2023
Concept Art Awards

The annual Concept Art Awards are judged by a panel of industry experts and recognize excellence in character, creature, vehicle/prop, environment, keyframe, color keys, and visual development. The 2023 Concept Art Awards were held on Saturday, October 28th at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium during LightBox Expo and celebrated professional, independent, and student work, along with a Rising Star, LBX Luminary, Community Icon, and Lifetime Achievement Awards.

Scroll down to see this years winners and finalists.

All projects released between August 15 2022 - August 23rd 2023 created by human artists were eligible for the Professional categories.


Timeline

01.


Wednesday, June 14th:
Submissions Open


Sponsors

02.


August 21st:
Submissions Closed

03.


September 12th:
Finalists Notified

04.

October 28th:
The 2023 Concept Art Awards Presented by LightBox Expo


Categories

  • Excellence in Character Concept Art

    This category is for character concepts in either the form of a front, side, back or turnaround view. Environment/keyframe pieces that prominently feature the character are accepted, but the character should be the majority focus of the artwork. The main subject must be human and all genres are accepted, for example, fantasy, superhero, historical, etc.

    You are welcome to submit final designs, unused designs or sketches. You will be required to provide a description about the piece and your involvement in the project.

    Excellence in Creature Concept Art

    This category is for all concepts not considered to be human, for example monsters, aliens and robots. You can submit in either the form of a front, side, back or turnaround view. Environment/keyframe pieces that feature the character are accepted but the character should be the majority focus of the artwork.

    You are welcome to submit final designs, unused designs or sketches. You will be required to provide a description about the piece and your involvement in the project.

    Excellence in Keyframe Art

    This category is for artwork detailing a key story or visual development moment from the project. You do not need to have been the one responsible for any character, environment, prop/vehicle design featured in the artwork but you should make sure you are crediting any artists in instances like this. You are welcome to submit fully rendered color artwork, black and whites or rough compositions. You will be required to provide a description about the piece and your involvement in the project.

    Excellence in Environment Concept Art

    This category is for environment concepts, both exterior and interior. You can submit in either the form of line art or fully painted. Environment pieces that feature the characters are accepted but the environment should be the primary focus of the artwork. You will be required to provide a description about the piece and your involvement in the project.

    Excellence in Prop or Vehicle Concept Art

    This category is for prop or vehicle concepts. You can submit in either the form of front, side, back or turnaround views. Artwork that feature characters or environment are accepted but the prop or vehicle should be the majority focus of the artwork. You will be required to provide a description about the piece and your involvement in the project.

  • Excellence in Character Concept Art

    This category is for character concepts in either the form of a front, side, back or turnaround view. Environment/keyframe pieces that prominently feature the character are accepted, but the character should be the majority focus of the artwork. The main subject must be human and all genres are accepted, for example, fantasy, superhero, historical, etc.

    You are welcome to submit final designs, unused designs or sketches.

    Excellence in Creature Concept Art

    This category is for all concepts not considered to be human, for example monsters, aliens and robots. You can submit in either the form of a front, side, back or turnaround view. Environment/keyframe pieces that feature the character are accepted but the character should be the majority focus of the artwork.

    You are welcome to submit final designs, unused designs or sketches. You will be required to provide a description about the piece and your involvement in the project.

    Excellence in Environment Concept Art

    This category is for environment concepts, both exterior and interior. You can submit in either the form of line art or fully painted. Environment pieces that feature the characters are accepted but the environment should be the primary focus of the artwork. You will be required to provide a description about the piece and your involvement in the project.

    Excellence in Prop and Vehicle Concept Art

    This category is for prop or vehicle concepts. You can submit in either the form of front, side, back or turnaround views. Artwork that feature characters or environment are accepted but the prop or vehicle should be the majority focus of the artwork. You will be required to provide a description about the piece and your involvement in the project.

  • Excellence in Character Concept Art

    This category is for character concepts in either the form of a front, side, back or turnaround view. Expression sheets are also accepted. Visual development pieces that prominently feature the character are accepted, but the character should be the majority focus of the artwork.

    You are welcome to submit final designs, unused designs or sketches.

    Excellence in Color Keys

    This category is for color keys for character or environment/set art. If you are not the main designer of the character or environment, please make sure you credit them. You will be required to provide a description about the piece and your involvement.

    Excellence in Visual Development Art

    This category is for artwork detailing a key story or visual development moment from the project. You do not need to have been the one responsible for any character, environment, prop/vehicle design featured in the artwork but you should make sure you are crediting any artists in instances like this. You are welcome to submit fully rendered color artwork, black and whites or rough compositions. You will be required to provide a description about the piece and your involvement.

    Excellence in Environment Art

    This category is for environment, set designs, and background designs or painting, both exterior and interior, both exterior and interior. You can submit in either the form of line art or fully painted. If you are not the main designer of the background please make sure you credit them. You will be required to provide a description about the piece and your involvement.

