We require 3 things :

- 1/ You know how to draw and you have decent fundamentals in anatomy, perspective...etc
No need for crazy level, don't worry, we're here to help you level up on these too

We just do not want people who skipped the fundamentals, are unable to draw, or rely solely on 3D or Photos to create pictures.

- 2/ You have good work ethics and discipline

- 3/ Your are coachable, able to apply feedback with a smile, and you are serious about Concept Art

In any case: even if you don't know if it'd suit you while you would like to join, just DM me, I'll ask the mentors directly about if they feel comfortable working with you based on your level and they will have the final call

Yes ! And available as replays almost immediately after they are done !

The technique and design ratio will depend on each person, but ideally you want to level both of them at the same time.

In the first session, for everyone we'll assess your current situation and define with you the top 3 biggest points to prioritize for your level up and we might even give you some extra exercises of things to do on the side (if you want/have time of course, nothing mandatory) to improve these just like we do with the mentees.

All the communication and Group Sessions will happen on Discord

The Video Course will be available on a platform called Bonzai

There is one session per week, defined in advanced and announced by your designated Mentor generally a day or two in advance. We'll do our best to make them happen as much as possible on the same day every week.

As a reminder, we are not expecting students to attend the classes live, (though you are very welcome to do so when you can!), since the structure is designed for asynchronous feedback to cater to everyone’s timezones and availability.

It is the same method we’ve been using with the mentees for almost 3 years now and it also mimics how to communicate with clients or a lead/art director.

English

We don't want the briefs to be school assignments like "draw 100 boxes" or similar.

If our students improved so much, it's because we put them in the trenches dealing with a real subject that challenges them and pushes them through their limits, not some safe warmups and studies.

Some study exercises might be given to you as extras if needed, but everything we've built so far for you and the mentees to level up revolves about learning while doing concrete concept art work, and it's not gonna change any time soon :)

We'll respect your style just like we did during the contest and help you push it further.

Depending on one's current level it might be more or less defined, and for some it's not even a question yet.

It doesn't matter to us because style comes naturally as you level up.

Of course, in the first session we'll ask you about what you're currently aiming at and keep it in mind if this is already defined, like we do with the mentees.

Yes, if you warn us BEFORE the pause, just like we do with the mentees.

By pause it's not "2 days of pause", no.

One feedback session counts as one week and we're not doing something "à la carte" where you hop in and out to prolong the feedback.

We work on transparency and trust, and also by holding everyone to professional standards in terms of attitude.

Anyone working would warn a client if something happens, so if you do the same with us and give us a date when you come back, we'll respect that and pause the service.

But if you ghost without notice and come back after, unless there is a case of force majeur, in that situation most likely the weeks will count as spent, because that would not be an attitude to have with a client.

Again, transparency, and we assume most people who commit will take their dispositions to be available in a continued way :)

If you have any doubts about your availability or readiness, we encourage you to wait until the timing is right for you before commiting.

Overall, if you have at least 10h per week that's already pretty good.

The more you can put in the better of course, but we are not requesting/expecting full time commitment of course, that would be ludicrous.

Just bear in mind that different deliverables are expected for every week and that we give you deadlines on purpose to avoid perfectionism getting the best out of you.

Yes, we are splitting into character/environment specialties so you can benefit from the feedback given to the other students !

If you want to develop both environment and character, we encourage everyone to pick one specialty, learn it, then focus on the other to avoid spreading yourself too thin and eventually not excelling at anything.

We do the same with our mentees even when they are equally as good on character as on environment. That's fine.

So for The Ascent, we'd prefer if you pick one specialty for one project, then once it's done if you want to swap this can be discussed.

It would be unethical and dangerous to give you an answer without knowing you, your current level, your work ethic and how much time you're actually putting in. I'm not going to throw out a promise I can't back up for everyone or even control and this is why we're reviewing applicants before allowing them in The Ascent.

However, what I can tell you is this :
If you show up with diligence for the duration of the service and you apply the feedback given to you, you can probably expect at least as much progress as what you saw at the top of the page, likely more, because we'll have more time and the feedback will be tailored specifically to you.

The real question is simpler than you think :

If you do not own the Production Designer Playbook yet :
Did the level-ups you saw above satisfied looks desirable to you?

If yes, then this is probably for you.

If you're not satisfied with what you saw, then do not join.

If you already own the Production Designer Playbook :

Are you happy with what you learned from it and do you think it was worth your investment?
If yes, then you will love The Ascent
If you're not satisfied with what you got while having applied everything diligently, that's probably your answer too, so don't do it.

fgd

Unless a case of force majeure happens, it's the same mentor following you on your specialty for the whole project and most likely the next ones too.

Each feedback session builds on the previous one like we did during the contest. We follow you on the entire project, from the early research to the final.

In case a mentor has to be replaced, we have internal measures to allow the new mentor to pick up from where the previous one left off seamlessly and deliver the same quality of feedback to you consistently.