Miguel Nogueira / Concept Artist

A new article is up this week! ➡️ https://www.menogcreative.com/design-blog/top-tips-for-staying-productive-as-freelancer
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Join me as we explore the secrets to being a productive freelancer in the remote work landscape.

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Character Design made in Zbrush and Photoshop, for a Personal Project.

What's cooler than a cyberpunk character with a mechanical skull for a head?
#nftart #nuthinbutmech #art #conceptart

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When I share my character design process, people often say, "So, basically, you created a person." It’s humbling to realize that creating a character is all about making something feel real, it sounds really simple, yet we complicate.
#CharacterDesign #GameArt #ConceptArt #FreelanceArtist #GameDev

A new article is up this week! ➡️ https://www.menogcreative.com/design-blog/mastering-cinematic-illustration
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Discover the art of building anticipation in your visual work. Learn how to use shapes, perspective, and rhythm to create suspenseful and engaging visuals.

A new article is here this week! ➡️ https://www.menogcreative.com/design-blog/how-design-relates-to-skate

Explore how skateboarding techniques mirror the design process, highlighting the importance of precision, timing, and embracing the journey.

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I’m a geek for creating art with a mathematical approach. In this personal project, I used repeating shapes to reflect the character’s essence. The horned mask & scythe mirror his werewolf nature, while the eye motif symbolizes vision & premonition.

#ConceptArt #GameArt #FreelanceArtist #Artstation

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Jimi Hendrix, stoner rock, and cowboys all share a theme of rebellion, adventure, and freedom. These motifs that carry the message, shape my approach to character design, delivering the experience of freedom players seek. The right art will connect with your audience.

#GameDesign #CharacterDesign

A new article is up this week! ➡️ https://www.menogcreative.com/design-blog/using-depth-psychology-in-character-design
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Discover the transformative power of Jungian psychology in concept art. Learn how to unleash archetypes, harness symbols & create emotionally resonant art

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Designing NPCs for an Old West setting, each with a unique look to capture the era's rugged essence. This series highlights how character design and behavior drive player engagement within a saloon setting.

#GameArt #NPCDesign #CharacterDesign #OldWest #GameDev

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Robot bust sculpted in Zbrush. Was referencing bugs a lot and re-skinning them hard-surface for conceptualizing this one.
#nftart #art #archillect

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Some ZBrush sketches experimenting with a robot arm design that splits in two. The concept is for a weaponized arm with a sniper rifle emerging from within—mixing functionality and stealth.

#gameart #conceptart #robotdesign #zbrush #weaponconcept

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Character design concept for Vector Strike. Focused on deepening character personalities, storytelling, and assisting 3D with orthographics. A fresh take on Rocket League—with human characters.

Client: Chamo Games
Concept Art: Me

#characterdesign #conceptart #characterconceptart

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A few robotic arms I sketched on paper & brought to life in Zbrush. I’ve developed a passion for meticulously designing every mech detail to be both functional & visually appealing.

Featured by @80lv! Quick tutorial on my site: www.menogcreative.com

#hightechlowlife #gameart #conceptart #nftart

I love designing all the little details that you wouldn’t otherwise notice in the final concept. Designing the inner workings of something, even if people may not fully see it, helps me understand how things work, which in turn makes them more believable.

Find more work at www.menogcreative.com

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A lot can be achieved in concept art by painting over a 3D model. Sometimes, rendering in 3D isn’t efficient—setting up render engines, UV mapping, and retopology can be too time-consuming. A viewport screenshot works just fine for mixing 2D and 3D effectively.

#gameart #3Dart #CGart #nuthinbutmech

I helped a client improve their Pitch by replacing AI with Human Expertise.

This character looked more like a superhero than a "Detective in a Sci-Fi Universe" they wanted - I showed them how to fix that by painting over their image.

Find more work, free tips and insights: menogcreative.com

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All cars look the same, theater is dead, and everything’s a copy of a copy. But originality still matters. Here’s the reference map I used for Tank Boy, a unique cyberpunk design in my portfolio. I focus only on real-life inspiration for character designs.


#Cyberpunk #ConceptArt #nuthinbutmech

A new blog post is up this week!

Explore the truth behind common concept art myths, from AI threats to artistic freedom, and learn why design still requires a human touch. Read insights from an industry expert.

https://www.menogcreative.com/design-blog/concept-art-myths

A few weeks ago, I shared practical tips on how to merge concept art and level design in one shot, around social media.

The response was positive, so I put together a free manual on exploring more of that, so you can use it in your projects: www.menogcreative.com/s/level-desi...

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A comprehensive character design, including keyframes & portraits, enhances the depth of a character’s story. A well-placed scene elevates the design, adding rich narrative context—essential for meeting audience expectations, whether players or investors.

#ConceptArt #CharacterDesign #GameArt

Visual Language Theory is one of my best sellers in Artstation Marketplace where I teach how to make a cohesive image, by using a limited number of shapes!
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➡️ https://www.menogcreative.com/art-marketplace/p/visual-language-theory-ebook?rq=visual
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#conceptart #artdirection #art

A new article is up this week! ➡️ https://www.menogcreative.com/design-blog/10-best-examples-of-real-life-concept-art
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Tired of the same old video game and movie references? This post bursts open your creative bubble with inspiring examples of concept art you never knew existed!

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Cyberpunk character design, using color to enhance visual storytelling. Inspired by Jamie Reid’s bold punk aesthetics, especially his iconic cover for God Save the Queen by the Sex Pistols.

Full project: https://www.menogcreative.com/character-concept-art
#CharacterDesign

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Is your character design missing the mark? Discover the key to creating diverse, relatable characters that connect with modern audiences. ➡️ https://www.menogcreative.com/design-blog/designing-characters-that-work
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#art #film #production #gameart #behance

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Cyberpunk character design from a personal project. I imagined this cyber witch look for a caster class in an RPG or sci-fi FPS. Mixing the game design with the already established persona.

#conceptart #gameart #cyberart #videogames #nftart

Free Character Design Research Tool Discover a practical tool for designing authentic, story-rich characters. Connect personality, culture, and symbolism in your designs. Download the free guide now.

Without AI, we are slow, but fast doesn't always mean better. Otherwise the fastest musicians would be the best.

Great character design isn't a fixed idea; it's the research process. Here's a free tool I made for researching character design. Enjoy: www.menogcreative.com/art-marketpl...

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A significant portion of my work involves testing, sketching, adapting, and improving. This experiment aimed to see how cel-shading could enhance my production process. Thought it’d be quicker, but it depends on perspective and project goals.

#gameart #conceptart #gamedev

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Great character design isn’t a fixed idea—it's about iteration. Sketching helps plan colors, secondary reads, and details before passing off to 3D. Proper planning saves time, iterations, and budget.

#ConceptArt #GameArt #CharacterDesign #GameDev #FreelanceArtist

Confession time: most of my time on these characters was spent thinking, not drawing.
Not “what can I add?” but what can I remove? I wanted these outifts and characters to feel like social contracts in fabric, not costumes.

Want the full process, tips and free insights? Visit: www.menogcreative.com

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3D Concept Art offers great speed and creativity, especially for hard surfaces. But 2D sketching still shines for organic shapes and fluidity, I still use it for any organic subjects.

Explore more at www.menogcreative.com

#conceptart #3DArt #2DArt #gameart #freelanceartist