be/u5E6QqZydxQ

In this episode we're exploring a subject that's both fascinating and foundational: ‘Art Style Guides in Games’.

What's the magic behind the visual uniformity in great-looking games? How do several artists work together on one project and create a visual experience that looks so cohesive? That magic lies in Art Style Guides!

From the shape language to the color scheme, Art Style Guides serve as the guidelines, influencing everything from character design to environmental aesthetics. But how realistic are these guides? How achievable are they, especially in a fast-paced game development environment? And what utility do they bring to a game's overall success?

Joining us today is Jack Gilson (Senior Art Director @ Scopely), an expert in the field, to help us explore these questions and peel back the layers of this often believed to be essential aspect of the art pipeline. Together, we'll assess the realism, achievability, and utility of Art Style Guides.

Jack Gilson on LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/jackgilson

Art Style Guide Presentation by Kshiraj: https://www.slideshare.net/kshiraj/game-art-bible-secret-sauce-to-making-great-game-art

To get some of the Art Style Guide resources that are around the internet, please write to Kshiraj via Contact Form here: https://kshiraj.com/

Watch this podcast as video on: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hjq5OuomOX4

Welcome to the "Doodles to Downloads" podcast!

Here, we discuss game art, art direction, and career growth, giving you the tools to level up your game art profession.

I am your host Kshiraj Telang, and I invite you to join me, as we explore the artistic heartbeat of the gaming industry, following the exciting journey from the first doodle of a game concept, to its huge success of billions of downloads.

So grab your creative hat, and let's level up together!