Podcast: Visual Development For Video Games

Download the MP3 or Subscribe via iTunes!

Visual Development for Video Games
Length: 01:04:39
Synopsis: Microsoft Studios Associate Production Designer Claire Hummel and Associate Art Director Colin Foran visited Minneapolis this week to host our weekend workshop dedicated to world building in video games. To kick off the event, we hosted a public artist talk where Claire and Colin spoke about how they approach the challenging work of visual development for AAA video games, what it's like to work on a high-caliber team of talent like Microsoft Studios, where they started as artists, and how they got to where they are now. And of course, lots, lots more. Claire and Colin are incredibly talented and knowledgeable (and super nice, too!) so we thought it would be a great conversation to share on the podcast!


NOTES:
You can see Claire Hummel's art and follow what she's up to next on her website, Tumblr, Deviant Art, or on twitter @shoomlah.

You can see Colin Foran's art and follow what he's up to next on his Tumblr, CG Hub, Deviant Art, or on twitter @colin_foran.

In Place Opening Reception Recap

A huge thank you to everyone who was able to make it out to the opening reception and book release for In Place! It was an incredible celebration with so many fantastic artworks, and we were happy to share it with all of you!



Each In Place piece was displayed in a larger-than-life format, allowing viewers to 'get lost' in the image and truly discover these breathtaking, culturally relevant, and magical, yet real places! Ranging from the Congo River, to the Shalimar Gardens, the Bavarian Forest, and Marakeesh, Morocco, each piece is captures the discovery of ends of the earth, our awe-inspiring journeys, and our love for curiosity!



The In Place books arrived just in time for the big event! Visitors were able to pick up a copy of their own, have local participating artists sign their In Place Books!



In the next few weeks, there will be several more opportunities to get to know these artists, check out the books, and hear all about the In Place book and process. Dates and information for signings (Magers & Quinn and Boneshaker Books) coming soon! Keep an eye out for all of the invitations!

In Place will be up and on display at Light Grey Art Lab until September 13th! Stop by during our gallery hours Wednesday-Saturday from 12pm-7pm, and Sundays from 12pm-5pm.

If you can't stop by in person, check out all of the wonderful work and In Place book on the permanent In Place online gallery and Light Grey Shop!

Concept Art Workshop and All Creatives Meet and Greet

Gear up for an excited and inspiring weekend at Light Grey Art Lab!

We are thrilled to host a series of open events in correspondence with out Create, Concept, and Collaborate Workshop with Victoria Ying and Mike Yamada.


Marakeesh by Victoria Ying

To kick off the workshop, we are hosting a free public lecture this Friday at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design (Auditorium 150) at 7pm. Hear Mike and Victoria talk about their experience in the concept art world, what it is like working for Disney Animation Studios, working as part of a collaborative team, and about their personal projects, Extracurricular Activities! Following the hour long lecture, will be a Q & A, where attendees are welcome to ask questions about their studio practice, work, current projects, etc.


Mike Yamada

At 8:30pm we will make our way over to Glam Doll Donuts for an All Creatives Meet & Greet! Get your donuts, get your coffees, and teas, and spend the evening getting to know other artists in the local area, as well as from around the country! You are welcome and encouraged to bring business cards, promotional materials, and a notebook to take down any information! All creatives are invited, so feel free to stop by and say hello!

To read more about the lecture and Meet & Greet, see our facebook event here!


All Creatives Meet & Greet, January 2013

The workshop will take place all weekend! We are very excited for this boot-camp-esque class, where students are able to make work, have one on one critiques, business discussions, and more!

Do to the events and classroom setting, we will NOT have gallery hours this weekend! Feel free to stop next week or check out the In Place Exhibition on the online shop and gallery.

We hope to see you here!

In Place Opening Reception Tonight!

The wait is over! Join us tonight to celebrate the work and collaboration of 50+ illustrators, concept artists, and designers as we take you on a journey around the world...and back!


Salar de Uyuni by Victor Maury

The In Place opening reception and Book Release begins at 7pm at Light Grey Art Lab! There will be several local artists, the In Place Books, and of course, all the the sublime and majestic large-scale works of places from around the globe. From a tiny alley way in Shinjuku, Japan, to an expansive mountain scape in Germany, In Place celebrates all sacred, mysterious, cultural, and awe-inspiring places- the places that inspire us to create, travel, and wonder!

You can see more about the opening reception on our facebook event page
Or check out the entire collection on our permanent online gallery and Light Grey Shop!


Marakeesh by Victoria Ying

We hope you can make it to the opening, as well as our book signing and discussion Saturday, August 24th from 12pm-3pm at Verdant Tea! At noon, we will kick off the event with delicious tea and conversation. Starting at 1pm, we will talk about the process of the book, inspirations by Light Grey and the participating artists, and tons of images and books to look at! Stick around after the event for a traditional tea tasting and a Q & A. You can read more about the event here.

Shalimar by Sidharth Chaturvedi

Let's honor these inspiring places and all of the incredible artwork!

Podcast: Talking with Colin Foran

This week we were lucky enough to have a wonderful conversation with Colin Foran, who did an out-of-this-world piece for the Station Zero show (pun completely intended), and also has work in the upcoming Rolemodels show. Colin has spent the last 5 years at Microsoft Game Studios as a concept artist and associate art director. Working on the publishing side, Colin gets to help shape the look and feel of countless video game projects on a daily basis.


Download the MP3 or Subscribe via iTunes!

Talking with Colin Foran
Length: 01:23:23
Synopsis: On this week's podcast we talk to Colin Foran, a concept artist and art director on the publishing side of Microsoft Game Studios. Colin helps shape the look and feel of countless video game projects on a daily basis, and we talk to him about the culture of work, the importance of practice and self reflection, how he continues to grow as an artist, and dealing with the balance of personal art and a demanding creative career. After the interview, Lindsay, Jenny, Francesa, and Chris talk about managing creative energy, work-life balance, and taking things one step at a time.

Notes:
You can see Colin Foran's art and follow what he's up to next on his Tumblr, CG Hub, Deviant Art, or on twitter @colin_foran.

In Place Sneak Peek

This August at Light Grey Art Lab, we are celebrating the summer 'sense of travel,' our yearning for new destinations, and curiosity about mysterious places around the world, as we gear up for our newest exhibition opening, In Place.

In Place incorporates the work of fifty concept artist, background and gaming artists, illustrators, and designers from all over the work to collaborate on a awe-inspiring and sublime exhibition and limited edition artist book project.

Here is a preview and the preorder for the In Place book

And a sneak peek at some of the amazing artwork:


Chiang Mai Jungle, Thailand Sunrise by Angela An
Cenote, Yucatan Peninsula Cenotes by Juan Carlos Barquet
Congo, Congo by Francesca Buchko
Northridge Shopping Mall, Paris by Andres Guzman

Each artist has done an incredible job capturing these larger than life destinations, such as Chief Mountain in Montana, the Illuminated Caves in Okinawa, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, and the icy tundra of Antarctica. Each piece is accompanied by a written piece about the folklore, history, 'magical healing powers,' influence, and dwellers of each of these magnificent places. We cannot wait to share with you!

To see more information about the opening reception see our facebook event!