MFA - Visual Development
Michael West
I am a multidisciplinary visual development artist and storyteller currently pursuing my MFA in Visual Development at the Academy of Art University. With a professional background bridging structured UX design and cinematic concept art, I specialize in crafting immersive environments and compelling narratives. My philosophy is simple: every pixel has a plot.
My creative process integrates traditional plein air oil painting, digital illustration, and 3D modeling to build rich, believable worlds. Drawing on my past as an aviation weather forecaster, I apply a deep understanding of atmospheric conditions to my environment designs.
As an individual artist, my focus lies in original world-building and visual problem-solving. I am the creator of the sci-fi webcomic *Crowded Void*, and I am currently developing the visual identities for upcoming projects like *Broken Wings*. I prioritize a foundation of deep logic to ensure the narrative flows naturally through the environments and character designs. Whether designing complex systems or painting otherworldly landscapes, I am dedicated to blending structural precision with boundless creative exploration.