Have you ever wondered why some games grab your attention from the very first seconds, while others you scroll past without even launching? In many ways, it’s all about the graphics. It is the visuals that set the tone, convey the atmosphere, and help you immerse yourself in the game world. Graphic design is not just about “making it look pretty.” It determines the liveliness and recognizability of the game.
Next, we’ll talk about what graphic design is in game development, why it’s indispensable, and how to achieve a cool visual style in general.
We will also share the opinion of our expert, Yevhen Kasyanenko, head of the KISS team. He knows exactly where beginners most often stumble and how to make the visuals not only pleasing to the eye, but also truly effective for the game.
Although we are now surrounded by photorealistic 3D worlds, the path of graphics in games began with simple pixels and the limited capabilities of the first consoles.
Let’s go back to the relatively distant 1980s. At that time, 2D pixels were the standard. Developers had to make do with a limited number of colors. And the resolution was low. Nevertheless, it was these experiments that became the basis of the entire modern gaming industry and gave the world cult games such as Pac-Man, Super Mario, and Donkey Kong.
Then technology came into play, and progress took giant leaps forward. The first three-dimensional models appeared on the scene, and with them came new horizons for developers. However, along with the opportunities came challenges: it was necessary to rethink animation for volumetric graphics, master 3D engines, and rebuild familiar processes.
But the effort was worth it, as games became much more realistic and immersive. This is especially evident in projects such as the legendary Quake (1996), where players found themselves truly inside a three-dimensional world for the first time.
“Graphic design in games is not just about making things look pretty; it’s also about character images, how the world around them looks, and how convenient everything is for the player. It is the visuals that form that very first impression, on which so much depends,” emphasizes Yevhen Kasyanenko.
Simply put, cool graphics are what make a game lively, captivating, and unforgettable. We will take a closer look at what exactly is behind this and how teams cope with visual tasks.
Three of these tasks can be identified, all of which are interrelated:
Graphic designers work closely with programmers, game designers, and scriptwriters. Thanks to this collaboration, it is possible to ensure that the visual part harmoniously combines with the plot and game mechanics.
From experience, we can say that it is important not just to create beautiful art, but also to ensure that it works correctly in the game engine and does not deviate from the overall style.
When it comes to types of graphic design, some people think that it is simply a question of 2D or 3D. But it’s not that simple when you look at the process as a whole. It turns out that there are many directions and nuances. And each of them affects the atmosphere, style, and gameplay. From initial sketches to complex special effects, these are all stages of design. Which stage is the most important is a moot point. But they all help to create worlds that you want to return to.
“If the graphic design is professionally constructed and developed, it will make the game beautiful, convenient, intuitive, and, most importantly, captivating for the gamer,” notes our specialist.
The creation of a game begins with concept art. In other words, with a sketch of the future project. This is the stage where ideas are visualized and the style of the planned project is worked out.
The concept artist’s job is to create these sketches. These are usually characters, vehicles, and locations. The tools for this are Photoshop, Procreate, or Krita. They help to translate ideas into realistic (or stylized) images. The concept must be approved. Then, based on it, full-fledged 2D or 3D models are created.
This is an important stage, as it determines the look of the entire game. It also allows the development team to move in a unified visual direction.
The interface is the “face” of your game. It determines the convenience and comfort of the player. With a fancy but inconvenient menu, even the most beautiful environment can be lost. UI/UX design is about how the interface is structured and looks:
If the player can easily find what they need, then everything is done right, and the game is much more enjoyable to play.
Animation brings the game to life when everything moves, reacts, and breathes. Characters gain personality, and the world gains atmosphere and depth.
Now about the difference between 2D and 3D:
The special effects (VFX) added to the game are like the cherry on top of the cake. They make it more spectacular and emotional. The process takes on an additional dynamic that captivates the gamer.
“Those who have played the game know what VFX is. It’s explosions, sparks from magic spells, or smoke from a race car engine. It’s impossible to list all the visual elements. They create a sense of presence and enhance immersion in the virtual world. Without these details, a game project often looks “flat,” says our specialist.
Professional artists understand all this, so they put a lot of effort into working out the correct lighting, realistic smoke, water, and fire. They use tools such as Unity Particle System, Unreal Engine Niagara, and After Effects.
