Creating graphics for your game or app

[fairlady]

I wrote an article that contains tips for creating graphics for games and apps on the iPhone / iPod touch. I hope some of you find it useful. See:

http://fairladymedia.com/node/10

Thanks,
fairlady

[Altrez]

Thank you fairlady! some great tips in that article.

-Altrez

[henr1kk]

Great tips!
Thank you very much :)

[Zandog]

Thanks lady!

[BulletDev]

I wrote an article that contains tips for creating graphics for games and apps on the iPhone / iPod touch. I hope some of you find it useful. See:

http://fairladymedia.com/node/10

Thanks,
fairlady

Awesome article! You've just gotta love this sort of stuff :)

[nickels]

Nice!
I submitted this to Digg:

http://digg.com/design/How_to_Create_Graphics_for_iPhone_iPod_touch_apps

Hope that increases your article's visibility!

[Oma]

Hi, I'm a designer with Illustrator and Photoshop too,
how did you get people asking you to make art for their game? :)
Maybe you can promote me a little? (A)

[nickels]

Hi, I'm a designer with Illustrator and Photoshop too,
how did you get people asking you to make art for their game? :)
Maybe you can promote me a little? (A)

Aren't we all ;)

[Oma]

what do you mean?

[nickels]

what do you mean?

I am guessing "our" talents aren't that rare here.

[fairlady]

Hi, I'm a designer with Illustrator and Photoshop too,
how did you get people asking you to make art for their game? :)
Maybe you can promote me a little? (A)

I pick up work through word of mouth and my website and illustration portfolios at stock agencies (e.g. istockphoto and shutterstock).

Here's another strategy: I haven't done this before, but I know of other graphic designers who contact iPhone developers when they see a new app posted in the App Store. Something like "Hi, I noticed you posted a game recently. If you need a graphic designer for future projects, I charge X and here is a link to my portfolio."

Good luck! :)

[Zandog]

I know of other graphic designers who contact iPhone developers when they see a new app posted in the App Store. Something like "Hi, I noticed you posted a game recently. If you need a graphic designer for future projects, I charge X and here is a link to my portfolio."

That's exactly how I got onto the project I work for.

[fairlady]

Nice!
I submitted this to Digg:

http://digg.com/design/How_to_Create_Graphics_for_iPhone_iPod_touch_apps

Hope that increases your article's visibility!

Gee, thanks! :)

[Frand]

Having a convincing online portfolio helps tremendously. What makes a convincing portfolio?

That depends entirely on the size of the studio you're applying for and their particular needs. Larger studios can afford to look for specialized people, smaller studios appreciate more general skill sets.

Personally, I can speak from the viewpoint of a small indie studio regarding the skills we'd look for (if we were recruiting... right now we're not):

1) Personality - indie games tend to rely on distinctive visual styles and character designs to stand out. We're much more likely to attempt something like Loco Roco or Castle Crashers as opposed to Gears of War. Having a signature style is good. (Look at Dan Paladin's stuff, he's so hot right now.)

2) Related to the above, cost efficiency. We don't need artists who show us portfolios full of detail-obsessed realism, since we could never afford to develop that kind of stuff (not that we'd even want to). If you're able to make simple look great, all the better. Samurai Jack is one of my all-time favourite references of how to stage massive events with minimum effort.

3) Again related to the above, forget about detail, but make sure your lighting is good! If you have a good eye for highlights, contrast and moods, we love you.

4) Show us dynamic and appealing characters: facial expressions, humorous poses. A normal-mapped character from Z-brush in an X-pose has zero value unless you can show him or her laughing reservedly from a bad joke or feeling ill from yesterday's chili burrito. (Yeah, if you do characters, be prepared to animate them in a small studio...)

5) An eye for palettes, framing and composition. (John K's blog is good stuff.)

6) Leave the scantily-clad, big-boobied elven sorceresses and the 3D dragons at the door. Instant disqualification :)

Hope this helps. As said, this is only the viewpoint of one small studio.

[fairlady]

Great tips, Frand. I especially like number 6. ;)

[Zandog]

John K. owns all who walk the graphic design and animation earth.

[Sainter]

That's exactly how I got onto the project I work for.

So you did the graphics for WarFare Inc.? They are pretty awesome!

[fairlady]

John K. owns all who walk the graphic design and animation earth.

Yeah, his stuff is great. Have you seen his article on Character Design? Here's the link:

http://johnkstuff.blogspot.com/2007/08/character-design-primer.html

Lots of great tips and examples...

[Zandog]

So you did the graphics for WarFare Inc.? They are pretty awesome!
I do concept and content art for Warfare Inc. The graphics for the game itself were designed in 2003 and was a port over to the Apple devices. We're not satisfied with stopping there. Expect all new game graphics in the future. Thanks for the comment, Sainter!

Yeah, his stuff is great. Have you seen his article on Character Design?

I have the entire Ren & Stimpy DVD set. Plus a lot of extra content involving John K. Gotta love his perspective.

[nickels]

I guess when I start doing 3d and animation I'll have to use my first initial and full last name, since I am also John K. That's cool though, as my last name is more memorable anyway. Still, it is weird seeing that while wishing I was the John K you are all talking about. Someday... hopefully

[fairlady]

I guess when I start doing 3d and animation I'll have to use my first initial and full last name, since I am also John K. That's cool though, as my last name is more memorable anyway. Still, it is weird seeing that while wishing I was the John K you are all talking about. Someday... hopefully

Of course, having a good style is more important than a memorable last name... afterall, John K's last name is "Kricfalusi"... I can't even pronounce that, nevermind remember it... So, good luck developing that style. :)

[Finchypoo]

John K.....Drool

Dan Paladin too, hes kicking ass right now, anybody who frequented newgrounds the last 5 years was expecting it and its great to see it happen.

@Frand, thats a great list

When I got my job at MotionX I had to make a portfolio on the spot, Stayed up overnight making sprites and game art since I had really never done it before. It turned out alright in the end, but having this stuff prepared beforehand would have been great.

[Zandog]

Hilarious that I brought up Ren & Stimpy because now I see ads for the show in this thread. I'll spare you the screenshot of the ad, but here's where it took me, enjoy.

http://www.joost.com/0790001/t/Nickelodeon-Ren-&-Stimpy

[Altrez]

I see the add LOL thats funny :)

[Rocketman919]

Hilarious that I brought up Ren & Stimpy because now I see ads for the show in this thread. I'll spare you the screenshot of the ad, but here's where it took me, enjoy.

http://www.joost.com/0790001/t/Nickelodeon-Ren-&-Stimpy

Thats messed up! I bet there was some thing that saw you type 'ren and stimpy' so that ad popped up cuz it knows that people here like it.