Creature Design Concept Art

To see what it’s like to work with me on Creature Design for your game or film, please visit the Case Studies tab and view sketches, concept techniques, and other information.

A large, humanoid creature made of metallic, robotic parts with glowing eyes, standing in a dark, industrial environment.
Two futuristic, humanoid robots with intricate armor and glowing eyes standing against a plain background
A futuristic humanoid robot with a sleek, armored design and a helmet-like head, standing against a plain background.
Four images of a futuristic humanoid robot from different angles. The robot has a sleek, armored design with a wolf or dog-like head, glowing eyes, and intricate mechanical details. The images display the front, side, and back views with a vertical l
Concept art of an alien humanoid creature with a skeletal structure, shown from multiple angles, with some organic features and LED accents.
Comparison of alien exoskeleton features with annotations highlighting materials and callouts, including dark horns, rough skin, worn fabric straps, and edge wear.
Four illustrated creature designs resembling humanoid demons with horns, armor, and different color patterns, labeled as 'Color Comps' and related to 'Organic Exoskeleton'.
Three alien creature designs with horns, cybernetic armor, and tattered clothing, viewed from front, side, and front angles, set against a plain background with digital graphics and text.
Collection of character concept art featuring futuristic soldiers and a robotic creature. The top left features a detailed sketch of a robotic creature with a skull-like head and armor. The other images show various futuristic soldiers in different p
Sketch of various alien and monster faces including a dragon skull, insect-like creatures, and humanoid figures.
A grayscale sketch of a mythical creature with a feline face, elongated limbs, spotted fur, and a long, curled tail, on a dark background.
A dark, fantasy creature with a lion-like face, a large furry body, and a long, curved tail.
Black and white digital artwork of three werewolf characters in aggressive poses with snarling faces.
A black and white illustration of a monster with pointed ears, sharp teeth, and a muscular physique, standing with arms at its sides and an aggressive expression.
Concept art of a fantasy creature with a humanoid body and monstrous face, featuring pointed ears, sharp teeth, and a fierce expression, shown in three stages of evolution.
A dark display of Halloween puppets or sculptures resembling a mythical creature with multiple wings, a protruding skull-like head, and an open mouth with sharp teeth. The text on the image reads "The Tooth Fairy" and mentions the "Big Blue Tree Chal
Four fantastical creatures with muscular bodies, large horns, and fierce expressions, set against a black background, with the text 'The Terra Gods: Chimaera Creature Mount' in the bottom right corner.

Creature Design Thinking Process

Creature Concept Art a Science?

A common industry mistake is when concept art is confused with pretty images. Creature design is much more than that, design is what makes it or breaks a creature concept.

For some of the alien creature designs in this portfolio, I focused on slender figures and elongated legs, so they can thrive on low-gravity planets.

The Right Reference for a Designing Creatures

Even the most fantastical creature design will rely on reference. If you are aiming for something completely original, using references helps channel a specific mood or energy into the creature. Different colors, shapes and symbols will communicate different meanings, but it’s not only about aesthetics and perception, using the right reference ensures the creature design is believable and avoids the trap of creating something that the audience doesn't get.

When designing creature concepts, I pulled reference from insects, my own taste, and natural elements to form their biology.

How I Consistently Deliver Creature Designs Without Any Requests for Revisions

Managing expectations and clear communication are the priorities when working with me.

Unclear priorities and too few questions being asked about the project goals, often leaves clients anxious about the result they’ll get. A good result may even come in, but often times is more about a stroke of luck, rather than a deliberate creative process.

My process is collaborative and iterative, with plenty of experience under my belt, when I freelance with game or film productions, they can expect discovery sessions, a project calendar, and perfectly, non-intrusive updates.

“It’s very hard to find a professional like Miguel. Very organized, prolific and effective with his workflow. Not to mention the impressive quality of ideas he brings to the table. It’s an honor to have worked with him!”


— João Lira,
Lead Concept Artist on Star Atlas.