Duties of Environment Artist

Source		Quote, image or video	Annotation	Academic or Popular
Surname	Unknown	Duties The environment artist (also known as an environment modeler) creates backgrounds and scenery for video games—anything from architectural elements like pyramids or arenas to chairs and plants. Game designers first hand an idea to the concept artist to sketch. After several drafts and revisions, the concept art is sent to the environment artists to create 3D models with texture, color, and lighting. During this time-consuming process, the senior environment artist will continually consult with the design team to ensure a consistent style. He or she will also communicate with level designers and animators to take into account gameplay considerations like mission-critical assets, inclusion of vehicles, and design of creatures and other non-player characters. Thorough planning is required prior to modeling. The artists and designers collaborate to meticulously map out necessary props and scenery elements that drive the story, occur in the player’s interaction with the environment, and move forward the mission.  If the Resident Evil 5 level designers intend Sheva and Chris to beat a countdown to the rescue boat outside the oil refinery, the environment artists need to give the pair an escape route, and make sure the boat is waiting. There is nothing more frustrating than courageously fending off an army of zombies only to find the getaway vehicle didn’t get rendered in—what a bummer. Another concern is in-game rendering and poly count. The environment artists must consider the limitations of the game engine and storage medium to determine resolution quality. If a scene attempts to render with a poly count that is too great, the animation will lag; players get unsightly blimps and incomplete objects. Artists need to determine where they can afford low-resolution images (like distant backgrounds) and reserve high-res capacity for items in the foreground or close to the camera.	I was particularly interested in this Duties of Environment artist. Environment artist job is to create the world of the game, film and such. This article briefly describes the basic work flow of how initial concept can be taken into environment artists hand then created into the final assets.	Popular (Art Website)
Initial	Unknown
Year	Unknown
Title	Get in Media - Environment Artist
Publisher	http://getinmedia.com/careers/environment-artist

History of Matte Painting

Source		Quote, image or video	Annotation	Academic or Popular
Surname	Mattingly	"Matte painting has been around since the dawn of filmmaking. It’s been continuously used since the first example debuted in 1907. The history of matte painting begins with one man, a camera, and a sheet of glass in the bright sunlight of California."	It is amazing to know how old the matte painting's history is. It is almost as old as film making and I found it very fascinating. It is very interesting to know how the whole matte painting process evolved since the days of simple sheet of glass - to today's 3D technology.	Academic (Published Book)
Initial	D
Year	2011
Title	The Digital Matte Painting Handbook
Publisher	Wiley Publishing, Inc.

Unleashing Creativity

Source		Quote, image or video	Annotation	Academic or Popular
Surname	Mattingly	Creating a concept sketch -“What am I going to paint?” If you were working on a movie, you would be given direction as to the look and feel of the piece. You have the hardest and most creative task of all—you can do whatever you want. I encourage you to do several concepts with distinctly different moods, and then pick the best of the group to work on in subsequent chapters. As you continue, let me share some ideas on how to unleash your imagination."	It is interesting how artists find it difficult to create something when they are given an absolute freedom. Artists usually find it easier to work when they are given theme, or direction, even though it is their job to create concepts from their imagination. Is freedom not the best way to unleash the creativity? What is the best way to unleash our creativity?	Academic (Published Book)
Initial	D
Year	2011
Title	The Digital Matte Painting Handbook
Publisher	Wiley Publishing, Inc.

Job specification for Environment Artist

Source		Quote, image or video	Annotation	Academic or Popular
Surname	Rock Star North	We'd like to hear from the industry's most talented environment artists. You will be designing, building and texturing the world and have the creative and technical knowledge to achieve the highest quality results within budget. Advanced skills in one or more of the standard industry 3D packages essential. Knowledge of 3DS Max an advantage. Please accompany the application with links to your portfolio or provide examples of your work. RESPONSIBILITIES Model, texture and create collision in 3D for game environments. Works closely with Programmers to ensure polygon counts and texture sizes are fully optimized for target platforms while minimizing any impact on artistic integrity of assets. Participates in R&D of new techniques to implement into production pipeline. Proactively seeks feedback from Lead Artist, Producer and Creative Director. Ensures that artistic style is consistent with defined visual style for the game QUALIFICATIONS 2+ years of post-secondary educational experience in 2D and 3D art production. Superior 2D and 3D art skills. Eagerness to learn new software tools and technologies. Ability to work in a team setting, under deadlines and time constraints. Expertise in 3ds Max, Photoshop, or other technologies utilized in the production of game art. Strong technical background with ability to grasp new programs and systems quickly. Ability to work with a high degree of self-direction and motivation. Strong communication and time management skills. Able to prioritize and multi-task. Creative nature with strong problem solving skills. Game experience preferred.	Job Specification by a game developer Rockstar North. This job in particular is 3D environment artist and it requires knowledge in Autodesk 3DStudio Max. Although qualification including education in 2D as well.	Popular (Job Specification on the official website of an Edinburgh based game comopany)
Initial
Year	2012
Title	Rock Star North Jobs -  Environment Artists
Publisher	https://www.rockstargames.com/jobs/position/ 850d09bc75390852e54f70c88088eeac/rockstar-north

Suit the needs - Becoming a good concept artist

Source		Quote, image or video	Annotation	Academic or Popular
Surname	Tsai	THE ROLE OF THE CONCEPT ARTIST Steven Olds, a talented artist and art director who taught me a lot of what I know, told me once that a good concept designer is also by definition a good role player – he or she should be able to hide their own artistic idiosyncrasies in order to best serve the project, similar to the way a good actor can portray any type of character.	Good Concept Artist must be able to work for the game, and not simply just create what artists want. It is important for artist to create concepts that suit the needs of their client.	Popular (Article on an Art Magazine)
Initial	F
Year	2007
Title	Imagine FX - July 2007 - The 20 Rules of Game Concept Art
Publisher	Future Publishing