Talking to artists, talking to programmers: how to get programmers and artists communicating

157 Pages·2017·1.524 MB·English

by  Despain, Wendy

CRC Press
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Version Date: 20161107
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Contents
Preface: Talking to Artists vii
Acknowledgments ix
Author xi
1 Making Sense: Framing the Conversation 1
2 Working Together: Common Problems and Pitfalls,
Plus Solutions 7
3 The Way We Think: The Artist’s Mind 19
4 Providing Feedback: How to Give Feedback to Artists 23
5 Taking Feedback: What Do Artists Know About
Programming? 27
6 Giving It Back: Communication Is a Constant
Looping Cycle 31
7 Professional Courtesy: How to Treat Each Other
Well at Work 33
Talking to Artists v
Talking to Artists vi Contents
8 Danger Signs: Warning Flags That
Communication Is Breaking Down 37
9 Mending Fences: How to Talk about Fixing a
Broken Communication Line 43
10 Eating Crow: How to Apologize and Make Friends
if Something Goes Wrong 47
11 Artist Dictionary: Disambiguating Words Artists Use 51
Artists Index 63
Preface: Talking
to Artists
Artists and programmers often work together on complex projects
in stressful environments and things don’t always go smoothly.
Miscommunication and misunderstandings are common as these
two disciplines often use the same words to mean different things
when they talk to each other. Unintentional slights can turn into long-
held grudges and productivity grinds to a crawl.
This book can help anyone who wants to improve communica-
tion with artists and programmers. It’s set up like a foreign language
dictionary, so it addresses the cultural norms, attitudes, and customs
surrounding the words each group uses, so you’ll know not just what
the words in the glossary mean, you’ll know why they’re used that
way and how to get communication flowing again.
It addresses common reasons for communication problems
between these two groups and provides specific suggestions for solu-
tions. The unusual format allows for each side to be given equal
weight—learn how to talk to artists starting on one side of this book,
turn it over and learn how to talk to programmers. The whole book
stresses the things artists and programmers have in common.
Talking to Artists vii
Talking to Artists viii Preface: Talking to Artists
Focused primarily on videogame developers, it also applies to
other fields where tech and art have to work together, including
web developers and teams building mobile apps. This book can
help anyone who wants to communicate better with programmers
or artists.
Acknowledgments
I would like to thank all the people who encouraged me to write this
book, especially Aerin Artessa, the artist who urged me to finish as
soon as possible. I would also like to thank all those—both artists
and programmers—who reviewed the material and provided case
studies. Especially when you pointed out the places where I was
sounding mean instead of blunt. I deeply appreciate your honesty
and hope I have rectified the problems. There are also many stu-
dents, who will remain anonymous, who helped me spot patterns
and clarify solutions as we worked through these situations on their
teams. I also appreciate all the people who made the clever cover on
the book everything it is—from the editorial team who believed in
my vision to Mario Rodriguez who helped me practice what I am
preaching. And finally, I would like to thank Giles Schildt, former
Director of Game Development for SJ Games, who reviewed the
manuscript thoroughly for me and made excellent suggestions.
Talking to Artists ix