Noemie Cauvin, Head of DMP and Visual Development at The Yard, attended this long-awaited 2024 edition. She found a very benevolent atmosphere and felt a lot of solidarity within the artists community to make it thrive.
Here are her highlights of the event :
A prestigious line-up of speakers
The 2024 edition matched the prestige of the previous years, bringing the world’s most famous concept artists and illustrators. Among the long list of speakers, the audience had the chance to meet with renowned art directors such as Shaddy Safady, Sparth, Raphael Lacoste and George Hull, illustrators such as Marc Simonetti, senior concept artists Nicolas Weis and Jama Jurabaev, character designers such as Iain McCaig, among others.
Noemie’s Top 3 Conferences
We’ve asked Noemie Cauvin, our Head of DMP and Visual Development, to give us her favorite conferences and here’s her Top 3 from IAMAG 2024:
Art Direction Processes With Shaddy Safadi
Shaddy Safadi stands as a leading figure in the industry, having mentored hundreds of concept artists through his online tutorials, some of which Noemie said to have relied on for over a decade.
Originating from a successful career in the video game industry, he now serves as an esteemed art director. His conference provided a comprehensive masterclass in art direction, addressing vital aspects such as studio hierarchy, collaborative tools, artist management, and strategies for distinguishing oneself from AI.
You can watch an extract of his conference below :
The Spirit of Entertainment Design by Feng Zhu
Feng Zhu, a concept artist renowned in VFX and video games, has a rich background in education. He shared his expertise at various platforms, including Gnomon’s online school, before establishing his own environmental design institution in Singapore. At his conference, he tackled crucial topics:
- Standing out in a competitive landscape, emphasizing creativity and storytelling over mere image polish. With the accessibility of 3D tools, the focus shifts to unique narratives.
- Distinguishing oneself from AI, delving into the innate qualities that define human creativity. This session garnered the biggest standing ovation from the audience.
Watch an extract of his Master Class below :
Behind the Scenes: Crafting a Winning Portfolio for the Film Industry with Framestore
A superb conference that provided invaluable insights into the anticipated standards and missions within the artistic departments of leading Anglo-Saxon studios !
Sharing insights and tips
Covering everything from career paths to practical tips, the exceptionally rich program offered invaluable sources of inspiration for digital artists. Among the extensive array of conferences, Noemie identified the following sessions as genuine knowledge-sharing opportunities, brimming with practical advice to boost one’s performance in daily work :
Photoshop Brushes: Hidden Super Powers !
Hosted by Kyle Webster, this conference presented how to emulate natural media from watercolors to pastels to inks, special effects, timesaving brush features and tips on the brush sets.
Understanding Color Through Design with Angela Sung, who revisited color theory, light, composition, and discussed practical application.
Tips and Tricks Marathon for an Industry in a Hurry by Sparth, which provided a concentrated dose of sharp advice for increased efficiency in image creation.
Exploring the Creative Mind Behind the Canvas, hosted by Donglu Yu. This workshop was an invitation to unlock the full potential of one’s artistic vision, by combating white canvas syndrome and nurturing creativity on a daily basis, inspired by cultural heritage, artistic influence, and personal experience.
Alongside conferences, interactive sessions such as Sketching offered a great opportunity to interact with artists. They served as a compelling reminder for artists to revisit the fundamentals of art. Through drawing, participants reaffirmed the importance of storytelling, thereby accentuating their individual strengths and differentiators, including techniques, mastery, inspiration, and personal touch.
Resilience towards generative AI
In this celebration of creativity and artistry, addressing AI and its impact becomes inevitable. Across various markets, artists reaffirm their potency in delivering innovative solutions and showcasing their creative processes, shaped by personal approaches and distinct personalities. They caution against the perils of uniformity and champion the pursuit of originality, weaving compelling narratives into their creative endeavors.
Browse IAMAG’s catalog to retrieve the conferences, available under Premium Access or On-Demand, by clicking here.