What Does A Concept Artist Do (including Their Typical Day at Work)

Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz

Concept Artist

A Concept Artist visualizes ideas presented by writers, producers, or directors. They create original artwork that others can use as a reference when developing 3D models for a video game or setting a scene for a film project.

Salary

$56400

Education

Bachelor's degree

Personality

The Artist

Interest Match

Gaming

What they do
What is the job like
Where they work
How to become one
Should you become one

A Concept Artist is a designer that specializes in the creation of art that helps define the look and feel of various entertainment projects.

The Concept Artist is often responsible for bringing a concept to life. The artwork that they create provides inspiration and reference for other individuals working on the project, such as animators, modelers, graphic designers, and visual effects teams.

Working as a Concept Artist may include full-time employment at an agency or company or freelance work for multiple clients. It is a flexible career that gives artists a chance to contribute to the creation of projects in a wide range of fields.

While people often associated Concept Artists with the video game industry, Concept Artists are also involved in film projects, animation, advertising, and even interior design. They are essential to the creative process and are often involved at the start of the project to help create visual representations of characters or locations.

What they do

1. Create original concept images

Concept Artists spend most of their time illustrating concept art for use in the production of various forms of entertainment, such as video games and movies. You may need to paint, draw, or use computer software to quickly draft illustrations of people, buildings, vehicles, equipment, or scenes.

Concept art for films and video games typically belongs to one of three categories – environmental, character, and creature. Environmental art includes detailed scenes of real or imaginary settings that can help set the tone for the rest of the project. Character and creature art give designers, customers, and other artists blueprints to follow.

For example, you may draw an image of a character for a video game. Designers then use your artwork when creating the 3D model.

2. Collaborate with other artists

Concept Artists typically work in collaborative settings. They are often part of a design team. Depending on the setting, Concept Artists may also be directly involved in the development of ideas.

You may also need to pitch your ideas to clients or a design team. During a pitch meeting, you may receive feedback that you use to revise your original artwork.

3. Develop presentation packages

Some Concept Artists are required to create detailed presentation packages, instead of simply supplying the artwork. A presentation package may include a series of drawings or illustrations with additional notes for context.

4. Create spec sheets for video game assets

Concept Artists in the video game industry may be required to design spec sheets. Spec sheets provide the specifications for the items displayed in the concept artwork.

For example, when illustrating a character or creature, you may need to list their dimensions and other details about their design. This can include background information related to the characters or creatures and notes concerning the use of colors.

5. Attract new clients to obtain freelance work

If working as a Freelance Concept Artist, part of your job involves finding new clients. You may need to devote time each week to reach out to potential clients.

Freelance Concept Artists also need to maintain a portfolio to showcase their skills. Many Concept Artists create accounts on popular image-sharing sites, such as DeviantArt or Flickr.

What is the job like

Pros

You get to draw or paint for a living

It is the dream of many artists to make a living creating artwork. As a Concept Artist, you are paid primarily for your artistic abilities.

Your job involves creativity and collaboration

Concept Artists work in creative environments. You get to express your creative side and collaborate with like-minded individuals.

Cons

You may need to deal with tight deadlines

Concept Artists are often given short deadlines for completing original artwork. In some cases, you may need to submit a draft of an image within the same day that the task is assigned to you.

You rarely receive attention for your work

Concept Artists remain relatively unknown, as the projects that they work on typically involve many people. For example, when working on a video game, the creative director and developers receive most of the attention for the final output.

Where they work

Video Game Companies

Film and Video Studios

Advertising Agencies

Tech Companies

Concept Artists work in a variety of entertainment fields, including the film, video game, and graphic design industries. Many Concept Artists work in an art studio, office environment, or from home.

Full-time Concept Artists often work within the art department of the organization. Common employers include companies involved in video game development, software development, web development, film, advertising, animation, graphic design, interior design, and architecture. It is also possible for experienced Concept Artists to offer their services as freelance contractors.

How to become one

Step 1: Develop your artistic skills in high school

Start working on your drawing or painting skills in high school. Take art classes and learn the principles of graphic design and illustration.

Step 2: Build a portfolio to showcase your skills

Your portfolio is a major part of your resume. Start building a portfolio that shows your creativity, range, and overall artistic abilities.

Step 3: Consider earning a Bachelor’s Degree

A Bachelor’s Degree is not required to become a Concept Artist. Employers tend to focus on the quality of the artwork in your portfolio. However, a Bachelor’s Degree in Graphic Design, Illustration, Animation, Fine Art, Drawing, or Painting can give you an edge over the competition. A degree is also useful for advancing your career and finding senior Concept Artist positions.

Step 4: Seek employment as a Concept Artist

Many employers of Concept Artists offer entry-level positions. Junior Concept Artist roles may involve coloring or retouching work completed by a senior Concept Artist.

Should you become one

Best personality type for this career

The Artist

People with this personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

A successful Concept Artist should be imaginative, creative, and able to work with others. Concept Artists typically illustrate ideas presented by other creative individuals, such as writers or directors. This requires greater collaboration compared to many other artistic fields.

Take this quiz to see if this is the right career for you.