Effective Approach and Production Processes of External Game Art Studios
**Streamlining Game Art Production: The Role of a Game Art Outsourcing Studio**
In the dynamic world of video game development, game art outsourcing studios play a pivotal role in bringing visions to life. Here's a closer look at the typical workflow these studios follow, from finding a partner to delivery and review.
1. **Finding a Partner**: Potential clients search for studios online and through social media, scrutinizing portfolios and testimonials to identify suitable partners.
2. **Evaluation and Discussions**: Clients contact potential studios to discuss budgets, project specifics, deadlines, and requirements.
3. **Agreement and NDA**: Upon agreement, an NDA is signed to protect intellectual property, and the project progresses to production.
4. **Production**: The studio’s art team, under the supervision of an art director, creates concept art, models characters and environments, and handles lighting and effects.
5. **Review and Delivery**: The art goes through an in-house quality assurance process to ensure it meets the highest standards before being delivered to the client.
The creation of a Style Guide in the initial stages of a project is essential for maintaining consistency and ensuring the final product aligns with the client’s vision. A Style Guide helps maintain visual consistency, streamlines production, facilitates effective communication, allows for adaptability, and acts as a reference point for quality control.
A mood board is created to present ideas and confirm the interpretation of the client's vision. Initial sketches are based on the defined visual style, with the client able to check progress and provide feedback for necessary adjustments. The Style Guide includes one or several reference assets that represent a visual style and pipeline guide. Detailed sketches are developed for all art and elements in the project.
Communication is key at this stage for adjusting the art according to feedback and requirements. The first milestone allows artists to implement the ideas outlined in the style guide and adjust the workflow. It also helps in preparing a more detailed estimation of the whole future pipeline for a large project.
If the client is not satisfied, specific issues can be discussed and addressed. The completed art is presented to the client for confirmation and approval. The final assets are exported in the client's chosen format and handed over with original files.
By incorporating a style guide into the initial stages of a project, game art outsourcing studios can ensure a smoother workflow, higher quality output, and better client satisfaction. This early step enhances the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the outsourcing process.
Technology plays a crucial role in facilitating communication among clients and game art outsourcing studios, enabling real-time feedback exchange and remote collaboration. Technological advancements also enable the efficient creation and delivery of high-quality art assets, ensuring consistency and adherence to the client's vision.
