Life & Work with Snowy Zhang

Today we’d like to introduce you to Snowy Zhang.

Hi Snowy, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My path as a concept artist is fueled by an unwavering passion for art that has shaped my life since childhood. With my mother’s unwavering support, I immersed myself in art classes and sought out inspiring mentors. From my formative years in China’s specialized art middle school to attending art high school in the United States, I consistently nurtured my artistic skills. During my college search, I discovered the captivating world of concept art, drawn in by exceptional student works. Embracing the challenges and rewards, I dedicated myself to ArtCenter, where I honed my craft. It was through an internship at Respawn Entertainment that I took a significant step forward, ultimately realizing my dream of becoming a concept artist.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
My artistic journey has been a transformative odyssey filled with countless challenges and remarkable growth. There were bottleneck periods where I felt trapped, unable to express my creativity freely. Through ever-changing environments and cultural shifts, the expectations and understanding of art diverged, propelling me into uncharted artistic realms. One significant turning point arose during the transition from being a Chinese art student to becoming an American art student. The stress of culture change drove me to fit in, despite the urge of seeking my true interest. In middle school, all I learned was the skills to pass art tests within the GaoKao system. However, upon arriving in the United States, the artistic landscape shifted which made me feel insecure, and I found myself striving to meet teachers’ expectations. High school placed a strong emphasis on fine art, as a result, I hid my real personal interests. Though I expanded my repertoire, an internal dissonance persisted—I sensed that these pursuits were not aligned with my true artistic calling.

A pivotal revelation unfolded during a summer class at ArtCenter. There, amidst the struggle, I stumbled upon a hidden corner of concept art that felt instantly familiar yet unexplored. I was overjoyed to have found the missing piece of the puzzle I had been seeking.

Nevertheless, attending ArtCenter introduced me to a fresh set of challenges. Each day felt like a new beginning, rendering much of my prior knowledge obsolete. Within the vast realm of concept art, I discovered specialized fields such as environmental design, prop design, character design, and creature design, each demanding its unique style and expertise.

A breakthrough emerged when I realized that concept art hinges on two vital components: design and art. Design takes precedence, while art adds embellishments. It was only after mastering problem-solving skills in design that artistic expression flowed more effortlessly. Suddenly, the challenges I faced began to unravel, and I gained a renewed sense of artistic direction.

My artistic journey continues, with new challenges and opportunities awaiting me in the professional realm. I embrace the future with unwavering optimism, confidence in my passion, and commitment to overcome obstacles and evolve as an artist.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
As a concept artist for Apex Legends, my role centers around creating and designing skins for the game’s legends and weapons. I begin by generating specific ideas for new skins within themed concepts and then proceed to sketch and design them. Throughout the process, I maintain close communication with the concept, 3D, and rigging teams to ensure that the designs are game-ready and free of potential modeling issues. After weeks of refinement and adjustments, a visually striking concept art for a new skin emerges. The 3D, rigging, and animation teams then take over to bring the concept art to life through their respective pipelines.

In my specialization, I focus on hard surface design and functionality, incorporating fashion-forward elements into my concept art. My personal style involves using bold line art with simple rendering techniques to bring out the essence of the design. Additionally, I take pride in creating whimsical and amusing doodles of my cats.

Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
The rise of AI in art generation brings forth significant industry transformations. While some embrace AI, displacing many artists, others resist protecting and respecting copyright. Stealing from artist be never be acceptable. However, I fear this resistance may be temporary due to AI’s speed and efficiency. Many businesses prioritize cost savings over supporting artists.

My hope is for AI to enhance artists’ abilities, not subjugate them. AI should accelerate workflow without compromising creativity. Between the two essential components of concept art, design, and art, AI excels in art but struggles in design, lacking problem-solving skills. Developing strong problem-solving skills is vital in facing the challenge of AI and the risk of being replaced. By honing this ability, artists can bring unique value to the creative process and differentiate themselves from AI.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.artstation.com/snowy_zhang
• Instagram: snowwweee_art
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/snowy-zhang/ 

Image Credits
For the last two designs from Apex Legends (grey background), please credit my team: Art Director: Hafid Roserie /Hard Surface lead: Stephen Chang /Character lead: Brett Marting (For the gun): Original Havoc concept design by Prog Wang. (For the guy): Original concept by Cristina Laviña Ferez. thanks!