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
![Ugee UT3 review; a drawing display on a wooden table](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Ajip4nQBh9a5WyEcKcULvG-320-80.jpg)
Ugee UT3 review: one of best budget Android drawing displays
By Ian Dean published
A quality tablet that doesn't break the bank, with one small niggle.
![Revenge of the Savage Planet; creating a poster art painting for a video game, two astronaut characters leap and shoot lasers](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/EPj2KAGPWso7D9UPVqvL7W-320-80.jpg)
How to plan and paint vibrant video game poster art: Duncan Fegredo shares his pro workflow
By Ian Dean published
Creating the lively art for Revenge of the Savage Planet.
![Huion Kamvas Slate 10 review; an Android pen display](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Be3tMPdNx5gVsRoRUXNkm8-320-80.jpg)
Huion Kamvas Slate 10 review: a budget mobile drawing display that fails to impress
By Ian Dean published
Too basic for pros and hobbyists, this is a solid kid-friendly tablet.
![Logos for three of the best drawing apps for Android](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rTZdjUymr3sxPTjixshUHS-320-80.jpg)
The best drawing app for Android: draw like a pro on your Android phone or tablet
By Tom May last updated
Create great digital art, with the best drawing app for Android.
![XPPen Artist Pro 19 (Gen 2) review; photos of a drawing tablet being used](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4mGBrhYmZWTKCEfPKRpbF7-320-80.jpg)
XPPen Artist Pro 19 (Gen 2) review: a fantastic drawing display for hobbyists and pros alike
By Ian Dean published
Beautiful colour and super accurate.
![A series of Adobe Firefly AI-generated images](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/vn7r3qqDZqYcGuywPTPP5j-320-80.jpg)
Adobe Firefly: everything you need to know about the AI image and video generator
By Ken Coleman last updated
Adobe's Firefly AI models can generate images, video and more.
![Blendbox AI art app](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rTAzpQ36VXcqUkbirWGsdS-320-80.jpg)
This impressive AI art tool gives control back to artists and "rethinks how AI art should work"
By Ian Dean published
Blendbox is a next-generation photo-bashing tool.
![Rick Catizone interview, Halloween VFX, Evil Dead 2, Creepshow](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/PiyfGdJrBZGn9iQc8nr3gU-320-80.jpg)
Rick Catizone interviewed: from Night of the Living Dead to Evil Dead 2 to Shudder's Creepshow, reflecting on 50 years in animation
By Ian Dean published
We pick the brains of a horror animation legend.
![Nothing Phone 2a Plus Community Edition; a phone box on a table with Halloween decorations](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/u3PLZhsp9Eq9f8St8MzWMe-320-80.jpg)
"Originality and taking risks pay off" - the secrets behind Nothing's Phone (2a) Plus Community Edition
By Ian Dean published
It's a Halloween design treat.
![An image of Procreate Dreams animation software in use](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/iVXwdghUoVMSz384C6NzwZ-320-80.jpg)
Procreate Dreams: everything you need to know
By Ian Dean last updated
Animation is more accessible with Procreate Dreams, our expert core details the features of this new iPad app.
![Clara Cornish Aardman animator interview; a woman stands in front of a black and white background](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/mdVShA4t3AjFPA8TNMamw3-320-80.jpg)
Aardman's Clara Cornish says some aspects of her job are "beyond the scope of AI"
By Ian Dean published
The animator reflects on new technology and offers advice to creatives.
![Adobe AI; a man looks stressed surrounded by images](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/NPwHacdJVxgxxWU3HAnCDk-320-80.png)
'If you don't use AI you can't compete', Adobe VP tells me
By Ian Dean published
But is it really a new message?
![Christopher Payton game art interview; a solider faces up to zombies](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/qVCDJ8bMMU7gw36e5LyWKh-320-80.jpg)
"Unity and Unreal have enabled a far greater variety of art styles to emerge": how game art and design is in good place
By Ian Dean published
Lighthouse Games' Christopher Payton discusses state of game art, the industry, and how you can make your big break.
![New World Aeternum creature design; an elephant stamps on knights](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/EXeRsvzCJdiwqcAqU2Qu6i-320-80.jpg)
The essential digital art and design skills every creature designer needs
By Ian Dean published
Sojin Hwang, associate art director on New World: Aeternum, reveals what you need to make it in the games industry.
![Epic Game Fab store, game assets for Unreal Engine 5, Unity and Fortnite](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Px6wp6LwR7BQc5rURFcEfJ-320-80.jpg)
Epic Games' Fab is a one-stop content marketplace for everyone, and it's just launched
By Ian Dean published
Real-time assets for Unreal Engine 5, Unity, Unreal Editor for Fortnite and more, all in one marketplace.
![Cricut Explore 3 vs Cricut Maker 3; two craft machines on a coloured background](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8LWgAmhp8dXwyB2ENZYq8A-320-80.jpg)
Cricut Explore 3 vs Cricut Maker 3: which digital craft cutter is for you?
By Ian Dean last updated
We pit Cricut Explore 3 vs Cricut Maker 3 to see which is the best value digital craft cutting machine.
![Adobe MAX 2024, Adobe GenStudio bag and products](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/K5oyenoCa3psh926NhmLTF-320-80.jpg)
Adobe's GenStudio is the AI app I never knew I needed
By Ian Dean published
Artists, say goodbye to menial marketing work.
![Adobe MAX 2024, Project Concept demo](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/tgt62aXvdejctpmjsAiRyR-320-80.jpg)
Adobe's Project Concept AI is a secret game-changer, and here's why
By Ian Dean published
Alexandru Costin reveals why it's more impressive than you'd imagine.
![Unknown 9 Awakening review; a woman holds a medallion](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/NyN8TdptJkgxPFVnMQ9noW-320-80.jpg)
Unknown 9 Awakening review: a strong vision is better than following trends
By Ian Dean published
A sleeper hit.
![Adobe MAX Sneaks](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/qpHwch9oqBfdGt2Qrizt5e-320-80.jpg)
Every Adobe Sneak I saw at Adobe MAX 2024
By Ian Dean published
New tools teased to transform design, 3D, photography, video and more.
![Adobe Max 2024, Photoshop AI tool; a country village street](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/C6hjDzsiXWmLEmmzT8cgCE-320-80.jpg)
I tried Photoshop's new Distraction Removal AI tool, with mixed results
By Ian Dean published
Designed for photo editing, definitely not for art (yet).
![Adobe Max 2024; a demo of Illustrator](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jPFYeeFJgZrnUCeTtGyCxP-320-80.jpg)
I just saw an Adobe MAX demo of Illustrator's new AI tool, and now I want to get back into vector art
By Ian Dean published
You can now easily convert images to vectors, including 3D models.
![Amazon New World Aeternum; creature design](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/d2gs9ma6J3HaxLrNm8BBpf-320-80.jpg)
Crafting the complex creature art of New World: Aeternum
By Ian Dean published
Associate art director Sojin Hwang takes us on a design deep dive into Amazon Games' new launch.
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