2D Background Design For Games – Vector Techniques by Nick Sweetman (Game Art Co)

The course centers on swift vector techniques in Photoshop tailored for crafting a unique visual style ideal for a 2D platform running game. Prerequisite skills:

• Basic drawing proficiency
• Familiarity with Photoshop fundamentals
• Basic comprehension of Unity

This course swiftly covers simple yet impactful vector techniques, leveraging Photoshop’s smart objects—a key among professional game artists. Divided into two sections, you’ll first explore vector tools and thumbnail processes. Then, through a mini-project inspired by Indonesian folklore, you’ll witness the entire creation process from initial sketches to the final image.

Throughout the course, assignments augment your learning, and direct feedback is available from an instructor boasting a track record across twenty commercial game releases.

What’s included:

• Full HD Stylized Background crafted by a Rovio game artist, available for your game projects
• 2D Unity game template for asset testing
• Resources: learning games, articles, tips, and tricks

Designed for Photoshop basics, the course swiftly introduces key concepts, enabling you to implement these techniques in your own game productions.

Part 1: Nick Sweetman

Nick Sweetman guides you through basic vector tools and thumbnail processes, ensuring you’re well-equipped before embarking on the mini-game project. Workflow acceleration tips, main vector techniques with the pen tool, and more are covered.

Part 2: Graphics by Maureen Lukito, Narration by Nick Sweetman

Rovio game artist Maureen Lukito shares her professional workflow for crafting a 2D game background. From scheduling to asset blocking and Unity integration, you’ll gain insights. The provided template scene offers essential elements for environment testing: a jumping character, animated parallax layers, and basic functionality for level traversal—crafted by game programmer Yrjö Peussa, designed specifically for testing purposes (not a complete game). If you possess coding skills, the template serves as a foundation for further development!