Pixune's 2D Art Services
Characters are the main focus of the video game. Your 2D game character design should have unique and memorable abilities and personalities. Our character design company brings uniqueness to you due to their knowledge of character design principles, like the anatomy of different characters, the psychology of shapes, color theory, etc.
When it comes to bringing 2D static art to life and creating movements and motions, our 2D animators create engaging and high-quality animation to keep your players hooked. By taking advantage of software like Spine, After Effects, and Unity (Anima2D), our game animation studio adds personality and depth to create more immersive 2D game animation than ever before.
Props are not designed just to enhance your game’s visual style and atmosphere; they possess functionality in the game, which is why their design must fit the functionality in addition to their aesthetic appeal. You can count on the creativity of our 2D animation studio and 2D artists by designing exciting weapons, vehicles, and game elements.
The design of a user-friendly and visually appealing UI/UX has a direct impact on the session duration of your video game. Therefore, UI/UX design is much more important than you might think. Our game art studio can design your game’s entire UI and UX from scratch, including wireframes, component design (such as buttons, menus, pop-ups, etc.), and mapping out the user journey. Our goal is to create a design that will have positive effects on the statistics of your game.
Our 2D Art Portfolio
Kind Words from Our Clients
EXCEEDED OUR EXPECTATIONS
After a year-long collaboration, I highly recommend working with Pixune Studios. It all began with a stunning video starting our relationship. Throughout the process, the studio was professional, responsive, and easy to work with. They took our ideas and exceeded our expectations, delivering exceptional results. Their talent and dedication were evident in every project they delivered. We are extremely happy with the outcome of our collaboration and look forward to working with them again in the future.
SURPASSED OUR HIGH EXPECTATIONS IN QUALITY
Working with Pixune Studios on our cinematic anime trailers was an incredible journey. Initially, we were hesitant due to concerns about cost, especially given the urgent timeline we required. However, Pixune quickly proved that they were worth every penny. Not only did they meet our tight deadline, but they also delivered work that surpassed our high expectations in quality. Their dedication, professionalism, and extraordinary talent turned our project into a masterpiece. It's rare to find a team that genuinely delivers on their promises, both in terms of time and quality, making Pixune Studios a truly valuable partner. We wholeheartedly recommend them and eagerly anticipate our next collaboration. - The DARKTIMES Team
ATTENTION TO DETAIL STOOD OUT
Our project required a swift and accurate conversion of Maya rigs to Unity, and Pixune delivered with flying colors under a very tight deadline. Their dedication and attention to detail stood out, ensuring that our original design's integrity was recovered in the process. The entire team's positive mindset and expertise in both Maya and Unity led to a flawless delivery that integrated perfectly into our pipeline. This partnership was a big success, and we wholeheartedly recommend their services to anyone needing a high-quality 3D partner. We are very thankful for this collaboration.
VERY COMMUNICATIVE, DEDICATED, AND PROFESSIONAL
I was looking to contract a studio for the art of my game. Pixune Studios has highly experienced artists in both 2D and 3D, and they understand games and their particularities very well. They are very communicative, dedicated, and very professional in their work. I highly recommend them for anyone looking to have their game art done."
VERY CUSTOMER-ORIENTED
Design quality and animation work were very good for character briefs and every feedback was taken into consideration. As a result, high quality design was received within a defined time frame, and Pixune was very responsive in terms of delivering our needs. They have taken everything into consideration to reflect our needs and delivered a successful project In a defined timeframe. They are very customer-oriented and try to help your activities as much as possible. Instead of taking money and running, they are like teammates for us.
BETTER THAN THE REFERENCE
The quality of the art received was really impressive after the team came up with ideas and improvements all the time for the characters. Being timely and attentive to details is great but their passion and involvement in our project were amazing! We will surely collaborate again. The team is very passionate and we were amazed when we got the final result which was better than the reference we provided, a reference that we really liked. I can say that we loved their work and that they are able to take an idea and bring it to life thanks to the passion they are working with and the perfect communication they are providing until the best result is reached.
HIGH PRODUCTION STANDARDS IN MINIMUM TIME
Our project of character design was complex and required high production standards in minimum time. The results I received were of the highest standards, and the work was very professional. Highly recommended!
