spaceminers |
Game Art Direction & UE5 Cinematics

Spaceminers is a sci-fi game project where I led art direction and delivered cinematic content across concept, storyboard, UE5 sequences, and final motion design. This page highlights the end-to-end pipeline, from world building through to cinematic output.

Visit the Spaceminers project website here.

Watch Trailer here.

Play the game on Steam here.

Valentino Laz Showreel here.

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world building, lore, concepts, storyboarding.

To ground the universe, I developed a reference-driven world building system covering silhouettes, materials, architecture, characters, props, and faction visual language. This ensured we could design new content fast without drifting stylistically.

Deliverables included:

  • Visual rules for shape language, colour, and materials

  • Environment themes and mood exploration

  • Key locations, props, and world logic reference boards

Here’s a mindmap showcasing the Spaceminers Project, outlining the process I used to map out the Spaceminers Universe and develop the visual art direction for the Spaceminers story.

storyboard:
bringing Spaceminers' vision to life.

Storyboards were used to lock pacing, clarity, and camera language before UE5 production. This stage kept production efficient and reduced iteration time during cinematic build. Storyboards were meticulously crafted by the talented Michael Papanicolaou

What I focused on:

  • Readable action beats and composition

  • Camera continuity and transitions

  • Shot lists that map directly into UE5 sequencing

Spaceminers Storyboard video - valentino laz and michael papanikolaou Spaceminers Storyboard video - valentino laz and michael papanikolaou Spaceminers Storyboard video - valentino laz and michael papanikolaou

concept art showcase:
crafting the world of Spaceminers.

I directed concept development to expand the universe while keeping it production-friendly. The goal was to generate designs that translate cleanly into 3D and read well in cinematic framing. Collaborating closely with Giorgos, Alp, and Daniel, we brought immersive worlds, life like characters, and dynamic environments to fruition.

Concept direction covered:

  • Characters, suits, and accessories

  • Environment mood and set dressing

  • Vehicles, props, and equipment design

Spaceminer Standing on a hill concept art Spaceminer Holding a weapon in the desert with moon and spaceships in the background concept art Ziggurat in the distance of a desert concept art Spaceminer standing with PLSS system facing the camera looking at a planet at the edge of the desert concept art Spaceminer helmet reflection of a Ziggurat concept art Spaceminer at sun set walking through the desert holding a device that is shining light on suit concept art 2 Spaceminers running and flying towards a spaceship that is shooting fire lasers at them concept art Primitive spaceminers world market scene concept art Primitive spaceminers world market scene concept art Spaceminers world architecture of a palace concept art Spaceminers world environment shot of the Gold Runner obstacle course Spaceminers underground chamber known as the queens chamber before the player starts the game concept art A spaceminer shooting at a Secarus enemy with a Trillo ship in the background hovering over a gold mining operation concept art Spaceminer running through an underground chamber of the Ziggurat during a Gold Runner competition past ancient statues of the local peoples concept art Spaceminer riding a hoverboard in the desert concept art Priests chamber under the Ziggurat concept art Warriors chamber at the start of the Gold Runner run beneath the Ziggurat concept art colosseum of the spaceminers world where players can play against each other concept art One of the Spaceminers world spaceship stations with a spaceship taking off concept art A spaceship hangar in the Spaceminers World with a ship coming in for landing concept art A canyon environment shot of the Spaceminers world Sophiat with abandoned look out towers and crashed spaceships Underground cave filled with gold found by a Spaceminer concept art A spaceminer entering the great Ziggurat of the Spaceminers World at night concept art A spaceminer activating and flying with their jet pack over a vine infested wall in the chambers of the ziggurat concept art The entrance of the ziggurat with light shining through an open passageway entrance concept art Temple shot of light coming in through a hole in the ceiling and reflecting from a mirror of a statue concept art A spaceship from the spaceminers world called Insectum with a red planet in the background flying through space concept art A spaceship from the spaceminers world called Insectum with a red planet in the background flying through space concept art Creative director and motion designer for Spaceminers game A shot of a planet in space with lens flare and a small planet at its perimeter concept art A rising red planet of the Spaceminers Universe A rising earth like planet called Cunabula in space concept art 2 Spacmeiners gather around a device in a hanger concept art A spaceminer repairs an engine of a broken down spaceship concept art Spaceminers operating a dashboard or control system of a spaceship concept art Cunabula city day environment scene concept art Cunabula city night environment scene concept art Spaceminer Camping in the wilderness concept art Spaceminers Universe Farmhouse concept art Spaceminers Universe house concept art Spaceminers Universe farmhouse concept art Spaceminers Universe house concept art Temple Ruins Spaceminers Universe Concept Art

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UE5 cinematics and motion design

Cinematics were produced in Unreal Engine 5 using a real-time pipeline that enabled fast iteration and consistent lighting. I focused on cinematic pacing, motion language, and polish to get trailer-ready output.

Cinematic focus areas:

  • Sequencer assembly and cinematic timing

  • Camera language, transitions, and motion systems

  • VFX integration and compositing polish

  • Final edit support for trailer and marketing use

 
A collaboration by Ruslan and myself. 

characters & accessories.

Character design and asset work was guided by a consistent visual system. The aim was to ensure the assets read clearly in cinematic framing and support the world’s story and tone.

Key outcomes:

  • Consistent silhouette language across suits and gear

  • Material definition for readability and realism

  • Presentation-ready renders and cinematic shots

Art Direction involved drawing inspiration from the expertise of Imario, known for his work on the Mandalorian series, our Spaceminers Characters almost seem to fit in the Star Wars universe.
A closeup profile shot of Spaceminer Tribus looking to the side 3D Render A full body profile shot of Spaceminer Tribus looking to the side 3D Render A turn around profile shot of Spaceminer Tribus 3D Render A closeup profile shot of Spaceminer Tribus looking to the side 3D Render A full body profile shot of Spaceminer Sedu looking to the side 3D Render A closeup suit boot shot of Spaceminer Sedu looking to the side 3D Render A turn around profile shot of Spaceminer Sedu 3D Render A closeup profile shot of Spaceminer enemy Servus looking at the camera with a mask on 3D Render A full body profile shot of Spaceminer enemy Servus looking to the side 3D Render A closeup profile shot of Spaceminer enemy Secares looking at the camera with a mask on 3D Render A full body profile shot of Spaceminer enemy Secares looking to the side 3D Render A turn around profile shot of Spaceminer enemy Secarus 3D Render A closeup profile shot of Spaceminer Casa looking directly at the camera 3D Render A full body profile shot of Spaceminer Casa looking to the side 3D Render A turn around profile shot of Spaceminer Casa 3D Render A side shot of a concept art weapon of the Spaceminers Universe A side shot of a concept art weapon of the Spaceminers Universe A side shot of a concept art weapon of the Spaceminers Universe

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tools and pipeline

  • Unreal Engine 5 (cinematics, sequencing, real-time lighting)

  • After Effects (compositing, motion graphics, polish)

  • Houdini / Cinema 4D / Redshift (experimenting and animation)

  • Photoshop / Illustrator (concept support and graphics)

Pipeline included template-based motion systems and reusable project structures to speed up delivery.

contact.

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let's Collaborate!

If you need a senior motion designer or technical artist who can integrate quickly and deliver cinematic visuals at scale, I’m available for freelance, contract, and consultancy work.

Valentino Laz Showreel here.

contact.