Ian Dean
Ian Dean is Editor, Digital Arts & 3D at Creativebloq, and the former editor of many leading magazines. These titles included ImagineFX, 3D World and leading video game title Official PlayStation Magazine. In his early career he wrote for music and film magazines including Uncut and SFX. Ian launched Xbox magazine X360 and edited PlayStation World. For Creative Bloq, Ian combines his experiences to bring the latest news on AI, digital art and video game art and tech, and more to Creative Bloq, and in his spare time he doodles in Procreate, ArtRage, and Rebelle while finding time to play Xbox and PS5. He's also a keen Cricut user and laser cutter fan, and is currently crafting on Glowforge and xTools M1.
Latest articles by Ian Dean
![Corel Black Friday deal](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/3kaCRfyXxSU2oT9Ncd9Tom-320-80.jpg)
Save 50% on Corel's best software for digital artists and graphic designers, and unleash your creativity
By Ian Dean published
Huge price drop on Corel Painter, CorelDRAW and more.
![Black Friday TourBox NEO deal](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/w3LXZiDPWe7d5jwdvkBXdB-320-80.jpg)
Rethink how you create digital art with the TourBox Elite editing controller - now with 25% off
By Ian Dean published
Short and sweet with a full stop.
![Three of the best iPad alternatives on a purple background](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/GqGGxBuj5Lq6DMMPhmevac-320-80.jpg)
The best iPad alternatives
By Ian Dean last updated
Escape the Apple ecosystem with the best iPad alternatives.
![Black Friday retro game deal; a UNICO Mini MVS arcade console](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/uN4VVTSYec3uSLsYWvVX7C-320-80.jpg)
I grew up on SNK games, so this Neo Geo mini arcade is too good to miss at this reduced price
By Ian Dean published
The UNICO Mini MVS, one of my favourite retro game consoles, costs less on Black Friday.
![Three of the best laptops for Cricut makers on a purple background](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/DzgjxY5h9wYdMwNmpxJcGF-320-80.jpg)
The best laptops for Cricut makers: get the most out of Cricut Design Space
By Ian Dean last updated
As keen crafters, we've picked out the best laptops for Cricut makers – all tested to handle the brand's software.
![Three of the best iPads for drawing on an orange background](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Bw6HcSkmVucEsLhQLodxq7-320-80.jpg)
The best iPad for drawing: fully tested by creative experts
By Ian Dean last updated
Perfect for artists, these are the best iPads for drawing.
![Black Friday drawing stand deals; stands](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/YmWDpcH2EAAwUSskqzM9za-320-80.jpg)
Save money and your back with these deals on must-have drawing tablet stands
By Ian Dean published
Big price drops on monitor arms for artists this Black Friday.
![A woman looks at a laptop screen for Black Friday deals](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/GTbspnbwZ9sABR42222AfJ-320-80.jpg)
This secret Amazon Black Friday hack can save you money
By Ian Dean published
Do this now and you'll pay even less on deals.
![Black Friday Apple accessory deals](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/PmAZvJ55WQLqKZNG6SJwU4-320-80.jpg)
I'm seeing surprisingly big Apple Pencil, Magic Keyboard and AirTag Black Friday discounts
By Ian Dean published
Don't pay full price for these must-have Apple accessories.
![Adobe Creative Cloud Black Friday deal](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4qkrak6HJgxS2MF5nZ5TKX-320-80.jpg)
Time is running out to get up to 70% off Adobe Creative Cloud
By Ian Dean published
Short and sweet with a full stop.
![best AI productivity tools; various AI app logos on an orange background](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/n2t5Pf5wpkMrFAoDsFRNRf-320-80.jpg)
The best AI productivity tools tested and ranked
By Tanya Combrinck last updated
I test and rank the best AI productivity tools that can help speed up tasks and saving you time to be more creative.
![The best retro game consoles; mini gaming consoles made by Sega, Atari and Blaze](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4pXB3VXQCPuoQ3rbQFMo93-320-80.jpg)
The best retro game consoles
By Ian Dean last updated
The best retro game consoles enable you to play the greatest games. But which is the best for you?
![Black Friday iPad alts for digital artists; a tablet and stylus](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/oQKBwE7bbpo3ve6Umogtsd-320-80.jpg)
Up to 30% off my favourite iPad alts for digital artists, including Samsung, Ugee and XPPen
By Ian Dean published
These are my recommendations for anyone creating art on the go.
![Black Friday Wacom Movink deal; a pen display](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/X4K8smW28xX2kdnEMj2Dzh-320-80.jpg)
I reviewed and still use the Wacom Movink 13 drawing tablet - and it just reduced in price ahead of Black Friday
By Ian Dean published
Short and sweet with a full stop.
![A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead; images from a video game](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/RcxAS2THALTL9q9kqc2zT4-320-80.jpg)
A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead review - feels like a missed opportunity (and oddly relaxing)
By Ian Dean published
A slow trundle towards a soggy end.
![Best Cricut alternatives; three white craft cutting machines](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/GrpsTBY4RD7TPryiqc39Rc-320-80.jpg)
The best Cricut alternatives
By Ian Dean, Beth Nicholls last updated
The best Cricut alternatives for cutting and crafting with vinyl, paper, card, fabric and more.
![BAFTA Breakthrough 2024; a woman sits on a silk curtain](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ra45WJVPfJDoX64W8w9hGC-320-80.jpg)
Black Myth: Wukong's Beth Park says AI removes the "human, chaotic emotion" from game performances
By Ian Dean published
The BAFTA Breakthrough creative speaks out.
![The three tops iPads for the digital art software Procreate.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/nVidJ2gDTZQNNEAFfJJ4uR-320-80.jpg)
The best iPad for Procreate
By Ian Dean last updated
Create digital art with the best iPad for Procreate.
![BAFTA Breakthrough 2024 cohort; people posing on a photo set](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/3L9ErqfLqH9AWcLVYKdCon-320-80.jpg)
BAFTA Breakthrough 2024 cohort announced - designers, editors, artists and more honoured
By Ian Dean published
The standout young creatives working in film, video games and TV from the UK, US and India.
![Alien Rogue Incursion; a xenomorph](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/xedufvLuAruNPEcJAcMYJb-320-80.jpg)
Alien: Rogue Incursion's terrifying Xenomorphs are a “happy accident” reveals the game's art director
By Ian Dean published
How the game’s world design created a shockingly real predator.
![Memoir of a Snail; colour grading an animated film](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/qeffZhGZKEEgza7zf9UFSZ-320-80.jpg)
How colour became a character in Memoir of a Snail, with the help of DaVinci Resolve Studio
By Ian Dean published
Colorist Deidre (Dee) McClelland CSI shares her creative process.
![Warhammer 40,000 Space Marine 2; making the game](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ywmvKTNcxiUEvXN2FUvS9c-320-80.jpg)
Warhammer 40,000 Space Marine 2 almost had 100K enemies on screen
By Ian Dean published
But the level design would be "absolutely crazy in terms of size".
![Shots of the various best nintendo switch accessories](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/DtsKvsbQN8iH44iaYpLnHZ-320-80.jpg)
The best Nintendo Switch accessories
By Ian Dean last updated
The best Nintendo Switch accessories all in one place, from controllers to cases
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