I think vectorial graphics are what I'm after. So are you recommending that I use Illustrator for design, and then Flash for any necessary animation?
It's a good way to design your graphics and import them to Flash to animate them.
Those two programs work closely together:
http://helpx.adobe.com/flash/using/illustrator-ai-files-flash.htmlAfter you're finished with animating your graphics in Flash, you can export them as PNG image sequences, with transparency, to use with your favourite game engine:
http://helpx.adobe.com/flash/using/exporting.html#exporting_images_and_graphicsIn my opinion, vectorial graphics are not just those designed with vectors, but also raster graphics that are animated with interpolation (instead of unique frames), such as those from the game Don't Starve, for example:
screenshotThe characters are composed of separate hand-drawn parts drawn in something like Photoshop, for example, that are "stitched" together and animated like a cut-out in something like Flash, Anime Studio or After Effects, with a few unique frames being used for things that can't be just rotated (like unique leg frames).
The background is a 3D plane.
Regarding the 3D.
There certainly is a learning curve, and just like with 2D art, it is the combination of mastering the art and mastering the software.
To master the art, whether 2D or 3D, you need to
study theory and practice a lot. The themes are
shape, volume, colour, expression, texture, lighting etc. For 3D in particular, making clay sculptures is also a great exercise.
To master the software, you just need to study the documentation and practice with it, making small projects or tasks ("make a treasure chest model") that demand from you the artistic skill and the knowledge of how the software works, how you produce with it.
This procedure is the same, regardless if you're interested in 2D or 3D digital art.
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I think you've made a good choice in deciding to make your own graphics. Once you're experient and the quality of your artistic work satisfies you, there will be nothing to stop you: you'll be able to produce content and implement it with programming straight away. Making your games will be that much faster.
Take note, however, that these software will give one plenty of
potential, but they won't make one into a great artist. What I mean by this is that to make good content with them, not only do you need to know how to work with the software but you also need to have artistic training.