concept art: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Technical/Artistic
Quick answer
What does “concept art” mean?
Visual artwork created to represent an idea, design, or mood for use in films, video games, animation, comics, or other media before the final product is made.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Visual artwork created to represent an idea, design, or mood for use in films, video games, animation, comics, or other media before the final product is made.
Preliminary artistic visualizations that establish the style, look, and feel of a project; the practice of developing visual designs for characters, environments, objects, and key moments.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling and pronunciation are identical; the term is international. The professional industry and discourse are largely globalised, with no significant regional variation in the term itself.
Connotations
None specific to region; connotations are industry-specific (creativity, planning, prototyping).
Frequency
Equally frequent in relevant UK and US creative industries (film, gaming, animation).
Grammar
How to Use “concept art” in a Sentence
[Artist/Studio] + produced + concept art + for + [Project/Film/Game]The + concept art + for + [Project] + is + [Adjective][Project] + began + with + concept artVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “concept art” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The team are concepting the new environment.
- She was tasked with concepting the main villain.
American English
- The team is concepting the new environment.
- She was tasked with concepting the main villain.
adverb
British English
- The designer worked conceptually before detailing.
- (Rarely used as a direct adverb)
American English
- The designer worked conceptually before detailing.
- (Rarely used as a direct adverb)
adjective
British English
- She has a concept-art portfolio.
- The concept-art phase is crucial.
American English
- She has a concept art portfolio.
- The concept art phase is crucial.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
In project pitches and development timelines: 'The initial investment covers the cost of concept art and prototyping.'
Academic
In media studies or animation history: 'The evolution of the character was documented through successive pieces of concept art.'
Everyday
Casual discussion of films/games: 'The book includes loads of early concept art showing how the monsters looked different.'
Technical
In game/film production pipelines: 'The concept art phase must be signed off before 3D modelling begins.'
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “concept art”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “concept art”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “concept art”
- Using as a verb ('We need to concept art this character' – incorrect). Correct: 'We need to create concept art for this character.').
- Confusing 'concept art' (commercial, narrative-driven) with 'conceptual art' (fine art, idea-driven).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Illustration is often a finished piece meant to stand alone or accompany a text. Concept art is a practical, exploratory tool used within a production pipeline to solve visual problems and establish direction; it is not usually an end product.
Strong drawing and painting skills are fundamental, but the key requirement is the ability to generate ideas, communicate designs clearly, and work iteratively. Speed and clarity can be more important than polished finish.
Industry standards include digital painting software like Adobe Photoshop, Clip Studio Paint, and Procreate. Some artists also use 3D software like Blender or ZBrush for quick block-ins to paint over.
Absolutely. Concept art is a starting point. Designs often evolve due to technical constraints, narrative changes, or director feedback as production progresses.
Visual artwork created to represent an idea, design, or mood for use in films, video games, animation, comics, or other media before the final product is made.
Concept art is usually technical/artistic in register.
Concept art: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkɒn.sept ɑːt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkɑːn.sept ɑːrt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “From concept art to screen”
- “It's still in the concept art stage”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a CONCEPT (an idea) given ARTistic form before the real thing is built.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE BLUEPRINT IS A SKETCH (Concept art is the visual blueprint for imaginative worlds).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary purpose of concept art?