Why Pick Art Studios and What They Offer for Game Development

There are plenty of agencies that offer their services in the game development field. In fact, big companies work with such studios on a regular basis. This can save much time and resources as well as provide a great result. We will discuss where you can find illustration agencies and what services they offer.

What is a 2D/3D art studio?

These are places where game art is created. Illustrators there can work not only with games, but also provide advertising projects. However, not every studio does that. You can order animation, illustration, character creation, and other services. People either order big projects or simple videos, characters, and clips. We will discuss the most popular ones in the next sections.

Who Can Order From Such Places?

Anyone who needs graphics for their game are able to contact outsource firms for their project to be completed. It can be a ten-men company, or big corporations, like Ubisoft, Bandai Namco, etc. The pros of art studios is that they have many teams of artists who can divide the process with each other and be effective. The price usually stays the same for all the clients, however if you order often, you might get certain discounts for services.

How to Find an Outsource Game Art Studio?

Let's imagine you are looking for a particular agency. What are the ways to find it?

• Articles and blogs. Search for the topic you are interested in. There is a great chance that art firms have their own blogs, where they make their job and nuances clear to the public. You can read more about certain styles and techniques and understand the company's specialization.
• ArtStation. It is a big platform for artists, which can serve as a social media website, but also as a job opportunity place. People can share their work and chat. However, it is also a great place to look for artists or for jobs. Illustrators publish their portfolio on ArtStation. You can go to the “Jobs” section and press the “Find Studio” link, where you will be able to see the most popular art agencies. Pick the one you like!
• YouTube. Many companies have their YouTube channels, where they talk about the latest updates in 3D or 2D fields. They can also make tutorials or show off their works.
• Simply google. You can ask Google to show top rated firms. Many of the links are going to be ads, but you still have something to choose from.

What Kind of Studios Are There?

Art firms usually provide a set of services, like environmental design, character creation, etc. However, there are organizations who specialize in a specific topic. Let's say you need detailed illustrations of space. You can find people who create space assets and environments. Or you need a completed puzzle genre project, which can also be completed by related illustrators.

What Can a Client Order?

You can find from five to fifteen options on the company's website. Of course, the list of projects varies, but in most cases, you can see similarities.

• Character design. This option allows you to create a person, animal, or creature, based on your description. Artists will take into consideration game genre, approximate graphics, story, and setting to create the most suitable result.
• Environmental design. Again, the firm can specialize in something specific, but very often there are a few artists who can draw in various styles (realism, pixel art, low poly, etc.). They make outdoors and indoors environments, trying to add objects that will catch the attention of the player.
• Illustrations. Such pictures can be useful for stories, books, or promoting videos. Illustrations usually tell a particular story. You can notice different characters or well-defined buildings or objects that will depict a certain atmosphere.
• 3D modeling. The process of creating both low poly and high poly assets and props is a complicated and exciting process. Designers form shapes, create correct angles, and add textures to items.
• 2D art creation. Similar to 3D, it takes days to make a well-designed sprite or image.
• Animation. Art agencies animate characters and environments. They rig body parts and make movements smooth. Camera work and lighting effects are also important. Illustrators can work not only character animation, but create short videos and trailers for the game.

It is worth saying that all the above-mentioned options include revisions. If you are not satisfied with the result, ask designers to change or correct details, and it will be done in a few days or even hours.

What Options Are Less Popular?

The services above are the most popular ones. However, there are more that can interest you. For instance, product advertisement and marketing. Artists can take already existing characters or objects and create a few videos or posters with them. Or they can animate a particular product, showing its pros and cons. Art studios play a great role in game development. Clients can look for the particular option, so the project meets all the requirements.