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
![Prince of Persia The Lost Crown review; a man's back](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/wwT7ARCrh3tLvtJELS5i9m-320-80.jpg)
Whoops… Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown will have an NPC voiced by AI
By Ian Dean published
A mistake?
![Prince of Persia The Lost Crown review; a main leaps across a desert castle](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hoZdrKEjuydGpkUTCoA9Ta-320-80.jpg)
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown review - a design triumph, and a love-letter to the original
By Ian Dean published
The best Prince of Persia game in 16 years.
![Procreate Dreams everything you need to know; a person taps an animation app on an iPad](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/DuDxw43NUQCtuoYRfJj47U-320-80.jpg)
Procreate Dreams: everything you need to know
By Ian Dean last updated
Animation is more accessible with Procreate Dreams, our expert core details the features of this new iPad app.
![First impressions; a woman in an art studio](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/q4iWNakiVRnw9pEaRt6DvL-320-80.jpg)
First impressions: concept artist and illustrator Emily Chapman
By Ian Dean published
A host of creative endeavours led the artist to her craft.
![Day in the life; a photo of a man in a doorway](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/TQwyjUrbqn8cEzBS4G5JXH-320-80.jpg)
A day in the life: Marvel Studios' Craig Elliott
By Ian Dean published
The production designer reveals his daily schedule, and why young artists should seek happiness.
![Xbox Developer Direct; a game dev logo](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/EY6kA6JMtQPt6bYcs42n2D-320-80.jpg)
Why the return of Xbox Developer Direct matters - Indiana Jones and more to feature
By Ian Dean published
Why Xbox could set the tone for 2024 with the return of Developer Direct.
![Napoleon VFX; a man on a horse](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/dn8RWwfUDXGGjCczCcfuRb-320-80.jpg)
Revealing the VFX behind Ridley Scott's Napoleon - "he's just an incredible artist"
By Ian Dean published
MPC's Charley Henley discusses working with Ridley Scott and the 'no CG' debate.
![Best chromebooks for cricut; three chromebooks on a red background](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/kLPogwvGA5ViFrwfTzSRYZ-320-80.jpg)
The best Chromebooks for Cricut in July 2024
By Ian Dean last updated
Our testers and reviewers rank the best Chromebooks for Cricut to enable you to improve your creativity for less.
![Making Harold Halibut; two characters sit in an office](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/uMQWmVENYA3X3sSJxhFozg-320-80.png)
Stop motion video game Harold Halibut is Wes Anderson meets Monkey Island - here's why its "artists first production values" matter
By Ian Dean last updated
One of 2024's most anticipated games.
![Best Procreate tutorials; a person draws on an iPad](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/p3d4PZms2ssvhRmhNSu443-320-80.jpg)
20 Procreate tutorials to improve your digital art and design
By Ian Dean last updated
The best Procreate tutorials, from the basics to advanced tools, including using new brushes, layers and 3D models.
![Best Craft lights; three craft lamps](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/kZNuUichcp5XvimRu7PEDi-320-80.jpg)
The best craft lights
By Ian Dean last updated
Work smarter and prevent eye strain, with the best craft lights.
![Artist in residence; Joe Quinones sits at a desk drawing](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/9i96SNLFYrBgWrEQQdZfE7-320-80.jpg)
Artist in Residence: Batman '89 comic artist Joe Quinones
By Ian Dean published
The comic artist assures us there’s a good reason he owns so much Batman paraphernalia.
![Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora review; an alien horse and a red tree](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/RdKQUmNt7bJCraX2VTpiHR-320-80.jpg)
Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora review: a visual spectacle held back by old ideas
By Ian Dean published
Na'vigating old ground.
![Cricut Christmas ideas; a photo of a Cricut Maker 3 in front of a Christmas scene](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/pzABcmYbKLYKGMoSoHefok-320-80.jpg)
Cricut Christmas ideas: video tutorials for festive inspiration
By Ian Dean last updated
These Cricut Christmas ideas could give your gifts and decorations a touch of originality.
![A shot of the teal Nintendo Switch Lite in a user's hands in front of 3 screenshots from various games against a green background](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/en45uudA3xoXTBzkXfUkDG-320-80.jpg)
The best Nintendo Switch Lite games
By Ian Dean last updated
Get the most excitement out of your portable console with our pick of the best Nintendo Switch Lite games.
![Huawei event; MatePad Pro 13.2](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/fWduaKJpkBMzRVkeW52hre-320-80.jpg)
I flew to Dubai to discover why Huawei may finally have what digital artists need - a large and light tablet
By Ian Dean published
Huawei wants digital artists to Go Paint, so is the MatePad Pro 13.2" the tablet to ween you off of iPad Pro?
![Best label makers; three small label makers on a pink background](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/xwcPD9qDkX22UnLebXuDUM-320-80.jpg)
The best label makers in July 2024
By Ian Dean last updated
Print labels from home with the best label makers.
![IKIER K1 Pro Max review; a laser machine on a table](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bwZRzRWxthxGugMF3JgxsV-320-80.jpg)
IKIER K1 Pro Max review: a high quality laser cutter and engraver, but it's not for newcomers
By Ian Dean published
The IKIER K1 Pro Max impresses, but this is a laser cutter and engraver for experienced crafters.
![xTool P2 review; a large laser cutter and engraver in a table](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/5sgemw3UmTdPVYZZhDfJFW-320-80.jpg)
xTool P2 review: a powerful laser engraver and cutter for pro crafters
By Ian Dean published
The xTool P2 is a powerful and reliable 55 watt CO2 for pro crafters and small studios.
![Arizona Sunshine 2 review; an airport filled with zombies](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/PoNX7KbaTFayJec2DHA4tA-320-80.jpg)
Arizona Sunshine 2 review: an inventive VR shooter
By Ian Dean published
Arizona Sunshine 2 for PSVR 2 is a beautifully designed zombie shooter.
![Gaming trends for 2024; game characters on a fireworks background](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/h7kANZLAFvcj4P5nA5aAeS-320-80.jpg)
The 12 gaming trends for 2024 that will shake things up
By Lewis Packwood published
The gaming trends for 2024 include Nintendo Switch 2, Apple Vision Pro versus Quest 3 and more Unreal Engine 5 games.
![Making Remnant 2; a demon creature on a throne](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/cECza5szLReokc7KVeNDxT-320-80.jpg)
Remnant 2's artists reflect on using Unreal Engine 5: "We're like the pioneers"
By Ian Dean published
The story behind making Remnant 2 with Gunfire Games' Colin Post and Josh Gudmundsen.
![Retro console Black Friday deals; retro consoles on a yellow background](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/HDeKgMEmqePZFu8YBtfZeP-320-80.jpg)
I've been covering video games for 25 years - my favourite retro console deals from Cyber Monday are still live!
By Ian Dean last updated
I collect retro consoles, and these are the best Cyber Monday deals I'd recommend.