SPECIAL INSTALLMENTS OFFER
00
DAYS
00
HOURS
00
MINS
00
SECS
Step into Art Direction:
Building Your First Original IP (Story to Visual)
A 7-module, self-paced course taking your story from sketch to a fully art-directed, pitch-ready piece with 40 video lessons and over 6 hours of content.
Bringing your story to life can feel overwhelming…
Especially if you don't know where to begin!
🎬Do you dream of building your own original IP but feel unsure how to bring your story to life?
🎬Do you worry that you lack the art-direction skills to make your world feel consistent and polished?
🎬Are you afraid your story will never come together into something you're proud to pitch or share?
I get it, approaching art direction for the first time can feel intimidating! You might be afraid of putting in hours of work only to feel like the pieces still don't add up to a finished, professional-feeling story.
But here's the truth: with the right process, you can move past that doubt and start directing a story that feels bold, cohesive, and full of personality.
That's exactly what Step into Art Direction is here to help you with. Step by step, I'll walk you through the same process I've used directing IP for games and animation, moving from story to character to a fully realized world, making intentional choices along the way. You'll discover how to craft a story that's uniquely yours, and finish with a piece you're genuinely proud to share.
A clear, structured art direction process — built from real studio experience
Art direction can sound like something reserved for big productions, but it's really a way of thinking, and it's learnable.
That is the backbone of this course: the same structured approach I've used directing IP for games and animation, broken down for a solo artist working on their own project.
I created Step into Art Direction to pass on what I've picked up over years of studio work, mentoring artists, and helping people find their own creative footing, not just techniques, but the judgment calls that make a story feel intentional rather than accidental.
My role here is simple: guide you through that process the way I would a member of my own team, so you walk away with real clarity, real skills, and a piece that's unmistakably yours.
Hi, I'm Taraneh
I'm a proud mom and an Iranian art director and influencer experienced in games and animation based in Austin, Texas.
I have dived into both creating concepts and art directing teams and mentoring artists internationally, to directing my products in my studio.
I have also been an influencer on social media since 2006 and have created content and tutorials for various publications, art colleges and workshops! I enjoy developing ideas that share impactful stories and injecting positivity.
What my students say:
Susana
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
Paolo
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
Veronica
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
Imagine finally having an original IP of your own…
Starting something new can feel intimidating, you might worry your story won't come together, or that your ideas will stay scattered sketches instead of something whole. But what if you could move past that and finally feel confident directing your own original piece?
That's exactly what Step into Art Direction is designed to help you achieve.
Step by step, you'll learn how to:
📖 Develop a story with clarity and a strong emotional foundation for your characters.
🎬 Direct your characters and world with confidence, making intentional choices that bring consistency and life to your IP.
💡 Use composition and mood to add depth, polish, and personality to every piece.
By the end of the course, you'll feel empowered to take a story from idea to a finished, pitch-ready piece — and you'll know exactly how to get there.
SIGN UP NOW
Course content
The course includes 7 modules with over 6 hours of video lessons and guided practice. You can pause and replay everything at any time, so you can learn at your own pace, without pressure.
We'll focus on both art-direction skills and the way you approach your story, so you can feel more confident and intentional as you develop your original IP.
It's designed for illustrators and concept artists who already sketch, whether you're just starting to explore art direction or looking to formalize a process you've been figuring out on your own.
The lessons are meant to be followed step by step, starting with story and character fundamentals and gradually building toward a finished, pitch-ready piece.
Let's begin this journey together!
In this course you'll learn:
Module 1 — Introduction
Get oriented before you start. This module walks through what to expect from the course, how to approach it, and the mindset and routines that will help you actually finish what you start — not just begin it.
Module 2 — Getting Started
Build your production setup. Learn how to structure your workflow, track your progress through each module, and set realistic goals so your original IP moves from idea to something real.
Module 3 — Story Development
Every strong character starts with a strong story. Find the emotional heart of your concept, build your first moodboard, and start shaping a narrative direction that feels distinctly yours.
Module 4 — Character Development
Bring your story's cast to life. Design your main characters, explore posing and expression, and refine your designs until they hold up — consistent, expressive, and ready for a final turnaround.
Module 5 — World Building
Your characters need somewhere to exist. Explore the visual rules of your world, gather inspiration, thumbnail environments, and develop concept art that supports —and elevates— your story.
Module 6 — Emotional Illustration
This is where craft meets feeling. Identify the key emotional moment in your story and illustrate it, aligning composition, color, and mood with your overall creative direction to produce a final rendered piece.
Module 7 — Final Draft, Pitch & Wrap-Up
Pull it all together into a final IP draft, and learn how to present and share it — whether that's a portfolio piece, a pitch deck, or a story to tell on social media.
Fundamentals & Materials
We will look together at the materials, basic techniques, and knowledge needed to begin this journey. Approaching a new technique means first learning how best to use the tools at your disposal.
Practical exercises
Theory is important, but what makes you a true artist is practice... Lots of practice! You'll find exercises to get started with and from which to get inspiration. I will show you some tricks that will make your drawings truly unique and masterpieces.
Lifetime access
Once you register for the course, you will have lifetime access and you can watch it whenever you want! You don't have a deadline, you can take the course even for 5 minutes a day!
Flexibility
This is one of the course's strengths: being able to watch the videos wherever you want, whenever you want, and as many times as you want. The course is available from any device so you can watch the course from the comfort of your home or take a single lesson on the train!
Community of artists
As soon as you sign up for the course, you will join a group of people who, like you, share this passion and are following the same course as you. This means you'll be able to exchange ideas, tips or ask questions because you'll be surrounded by people who love art the same way that you do!
My daily support
On this journey, you will never be alone! You can write to me and you will receive my feedback as soon as possible, so you will always feel supported. Sometimes, approaching art direction is not easy. You may feel that your story or characters aren't coming together the way you imagined, but don't worry: I will be there to help you, step by step!
...and much more!!
FIND OUT MOREA peak into the platform
My course is made to help you develop your own original IP while still enjoying the process, so it doesn't feel overwhelming or stressful. You might notice progress sooner than you expect, just by following things step by step. Let me show you how it works…
All lessons are in full HD, and you can adjust the speed or replay anything whenever you need. I explain everything visually and step by step, so it's easy to follow along without feeling lost.
You can also ask questions, leave comments, and connect with other students while you're learning. The course is very practical, from story and character development to world building and finishing your piece.
And you can come back to the lessons anytime, whenever you need a little help or guidance.
TITLE
TBD
REGISTRATIONS ARE CLOSING SOON!
BUILD YOUR VISUAL UNIVERSE FROM SCRATCH!
00
DAYS
00
HOURS
00
MINS
00
SECS
Special Offer - 6 Monthly Payments
With this option, you can split the cost over six months! Take advantage of this offer now and start strong and ready to achieve your goals.
The price displayed below is in dollars, but you can pay with ANY currency.
Start learning today!🎬
My guarantee to every student
If you are not satisfied with the course for any reason, you have the right to a full refund within the first 14 days. This is my guarantee to you; I want all my students to be satisfied. Also, this means there is no risk at all!
Try the course yourself to find out if it is right for you!