SURELY COME BACK AGAIN
This guy did really good work, he really did amazing art and even after the artist finished he wasn't happy with it so he did it all over again from scratch. I really recommend him and will surely come back again. (this is already the second time)
PIXUNE GOT THE PROJECT RIGHT FROM THE START
Pixune got the project right from the start. We had a somewhat unique art style that needed consideration to be both cartoony and low poly. They were great at interpreting the brief and adding their own style and ideas which really helped. Throughout the rest of the concepts and 3D models & animation steps, nothing was a problem, they asked good questions and were happy to jump on a video call for updates at any time. We will be using them in the future!
CONTINUE TO HIRE THEM FOR OTHER PROJECTS
There's an old saying that when it comes to hiring people you can look for "good," you can look for "reliable," or you can look for "affordable"... but you won't be able to find somebody who is all three. In Pixune's case, I feel they come the closest of anybody I've dealt with over the past years of our company's existence. I've been really happy with Pixune. I originally hired them in the Fall of 2022 for game development and was happy enough with them that I continue to hire them for other projects, even ones that fall outside of the original reason I contacted them. Besides game development, I've had them do web design work for our site. They're very flexible, accommodating, and extremely reliable.
HIGHLY COOPERATIVE PEOPLE
The Pixune team is full of kind, excellent, considerate, empathetic, talented, and highly cooperative people. The quality of the work that was received was outstanding, however it did take multiple iterations to reach that level. Some instructions were missed, but were fixed - it just lengthened the process and the schedule.
Our Technical Capabilities
After Effects
Adobe Photoshop
Spine
Adobe Animate
Toon Boom
procreate
Why Our 2D Game Art Outsourcing Studio?
We are perfectionists by nature and can’t even deliver a bad game design even if asked to! An ugly art annoys our brains more than you. Several times, a client was happy with a piece of art, but we were not, so we designed it again from scratch at our own expense.
You will be constantly updated to share your comments, apply any changes to the 2D art, and ensure we are on the right track. An exclusive account manager will be allotted to your project, who will manage our proper communication and respond to messages quickly. They are always available, on-call, and ready to jump on a meeting with you, even on weekends.
We welcome changes and criticism, and we are as flexible as possible when it comes to implementing revisions. However, as professionals, we will express our opinions and provide our advice. Ultimately, the decision-making lies with you.
2D art design is not only an art but also a science. Our skilled artists know and follow the required principles, including human anatomy, shape language, color theory, etc., in creating art.
Our talented artists are gamers by nature and know the ins and outs of the game industry by heart and gaming experience. Our common sense here comes into play and helps us have easier and more effective communication.
With more than 50 successful game art projects, our track record speaks for itself. The satisfaction of the high number of our customers speaks volumes about the quality of our work. We experienced many ups and downs, which is why we know the recipe for success in game art projects.
Our Clients
FAQ
2D art services prices can be found anywhere from $1000 (€950) for a simple 2D game to $10K (€9,5K) for complex ones. The cost of 2D art can vary greatly depending on a number of factors such as game art style, number and complexity of assets (characters, environments, props, animations, visual effects, UI, etc.), technical specifications, and time.
You can contact us right now to receive a price estimation of your 2D art today.
Designing a 2D art can take from 1 to 3 months, depending on the art style, number of visual assets (characters, environments, visual effects, props, etc.), technical matters, and your budget.
You can contact us right now to get a time estimation for your 2D art project today.
Our 2D art creative process involves identifying your unique needs to have a deep understanding of your project, sketching, creating more detailed sketches, selecting the best color key and color composition, and developing detailed concept art to guide the style. Then, we apply more detail to characters, environments, and game assets, rig them for animation, and bring them to life frame-by-frame through expert animation.
There are 4 logical reasons for you to consider outsourcing 2D game art:
- Saving Money and Time: 2D art creation requires experienced artists across many roles like concept artists, animators, art directors, art leads, technical artists, etc., and hiring them in-house has challenges. 2D art development companies house all the expertise necessary to bring 2D visions to life efficiently, speedily, and cost-effectively.
- Creativity: Have you ever considered that you can outsource creativity, too? Apple partnered with Hovey-Kelley for creative ideas when inventing the mouse. AAA art studios thrive on imagination and creativity.
