Composition and color iteration for the development of environment concept art. An exploration of the procedure of visual analysis in the creative process

Abstract

Visual idea development is a primary goal of the digital content, animation, and video game industries. In the early stage of the creative process, concept artists face the challenge of exploring a multitude of design possibilities to achieve visually consistent and distinctive images that harmonize with the intended concept. The main aim is to transcend designs reliant on references and present innovative solutions that prominently exhibit their uniqueness. This article aims to delve into the decision-making process underlying design, with a specific emphasis on composition and colour as pivotal elements in achieving unique results. To address these decisions, a case study approach was employed, analysing six environment images. By employing techniques such as graphic overlay and image editing, the implicit meanings embedded within the graphic decisions that shape the creation of environment concept art were identified and explicated. The findings demonstrate that each image follows a distinctive rationale based on specific graphic solutions, thereby contributing to the generation of the atmosphere that effectively communicates the author’s idea. Additionally, a visual protocol is proposed to strengthen the creative process for artists, which acts as a self criticism strategy by providing guidelines and principles derived from the study’s findings.