With well-thought-out VFX, scenes become more dynamic, and key moments in the gameplay are remembered for a long time.
Many people confuse the concepts of “types of graphic design” and “types of graphics in games.” In fact, they are closely related. But the first option focuses on approaches, and the second on specific visualization styles. Hence the need to make the right choice of graphics.
Below, Yevhen Kasyanenko advises what to look for in order to make the right choice.
2D animation is great for arcades, classic platformers, and quests. And even though powerful 3D engines are in vogue now, 2D is still in demand. It allows you to create content faster and pay more attention to style, which is why people love it.
Want to achieve the most realistic characters and environments possible? Then 3D is your choice. But be prepared to invest more time and resources. After all, models need to be carefully crafted. And when it comes to large RPGs or action-adventure games, there can be a huge number of them.
They came from the end of the last century:
“Creating graphics isn’t just a matter of sketching something out and calling it done. First comes the idea, then sketches, tests, edits, and the final product. The main thing is the coordinated work of the entire team. This is the only way to create a truly living and coherent world,” says Yevhen Kasyanenko.
Let’s break down each stage.
The concept is the foundation. The entire visual style is built on it. You need to put together a mood board, references, and think about what the game world will look like in order to create a cohesive atmosphere. The genre determines the color palette. For example, horror games are colored in dark tones, while arcade games are colored in bright, rich tones.
It is also important to consider the target audience and gaming platform. The goal is to ensure that the style meets the expectations of the players.
Once the concept has been approved, a prototype is created. It helps to test ideas and mechanics in action. This is a rough version of the game project. It is used to check whether the interface is clear to the player and whether the controls are comfortable.
At this stage, it is important to gather initial feedback from the team or focus group. This is the best way to identify weaknesses and understand what needs to be improved.
At this stage, the design is refined in several iterations, in which:
This approach allows you to improve the graphics based on feedback from testers and players. At the end, the graphics are optimized. The goal is to ensure stable game performance on different platforms and devices.
“Creating graphics for games on your own often leads to a lot of problems. The team’s inexperience, budget constraints, and technical difficulties all take their toll.
This negatively affects the quality of the project and development time,” emphasizes Yevhen Kasyanenko. To avoid the risks noted by the expert, turning to KISS professionals will provide significant advantages. Let’s take a look at everything in order.
They are inevitable, but here are the main pitfalls:
Why it’s convenient to work with us, and the results speak for themselves:
At KISS, we make turnkey games. We can start with the formation of an idea, bringing the project to its final release and promotion. We take care of everything, so you don’t have to worry about the result.
Do you want a strong project that won’t get lost among the competition? We are ready to take it on! For more details, see the “Game Development” page on our website.
Many people think that graphic design is just about making a game look pretty. But in reality, it’s much more than that. It’s an important tool that helps a project succeed. It’s through visuals that the mood is created, the soul of the game project emerges, and a connection with players is established. Good design also helps a project stand out among hundreds of others and be remembered.
Approach visual design wisely:
And remember the main thing: high-quality graphics are not a luxury. They are a necessity that can return your investment and even exceed your expectations. Let’s turn the visuals of your game into a competitive advantage together!
Creating graphics for games raises many questions. And most of them come from novice developers. That’s why we asked Yevhen Kasyanenko to answer some popular questions.
Most often, people work in Blender, 3ds Max, or Maya. Blender is a real find—it’s free, powerful, and has a ton of features. 3ds Max and Maya are classics from Autodesk, especially if you’re aiming for serious models and animations. All of these programs are great for creating characters, environments, and complex animated scenes.
Generally speaking, yes. Most artists don’t need to know code. But if you have even a little understanding of engines and scripts, it gives you a serious advantage. You begin to better understand what is and isn’t possible, find common ground with programmers more quickly, and save a lot of time on rework.
Pixel art allows you to create a recognizable retro style. It also allows you to save on resource-intensive models. Many indie games love this approach for its simplicity and friendly atmosphere.
Want to learn more about graphics? Or are you already thinking about your own project? The KISS team and Yevhen Kasyanenko are always available to help you turn your idea into a cool visual result. Don’t hesitate to contact us, as asking the right question at the right time can save you months of work. After all, how you start is how the whole project will go. So fill out the application for a free consultation right now!
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