Take for instance the fundamental similarity between paper, canvas and game displays. All three mediums are inanimate and uniformly flat, each posing the same challenge to artists: that of making something without depth feel like a window to a living, breathing world.

 
          Viewed from an angle the similarities between drawing, painting and game imagery become more apparent.

Thanks to technology, there is only one significant difference that has changed the way we experience visual art: with the gentle push of a player’s thumb we can now interact and explore these imagined worlds. Now that’s a marvellous thing! But take that interaction away and we’re left with a static digital painting. Without interaction game art must communicate using the same visual grammar that has evolved over the past 2000 years.

Understanding visual grammar should be the aim of every visual artist if we’re to push game design to new levels, without relying on interaction, special affects, sound and animation. In essence, we must go back to square one and understand the roots of visual art.

Over the following four weeks Up The Rock is kindly hosting discussions around this topic, which is the focus of my forthcoming book on classic drawing and design fundamentals for game art. The first discussion will be a general introduction on classic art in relation to games. Subsequent discussions will explore such themes as artistic vision and how it is affected by team-based game development and how does interaction influence visual grammar.

Whether you come from games or the arts, or are just an interested layperson, please join. It’s free!

Address: Up The Rock, Schindlerstrasse 14, 8006 Zürich
Website: http://www.uptherock.ch

Thursday 23rd June, 18:30 – 20:00
Thursday 30th June, 18:30 – 19:30
Thursday 7th July, 18:30 – 19:30
Thursday 14th July, 18:30 – 19:30

So that we have an idea of numbers attending please add your name to this Doodle. Hope to see you there!