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
![Studio Ghibli influence on game Hotel Galactic; a cat lady pirate](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/3tkbKCBniaRsfW2uaX5PN9-320-80.jpg)
How Studio Ghibli influenced cozy management game Hotel Galactic
By Ian Dean published
Art lead Marta Krzesińska reveals all on channelling Spritied Away's 'melancholy".
![Atomhawk game art career advice; various game art images](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hL9j73obmpFYWfXAKkxykJ-320-80.jpg)
How to land your first job in game art
By Ian Dean last updated
Atomhawks' Darren Yeomans reveals what it takes to land your dream job.
![Nothing Phone 2a Plus review; a silver and grey smartphone on a wooden table](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/M9tgobmfdUS8yoNpvPNU3b-320-80.jpg)
Nothing Phone (2a) Plus review: iterative improvements, but still classy design
By Ian Dean published
Striking design and unique software makes all the difference.
![Shutterstock 3D AI at Siggraph; 3d models added to a game scene](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/F8UtVhtqgvv3D97mq7HVjR-320-80.gif)
Shutterstock's new AI creates a 3D model in just "2 minutes"
By Ian Dean published
Dade Orgeron explains why 3D is now for everyone.
![Nothing Phone 2a Plus revealed; a grey, shiny phone design](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/yHZBrBS8iYPBLqsHEh4F83-320-80.jpg)
First look at Nothing Phone (2a) Plus, and it's a shiny marvel
By Ian Dean published
Trust me, I have one ahead of launch and it's beautiful.
![Siggraph, Nvidia, AI rendering of a Coca-Cola advert; a bottle of coke](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/yz4uZo8W5nCRjoBWqzQmPQ-320-80.png)
Nothing in this Coca-Cola ad is real, but get used to it
By Ian Dean published
Nvidia, WPP and The Coca-Cola Company combine to reveal new generative AI tools at Siggraph.
![Parasol Stars: The Story of Bubble Bobble III review; colourful retro game characters](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/QnFbsDccujRyuBGuPymwVG-320-80.jpg)
Parasol Stars: The story of Bubble Bobble III review: effortlessly classic game design
By Ian Dean published
Effortlessly classic game design.
![Gran Turismo 7 physics patch; cars](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hgYoW7N8riMgmJjCgoMw7F-320-80.jpg)
The new Gran Turismo 7 update is a car crash, but fans love it anyway
By Ian Dean published
The latest update is causing chaos.
![Making Hyper Light Breaker's worlds; a blue-haired character stands in a vibrant cel-shaded world](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/e2EkPDnHqmXdF7CYhH4v6h-320-80.jpg)
Crafting Hyper Light Breaker's watercolour-washed cel-shaded world
By Ian Dean published
From pixels to polygons.
![Stalker 2 delayed; unreal engine 5 game](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/KA6peTEXRFVPGH84i9q3JA-320-80.jpg)
Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl gets delayed again, but when it looks this good I can wait
By Ian Dean published
New trailer revealed.
![The Star Named EOS review; illustrations of photos](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/XguMQc5bG3j6HE2d74MAYM-320-80.png)
The Star Named EOS review: beautifully illustrated picture perfect puzzling
By Ian Dean published
Every image tells a story.
![Best Prime Day laser cutter deals; white and orange laser cutters](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/wb4HSKq4N2xSNz2iWUWZSW-320-80.jpg)
I own these laser cutters, and now they're cheaper than ever on Amazon Prime Day
By Ian Dean last updated
My highly recommended laser cutter and engraver deals.
![XPPen Magic Pad review; a tablet resting on a wooden bridge](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/iWQ9HrrHgQaw4JnB7SCH2Y-320-80.jpg)
XPPen Magic Drawing Pad review: excellent iPad alternative for artists
By Ian Dean last updated
Take your digital art outside for less.
![Samsung Galaxy Book4 Pro Prime Day deals; grey laptops and stylus](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/TW8fbzhPsrwg53rZqw5ej3-320-80.jpg)
This Samsung Galaxy Book4 Pro deal is so good I just bought one
By Ian Dean published
$450 off the my favourite Apple MacBook Air alternative.
![Double Dragon Revive; anime art](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/BgArMpWVGa8FoLQVSs2YuL-320-80.jpg)
Double Dragon Revive is spirited retro game remake - and it's giving me flashbacks
By Ian Dean published
A splashy anime refresh.
![Crafting the characters of video game Hyper Light Breaker; a group of stylised game characters](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8knTqegQSXJcVVTaNX46Lm-320-80.jpg)
Making Hyper Light Breaker's fizzy 80s anime character designs
By Ian Dean published
The importance of "retro vibes".
![Crescent County made in Unreal Engine 5; characters stand in front of a green hill](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/PXyhmPzdA7nyZLiGDrkZQT-320-80.jpg)
Crescent County is "whimsical, warm and silly", and a unique use of Unreal Engine 5
By Ian Dean published
Creative director Anna Hollinrake takes us in a motorbroom ride.
![CMF Phone 1; coloured smart phones](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rAb4EL9QbpA4SzqDTfH6FX-320-80.png)
The CMF Phone 1 feels like it was designed in the 80s for the future
By Ian Dean published
Strong James Cameron vibes.
![Three selections of the best coloured pencils on a pink and purple background](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/pssRjVAjJRJW8yoBbxDeQb-320-80.jpg)
The best coloured pencils
By Ian Dean last updated
These are the best coloured pencils you can buy today.
![A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead story trailer; a person holds a finger to their mouth](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/cdMTRXKj4GHJYM3qLgkXYk-320-80.png)
Whisper it, but A Quiet Place: The Road Ahead could be the year's creepiest game
By Ian Dean published
The new story trailer has me on edge.
![Resident Evil 9 announced; a man in a cap](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eb244JqS3BJRzGF692Dw35-320-80.jpg)
No biggie, just Capcom quietly announcing Resident Evil 9
By Ian Dean published
There's a port of Resident Evil 7 coming to Apple mobiles, too.
![Super Pocket Atari and Technos retro game handhelds announced; a game handheld with a wooden design](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4AGKwuGXvjE5uuiqVA445h-320-80.jpg)
I love the 1970s design of Evercade's new Atari Super Pocket retro console
By Ian Dean published
There's a Technos retro game handheld too.
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