# environment design Even though movies and video games need [[character design|characters]] to tell the stories, those characters need worlds to inhabit. These worlds can be part of a built environment like a city or village or they could be natural landscapes with mountains or forests. Elements in the world can be just backdrop or they can be interacted with. These environments can be drawn or painted using traditional or digital methods. They can be flat 2d objects or fully realized 3d objects. There can be a lot of elements or only a few. They can be detailed with highly refined textures or simple colored backdrops. They can fit the world we know or be highly stylized imaginary creations. The possibilities are literally endless. ![[forest-joker-chen.png]] _[joker chen](https://www.artstation.com/artwork/b5E4yo)_ These environments do not need to exist or follow the physical rules of our world. Consider the possibilities of a fantasy village or a futuristic sci-fi city. Does magic exist in your world and how does that affect the way the world is built? Is there cool future-tech and how does that change the way the characters interact? Is the gravity different? How do people move around? How does the world reflect those things? No matter how the environment is created or where it resides, it should be an important part of the storytelling. This is where the characters live and interact after all. A good environment design becomes a character itself. A nice spooky forest can become unbelievably scary for both the characters and the viewer. A nice cabin at the beach can become a place of comfort and refuge. Is there a sense of big open space or is it cluttered and claustrophobic? ![[mushroom-house.png]] _[x tan.s](https://www.artstation.com/artwork/9NJ0LR)_ Environment design can be one of the most difficult challenges in conceptual work because it spans everything from natural elements in a variety of biomes to indoor and outdoor built spaces. It involves a sense of space and architecture. And all of those environments are affected by lighting and weather. That's a lot to consider. Exciting, right? ![[fantasy-village.png]] _[momu koshu](https://www.artstation.com/peachlab)_ --- > [!info]+ environment design inspiration > - [instagram of looney tunes backgrounds](https://www.instagram.com/looneytunesbackgrounds/) > - [environment concept art examples on concept art empire](https://conceptartempire.com/environment-concept-art-gallery/) > - [environment concept art design on artstation](https://www.artstation.com/channels/environmental_concept_design?sort_by=trending) > - [environment concept art on pinterest](https://www.pinterest.com/yutaka11111/environment-concept-art/) > - [environment concept art on behance](https://www.behance.net/search/projects?search=environment+concept+art&tracking_source=typeahead_search_suggestion) > - [architectural illustration on pinterest](https://www.pinterest.ca/search/pins/?q=architectural%20illustration&rs=typed) > - [architectural illustration on behance](https://www.behance.net/search/projects?tracking_source=typeahead_search_direct&search=architectural+illustration) --- Learn more… - [environmental concept art breakdown from adobe](https://www.adobe.com/uk/creativecloud/illustration/discover/environmental-concept-art.html) - [a complete guide on environment concept art from argentics](https://www.argentics.io/a-complete-guide-on-environment-concept-art) - [picking a concept art specialty from concept art empire](https://conceptartempire.com/picking-a-concept-art-specialty/) --- tags: #animation #resources home: [[! animation]]