  • Excellence in Character Concept Art

    This category is for character concepts in either the form of a front, side, back or turnaround view. Expression sheets are also accepted. Visual development pieces that prominently feature the character are accepted, but the character should be the majority focus of the artwork.

    You are welcome to submit final designs, unused designs or sketches.

    Excellence in Environment Art

    This category is for environment, set designs, and background designs or painting, both exterior and interior. You can submit in either the form of line art or fully painted. If you are not the main designer of the background please make sure you credit them. You will be required to provide a description about the piece and your involvement in the project.

    Excellence in Visual Development Art

    This category is for artwork detailing a key story or visual development moment from the project. You do not need to have been the one responsible for any character, environment, prop/vehicle design featured in the artwork but you should make sure you are crediting any artists in instances like this. You are welcome to submit fully rendered color artwork, black and whites or rough compositions. You will be required to provide a description about the piece and your involvement.

  • Excellence in Character Concept Art

    This category is for character concepts in either the form of a front, side, back or turnaround view.

    You are welcome to submit final designs, unused designs or sketches. There will be a required option to submit as a design if you would like to be considered for the new Concept Design award. From there you will be required to provide a description about the piece and your involvement. The Concept Design option will also allow for 2 additional uploads.

    Excellence in Creature Concept Art

    This category is for all concepts not considered to be human, for example monsters, aliens and robots. You can submit in either the form of a front, side, back or turnaround view. Environment/keyframe pieces that feature the character are accepted but the character should be the majority focus of the artwork.

    You are welcome to submit final designs, unused designs or sketches. You will be required to provide a description about the piece and your involvement in the project. There will be a required option to submit as a design if you would like to be considered for the new Concept Design award. From there you will be required to provide a description about the piece and your involvement. The Concept Design option will also allow for 2 additional uploads.

    Excellence in Environment Concept Art

    This category is for environment concepts, both exterior and interior. You can submit in either the form of line art or fully painted. Environment pieces that feature the characters are accepted but the environment should be the primary focus of the artwork. You will be required to provide a description about the piece and your involvement in the project.

    Excellence in Prop and Vehicle Concept Art

    This category is for prop or vehicle concepts. You can submit in either the form of front, side, back or turnaround views. Artwork that feature characters or environment are accepted but the prop or vehicle should be the majority focus of the artwork. You will be required to provide a description about the piece and your involvement in the project.

  • Excellence in Character Concept Art

    This category is for character concepts in either the form of a front, side, back or turnaround view. Environment/keyframe pieces that prominently feature the character are accepted, but the character should be the majority focus of the artwork. The main subject must be human and all genres are accepted, for example, fantasy, superhero, historical, etc.

    You are welcome to submit final designs, unused designs or sketches. There will be a required option to submit as a design if you would like to be considered for the new Concept Design award. From there you will be required to provide a description about the piece and your involvement. The Concept Design option will also allow for 2 additional uploads.

    Excellence in Environment Concept Art

    This category is for environment concepts, both exterior and interior. You can submit in either the form of line art or fully painted. Environment pieces that feature the characters are accepted but the environment should be the primary focus of the artwork. You will be required to provide a description about the piece and your involvement in the project.

  • Excellence in Character Concept Art

    This category is for character concepts in either the form of a front, side, back, turnaround view or an expression sheet. All art styles are accepted. Artwork must have been completed as part of your schooling and you must be currently enrolled or graduated in 2021 or 2022 to be eligible. You will be required to provide a description about the piece.

    Excellence in Environment Art

    This category is for artwork detailing a key story or visual development moment from the project. All art styles are accepted. Artwork must have been completed as part of your schooling and you must be currently enrolled or graduated in 2021 or 2022 to be eligible. You will be required to provide a description about the piece.

  • This category is for artwork featuring an existing IP. You must not have been officially employed by any project featuring the subject of your piece to be eligible for this category.


2023 Finalists

Animated Feature Film- Character


Animated Feature Film- Visual Development


Animated Feature Film- Color Keys


Animated Series- Character


Animated Series- Visual Development


Animated Series- Environment


Live-Action Feature Film: Character


Live-Action Feature Film: Creature


Live-Action Feature Film: Environment


Live-Action Feature Film: Keyframe


Live-Action Feature Film: Prop/Vehicle


Live-Action Series: Character


Live-Action Series: Creature


Live-Action Series: Environment


Live-Action Series: Prop/Vehicle


Video Game: Character


Video Game: Creature Character


Video Game: Environment


Independent: Environment


Student: Character


Student: Environment


Fan Art


Video Game: Prop/Vehicle


Independent: Character


Live-Action Series: Keyframe


Animated Feature Film- Environment