The Sacred City Illustration by Tsutomu Kitazawa

Bronze Graphics, Illustration and Visual Communication Design · 2021

The Sacred City Illustration

by Tsutomu Kitazawa

A' Design Award 2021 Bronze Winner in Graphics, Illustration and Visual Communication Design
Awarded April 15, 2021
CLIENT: gehngraphics,LLC.
Estimated Number of Design Views: 14,333
Verification code B953160A96 · Verify this award

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About The Sacred City Illustration

The Sacred City is a digital illustration created as a key visual for a high fantasy video game. The artwork depicts a legend called The Oracles, which occurs once every several centuries. On that day the kings of each land gather at the cathedral beside the waterfalls and await the arrival of the messengers. Many spectators travel from distant lands, hoping to receive blessings from the gods. The scene was hand drawn with digital software using a photo bashing method. Romanesque and Gothic architecture were combined to give the imagined world a sense of reality.

Press Kit

Unique Properties: This scene is from a high fantasy video game. One of the lands in this world has a legend that occurs once every several centuries, which is called The Oracles. On this day the kings of each of the lands gather together at the cathedral next to the waterfalls and wait for the advent of the messenger. Many spectators come from around the world, making the long journey, aiming to arrive at the city by the time the messengers come, hoping to receive blessings from the Gods. As this is an ongoing project, there is continuous experiments with the visual representation of these complex worlds.
Dimensions & Packaging: 7700pixel x 3500pixel 150dpi
Tags: “Illustration” ” Concept Art” ”Digital 2D ” ” game art” ” fantasy”
Production Technology: This work was created using ADOBE PHOTOSHOP 2020. Hand drawing is used based on PHOTO BASHING.
Design Challenge: Even for illustrations, it is important to research architectural styles and old customs. By following that process, it becomes possible to give reality to the world view of illustrations and create an immersive feeling.In order for people to embrace the "unreal world of　illustration", "reality" as an entrance is necessary.
Project Duration: Created during the one-month period of May 2020.
At a studio in Tokyo, Japan.
Operation Flow: Key visuals for video games that may be realized in the future.
By sharing your own visual image with people, you will gain insight into what video game users want and sympathize with, and think concretely about your approach to realization.
Research: It is to embody illustration and visual design as entertainment.
In many cases, there is a client's request, but it is important to "visually embody" the language or sentence.I consider my role to be a "visual translator".Using consideration, research, and image power, we visualize a complex world that no one has ever seen as a "picture" that can be understood by everyone.
Inspiration: When I visited St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican, I was overwhelmed by its magnificent presence. It motivated me to try and depict such a majestic environment, a symbolic sacred place where everybody can worship it as their sanctuary. In order to create this artwork, I referred to the grandeur of both Romanesque and Gothic architecture styles, fusing them to make a unique world.
Image Credits: TSUTOMU KITAZAWA / gehngraphics,LLC.