4 Ways to Confidently Choose a Game Art Outsourcing Studio
Game art outsourcing has become an important resource in the gaming industry, but are you wondering how you can choose your outsourcing partner? We explore how you can make your decision with confidence.
In the gaming industry, development is incredibly fast paced, with project needs changing almost daily. Outsourcing companies are able to support this demand, and have become a vital resource for game art production. By outsourcing, developers can leverage specialized skill-sets, reduce costs, increase flexibility with their artists and access high-quality game art services.
A quick search on Google will show hundreds of companies offering outsourcing services to the gaming industry, but how do you choose the right partner for you? How can you trust them to deliver quality art, meet deadlines and mesh well with your development team?
We share four ways that you can select game art outsourcing studios with confidence and immediately establish a good foundation of trust and begin your partnership from a strong position.
Credentials and Experience
While case studies are often written by the company, testimonials are directly from clients and peers in the industry, and are a more authentic experience of the company.
Before committing to an outsourcing studio, it’s important to research their credentials, years of experience, and track record of past art projects. A case study is an excellent way to understand the development process by providing an in-depth project breakdown that showcases a previous client’s challenges and goals, while also demonstrating the solutions the studio used to address them. Case studies are a powerful tool for game art outsourcers to promote past projects, clientele, and achievements, and they help foster trust with potential new clients.
However, due to the confidentiality surrounding many game projects, case studies aren’t always possible, which limits what outsourcing studios can share. A way to work around this is by sharing client testimonials. Testimonials offer strong proof of a studio's expertise and commitment.
While case studies are often written by the prospective partner, testimonials are directly from clients and peers in the industry, and are a more authentic experience of the company and their game services.
Demand Gen reported that 97% of B2B buyers feel that user-generated content like consumer reviews are more credible than other types of content.
Open & Transparent Communication
Once you’ve reviewed your prospective game outsourcing companies portfolio and testimonials, the next step is to assess their communication skills. Open and transparent communication is essential for a successful collaboration. A good outsourcing partner should be responsive and provide clear updates throughout the game art project.
We recommend making contact initially over email, before arranging a call to discuss your projects needs. During the call, you can meet with key team members, including the Art Director and Project Manager, to get a better understand of their approach to your potential challenge.
This initial conversation should give you a sense of their workflow, the frequency with which you can expect updates, how they solve any issues that arise and if their company culture will be a good fit for your in-house team. The call is a good chance for both teams to understand the scope, timeline and challenges of the project, while asking questions or voicing any concerns.
Establish Objectives and Measurements
Setting clear objectives is crucial when working with an outsourcing studio. Provide a detailed brief that outlines the art style, quality expectations, and deliverables, including deadlines. If possible, share examples of previous work done by your internal team to help the outsourcing partner align with your art direction.
Establishing clear benchmarks for game content, such as concept art, character design or 3D models, can ensure that both parties are working towards the same goals. This will reduce misunderstandings and build trust in both parties, so that the outsourcing studio can quickly become an extension of your art team.
Starting Small
Even after a positive initial interaction, you may not be 100% sold. You can always begin with a smaller task or an art test to evaluate the game art outsourcing company’s capabilities. This approach allows you to assess their ability to meet your project’s timelines and quality standards. It also provides an opportunity to test the feedback loop and see how well the outsourcing team implements revisions.
When organizing a short-term contract or art test, ensure that the team you work with initially will be the same team that continues with future projects. Consistency in the team is crucial for maintaining the quality and integrity of the art production.
You can always discuss setting up a small test, or organizing a short term contract to test their ability to fit within your projects timelines and necessary quality.
Final Thoughts
Trust in an art outsourcing partner is built through consistent actions and behaviours rather than words. By prioritizing transparency, integrity, and collaboration from the beginning, you can establish a strong working relationship with your outsourcing partner. Over time, this relationship can evolve into a trusted source of expertise and high-quality game art.
Athena Productions is a leading concept art outsourcing studio, who have earned the trust of multiple clients in the game industry by delivering exceptional concept art services - from environment concept design, to 2D character design, 2D art, props, vehicle design and more.
To explore how our team of experienced concept artists can support your next game art project, get in touch with us!
