Illustration for Animation Projects and Video Games by Jean Fraisse

Learn how an art director thinks and works to create successful concept art for your own animation or video game projects. This course focuses on selling an idea visually and conceptually, from aesthetic to story.

🎯 What you’ll learn

• Define a visual style for a project
• Create a color script to tell a story
• Develop consistent character and location designs
• Present a concept to a fictional client

✅ Requirements

• Skills: Basic knowledge of design, volume, and narrative
• Tools: Computer with Adobe Photoshop and a graphics tablet

📝 Description

This isn’t just about drawing pretty pictures. It’s about learning the art direction pipeline used in the industry. Jean Fraisse walks you through how to take a vague idea and turn it into a concrete, sellable visual concept.

You’ll start by analyzing a project brief and defining your main themes. Then, you’ll explore different styles for characters and locations, learning how to use the language of forms to communicate mood and function. The real magic happens when you combine these elements into a color script that tells a story through color alone.

The course is packed with practical, step-by-step demonstrations. You’ll see how to go from a rough sketch to a finished concept, and even how to present your work to a client in a convincing way. It’s a no-fluff look at how professional concept artists think and work.

🧑‍🎓 Who this course is for

• Any creative with an interest in devising concepts and designs for their projects
• Artists looking to understand the art direction process for animation and video games

🧑‍🏫 About the Author

Jean Fraisse is an art director for animated feature films at the Huevocartoon studio. He is a self-taught artist who has navigated a fascinating journey from a passionate beginner to a successful professional. Over the past decade, Jean has also embraced the entrepreneurial side of his profession, learning to integrate business acumen into his artistic endeavors. He is committed to helping fellow artists understand their role in the evolving art market and equipping them with the skills to adapt and succeed.

🏁 Final Result

• A consistent visual concept that tells a story, presented as if to a fictional client.