Video Game Concept Art
I took SmArt Schools 14 week long mentorship with Winona Nelson called Gaming Illustration and Character Design. We also got advice and critiques from Jana Schirmer, Visual Development Supervisor at Marvel Studios and freelance illustrator for Wizards of the Coast.
With Guidance from Winona Nelson and my amazingly talented peers I created concept art for a video game I created called the Rún Bearer. My work mostly explores designs for my main character Eira, her early game armor, and endgame forms Hero and Chaos. I also have a page exploring mid game armor sketches as well as a weapons sheet of different staffs she wields.
I will continue to update this page with more work as I can’t wait to expand on this game and the world I’ve created.
Main Character Designs
Here are the final designs for Eira Byror. Starting on the left with her early game state her armor reflects the starting region Brinehavn a humble fishing village.
In the middle and on the right you see her two end game forms Chaos and Hero depending on which ending you choose to play.
Below there are more details/descriptions of all of her designs as well as progress work and sketches to show how I got to each concept.
Mid Game Armor Designs
Here are some mid game armor design sketches. Many reflect Eiras environment, special in game events or Runes. All are built modular so that players can find different parts of the armor in different locations throughout the game.
Staff Designs
Here are the final designs for Eira’s primary weapon- a staff. These designs reflect the game state, different environments or acquired runes.
Each staff has an “activated” state when equipped, as shown to the right. In this state, magic flows through the staff altering its appearance and imbuing it with additional magical powers depending on its level.
See below sketches, moodboards and the progress that went into this project
Starting Region Moodboard
Early Game Armor Moodboard
Endgame Chaos Eira Moodboard
Endgame Hero Eira Moodboard
If you feel like reading…
Here is the plot and story of my video game the Rún Bearer to provide additional insight into my concept and designs.
Some Close Ups
With worldbuilding and characters there’s nothing I love more than adding details that reflect the characters personality, environment or story.
Every texture and piece of clothing is thought out. The moodboards, sketches, deliberation, iterations all lead up to the final design where the more you look the more you discover.