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
![Vertex 2024; two men on a stage](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/9NUrh5p7LGrwdoHtKfEam3-320-80.jpg)
Vertex 2024 - our best bits and some surprises
By Beth Nicholls, Natalie Fear, Ian Dean published
We had a blast at Vertex 2024, here are the highlights.
![Nvidia ACE AI; a game character sits in a leather chair](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/oF3C4QUYL7gFiL2ZStU3of-320-80.jpg)
I tried Nvidia's AI for games, with comically realistic results
By Ian Dean published
It's 2062 and everyone still loves Taylor Swift.
![Nvidia RTX vs M3 Max; two laptops on a wooden table](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/MrVC2CeKauZiFbZ7cxyhXA-320-80.jpg)
I just watched an Apple MacBook Pro get mauled by a Razer Blade 16
By Ian Dean published
Has Nvidia just started a new hardware war for creatives?
![Evercade EXP-R; a black handheld retro console](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7bbStQvQxdHMzXMUcwfLsR-320-80.jpg)
I'm confused by Evercade's new retro console (but I still want one)
By Ian Dean published
The Evercade EXP-R looks visionary, but who's it for?
![iPad mirroring Windows laptop display using Duet Display](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/fRFu7WQJ2bcSXzMumUqczm-320-80.jpg)
How to use an iPad as a drawing tablet with a PC
By Jon Stapley published
Want to use an iPad as a drawing tablet with a PC? There are a number of ways to do it
![Zapbox hands on; two men in a room, one using a AR headset](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/uPC9H4fSpu5yhEPeU2qoHU-320-80.jpg)
I tried Zapbox, it's like Vision Pro AR without the wild price tag
By Ian Dean published
Your iPhone can be a Vision Pro.
![Harold Halibut review; two characters look at a diver](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/CCckAsC6jrtKXQSw2rS7im-320-80.jpg)
Harold Halibut review: this stop motion sci-fi life aquatic won’t be for everyone
By Ian Dean published
A wonderfully handcrafted game, but you'll need to persevere.
![Best CGI movies of the 80s; a neon street in the film Tron](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/sD7XUX6ikZdmuTQCSjYyQP-320-80.jpg)
The best CGI movies of the '80s - VFX that changed filmmaking
By Ian Dean published
Iconic CGI visual effects from TRON to Star Wars.
![Our Brilliant Ruin transmedia; a party scene](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/xQ843j4aLQV4NV8MKtEnDn-320-80.jpg)
Designing the giddy Art Nouveau fantasy world of new game Our Brilliant Ruin
By Ian Dean published
"We've embraced the chaos," says art director Andy Foltz.
![Amazon Fallout; a power armour character in a desert](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rfvg4iQJ78mpF4MK3eU8bL-320-80.jpg)
Amazon's Fallout TV show has some unexpected design influences, reveals Amy Westcott
By Ian Dean last updated
"It taught me the creative process is infinite," says costume designer Amy Westcott.
![James Cameron AI filmmaking; man in a black jumper](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/yb3rCTzEkkrUSw9ssRYMZm-320-80.jpg)
AI can 'fill in the details' and enable 'higher creativity' says James Cameron
By Ian Dean published
The Avatar 2 and Terminator director sees a role for AI in filmmaking.
![Netflix Spaceman VFX; an astronaut in a space cloud](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/sjt4ZV6w7krnUJK7YprooD-320-80.jpg)
Making Netflix hit Spaceman - MPC's out-of-this-world VFX breakdowns revealed
By Ian Dean published
MPC shares behind the scenes insights into creating Spaceman's VFX.
![Best games console; four games consoles on a blue background](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/FzgJ8EcT5XzWuEd6JsmDnY-320-80.jpg)
The best games console
By Ian Dean last updated
Our video games specialist helps you choose the best games console for you, whether that's for performance or value.
![Deathsprint 66; a man in a race suit runs across a red backdrop](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/gmMJRu74SEvK8rQDZ3GGzm-320-80.jpg)
How sports branding defined the creative campaign for Deathsprint 66
By Ian Dean published
"Great design transcends," says Fluid's creative director James Glover.
![Atari Tim Lapinto interview; the Atari logo on blue lasers](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Knknzhe9GysmVCW6aBmju4-320-80.jpg)
"The Atari logo has become a container for peoples' feelings" - new creative director Tim Lapetino defines Atari's legacy
By Ian Dean published
Celebrating the iconic retro game brand.
![Max Beyond; a red armoured person in a film made using Unreal Engine](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/EFEFfwHMXFkFJZppHQhWZY-320-80.jpg)
Unreal Engine has 'democratised filmmaking' - says the director of AppleTV's new animated movie
By Ian Dean published
CG film Max Beyond is bold and different.
![An artist shows how to draw on the iPad](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/TPEMdydQCCHH7f6ZY7tezn-320-80.jpg)
How to draw on the iPad: your guide to getting started
By Jon Stapley last updated
Our guide to how to draw on the iPad starts with the basics, from pairing your Pencil to picking the right apps.
![Autodesk announces new tools for Maya, 3ds Max; a live render of a robot in a virtual set](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/QJjNSM6SWYkDRApRZzMyVE-320-80.jpg)
These new Maya and 3ds Max 2025 tools will save you time
By Ian Dean published
Autodesk reveals improvements to its best 3D modelling and animation tools.
![Vertex; a flashing deals banner](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/nwsCBFG4ujkMVow3ri7Zo4-320-80.gif)
Vertex flash sale: save £30 on a ticket to our digital art and 3D festival - speakers include Pernille Ørum, Pixar's Dylan Sisson and David Levy
By Ian Dean published
Learn from industry pros, and save money.
![Craig Yoe; a comic book cover](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/swyXA2wa6ywWnD5MaXhHKM-320-80.jpg)
Artist Craig Yoe returns to underground comix after 50 years for a 'deeply personal look at art and life's lunacy'
By Ian Dean published
The former Jim Henson and Muppets creative director is launching a new indie comic.
![Procreate Dreams beginner tips; a cat and a mouse play musical instruments](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/45rJen3y2tivsYsAP4bWtT-320-80.gif)
Procreate Dreams beginner tips – Danni Fisher-Shin shares her animation insights
By Ian Dean published
Discover Procreate Dreams' best tools and workflows.
![Cloudborn generative AI; characters in a golden airship](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/HQK59vCWqwCDFvwrC3xXHW-320-80.jpg)
Cloudborn's pioneering generative AI means game characters can 'learn' their own lifelike personalities and never forget
By Ian Dean published
This looks like a real 'live' game.
![Marvel 1943 and Unreal Engine 5.4; two comic heroes fight](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/fBPiZNHbLytz7zoS8xGUD3-320-80.jpg)
Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra just revealed the Unreal Engine 5.4 tools everyone will want
By Ian Dean last updated
Games are getting unbelievably realistic.