What do Concept Artists do?

A Concept Artist would typically need to:

• Visualise and create creative elements for films, video games, comic books, and ads.
• Successfully interpret briefs in order to comprehend the creative team’s vision of people, locations, and props.
• Use paper or digital sketching software such as Corel Painter to create and show rapid and detailed sketches of their original notions.
• Create thumbnails, wireframes, and designs in 2D and 3D using traditional and modern methodologies.
• Consider the methods and approaches that the production team will employ to expand on their ideas throughout the project.
• Pitch their ideas to the client and the design team; generate specification sheets with correct dimensions and details that are easy to understand.
• Use comments from the creative team to fine-tune their sketches using digital tools such as Photoshop.
• Create a comprehensive digital library of graphics that encompasses a wide range of views, perspectives, actions, and settings.
• Continue to produce feasible original work despite tight deadlines so that manufacturing can continue uninterrupted.
• Change their daily work plan based on the sort of artwork, a visual medium, and the size of the art team.
• Maintain an updated portfolio of work to display their skills
• Undertake regular research to think outside the box and as a point of reference

Standard Work Environment

Concept artists work from a creative studio in their workplace. Freelancers create a similar environment in their houses. In either case, you will collaborate with other creatives such as 3D modelers, VFX teams, animators, and set designers to bring your ideas to life.

The norm is a pleasant work environment that promotes collaboration and creativity through social rewards such as excursions, parties, and events. If you want to freelance or work for an agency, you may need to travel to meet clients.

Work Schedule

Full-time Concept Artists also benefit from flexible work schedules that are designed to allow their creative juices to flow freely. Freelancers can select contracts that suit their work style, area of interest, and workload. In either case, you will need to work long hours as deadlines approach at various stages of the project.

Employers

Finding a new job may appear difficult. Concept artists can improve their job search by soliciting referrals from their network, contacting firms directly, using job search platforms, attending job fairs, leveraging social media, and inquiring at staffing agencies.

Freelancing is the most frequent choice, with a tiny percentage of full-time and part-time employees. Freelance contracts might run anywhere from two to three months.

Concept Artists are generally employed by: 

• Creative Agencies
• Advertising & Marketing Agencies
• Video Game Studios
• Animation Studios
• Film & Television Studios
• Illustration & Design Studios
• App & Software Developers
• Publishing Houses
• Art Departments in Other Industries

Unions / Professional Organizations

Professional associations and organizations, such as The International Association of Art (IAA), are essential for Concept Artists interested in pursuing professional growth or interacting with like-minded people in their business or trade. Membership in one or more adds value to your resume while strengthening your credentials and qualifications.

Workplace Challenges

• Delivery of optimum artistic output in the face of tight deadlines
• Constant scrutiny and criticism of work style and creative genius
• Frustration due to a limited say in the choice of concepts

Suggested Work Experience

To be employed as a Concept Artist, you must have a well-organized portfolio that exhibits your greatest work and projects, highlights your talents and abilities, and demonstrates your knowledge to potential employers. When compared to traditional portfolios, digital portfolios make it easier to publish and display your films, photographs, and connections on multiple web platforms.

Furthermore, most employers prefer applicants with a diverse set of transferrable skills gained via at least three years of professional experience. An academic internship, occupational apprenticeship, or suitable part-time job in the industry would assist you in developing contacts and a good portfolio, easing your transition into the workforce following graduation.

When your tasks outside of the classroom exactly align with your lessons inside, the internship or apprenticeship will also help you receive the most advantage from them. When more experienced workers manage to turn seemingly ordinary occurrences into unique learning experiences, you may be able to hear endless stories from them and gain significant hands-on knowledge.

Any entry-level creative role, on the other hand, can potentially launch you on the path to becoming a Concept Artist. The majority of aspirants begin their careers as studio runners, art department helpers, or design agency assistants. With experience, you may be able to advance to the position of junior concept artist.

If you already know you want to work in a certain industry, such as advertising, any creative function that will expand your experience in that industry would be beneficial. Speculative submissions that contain your portfolio, CV, cover letter, and a detailed explanation of why you should be picked for the position may help you gain experience in a creative field.

Read about the profession, enter relevant competitions, join professional groups, and interview or job shadow creative professionals to obtain an awareness of the career route and build your craft as well as a compelling portfolio.

Recommended Qualifications

While talent and dedication are essential for a successful career as a Concept Artist, post-secondary education in fine art, illustration, drawing, painting, animation, graphic design/communication/art, computer science, or game design has a specific market value.

For entry-level positions, an accredited associate degree, foundation degree, or HND (Higher National Diploma) will suffice, and you can get by with a high school diploma or GED (General Education Development), but most employers prefer candidates with a bachelor’s or, better yet, a master’s degree in the aforementioned subjects.

A program that combines drawing, painting, illustration, anatomy, computer graphics, and photography will allow you to exhibit highly valued core artistic ideas as well as competence with creative applications such as Storyboard, Maya, and Art Direction. Before applying to a specific college, institution, or education provider, be sure you meet all of the qualifications.

In high school, concentrate on painting, graphic design, and computer science.

Certifications, Licenses, and Registration

Certification from a post-secondary art college demonstrates a Concept Artist’s proficiency in a skill set, which is normally gained through job experience and instruction.

Art certification from an objective and reputable organization will help you distinguish in a competitive work market and offer you significant skills and experience.

Projected Career Map

A Concept Artist’s career path is unstructured, therefore skills, experience, and the acquisition of professional qualifications drive his or her upward movement.

You can work as a concept artist only or in a more diverse pre-production, post-production, or character design function.

The concept of the Lead/Senior/Principal Artist responsibilities may come your way when you have demonstrated your ability to handle more high-profile or larger projects and clientele successfully for a period of years.

You may eventually advance to the position of Art Director before being named Creative Director.

You might also consider freelancing after gaining extensive expertise and establishing a network.

Job Prospects

Candidates with significant artistic skills, a great portfolio, experience, and a bachelor’s degree have the highest career possibilities.

Beneficial Professional Development

Through work-based learning, a professional activity, formal education, or self-directed learning, an active Concept Artist can stay in touch with ever-increasing technology and audience expectations.

Your artistic abilities must be constantly honed. Take advantage of a variety of technical training options to obtain knowledge in cutting-edge software utilized throughout the business.

Join specific sector websites that provide training and development opportunities as well as business support and a variety of materials to help you expand your skills and portfolio. Membership in project recruitment platforms such as Upwork will make it easier to connect with firms looking for specific talent.

Conclusion

Concept artists plan, build, and organize ideas in such a way that they look like original masterpiece that remains in the minds of everyone who see it.

Advice from the Wise

To become an amazing Concept Artist, develop the habit of practicing; after all, practice makes perfect.