The first-ever, real-live answer and practical method to use in response to the question: How do I become a videos game creature or character designer? All You Need Is a Pencil, Paper and Your Imagination! Ever wondered how you could become a character designer for video games, film or animation? Veteran art director and concept artist Marc Taro Holmes shares proven methods for honing the skills and building the portfolio necessary to become a pro gaming artist. This is the first and only work-at-your-own pace home study program that teaches the crucial insider knowledge needed to break into the entertainment-design industry and develop your own style--all you need are a pencil, paper and your imagination. The projects within this straightforward guide are constructed to help you apply your existing drawing and digital art skills to character design. Or, if you're still working on your skills, it will help you improve while at the same time turning your mind into an idea-generating machine. ? Unlock the Secrets to Character and Creature Design ? Follow the creature design process from start to finish: 35 projects are divided into 4 challenge levels, ranging from brainstorming and drawing character blueprints to completing market-ready illustrations. As the levels advance, the projects become more complex. ? Learn to solve design problems: Every project introduces you to an open-ended fictional assignment inspired by industry experience. Each project has a list of minimum deliverables--the basics to get to the next stage--plus bonus goals. You receive virtual merit badges for each achievement you complete. ? Think like a pro: Over the 155 possible artistic achievements, you'll be asked to find a solution to every type of conceptual problem you might encounter as a professional creature or character designer. ? Build your portfolio: Work toward creating an outstanding portfolio. Improve your skills and push yourself to create a fine-tuned presentation that could get you your eventual dream job. AUTHOR: Marc Taro Holmes has 20+ years as an Art Director and Concept Artist in video games and feature animation with studios such as Microsoft, Electronic Arts and Disney. His first major project was Bioware's role-playing classic Baldur's Gate, followed closely by the long-running fan favorite Neverwinter Nights, and most recently, the epic fantasy Dragon Age Inquisition. In between, Marc has worked on properties as diverse as Lord of the Rings Online, Halo Wars andAge of Empires III.
