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
![Alone in the Dark; a woman looks scared](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rXrJNmGxzKJwRw2kfGmsKa-320-80.jpg)
Alone in the Dark has an unnerving "storm of cosmic darkness" that freaked me out, here's how it was made
By Ian Dean published
Art director Rikard Ryberg reveals how one of Alone in the Dark's best set-pieces was created.
![Alien Romulus trailer; a xenomorph](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/HHB5e3CDkqbufcHWC4XU3Z-320-80.jpg)
Alien: Romulus' trailer proves this movie is more than a bite of nostalgia
By Ian Dean published
The original Alien and Aliens VFX artists are back too.
![Nvidia superchip; a man stands on a stage in front of the Earth](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hNoiUUS2tKZv4FmcCbkX5P-320-80.jpg)
Nvidia's new Blackwell AI superchip could change the world, but who's it for?
By Ian Dean published
The leading chip maker reveals the world's most powerful GPU.
![Alone in the Dark review; two characters in a dark room](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/QznZ8YwjqjrvJjhob3GLBm-320-80.jpg)
Alone in the Dark review: beautifully creepy visual design can't hide a lack of polish
By Ian Dean published
The 1992 cult horror game is reimagined… as a cult horror game.
![Alone in the Dark; a haunted manor house](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/FXZnEdphwrhLBWDitCFRdC-320-80.jpg)
Art director Rikard Ryberg explains why Alone in the Dark's horror is "grounded" in realism
By Ian Dean published
The design inspirations and tech challenges behind Alone in the Dark.
![Vertex 2024 logo](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ndYyemNMtuHKQxjDUcRAd8-320-80.jpg)
Vertex 2024 tickets now on sale!
By Ian Dean published
VFX, game art, animation and more – grab your tickets to 2024's ultimate new event for the CG art community.
![A product shot of the various best Huion drawing tablets on a purple background](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/MNJiwPPQTF97vd6UCiAMfF-320-80.jpg)
The best Huion drawing tablets
By Ian Dean last updated
Huion drawing tablets aren't quite Wacom, but still excellent for artists on a budget - find the right one for you.
![Best Cricut Machine:](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ihMgGygJhmmsTTxstr2bid-320-80.jpg)
The best Cricut machines
By Ian Dean last updated
The best Cricut machines can make precise cuts in material, and print your designs on mugs, T-shirts and more.
![Dune Awakening concept art; a large sandworm emerges from the desert](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/PGRG9VreNQ2Bd27jPSpSvL-320-80.jpg)
Dune: Awakening's beautifully evocative concept art teases the year's hottest new Unreal Engine 5 game
By Ian Dean published
Dust off your PS5.
![Nothing Phone 2a review; twin cameras on a smartphone](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/QQUrjFiE2WKmpHU7joTvVM-320-80.jpg)
Nothing Phone 2a review: I just found my favourite new budget smartphone
By Ian Dean published
Offers innovative design at a low price.
![Best sewing machines; three sewing machines on a blue background](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rqGqe3eqbfciGKUkPgiv7S-320-80.jpg)
The best sewing machines
By Michelle Rowley last updated
As a sewer, I've selected the best sewing machines for quilting, making clothes or simply for anyone looking for a new hobby.
![Immortality Design Works; a woman smiles](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/BEvf3gpzeGcJetUeKJPDVQ-320-80.jpg)
Making Immortality: Design Works - the book of the game of the films of the actress
By Ian Dean published
Lost In Cult's design director Rachel Dalton explains why this is more than a 'making of' book.
![Nothing Phone 2a; a white phone with eye-like cameras](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/dj3qPJ5J3c2DuGxjRHpFAj-320-80.jpg)
Nothing Phone 2a looks like it's been designed by Pixar - I love it
By Ian Dean published
Look at its little face.
![Brothers A Tale of Two Sons Remake review; two characters sit on a bench overlooking a coastline](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/zkJzCoaDLC4Q7fJMwhrJ9B-320-80.jpg)
Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake review: a beautifully Grimm revamp
By Ian Dean published
Bringing back all the feels.
![Whiskytree VFX; a domed golden building on a waterfall from Thor](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/mRJ7K2SA4n8KhT6Uyu9C9U-320-80.jpg)
Star Wars VFX studio Whiskytree is bucking the downturn and expanding
By Ian Dean published
Whiskytree CEO Jonathan Harb explains why the future is bright for small VFX teams.
![Making Lost Legends of Redwall: The Scout Anthology; mice and other animals](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/obGjewwYjmp4KrprwQgw8B-320-80.jpg)
Making The Lost Legends of Redwall: The Scout Anthology, and why size matters
By Ian Dean published
Bringing life to Brian Jacques' classic fantasy books.
![Framestore Barbie VFX; a doll of a man stands in front of an art board](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/xwZB7YE4nBitX6kxNJkrQK-320-80.jpg)
Framestore experts explain key VFX jobs on projects like Barbie
By Ian Dean published
To demystify the VFX industry we spoke to some of the team (or is it their dolls?) who've worked on projects like Barbie.
![Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake; two boys hug](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/u6osSVAMnReqCezeRbmWAR-320-80.jpg)
Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake - 'breathing life and depth' into a cult classic
By Ian Dean published
How Unreal Engine 5 is enhancing a game design classic.
![Nightingale art director interview; people walk on a stormy beach, a shipwreck in the distance](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/amEusxqaK6JVVqiXmVyjh3-320-80.jpg)
Unreal Engine 5 is the "highest form of sorcery" says Nightingale's art director
By Ian Dean published
Inflexion Games's art director Neil Thompson takes us behind the curtain of the Fae Realms.
![Warhammer Rogue Trader; warriors fight monsters set against a green moon](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/pNvHGopPegBV3uhZuJNpj-320-80.jpg)
Creating the art of Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader - "one picture is better than a thousand words"
By Ian Dean published
Owlcat's art director Alexander Trufanov takes us behind the scenes.
![Brynn Metheney, Vertex 2024, a photo of a woman in a desert](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/quEBzfoCU38rj4CqiaTrxG-320-80.jpg)
Vertex 2024 speaker: learn new art skills from creature designer Brynn Metheney
By Ian Dean published
The Ghostbusters concept artist will be at Vertex 2024.
![A day in the life; Sanjay Trimbakkar; vfx director](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/paobdsDBPzk3spPUL2yD59-320-80.jpg)
A day in the life: FutureWorks' visualisation director Sanjay Trimbakkar
By Ian Dean published
Recognising the international nature of the VFX industry.