Creating a 2D game may seem like walking into the unknown—fun yet scary. But, what if we told you it’s not as difficult as it seems? Keep reading to find out why we are so confident in our claim.
It is not just a matter of starting from the beginning and hoping for overnight success. The reality lies somewhere in the middle. Once that is discovered, the process becomes worth pursuing.
All you need is the right guide to explain the basics of 2D game art, explore a variety of 2D game art styles, and walk you through creating your own awesome 2D game art from scratch. This method could make learning how to draw video games and design them in 2D much more fun.
So if you ever asked yourself, ‘Can I make a 2D game on Unreal?’ or ‘How do I start with 2D games?’, then you are at the right place. Now, let’s get ready to dive into the world of 2D game art and explore something amazing together!
What is 2D Game Art?
Digital graphics used in 2D video games are collectively referred to as 2D game art. All of these things combine to create a game, including the background, characters, items, user interface (UI) elements and other visual components.
2D game art simply refers to the visual graphic elements you see in 2D video games. Production of this kind of digital artwork usually involves the use of software like Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator. It can be made by either professional game artists or amateur game developers.
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Poor-quality artwork can ruin a player’s gaming experience and an entire game. On the other hand, high quality art work is eye-catching, follows the themes and styles of the game, and attracts attention while also providing information.
This goes a long way in creating an unforgettable 2D world where players will want to spend more time. Whether you are into perfectly animated fight games or adventurous 2D games are your favorites, attractive 2D game art is a must.
Discover Different Kinds of 2D Game Art Styles
Let’s look into some of the most popular 2D game art styles that will bring life to your 2D game design ideas. If you want to know how to draw video games or ask yourself, “Can I make a 2D game in Unreal?” These are just some starting points.
Every style comes with its own unique way of designing a 2D game, hence making it exceptional from the others.
Pixel Art 2D
Iconic and loved by many, pixel art is a famous 2D game style. In this style, you create images out of the tiniest pixels to create characters, objects, and environments.
Think of it as building with LEGO blocks; each pixel is a small piece contributing to the larger image. Games like Pokémon and Super Mario Bros. are classic examples of pixel art reigning supreme.
Pixel art is attractive because of its simplicity and nostalgia. It is still relevant in modern games despite being seen as a traditional medium because it brings nostalgia and simplicity to its design.
To date, indie games such as Stardew Valley and Celeste still effectively use pixel art, proving that this style has remained relevant even in the in-game 2D world.
Monochromatic Art
Monochromatic art focuses on working with a small number of colors, typically black, white or gray shades. However, it isn’t restricted to these factors only. The objective here is to ideally apply one color or use just a few colors to end up with a harmonious and atmospheric design.
For instance, the game “Limbo” has its entire surrounding in black and white colors, making it look terrifying and mysterious.
Similarly, for Return of the Obra Dinn, a monochromatic palette was used to give the feeling of an old story forgotten by time. This technique works well for games that want to establish a strong mood or atmosphere through limited color choices other than a complete spectrum range.
Flat Art
Flat art is a place where creativity has no boundaries. This particular 2D game art style is characterized by a few elements, such as the use of simple lines, solid colors, and a lack of depth.
Just imagine a world that appears flat but is made up of paper cut-outs placed on one surface. Flat art cares not about realism or the law of physics but about the beauty of visual impact suitable for the game’s theme.
For instance, Monument Valley’s environments are plain and abstract while visually striking. Thus, 2D game artists can turn their most extraordinary ideas into reality without worrying about any requirements regarding depth and reality concepts.
Cutout Art
Cutout art is a mixture of animation and design in which characters and objects appear as though they were cut out from paper and pasted into the game world.
Think of it this way: you draw a character on paper, cut it out and animate it by moving it around on your screen – that’s what cutout art is all about. In particular, this technique works very well for games trying to create a one-of-a-kind hand-made appearance.
For example, in the Paper Mario game, the cartoon-like characters created using cut-out images give a storybook-like feeling. The cut-out pictures remain motionless but can be relocated or even replaced to visualize movement and actions, making the game seem active and in motion.
