Concept Art

Concept art is the visual development discipline at the heart of the games, film, and animation industries. Concept artists create the visual language of fictional worlds, designing characters, environments, vehicles, creatures, and props before they are built, rendered, or animated. The work requires both strong artistic fundamentals, including drawing, colour theory, anatomy, and composition, and the ability to think imaginatively and collaboratively within the creative and technical constraints of production.

Concept art is fundamentally a communication tool: it conveys ideas visually so that entire teams can build from a shared vision.

At Teesside University, this four-year full-time programme begins with a foundation year that introduces you to the creative possibilities of image-making using digital tools and builds your understanding of the fundamental principles of design and composition. From there you will progress into the full degree, developing your skills in character design, environment art, creature design, and visual storytelling. You will master industry-standard graphics software, working with layers, composition, colour, linework, and lighting to produce artwork at a professional standard.

The programme includes a sandwich year and work placement opportunities, giving you the chance to work within a games studio, animation production, or other creative industry setting before you graduate. This industry exposure is invaluable: concept art is a highly competitive field, and professional experience and a strong portfolio are both essential for entering it.

You will develop not only your artistic skills but also the ability to receive and respond to creative briefs, to iterate on designs under direction, and to communicate your visual ideas clearly to directors, producers, and other artists.

Graduates of concept art go on to work as concept artists, visual development artists, character designers, and environment artists in games studios, animation companies, film production, and digital entertainment. Many also work in illustration, comic art, and related creative fields. Postgraduate study in animation, games design, or visual effects is an option for those wishing to specialise further.