The future is a mysterious place, full of unknowns and uncertainties. But thanks to the art of Brian Sum, we now have a glimpse into what that future might look like. Brian Sum, a renowned cyberpunk artist, has spent years developing his unique style that has come to define the mech genre. Recently, he released a comprehensive artbook called AFTRMRKT, which features hundreds of his illustrations accumulated over seven years. In a recent interview, Brian shared insights into his career as a concept artist and the process of creating the artbook.
Brian got his start as a concept artist with BioWare, where he worked on games like Dragon Age: Origins and Mass Effect 2. It was during his time on Mass Effect 2 that he discovered his passion for the sci-fi genre. Brian explained that over time, he has evolved into an industrial design and hard surface specialist, focusing on what he enjoys designing the most.
When asked about his artistic inspirations, Brian mentioned two artists who have had a significant impact on his work: Syd Mead and Moebius. Syd Mead, known for his visionary and timeless artwork, has been a major influence on Brian’s technical drawings and draughtsmanship. Moebius, on the other hand, has inspired Brian with his surreal and playful style and his ability to create a wide range of interesting designs.
Aside from other artists, Brian also finds inspiration online, particularly on platforms like ArtStation and Instagram. He shared that these platforms provide a wealth of material to inspire him and push him to create even cooler stuff. He used to use Tumblr as well, but hasn’t found anything comparable since everyone left the platform.
Over the years, Brian’s art has evolved as new technologies and tools have emerged. He now incorporates 3D into his workflow, depending on the specific needs of a project. Looking back at his older work, Brian sees a refinement in his designs. He has learned to focus on the core essentials of a design and be mindful of efficiency and deadlines.
When asked about his favorite piece of artwork, Brian mentioned “Printing in Progress” as one of his favorites. He loves how the details turned out and how it gives off a retro cyberpunk vibe. But overall, Brian expressed his happiness and pride in completing the artbook itself. He shared that the process of putting it together was challenging, but he learned a lot about book production, marketing, and logistics.
In terms of tools, Brian primarily uses Procreate on the iPad Pro for sketching, while he uses his desktop Cintiq Pro and Photoshop for rendering and coloring. For 3D work, he uses 3DCoat and Blender. Brian is also exploring Adobe Medium and Gravity Sketch in VR, although they haven’t completely replaced his PC workflow yet.
Brian’s workflow varies depending on the project. Sometimes he starts by blocking quick silhouettes in Photoshop, while other times he begins with line sketches in Procreate. He searches for shapes that spark an idea and continues to build on that. If a sketch doesn’t work out, he starts another one. Brian always aims to create something different with each piece and develops a broad range of characters and designs for the larger universe he is developing.
When asked about his fascination with mechs, Brian attributed it to his childhood obsession with robots. He grew up watching shows like Transformers and Neon Genesis Evangelion and became infatuated with robots. This later translated into a passion for industrial design. Designing mechs allows him to have fun with shape design while keeping the designs grounded and believable with familiar mechanical machinery.
The interview also touched on Brian’s artbook, AFTRMRKT, which took over eight years to bring to fruition. Brian expressed that the process taught him a lot, not just about making artwork but also about book production, marketing, and logistics. AFTRMRKT showcases all the sci-fi and cyberpunk themes Brian loves to design and is targeted at readers who enjoy mech design, weapons, vehicles, spaceships, and all things cyberpunk related.
Through the process of creating the artbook, Brian learned to be more mindful of time and find the right balance of detail for each design. Some designs with too much detail didn’t necessarily make the piece better, but rather took more time to finish. He also learned the importance of the idea or story behind a design and how it relates to the larger universe it exists in. This helps give the design more character and purpose.
When asked about burnout, Brian explained that the artbook project helped him avoid it. Focusing solely on drawing mechs without a larger purpose would have become repetitive and boring. But by creating something different with each piece and dedicating time to personal projects, he keeps his passion alive. Brian also emphasized the importance of maintaining a balanced lifestyle, including regular exercise and meditation.
As a freelance concept artist, balancing work for big-name clients like Microsoft and Netflix with personal projects was challenging for Brian. He had to establish a strict routine and designate specific times for each endeavor. Throughout the eight years of working on his artbook, Brian also had to juggle raising two children, making it feel like three full-time jobs.
Looking ahead, Brian’s goal is to develop a universe rich with interesting characters and engaging stories. The AFTRMRKT artbook serves as a launchpad for more exciting adventures to come.
In terms of advice for aspiring concept artists, Brian emphasized the importance of finding what you love doing and becoming great at it. The industry has grown to the point where concept artists often need to specialize in a particular area, such as environment design, hard-surface design, or character design. By aligning one’s passion with what is in demand in the industry, aspiring artists can increase their chances of success.
Brian Sum’s artbook, AFTRMRKT, provides a glimpse into his captivating and imaginative world of sci-fi and cyberpunk. Through his stunning illustrations and unique style, Brian has become a master of the mech genre. His career as a concept artist has been shaped by his passion for industrial design and his desire to create something different with each new piece. The artbook, years in the making, showcases the depth and complexity of Brian’s artwork and highlights his growth as an artist. As he continues to develop his universe and explore new projects, Brian Sum remains an artist to watch in the world of concept art.
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