Career in Art: Concept Artist
- Missy Stephenson
- Mar 7, 2025
- 1 min read
Concept artists design characters, environments, and items for visual media, whether it be movies, video games, shows, or even comic books.
Most concept artists are hired as freelancers and can work remotely, but those who don’t typically work at animation studios or gaming companies. Those who do
These artists will likely be drawing a wide variety of things—even if they’re limited to one niche, like character design—so advanced art skills are needed. This includes correct anatomy, lighting, color theory, perspective, etc.
However, a large part of concept art is the creative and unique aspect of it. So, alongside knowing how to draw realistically, they’ll need a grasp of color and shape language as a way to convey ideas.
Communication and listening skills are also a must, since concept artists create based on others’ ideas, and should be able to explain their design choices.
If someone wants to become a concept artist, a portfolio displaying their skills is a must—this is what employers or clients (depending on if the artist is freelance or not) hire based off of. In fact, it is much more valuable than a design-related college degree alone.
Those who are working towards a career as a concept artist may want to major in graphic design or illustration, and enter a Concept Art & Illustration or Digital Arts & Entertainment program if their college offers it.
The Savannah College of Art and Design, Ringling, and CalArts are considered the best schools for concept art, as well as art made for visual media in general.