Doodle Art
Doodle 2D art gaming is about accepting freehand drawings’ cheerful and playful spirit. Here, you often see a lot of pointed shapes, few shadows, and bright colors that make everything look like scribbles in a notebook.
This kind of artwork is relaxed and laid-back because it feels like doing it yourself for most gamers. For example, the game Doodle Jump chose this type of drawing with simple characters and backgrounds that are cute and interesting at the same time.
The doodle art style perfectly suits indie, mobile, and casual games, where the fun factor plays a key role instead of hyper-realistic graphics.
Cel Shading Game Art
Let’s explore the world of 2D cel shading game art. If you have ever wondered what 2D is in art or how to draw video games, here is an interesting answer.
Toon shading, also known as cel shading, is a common style in 2D game art that gives an animated hand-drawn appearance.
Imagine your favorite comic book or cartoon; cel shading wants to recreate the same sensation in 2D games. It uses flat, solid colors on characters and objects with bold, well-defined outlines. What does this create? An appearance that really pops off the screen, which is bright, vibrant, and highly contrasting.
One thing that makes cel shading special in 2D game design is its ability to make a difference in a way that recalls all those animated classics we have seen before.
This type of artwork is great for games that want to differentiate themselves with a memorable, visually interesting look. Whether you are designing a platformer, action game, RPG, or visual novel, this style can add flavor to your 2D game art.
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Is 2D Game Art Hard?
2D game art can be quite demanding. Various skills are required for 2D game design. It includes years of experience, proficiency in academic drawing, familiarity with rules of composition, efficiency in staging light and shadow, and understanding of color mixing basics.
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How to Create Art for Your 2D Game?
Although creating 2D game art from scratch may initially appear impossible, it requires creativity, technical skills, and a solid understanding of 2D game design principles.
When you are starting as a 2D game artist or want to know how to draw video games in general, understanding the steps involved will assist you in creating high quality visuals.
Now, let’s jump into the process in more detail:
1. Choosing a Game Style
This journey starts with selecting a 2D game art style compatible with your project. This choice matters most because it dictates the mood for the whole experience. Different 2D game art styles exist, each with its own aesthetic value.
Selection often depends on the genre of the game being created. For example, many creators of retro-inspired games prefer pixel art, while hand-drawn styles may be more suitable for games focused on storytelling.
2. Concept Art
Next is concept art once a decision is made regarding the game style. This is where the first ideas on the visual aspects of the game are captured in drawings, which serve as guides for making such games.
In 2D game design, concept art forms the foundation because it guides envisioning the final product by defining its visual style. It includes sketching out characters, environments, objects and other things that will be seen in the play.
Think of concept art as a link between a game’s storyline and visual representation. For example, if a reputable 2D animation studio was developing a game set in a magical world, the 2D environment design might feature extensive forests, towering castles, or enchanted lands.
The purpose of this concept art is to ensure that every piece of artwork fits into the game’s overall theme and story.
3. Drafting the Art
After completing the concept art, drafting assets is the next step. Here, we create initial shapes, compositions, and silhouettes, which later become detailed drawings. Artists may use thumbnail sketches at this stage—a series of small, unrefined pictures that help them explore various design alternatives quickly.
This step matters because it lets you play with different ideas before deciding upon one final idea that will ultimately be used in creating your work.
The first thing that beginners need to know is how to answer questions like “How can I make game assets?” and “How do I draw video games? ” So, start drafting the game components and see how each of them fits in the big picture.
4. Detailed Sketching
When your drafts give you a clear plan, it’s time for detailed sketching. At this stage, we deal with elements such as line work, shading, and texturing, among many other finer points of design.
Doing 2D art is especially important here because it brings out those fine details in design that make characters and environments look special.
In detailed sketching, artists focus on depth and light, which give images a realistic appearance and volume in 3D space. These drawings are mainly given to clients to verify their appropriateness. When approved, they become the final assets’ blueprint.
5. Color Concept
The most exciting part of sketching is adding color. The color concept includes determining a suitable color scheme to enhance the game’s visual appeal and mood. Consequently, the choice of colors used in a game can significantly impact how players relate to it, which can either make them feel warm or threaten their lives.