- Quality: Practice makes perfect. 2D game art outsourcing companies produce countless game’s art, constantly honing skills and staying current on gaming industry trends and tools. Their experience enables high-quality 2D art services delivery without wasted time or budget.
- Scalability: Expanding a 2D art creation scale requires growing your skilled art team. That’s challenging in-house but not for a 2D game art outsourcing partner with access to more game artists and game designers. A 2D art outsourcing studio maintains larger talent pools and connections to scale up readily.
Here are 3 key managing tips for rushed projects:
- Incorporate Buffer Time
Plan extra time into your project timeline (e.g., plan for 5 weeks if the target is 6 weeks) to allow for contingencies, iterations, and reviews. This buffer time provides a safeguard against unexpected issues or delays, ensuring that unforeseen circumstances are accounted for. - Allocate a Buffer Budget
Include an additional budget to cover extra resources, overtime, revisions, and changes. Even minor adjustments can add up over time, leading to increased costs and extended timelines. Having a buffer budget helps manage these potential expenses effectively. - Simplify Project Scope
Reevaluate the project scope and consider simplifying aspects by reducing the complexity or the number of assets. Adjusting the scope can help keep the project on track while meeting time and budget constraints.
There are 4 criteria for picking the best 2D art outsourcing studio for your projects:
- Portfolio: A 2D outsourcing company’s expertise is showcased via its 2D art impressive portfolio, and nothing tells better what they are capable of than its past works.
- Reviews: Read their reviews online and see what their past clients think of them. The most honest on-hand thing you can find in any 2D art studio is its online reviews.
- Communication: First impressions matter – especially when it comes to communication. If they’re slow to respond or just plain rude from the get-go, imagine how it’ll be once they have your money! Trust your gut and work with people who make you feel good.
- Time and Budget Compatibility: After all, you might find the best 2D outsourcing studio in the world, but your time schedule and/or money budget do not meet their demands. Find a 2D art development company that meets all the previous characteristics as well as your budget and schedule.
To create awesome 2D game art, 6 critical points should be taken into account:
- Unique Art Style: A unique 2D art visual style is a powerful tool to be memorable and increase immersion and differentiation.
- Color Palette: Choosing the best color palette can make 2D art visually appealing, set the mood, improve clarity, and differentiate it from competitors.
- Memorable Characters: Think about your favorite high-quality games; the first thing that comes to mind is their characters, so good art must have unforgettable characters.
- Environment Design: After character art, the environment is too important. Memorable and immersive environments of the games can make a lasting impression on the mind.
- Visual clarity: Visual clarity, visual appeal, and attention to detail can improve engaging gameplay, aesthetics, realism, and differentiation.
- Animation: The excessive and smooth use of animation makes the 2D art more engaging and understandable. Compared to before, now everything (UI, background, and props) is being animated and shaken up.
Our game art studio can produce art for game engines such as Unreal Engine, Unity, Godot, GameMaker Studio, Construct, etc. Even if you desire, we can implement the art into your game engine and deliver it to you.
We create 2D game art for various game genres, from RPGs, RTS, and virtual reality to action, simulation, and casual game games.
Here are 4 key tips for better managing your 2D game art project budget and timeline:
- Set Clear Goals and Scope: Define specific goals for the 2D game’s art style, level of detail, and visual quality right from the beginning. Clearly outline the scope of the project, detailing the number of characters, environments, props, and other required assets.
- Prioritize and Phase Development: Focus on the most important art assets needed for the 2D game’s core experience first, and plan the development of secondary assets in phases. This strategy allows you to allocate resources effectively, ensuring that the 2D game’s minimum viable product is delivered within the set budget and timeline.
- Optimize Asset Creation Workflow: Improve the efficiency of the asset creation process by using techniques like modular design, asset reuse, and procedural generation. Modular assets can be combined and adapted across different environments, minimizing the need for creating new assets. Procedural generation can help automate the development of repetitive elements like terrain or vegetation, saving time and resources.
- Leverage Existing Resources: Utilize pre-made assets, stock models, or third-party libraries to enhance your in-house art production. By maintaining a consistent art style and quality, this approach can reduce both workload and costs.
