{"id":1161064,"date":"2026-02-10T13:21:11","date_gmt":"2026-02-10T13:21:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.polygon.com\/?p=546844"},"modified":"2026-02-10T13:21:11","modified_gmt":"2026-02-10T13:21:11","slug":"the-journey-and-sky-art-books-each-hold-a-secret","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/arcader.org\/news\/the-journey-and-sky-art-books-each-hold-a-secret\/","title":{"rendered":"The Journey and Sky art books each hold a secret"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Most video game art books follow a certain template: Load up on concept art, show how the game evolved during production, add some commentary to connect the dots. Some lean more heavily on a studio\u2019s history and others focus on technique, but it\u2019s a proven formula that, in the best cases, has produced books that are themselves works of art.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve been especially impressed by Thatgamecompany\u2019s books over the years, though, because of what they\u2019ve added to that template. Starting with The Art of Journey<\/em> in 2012 and following with The Art of Sky<\/em><\/a> in 2024, the studio has checked all the boxes you\u2019d expect from an art book, then layered on custom interactive extras.<\/p>\n

In The Art of Journey<\/em>, that meant releasing an augmented reality companion app that let you see character models pop out of the book, and in The Art of Sky<\/em>, it meant letting players scan a star to unlock a replica of the book in the game (which they could then use to learn about the game\u2019s development from within the game itself). Both set a new bar by including digital bonus features as part of the art book experience. <\/p>\n

As part of an effort to spotlight game-related books and documentaries, Polygon is running an email interview series with the people behind them. Check out the full list<\/a> to read up on a Mega Man<\/em> book, a Housemarque documentary, and others. Below, The Art of Sky<\/em> book project director Cecil Kim and STAR feature designer Julian Jimsa discuss the history behind Thatgamecompany\u2019s books and how the STAR feature came about.<\/p>\n

Polygon: Back at Sony, you worked on some books with a group called Bluecanvas. Can you give a little history on what Bluecanvas was (is?) and what your involvement was in it?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Cecil Kim:<\/strong> While working at Sony, I met Justin Yun, the founder of Bluecanvas, an art magazine and online community platform similar to ArtStation but with a stronger focus on traditional art. I eventually joined the company as a partner and chief creative officer, helping spin off a game studio that became Section Studios. Thanks to my relationship with Sony, we were able to work on Art of Journey<\/em> in 2012. We also published several game art books, including Art of Order 1886<\/em>, Art of God of War Ascension<\/em>, and Art of Homeworld<\/em>. When we first discussed creating an art book for Sky<\/em>, it felt almost like d\u00e9j\u00e0 vu, as both games were developed by Thatgamecompany! I also had [the privilege of] working closely with both Matt Nava [and] Jenova Chen on Art of Journey<\/em>.<\/p>\n

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