Meet TIAN GAN | Concept Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with TIAN GAN and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi TIAN, why did you pursue a creative career?
Since I was a child, I have loved to draw and paint. I have tons of imaginary ideas I want to express, and art is the best way for me to communicate my thoughts with the world. I love observing and absorbing inspiration from daily life that encourages me to create and express my ideas. I also love video games, and I think that is one of the coolest ways to use your creativity to bring joy to the world. I am lucky that I am be able to combine art and video games together in my career. I currently work as a Concept Artist for Bad Robot Games, a game franchise belonging to JJ Abrams’ Bad Robot Production. I am responsible for developing concept art for environments and characters for the organization’s highly anticipated new IP.

Pursuing a creative path is never easy. I need to constantly learn new techniques and expand my visual library. In addition to drawing and painting, I also use photography as a way of expressing my creativity. Through my camera, I record and build my visual library, gathering inspirations for my personal art works. I think that is the best part of being an artist — I can use different ways to share my ideas with the world. The method by which I combine different art disciplines is what makes me a unique artist.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Being an artist is never easy, I always try to find my own voice. So I will keep exploring my style and expand my range of art.

I will never stop learning new skills and techniques. I used 2D digital ways to create concept arts, and I am now using 3D (Blender and Unreal) and even VR to bring my concept design to the next level. While I am mostly familiar with digital cameras, I continue to perfect my craft and use different mediums, including film cameras, to create innovative works of art.

I am also consistently working on personal projects. It is a crucial part of my life to explore my own voice. I am currently preparing to publish a photobook — The Summer Palace, which will include all of the photos I took in Summer Palace when I lived in Beijing. I am also currently developing a sci-fi art book as well as a fantasy art book which will include several of my award-winning pieces.

Additionally, receiving recognition from other professionals and notable organizations in the industry keeps me motivated to create innovative works of art.

I am thrilled that some of my works such as Los Angeles 2080, Home & Mom, Dragon Island, won various prestigious awards from highly respected institutions including 3×3 International Illustration Awards, Creatively Quarterly, and Applied Art Awards, to name a few. These award-winning works will be included in my personal art books.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would definitely take them for a walk around the city and explore different communities of Los Angeles. Taking a walk around the city is an important way in which I observe the world and how I created one of my most acclaimed pieces,“Los Angeles 2080”.

I would also take them hiking, to enjoy the nature surrounding LA. North Pasadena, mountains near Malibu, and Chino hills would be my choices.

I would also take them to different museums such as the Getty Center and MOCA.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to shout out to my parents. They support me to pursue my artistic career. My Mom is an awesome photographer. She bought me the first camera and traveled with me and expanded my eyes to the world. My father took me to art class when I was 6 – that was the first time I learned how to draw. They gave me the opportunity to learn art, and they have always been my most supportive fans.

Website: https://tianganart.com/

Other: https://www.artstation.com/kuku_gan

Image Credits
Tian Gan