Enhancing concept artists’ expertise through integration of level design thinking : An illustration method exploration through case study and practical implementation

Sammanfattning

Visual aesthetics play a pivotal role in the success of video games, with concept art serving as the initial phase of game development, responsible for setting the artistic tone and emotional ambiance of the game. However, challenges emerge when concept artists attempt to contribute to the process, including technical comprehension and cross-departmental collaborations. The emergence of Generative Artificial Intelligence further complicates the self-positioning of artists within game development projects. A deeper level of professionalism is required from artists, necessitating a comprehensive understanding of the entire game development process, with level design comprehension serving as a potential starting point. This research aims to investigate the contemporary challenges faced by concept artists and to propose a methodology for artists to approach their work with a level design mindset. The study will be conducted through a combination of desk research and case studies. Based on the analysis results, a new method for integrating concept art into the level design process will be developed. Following this method, a set of concept artworks will be created and then tested by a group of playtesters. The evaluation of the playtesting will define the future usage and implementation potential of the new method.