Sci-fi robotic arm prosthetic with technical breakdown for futuristic concept design in games and film

Photoreal Prop Design for Games & Film

Concept Art, Design, 3D Blockouts, Kitbashes

The service your art director’s been searching for in Slack.
This is for teams who want production-friendly design without killing the spark. Whether you’re a studio making the next big AAA title, a filmmaker building a visual bible, or an indie just trying to make your world real—I help you bring objects to life in a way that makes sense, looks good, and holds up under scrutiny.

This isn’t just “pretty props.” I’m talking functional, form-meets-narrative, fully visualized props and gear—rendered, optimized, and handoff-ready. That weird ceremonial device? That gun with just enough edge? That multi-purpose toolkit a character can actually use? Let’s build that.

I combine industrial design principles with a storyteller’s brain and a pipeline-friendly mindset.
So yeah—eye candy and useful. Let’s make something your team can build with.

robot hand rotating in a gif

What’s Included:

  • Initial ideation, thumbnails, and reference gathering

  • Story-driven form language and silhouette design

  • 3D base mesh in ZBrush, Blender, or Fusion360

  • KeyShot lighting + material studies

  • Final renders (orthos, exploded views, variants)

  • Production-ready asset handoff (OBJs, layered PSDs, etc.)

  • Feedback loops at key milestones

  • Friendly collaboration (I’m here to make your job easier)

What’s Not Included:

  • Final modeling/retopology for engine (unless requested)

  • Texturing for engine use (I’ll get you right up to the edge though)

  • IP rights for resale (happy to license or discuss custom terms!)

Discovery. Research. Sketches. 3D. Polish. Repeat.

I approach prop concepting like a design lab—each project starts with storytelling, not shapes. My goal? To design objects that belong in your world like they’ve always been there.

Each stage is clearly defined in our project calendar. You'll have decision points, feedback rounds, and full visibility. We’ll collaborate to make sure the final result fits production and vibes with your universe.

Deliverables Might Include:

  • 3D concept sculpting

  • Decal + material callouts

  • Hero object renders

  • Game and cinematic props

  • Motion or interactive mockups

  • Alt variants, kitbash sets

  • Concept decks & pitch visuals

Prop Design Services

To book, we require a 33% deposit, a 33% by mid-milestones, and a 33% billed at the end of the project. Reach and and contact for a custom setup/day rate if you have on-going needs.

robot hand renders

Exploratory Sketches – Lots of quick ideas with different silhouettes and functions.

Anti-gravity sci-fi handgun concept render for weapon design in science fiction games

Functional Concepts – Detailed props ready for 3D modeling or fabrication

Futuristic character outfit exploration with three stylized figures in exosuits for sci-fi narrative development.

Visual Integration – Making sure props match the story and visual style of your world.

66%

Pre-production time reduction by integrating advanced 3D workflows and modern concept art techniques, delivering AAA-level assets with professional, while working with NetEase Games on Ashfall.

33%

Art quality improvement through maintaining and expanding style guides and material libraries while working with Frictional Games.

90%

Of created assets included in the final game or DLC while working with Frictional Games’ Amnesia Rebirth, demonstrating reliability and seamless integration into production pipelines.

Special pricing available for long-term projects over 60 days—contact me for a custom arrangement tailored to your ongoing concept art needs.

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  • 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, ATMTA Group

  • The director loved the works we just delivered from our collaboration! Thank you for helping us.

    Alice Zhang, Translator and Producer, NetEase Games

  • I want to say that your proposal was the most professional I’ve seen in a long time, even better than most freelancers and other AAA studios we’re working with.

    James Ohlen, VP Studio Head, Archetype Entertainment / Wizards of the Coast’ Company.

  • It was fantastic working with you on these, you're an exceptional talent with a wonderful work ethic. You had a tasteful process for creative exploration, and your balance of structure and freedom always invigorated our sessions. Looking forward to the future, Miguel.

    River Gandour, CEO of Third Book

Prop Design Portfolio

Sci-fi architectural design sheets featuring gravity-defying monoliths and prop callouts for environmental storytelling
Historical artifact 3D render including ancient bowl, helmet, and urn designs used for fantasy prop development
Stylized mechanical chair prop design used for industrial or post-apocalyptic interior sets.
Realistic jar container with a hand inside
Renaissance-style religious sculpture study sheet for use in cathedral or ancient ruin environments.
Weathered door concept render with modular design components for realistic world-building.
Foldable stools and chair design variations for medieval and fantasy interior sets.
Stylized pedestal design used for artifact presentation or temple altar environmental storytelling
radio concept design
Stylized stone dragon statue 3D model for temple or mythological creature set dressing
gate concept art for horror games
katana concept art
Futuristic anti-gravity ninja concept with labeled parts and propulsion analysis
Futuristic prosthetic arm designs with high-tech joint articulation and detailing.
Anatomical arm study for mechanical prosthetic construction with muscle structure references.
Architectural rigging and wooden framework for siege or scaffold construction in medieval settings.
ballista concept design
Stylized modular table design sheet for historical tavern or guild hall environments
Modular wooden furniture designs for immersive, interactable game environments
UI-based photorealism texturing course interface showing concept to game-ready asset pipeline

Photoreal Props That Earn Their Close-Up

This is where sketch meets realism. I take your ideas through ZBrush and KeyShot to produce high-end concept art that feels tactile and real. These renders don’t just look pretty—they give your team clarity. Whether you're pitching to stakeholders or passing it on to modelers, what you see here is designed to support decisions, not just aesthetics. Perfect for games, film, or any IP that needs its props to live.