For example, an easygoing, cheerful game may prefer brighter colors, while darker shades are found in more intense, action-packed games. In the color concept phase, 2D vector game assets might be involved, as artists use scalable vector graphics that maintain nice visuals even at high resolutions.
6. Character Design
Character designing is among the highly creative aspects of 2D game design. This stage involves creating and perfecting the characters’ looks in these video games. It is not just about making an aesthetically pleasing character. It is about drawing one who best suits the universe within which it exists and the storylines given by this particular game.
Starting with simple outlines, you can gradually develop well-finished drawings that reflect each character’s personality traits, history, and role within the gameplay. This approach ensures that every character comes to life in the game.
Below is a breakdown of what it means to create an elaborate character design for 2D game art. Let’s look into the important factors which make a character noticeable:
Visual Appearance
Your character’s appearance is everything, from their general shape and size to facial features, haircuts, clothes, and accessories.
The aim here is to develop that one-of-a-kind look that is catchy among 2D game art lovers and grabs the player’s attention. For every detail, whether it has to do with the color scheme, your fantasy 2D game, or a modern-day quest, make sure it remains in line with the vibe of the entire game.
Personality and Traits
Remember that your character should be authentic due to its personality traits and the role it plays in a game. Think about how your character expresses emotions, their mannerisms, and how they move.
A few uncomplicated choices like body language, facial expressions, or even clothing details can help reveal exclusive qualities of a particular character’s identity. This area is where you go deep into easy video game character drawings but are still very informative about the character’s qualities.
Abilities and Skills
Characters in many games possess special abilities, skills, or powers important to the game’s progress. These attributes should be noticeable through 2D art, visual effects, or other identifiable aspects.
For instance, if a character had fire-bending powers, you could have flame-like patterns on their design or use colors such as red and orange, which symbolize heat.
Animations and Considerations
Finally, consider how your character will move around and interact within the game 2D world they exist. Think of their animations: how do they walk? How do they jump? What about their different facial expressions?
This gives the character its aesthetic appeal and ensures that it fits well into the gameplay about movement. Whether you’re considering “Can I make a 2D game in Unreal?” and other related issues, one has to factor in designing for animation.
Avoid these Mistakes While Creating 2D Game Art
When creating 2D game art, it is important to avoid common mistakes to stand out. Let’s look at some errors to be mindful about:
Skipping the Planning Stage
Planning is what makes 2D game design prominent. Failure to plan for your artwork may bring about inconsistencies, rendering your 2D game look unfinished or unprofessional.
Therefore, before starting anything, ensure you have an idea and concept that will guide you through the whole process of creating 2D game art.
Forgetting About Your Target Audience
Creating 2D game art without considering who will play your game can be dangerous. You may fail to attract your target audience if you don’t know who they are in the first place.
Knowing what your audience expects from you will help you generate 2D game art that appeals to them most and, hence, improves their gaming experience.
Inconsistent Art Style
Having a consistent style in 2D game design is crucial. Combining different styles of game’s 2D artwork can make a poorly done job look messy, unattractive, and non-professional.
Therefore, starting with a style guide that includes visual references would help create visually appealing and consistent-looking games’ 2D artwork.
Overcomplicating Designs
Even though it is great to see multi-layered artwork, it can be overwhelming, too. Simplicity is usually the best practice in 2D game art. Ensure the designs are clean and efficient, but keep the main element prominent. Therefore, your 2D art drawing becomes more visible and interesting for players.
Overlooking the User Interface (UI)
Your 2D game art should integrate well with your game’s user interface. Failure to address UI components may result in inconsistent visuals and poor user experiences. Ensure your art works well with UI so everything flows smoothly and usability improves.
Skipping Iteration and Feedback
You might become very attached to your initial draft. However, never forget to ask for feedback or iterate on your designs.
From others’ perspectives, you could try play-testing or getting opinions regarding what seems weak about your 2D game art pieces. This step is important as it helps refine and perfect your work before submitting it.
Final Words
That’s it! Hopefully, you’ll remember these things next time you create your 2D game art.
Moreover, Prolific Studio can take your game design and development to the next level. Focus on the development while we take care of the art.Our 2D animation services aim to turn your imagination into reality for a financially and creatively successful future!
