Exploring Infinite Spiky Armor Designs for Diablo: Artists Recommend Drawing Inspiration from Non-Diablo Sources for a Renewed Perspective and Innovative Creations
Going Beyond the Diablo Realm: How Game Artists Keep the Fire Burning
In a realm where dark and imposing structures dominate the landscape, coming up with fresh ideas for gameplay activities and designing new gear pieces can prove a challenge. This is the reality faced by the Diablo series' creative minds, who've delved deep into the demonic lexicon for over three decades. So, how do they avoid the dreaded artistic stagnation?
Recently, the lead artists of the Diablo franchise shared some insights. Despite designing thousands of demonic armor pieces and developing countless ghouls, they admitted that staying inspired occasionally proves tough. So, what's their secret?
Embrace the Unexpected
Diablo Immortal lead artist Emil Salim suggests escaping the world of Diablo whenever possible. He advises taking a break from absorbing Diablo-related imagery and instead seeking inspiration from various sources. Whether it's visiting museums, attending music festivals like Coachella, or experiencing other forms of art, these external influences help reignite the creative spark.
"An artist who only ever ingests material from one mode or medium will, eventually, descend into stagnation," Salim said. "It's true across disciplines: if you want to write about videogames, you'll write better if you're taking time for movies, books, music-anything that exposes you to other ideas that you can incorporate into your work."
Collaborate and Refresh
Even collaborations with other beloved franchises, such as the Berserk collaboration, offer a break from the routine and help artists refresh their visual library.
"Having this kind of collab really helped us in the art team, because visually, it gives us a refresh," Salim explained. "We have all of this visual library in our minds as artists right? Working on something different, like during a collab, really helped us reset that visual library. Now that we're done with the collab and moving back into our regular designs, it helps us come up with new ideas."
DIABLO 4 LEAD ARTIST IF YOU'RE READING THIS
Remember the power of exploration and the wisdom of stepping outside your comfort zone. Embrace the chaotic beauty of Berserk's universe, and let it seep into every corner of your designs!
Lincoln Carpenter's Brainworms
Lincoln Carpenter, a maestro of the keyboard and the pen, has been churning out words about games for an impressive 11 years. Prepared to bend the minds of college professors with essays on procedural storytelling in Dwarf Fortress, Lincoln has wielded the brainworms of World of Warcraft to grace the pages of Waypoint, Polygon, and Fanbyte. After three years of freelancing for PC Gamer, he finally joined the ranks as a full-time News Writer in 2024. With unmatched expertise in Caves of Qud bird diplomacy, tragic Crusader Kings rulership, and Monster Hunter hammer-swinging, Lincoln's unique perspective continues to shape the gaming discourse.
A Tale of Two Artists
Viviane Kosty, Diablo 4's lead artist, echoed Salim's sentiments. She likened the artistic process to cooking, with artists constantly seeking out new flavors and techniques by immersing themselves in a diverse culinary landscape.
"Think about cooking, right? You eat your own food and then you go experience other cuisines in the world so that you can draw similarities and compare flavors, profiles, spices, and ingredients, and then you can come back with a fresh mind and create new things," Kosty said. "Art is very similar to cooking and fashion and all other art forms out there. You should always know what you're making and what else other people are making, and that's how you can create."
Inspired Artistry in the Sands of Time
By exploring external sources, engaging the community, and experimenting with cinematic storytelling techniques, Diablo's artists ensure their work remains fresh and engaging. Collaborating with other artists and adopting new tools can further invigorate the creative process, preventing stagnation and paving the way for yet another decade of diabolical designs.
- Emil Salim, the lead artist of Diablo Immortal, urges his fellow artists to seek inspiration beyond the world of Diablo, suggesting trips to museums, music festivals, or other art forms to rekindle creative sparks.
- Salim emphasizes that artists who limit their exposure to one mode or medium may face stagnation, and encourages the consumption of diverse sources to incorporate fresh ideas into their work.
- Collaborations with other franchises, like the Berserk collaboration, help artists refresh their visual library and provide an opportunity to experience different artistic influences.
- Lincoln Carpenter, a gaming journalist, has been writing about games for over a decade, and credits his diverse range of interests in films, books, music, and other games as key to his success in shaping gaming discourse.
- Viviane Kosty, Diablo 4's lead artist, likens the artistic process to cooking, emphasizing the importance of immersing oneself in a diverse culinary landscape to generate new ideas.
- Diablo's artists engage the community, experiment with cinematic storytelling techniques, and collaborate with other artists to ensure their work remains fresh, innovative, and capable of standing the test of time in the ever-evolving world of technology, gadgets, and smartphones.