PBR texture comparison of armor materials from unlit to final render showcasing material fidelity.

Material exploration that tells a story.

I don’t just slap metal on it and call it sci-fi. Every surface, scratch, and smudge is chosen for narrative value. Want your knight’s armor to look ceremonial but used? Your space rig to show rust from years in orbit? That nuance happens here. This kind of look development sets the visual tone early—and saves your team time down the line.

  • professional and beautifully shot wacom tablet for digital drawing and design

    You’ll get a detailed collaborative board (Miro or similar), where I document the full pipeline: early sketches, material references, usage context, paintovers, and video breakdowns that your team can easily follow and implement.

  • concept art workstation background, with professional software rendering

    I’m hands-on from day one — you get my full attention. That means not just designing cool objects, but making sure every prop has a reason to exist in the world, serves gameplay or narrative function, and feels like it belongs to the IP’s DNA.

  • professional freelance artist taking notes on a macbook and leading a online meeting.

    I don’t just deliver static art — I help you build a reusable library of design logic. That means thinking modularly, using 3D block-ins, and delivering designs that scale across missions, levels, or scenes. Props aren’t background dressing; they’re worldbuilding tools.

  • resources and physical design books on a professional artist desk

    Whether it’s sci-fi gear, fantasy relics, military equipment, or slice-of-life objects, I align each piece with your lore, visual tone, and audience expectations. It’s about making objects players or viewers connect with — and maybe even want to own.

  • a beautiful selection of sketchbooks being reviewed by a professional artist and designer

    I work with Photoshop, ZBrush, Blender, KeyShot, and other 3D tools, depending on the need. Every deliverable is set up for production handoff, and I keep the file structure, callouts, and iterations client-friendly for both indie and AAA teams.

Real-time hard surface sculpting for concept design

Here’s where things get mechanical. I build out complex forms with design logic and real-world function in mind. Think weapon systems, robotics, gear, tools—props that actually make sense in your world. I send updates as I go, so we’re always aligned and moving fast without sacrificing quality.

Laptop displaying concept art delivery interface for client presentations and asset handoff.

Design that travels well.

Sometimes the best ideas come away from the desk. I stay flexible—working wherever inspiration (or the deadline) takes me. Whether I’m working solo or collaborating with your team remotely, you’ll always get clear, professional visuals like this robotic arm concept: functionally plausible, visually iconic.

portfolio of graphic concept art on laptop

Visual storytelling through decals and diegetic design.

Your props don’t live in a vacuum—they exist in a world. I design in-world graphics, decals, UI elements, and label systems that feel authentic. These little touches—like warning signs, serial numbers, or propaganda posters—are what turn a good design into a living object within your IP.

Concept artist podcasting and speaking into microphone, sharing insights on pipeline and creativity

Creative collaboration that actually feels good.

No egos. No guessing games. Just honest, productive communication. I’ll walk you through my process, listen to your ideas, and keep you involved every step of the way. This isn’t a “send it and ghost” freelance experience—it’s a partnership built on trust, talent, and real-time feedback. My clients say it feels like adding a teammate, not just hiring a gun.

  • What’s included in your prop design service?

    Every project includes a full pipeline breakdown: from rough sketches and kitbash setups to detailed blueprints, material references, and final callouts for modeling or manufacturing. You’ll also get process overviews in collaborative boards like Miro, and recorded insights if needed.

  • I don’t know what kind of props I need yet — can you help define that?

    Absolutely. If you're unsure where props fit narratively or functionally, I help define that from the start — with research, moodboards, gameplay integration ideas, and story hooks. I’m here to guide the whole process, not just execute an order.

  • What’s your usual prop design client?

    From indie creators to big studios and physical product teams. Some come with full bibles, others with loose themes — we make it work either way. If you have strong intentions but limited references or production knowledge, that’s totally fine. I’ll walk you through it.

  • Can you handle both sci-fi and grounded/historic props?

    Yes. I’ve worked on stylized fantasy gear, realistic military tools, cyberpunk devices, and ancient relics — the research and storytelling shifts, but the design pipeline stays strong. Let’s make it believable and memorable.

  • What if I only need a few hero props and not a whole set?

    That’s doable. Whether it’s a single iconic item or a whole ecosystem of props, I adapt the scope to your needs. Small scope doesn’t mean small effort — the work stays intentional and high-impact.

  • Can this help me pitch to publishers or raise funding?

    Yes. Props often say a lot about a world’s lore, tone, and usability. Strong prop design can set your project apart in pitches — especially with style guides, iterations, and cinematic sheets included.

  • Where are you based? Will this work if I’m in a different timezone?

    I’m based in Portugal but often work remotely from major creative hubs, with professional setups. Timezones don’t get in the way — I’ve collaborated in real-time with clients in the U.S., Asia, and the EU without issues.

  • Can I hire you for just the sketches or just the render phase?

    Definitely. Some teams only need ideation and silhouettes; others want clean marketing-grade renders or technical linework. We’ll set the scope based on what you need most.

Need iconic props that tell your world’s story at a glance?
Let’s design items players want to touch, craft, and remember.