We provide 2D art services in the USA, UK, Canada, the Middle East, etc. We understand the importance of seamless collaboration across borders and time zones. Most of our clients are from the USA and here is how we ensure efficient collaboration despite time zones and languages:
- A dedicated account manager will be assigned to your project, available during flexible hours, including weekends, to facilitate seamless communication and act as an interpreter if needed.
- All our key team members, including the project manager and those you’ll communicate with, are proficient in English for efficient collaboration.
Here are 10 key strategies to help you benefit the most from a 2D game art partnership:
- Establish a Clear Vision and Goals: Begin by creating a shared understanding of the game’s artistic vision, style guides, and overall objectives. Clearly define the scope, deliverables, and expectations for all team members involved.
- Foster Open Communication: Ensure consistent communication between artists, designers, developers, and project managers. Regular check-ins, feedback loops, and established conflict resolution processes are crucial for a smooth collaboration.
- Value Roles and Expertise: Acknowledge and respect the unique skills and expertise each collaborator brings to the table. Cultivate a trusting environment where every team member’s contributions are appreciated and valued.
- Maintain Consistent Art Direction: Assign a lead artist or art director who can provide clear artistic guidelines, manage the visual integrity, and ensure that all assets remain visually consistent across the project.
- Implement Efficient Workflows and Pipelines: Streamline the project with organized workflows, file management systems, and production pipelines. This setup promotes easy collaboration, asset sharing, and version control.
- Stay Flexible and Adaptable: Be ready to adjust and make changes as the project evolves. Welcome feedback, iterate on ideas and be open to compromises that benefit the overall success of the game.
- Manage Time and Resources Wisely: Set realistic timelines and allocate resources effectively, taking into account the workload, skills, and availability of each team member to ensure smooth progress.
- Document and Share Knowledge: Develop comprehensive documentation, style guides, and reference materials to maintain consistency and make onboarding new team members easier.
- Utilize Collaboration Tools: Make use of appropriate tools and platforms for communication, asset sharing, task management, and real-time collaboration, such as project management software, version control systems, and cloud storage solutions.
- Clarify Intellectual Property Rights: Clearly define intellectual property rights, ownership, and usage guidelines from the beginning. This clarity helps prevent conflicts and ensures a smooth partnership by protecting the interests of all parties involved.
Here are 5 ways a customer can extract more value from a 2D game art project:
- Modular Asset Design: Apply a modular approach to creating assets, where components such as shapes, textures, and materials can be combined and reused across different assets or environments. This strategy saves time and resources while ensuring visual consistency and flexibility for creating variations.
- Procedural Generation Techniques: Use procedural generation for specific asset types like landscapes, vegetation, or architectural elements. Automating the creation of these elements allows for the development of complex, varied assets while maintaining artistic control and reducing manual effort.
- Optimization with Level-of-Detail (LOD) Systems: Implement LOD systems that adjust the detail level of assets based on their visibility or importance in the scene. This technique improves performance while maintaining visual quality where it is most impactful.
- Asset Repurposing and Kitbashing: Repurpose or “kitbash” existing assets by combining, modifying, or recoloring them to create new variations. This method increases asset variety without the need for entirely new creations, maximizing the use of existing work and saving time and resources.
- Monetization of Game Art Assets: Consider monetizing your 2D game art assets by selling them on digital marketplaces or asset stores. This approach not only generates additional revenue but also extends the lifespan and value of your art assets beyond the initial project.
Here’s what you can expect from our 2D game art studio:
- Regular Updates: We’ll provide you with regular updates on the progress of your 2D game art for your feedback.
- Revision Process: We understand revisions are often part of the creative process. Our 2D art studio offers a structured revision process to ensure your feedback is incorporated effectively.
- Open Door Policy: We have an open-door policy, so you’re welcome to ask questions or discuss any concerns you may have at any time.
- Educational Resources: Our 2D game art studio can provide you with educational resources to help you better understand the 2D art process and the creative decisions involved.
- Multiple Format Delivery: We deliver your final 2D game art in various formats suitable for various platforms and uses.
- After-Service Support: Our support extends beyond delivery. We’re happy to answer any questions you may have about using your 2D game art or repurposing it for future projects.