Concept artist

Concept Artist: The Synthesis

Similar Names: Concept Designer, Conceptual Illustrator, Concept Drawer.

Level of Study: Bachelor's to Master's degree (bac+3 to bac+5).

Employability: Excellent.

Starting Salary: €25,000 to €35,000.

Experienced Salary: Up to €60,000.

What is a Concept Artist?

An architect of imaginary worlds, the concept artist brings ideas and concepts to life in fields as varied as video games, animated films, and advertising. Using both digital and traditional tools, the concept artist creates sketches, models, storyboards, and illustrations that guide artistic teams. Concept art work allows for the creation of coherent and captivating universes.

How to Become a Concept Artist?

What High School Diploma to Become a Concept Artist?

To become a concept artist, the type of high school diploma obtained is not crucial. Although a diploma in arts or graphic design might seem relevant, it is primarily talent, passion, and mastery of digital tools that count.

Many art schools offer training in concept art, and it is often more beneficial to focus on acquiring practical and technical skills rather than the type of high school diploma obtained.

Which Higher Education School to Train as a Concept Artist in France?

After high school, higher education training in digital arts, illustration, graphic design, or game design is absolutely necessary to become a concept artist.

Bachelor's degree :

• Bachelor in 2D and 3D Animation ;
• Bachelor in Video Games

Master's degree :

• Master in 2D/3D Animation ;
• Master in Video Games.

Training at this art school will allow you to acquire the essential skills for the concept designer profession. Among them are the mastery of software such as Photoshop or ZBrush, a deep understanding of color, light, and composition, as well as the ability to translate ideas into images.

What are the Missions of a Concept Designer?

The concept artist, literally a "concept drawer," is an essential profession in many cultural productions. Their mission is to translate the ideas of the director, art director, and project manager into visual concepts.

Creating Visual Concepts for Video Games or Animated Films

The concept artist brings the project to life when it is still just an idea. This work focuses on characters, locations, and the overall atmosphere. The work of the concept drawer allows for coherence in the work. For this, the conceptual illustrator uses various drawing techniques, as well as digital painting and 2D and 3D modeling.

Artistic and Creative Research

To meet the art director's requests, the concept artist may need to research eras, cultures, or countries. They must also show creativity to offer the production a credible and unique universe. While they can draw inspiration from past artworks and creations, their work requires boundless imagination.

Creating the Visual Identity of the Project in Accordance with the Direction and Artistic Teams

A pre-production profession, the concept artist participates in the creation of the project's identity. By collaborating with the art director, as well as the game designer and character designer, the conceptual illustrator reconciles the technical and artistic constraints of the project. They offer coherence to the entire production.

What Qualities and Skills are Needed to Do Concept Art?

In addition to solid artistic skills, the concept illustrator profession requires excellent interpersonal skills. Working as part of a team, the concept illustrator must be able to communicate the idea behind their creations.

Artistic and Technical Skills in Animation and Illustration

To practice their profession, the concept artist must master digital painting software, 3D, as well as traditional drawing. They must also master:

• concepts of perspective and lighting;
• illustration and animation processes;
• English.

Knowledge of VFX fundamentals is also appreciated.

Creativity, General and Artistic Culture

Obviously passionate about video games and animated films, the concept artist must be creative to stand out. Their art consists of creating a universe that only exists in ideas. For this, they draw from their general and artistic knowledge. But they must also have a great analytical capacity to understand the art director's requests and create a universe that meets them.

Adaptability, Team Spirit, and Communication Skills

The conceptual illustrator works in pre-production. They must be able to adapt to the art director's requests. They must accept to retouch their work if necessary. Working alone, the concept artist is still part of the creative team. They must know how to explain their vision of the work. Mastery of English is also highly appreciated.

What is the Salary of a Concept Artist?

Junior Concept Artist Salary

The salary of a junior concept artist varies from €25,000 to €35,000 gross per year.

Senior Concept Artist Salary

A well-known concept artist is generally highly sought after, especially in the video game industry. With experience and fame, a senior concept illustrator can expect to earn up to €60,000 gross. In the United States, the most well-known concept artists earn up to $200,000 per year.

Where to Work as a Concept Artist?

Among the professions in video games and animation, that of a concept drawer is one of the most well-known. While it is possible to work as a freelancer, concept artists generally join the artistic team of studios as employees. As a true bridge between the artistic direction and the artists, the profession of a conceptual designer allows for rapid advancement to a lead concept artist, art director, or creative director position.

What Training to Follow to Become a Concept Artist?

There is no specific school dedicated to concept artist training. However, after high school, many aspirants turn to an art school and follow a curriculum in digital arts, illustration, graphic design, or game art to perfect their skills.

Beyond degrees and technical skills, it is your passion, unique vision, and determination that will make you an exceptional concept artist.

To start a career as a Concept Artist, obtaining a bachelor's degree is necessary.

You have two possible paths to get there:

• Obtain a technological baccalaureate in STD2A (Sciences and Technologies of Design and Applied Arts)
• After a year of MANAA (Applied Arts Preparatory Class) or a year in prep entertainment. The prep year at LISAA Animation & Video Games bridges the gap between the last year of high school and higher education in applied arts. It offers an opportunity for leveling up and helps students determine their preference between animation and video games.

Three years of training at the Institut Supérieur des Arts Appliqués (LISAA) are necessary to reach the bachelor's level. With two additional years, you will deepen your knowledge in art direction, creation, and compositing.

The Bachelor in Video Games specializing in Game Art is ideal if you dream of becoming a concept artist in the video game industry. If you are more interested in the world of animated cinema, you can opt for the Bachelor in 2D and 3D Animation. During your training, you will develop skills in animation and illustration. You will learn to master techniques such as concept chara, 3D sculpting, or texturing.

In addition to learning the history of video games and animation, the training will allow you to complete one or two internships (from 1 to 4 months). With your degree in hand and after completing your own project, you will be able to join the artistic team of a video game or animation company.

To gain further expertise, these programs can be complemented by a Master's in 2D Animation or a Master's in Video Games.