Below is a rough framework for devs or artists to use as a jumping off point. Copy this page to your own notion workspace, edit it to your liking and use it as your own template for projects!

Introduction

Game overview

A short ‘elevator pitch’ paragraph that sums up the game in simple terms.

Gallery

Include relevant references or in game screenshots here

Story:

story summary, if any

Brief

A short summary outlining what’s to be created, and how, in simple terms. Eg: Design a steam capsule artwork for a casual tower defense game, including the logo design. The capsule artwork should feature [x,y,z] and be created in a similar style to [x,y,z example games]. The logo design should accommodate for different layouts & feel playful, like [x,y,z examples]. Each element should be kept on separate layers for easy implementation.

References

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Game style

Summary of game, established art, and desired style, with references.

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Logo

Summary of logo brief & style, with references. Define technical requirements for any varied steam page aspect ratios, if any.

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Capsule artwork content

Summary of content, with references for: Content, Composition, Lighting, Style, Mood/Feeling - all accompanied by references.

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Deliverables

• 1x Steam capsule artwork background Illustration, separated into layers
• 1x Logo design
• 1x Photoshop steam capsule template file, with initial format blocked out
• 1x folder containing any relevant PNG assets for use on steam page, websites & social media.

Technical requirements

• Photoshop template would be ideal (there are plenty you can find online, that you can customize to your liking. So long as the aspect ratios are there)
• At least 4k Working resolution, 1440p final

Process

Edit this section to be more concise, or add steps if you like. Something like this is a pretty standard process based on my own experience.

1. Scope of work:
   • Brief and references provided
   • Discuss and define scope and deliverables
   • Artist provides initial quote or invoice, as an invoice, or in writing. Legally, email counts as written documentation. However, a proper quote or invoice document is generally recommended.
   • Sign an artist contract (ideally. Plenty of templates you can look up, basically a written agreement to protect both parties, where the scope, budget, and terms are agreed upon. Generally, work for hire artwork implies the Dev will have copyright ownership, but terms may be defined in this contract relating to the artist being able to showcase the work in their professional/personal portfolios and/or social media pages, releasing after an agreed upon time by both parties. eg: after steam page goes live)
   • Developer may pay an advance at this stage. Generally best practice for a first collaboration as a show of good faith
2. Sketches and ideation
   • Artist provides at least 3 Exploration sketches as options to choose from, or combine, for each relevant assets being created (Illustration, Logo, or any other secondary asset as defined in the scope)
   • Dev provides Initial feedback ensuring direction and vision are aligned, and gives notes for the artist to move forward with
   • Artist provides at least 3 iteration sketches that build on the first round of notes, while exploring some variants based on the Dev’s notes. (These could range from refined logo designs, colour pallette options, or rough mood or ligthing directions. It will vary based on the brief)
   • Dev provides feedback to ensure notes have been addressed and any course corrections have been understood, and gives notes for the artist to move forward with - if any.
3. WIP (work in progress)
4. Final for review.