作者：Junxue Li

许多客户和朋友经常问我，“我们从来没有外包过美术工作，应该怎么入手呢？”“我应该为外包团队准备什么材料？”

以下是我分享的一些建议，希望对你有所帮助。

我认为游戏开发者外包美术工作可以遵循以下步骤：

art_expertise(from climaxstudios)

1.列出一个完整的资产清单，即你要求外包团队完成的项目。例如，你可能决定外包所有或部分的背景图片、动画、UI，背景图片只需要用两个环节，即艺术线条和配色，你或许想让内部团队完成艺术线条，而外包配色工作。

2.找到参照图作为风格/质量的参考资料。找一些反映游戏质量的图片给外包团队看，让他们了解你的游戏所需要的美术风格和质量。这种参照图可以是游戏中已经完成的图像，也可以是其他游戏的截图。

3.指定技术规格。例如，如果你外包的是背景图片或者UI，你就应该告诉外包团队你所需要的图像分辨率。因为图像大小会影响人员的投入精力和价格。

4.写下每份资料的描述内容。例如，你需要的是背景图像，还是UI按钮。写下你的需求和想法。

5.获得报价。向外包团队展示前4项材料后，你可以要求他们报价。然后就此同他们讨价还价。这个步骤很重要。在获得报价之前，不要让他们提供样稿。因为该团队有可能提供很棒的图像，但你提供的价格却无法满足他们的需求。

6.进行检验。在你获得满意的报价之后，可以分配一个美术任务作为测试。这个美术任务最好是同你正在开发的游戏相关，这是检验的最重要内容。在测试中，你可以观察该团队的做事方式，工作效率以及美术质量等情况。

7.进入正式雇佣阶段。如果你发现该团队能够胜任你的项目要求，就可以同他们签合同，进入正式的雇佣阶段。

在制作阶段还要注意以下两点：

1.考虑是否给予一定的故事或玩法信息：这些信息无疑有助于美术外包人员更好地完成任务。有时候你可能会出于商业机密或其他原因而不提供这些信息，但还是要确保明确每个美术资产的参照及描述内容，这样外包人员才有可能准确提供你所需要的内容。

2.游戏发布时，与美术外包人员分享这一消息。这样会让他们获得一种成就感，下次就会更愿意再同你们共事。（本文为游戏邦/gamerboom.com编译，拒绝任何不保留版权的转载，如需转载请联系：游戏邦）

How to outsource art works

by Junxue Li

The following blog was, unless otherwise noted, independently written by a member of Gamasutra’s game development community. The thoughts and opinions expressed here are not necessarily those of Gamasutra or its parent company.

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Many clients and friends often ask me, “we have never outsourced art work before, how should we start?” “What things should I prepare for you(the outsource team)? ”

Here I can share some ideas, hope that would be useful.

I think for a game developer to outsource art works, he can follow the steps:

1.       Sort out and make a full list of assets which should be done by the outsource team,. For example, you may decide to outsource all or part of the background images, the animations, UI; And the background images are roughly done in two steps, line art and coloring, you may decide to let the in-house team do the line art, and outsource team do the coloring.

2.       Find reference pictures as style/quality guide. Look for pictures of in-game quality, to show the outsource team the art style and quality you need for your game. The reference pictures could be already done pictures in your game, and could be screenshots of other games.

3.       Assign technical specifications. For example, if you outsource background images, or UI, you should tell the outsource team the image resolution you need them to delivery. Because the image size affects the labor amount and price.

4.       Write down descriptions for each piece of asserts. For example, for a background image, or a UI button. Write what you want, and your ideas.

5.       Get a quote. After giving the above #1~4 to the outsource team, you can ask them for a quote. Then you can make a bargain with them. This step is important. Please don’t assign a test, before you get the quote. Chances are the team can deliver nice pictures, but you can’t afford them.

6.       Assign a test. After you get a satisfactory quote from the team, you can assign a piece of art of work as a test. It’s best to be a part of your incoming game, it’s the most relevant content for test. During the test, you can watch the team, to see their way of processing things, working speed and above all, the art quality.

7.       Proceed to the formal commission. Then if you feel the team is competent for your project, you can sign contract with them and enter formal commission stage.

And during the production phase, there are two concerns I want to add:

1.       Whether to give some info of the storyline and game play: No doubt these info would help the art contractors to do things better. Sometimes due to commercial secret concern or other reasons, you would not like to give. Nonetheless, make sure the description and reference for each art piece are clear, that the contractor be able to deliver precisely what you want.

2.       When the game is released, share the news with the art contractors. This would give them sense of engagement, and achievement. Next time they will be willing to work with you.（source：gamasutra）