How can you ensure everyone on the team shares the same vision for game art style?

1 Define your art direction

The first step to ensure everyone on the team shares the same vision for game art style is to define your art direction. Your art direction is the set of guidelines and principles that describe the desired look and feel of your game. It should include elements such as color palette, lighting, textures, shapes, proportions, animation, and UI. Your art direction should also align with your game's genre, theme, mood, and target audience. You can use references, mood boards, concept art, and style guides to illustrate your art direction and communicate it to your team.

2 Establish a feedback loop

The second step to ensure everyone on the team shares the same vision for game art style is to establish a feedback loop. A feedback loop is a system that allows you to collect, analyze, and act on the input and opinions of your team members and other stakeholders. A feedback loop can help you identify and resolve any issues, inconsistencies, or gaps in your game art. It can also help you improve the quality and coherence of your game art. You can use tools such as online surveys, forums, chat apps, or video calls to facilitate your feedback loop and ensure everyone is on the same page.

3 Use a common asset pipeline

The third step to ensure everyone on the team shares the same vision for game art style is to use a common asset pipeline. An asset pipeline is the process of creating, importing, and integrating game assets such as models, textures, sounds, and animations into your game engine. Using a common asset pipeline can help you standardize the format, quality, and performance of your game assets. It can also help you optimize your workflow and avoid technical issues or conflicts. You can use tools such as version control systems, asset management systems, or scripting languages to create and maintain your asset pipeline.

5 Foster a culture of collaboration

The fifth step to ensure everyone on the team shares the same vision for game art style is to foster a culture of collaboration. A culture of collaboration is an environment that encourages and supports teamwork, communication, and creativity among your team members. A culture of collaboration can help you build trust and rapport with your team. It can also help you leverage the diverse skills, perspectives, and experiences of your team to create a unique and engaging game art style. You can foster a culture of collaboration by setting clear goals and roles, providing regular feedback and recognition, and organizing social and creative activities.

6 Learn from others

The sixth and final step to ensure everyone on the team shares the same vision for game art style is to learn from others. Learning from others is a way of expanding your knowledge and inspiration by studying and analyzing the game art of other games, genres, and platforms. Learning from others can help you discover new trends, techniques, and ideas for your game art. It can also help you benchmark your game art against the industry standards and best practices. You can learn from others by playing, watching, or reading about other games, attending events or workshops, or joining online communities or forums.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?