Modular environment assets, Bioshock 2

Working from concept and the layout of the level the art would be used with, Joyau set off to create environment assets with a typical modular design. His first goal was was figuring out exactly which pieces the level designers needed immediately rather than what he’d like to dive right in to immediately.

“This is actually something very important. Often I see environment artists rushing the modules like there’s no tomorrow, but not asking the level designer what he actually needs. Having built levels for quite some time at Digital Extremes and in my personal time, I can definitely tell how frustrating it is to try to build something relatively complex architecture wise and not having the right pieces to play with.”

Modular environment pieces for Bioshock 2, by Joyau.

Modular environment pieces for Bioshock 2, by Joyau.

Modular environment pieces for Bioshock 2, by Joyau.

 

A lot of artists out there dive right in to what they’re doing and collect reference or information along the way. And while their talent will pull them most of the way its proper planning that well take any good work and make it great. The thing I love the most about this post, is not the exceptional artwork Joyau created for Bioshock 2, but seeing the results of concentrated planning & execution. If there was ever any doubt that planning your work before you get to it yields entirely successful results.

I hope it is this that you take away from these examples and that the next time you go to create something, you give it the time it deserves and properly think about what it is you’re about to create. Whether its weapons, characters, environments or effects all things will be better for it.

I’d like to give a huge thanks to my good friend Vincent for sharing these with Polycount. If you haven’t yet, check out his new thread in the Polycount Forum where he showcases some other artwork he’s been cooking up over the past year. Once you’re done there head on over to his portfolio and check out the rest of his amazing artwork.

If you’re a professional artist who’s recently finished something you think is a great example of the craft, feel free to contact us and let us know. We’d love to share it to the rest of the world!