The National Arts Club's Conversation with Lucasfilm Designer Brian Matyas

Earlier today, Brian Matyas — Senior Character and Costume Concept Designer at Lucasfilm — was the featured guest in a free seminar hosted by The National Arts Club.

The full talk will be up soon on their YouTube channel. [UPDATE: It’s now live.]

Here were some of the highlights, which touched on early pre-production for Din Djarin, how Boba Fett was a major inspiration, some of Brian’s unique contributions to “The Mandalorian” series, and his advice for artists starting out.

.@OldNewsCS has started the webinar. Great introduction about @NatnlArtsClub (https://t.co/KN6lLLigJw), which has over 150 free programs open to the public. This talk will be up tomorrow.

— Boba Fett Fan Club (@bobafettfanclub) March 30, 2021

.@brianmatyasart is up now, expressing his enthusiasm to be part of a great crew. Fun fact: he's got a #BobaFett figure on display behind him, as well as a Grogu and a Din and a Heavy Infantry Mando. pic.twitter.com/mv6DWtbglP

— Boba Fett Fan Club (@bobafettfanclub) March 30, 2021

Brian is sharing some of his portfolio pieces like these. He primarily works right in Photoshop with a Wacom tablet, avoiding reliance on other digital and CG tools. pic.twitter.com/raEWmvRTt0

— Boba Fett Fan Club (@bobafettfanclub) March 30, 2021

Brian got his start as a production assistant, working his way up. He admired the work of prequel artists like Doug Chiang. He's also speaking about "creating something new every day." pic.twitter.com/UmO3VKm0Gt

— Boba Fett Fan Club (@bobafettfanclub) March 30, 2021

"1/3 of the time and 1/3 of the budget" to do #TheMandalorian, says @brianmatyasart.

"8 months to generate a season's worth of content." pic.twitter.com/G6Zw2wzsrA

— Boba Fett Fan Club (@bobafettfanclub) March 30, 2021

Brian will read the material, digests it all. Sometimes "it doesn't seem like it'll be in #StarWars but I gotta make it work. … It makes it rewarding – if you pull your hair out a little to get there. … You gotta trust your own design decisions."

— Boba Fett Fan Club (@bobafettfanclub) March 30, 2021

For those asking about the Fett figure behind him, it's the Hot Toys 1/4 scale #BobaFett from 2015: https://t.co/Ekg7fOVgkW ?

— Boba Fett Fan Club (@bobafettfanclub) March 30, 2021

Brian shared his insight and imagery on the evolution of Din Djarin:

Brian is discussing how his initial concept work for #DinDjarin, where the look was developed before @PedroPascal1 was cast. Here's one of those early pieces shown around in pre-pro. pic.twitter.com/4XnCUbZdsk

— Boba Fett Fan Club (@bobafettfanclub) March 30, 2021

We've shared this one before: this was the pitch piece to Bob Iger, showing #BobaFett (a placeholder for the character of #DinDjarin) holding up Baby Yoda to a group of Mandalorians. This work got the green light from Disney to continue pre-pro for the show. pic.twitter.com/2BOtA5TUIV

— Boba Fett Fan Club (@bobafettfanclub) March 30, 2021

Brian worked with just a few notes and sketches from Filoni. Also: "Boba Fett's iconic look in 'Empire' set a trajectory for an entire culture/planet of these warriors with similar armor. He needed to be unique, give the vibe/essence." – @brianmatyasart

— Boba Fett Fan Club (@bobafettfanclub) March 30, 2021

"They wanted a Western, 'Man with No Name' vibe for the whole season," notes Brian, explaining how they wanted to take the best bits of Boba to make #TheMandalorian.

— Boba Fett Fan Club (@bobafettfanclub) March 30, 2021

Brian knew "they wanted a bounty hunter. He needed armor that was crude, rudimentary, maybe ancient." They knew he would visit a cold environment. Brian looked into Nordic and Viking culture. One of several concepts in a day, with intentional unpainted armor. pic.twitter.com/JTlUJ9LQIb

— Boba Fett Fan Club (@bobafettfanclub) March 30, 2021

Initially #DinDjarin was "green" and new to bounty hunting. Brian knew the armor would be replaced, intentionally lacking some "cool" factor. He's referencing Joseph Campbell's "The Hero's Journey" in retelling the origin story. pic.twitter.com/7z8M5E35QT

— Boba Fett Fan Club (@bobafettfanclub) March 30, 2021

Here's a "flight suit idea, pulling back from the ancient/cultural example and being more utilitarian," @brianmatyasart notes on the webinar. "Minimalist for sure with this particular one, but same idea of collecting armor … more unique and awesome in the show." pic.twitter.com/gGmpiw1dm8

— Boba Fett Fan Club (@bobafettfanclub) March 30, 2021

Here's a profile view of @brianmatyasart's early work for #DinDjarin. He used reference material from WW2 in regards to layering rations and ammunition. "If he can get that feeling of being used and worn and he's had this outfit for a long period of time … that's Star Wars." pic.twitter.com/yVw2foCsMR

— Boba Fett Fan Club (@bobafettfanclub) March 30, 2021

Another pre-pro piece by @brianmatyasart, exploring a more iconic look. In his research, he found little definition for Beskar, that it wouldn't always be a certain metal look. pic.twitter.com/GnrMQuBA4D

— Boba Fett Fan Club (@bobafettfanclub) March 30, 2021

Great questions from the moderator, @OldNewsCS, to Brian Matyas in this @NatnlArtsClub talk. "Thinking beneath the cool factor, and inventing culture from culture is really fun," says @brianmatyasart.

— Boba Fett Fan Club (@bobafettfanclub) March 30, 2021

Brian cites the late concept artist Ralph McQuarrie and the designer-turned-filmmaker Joe Johnston as a reference here, to have that 70s Star Wars look with this #DinDjarin piece. pic.twitter.com/NyO6ZaYjXr

— Boba Fett Fan Club (@bobafettfanclub) March 30, 2021

Another early #DinDjarin piece by @brianmatyasart shown during the webinar going on right now, 40 minutes deep. pic.twitter.com/u6v7O7HVbY

— Boba Fett Fan Club (@bobafettfanclub) March 30, 2021

Great shout-out to @PhilSzostak during the Brian Matyas talk. More about his book: https://t.co/WmD3ljfwaN ?

— Boba Fett Fan Club (@bobafettfanclub) March 30, 2021

Back to the prior piece, @brianmatyasart shares that they intentionally tried to make Din's palette as close to Boba Fett before it "breaks."

Now they're talking about the Holiday Special and how they could give a nod to this with the helmet and rifle from the very beginning. pic.twitter.com/XNJmGsZscZ

— Boba Fett Fan Club (@bobafettfanclub) March 30, 2021

This development of #DinDjarin "refined the conversation of his clothing and armor and palette," notes @brianmatyasart during his @NatnlArtsClub webinar. The right one is "the compliment of Boba Fett on the color wheel." pic.twitter.com/t6jWb15LPP

— Boba Fett Fan Club (@bobafettfanclub) March 30, 2021

"I really like the paint chip look of Boba Fett … he personalized it. When it came to this particular look for Din Djarin, I think it works. Far enough away from Boba Fett, but still feels like … it could exist on the same planet." – @brianmatyasart

This was the final look. pic.twitter.com/oZfMAi67A4

— Boba Fett Fan Club (@bobafettfanclub) March 30, 2021

Brian Matyas says he did 20-30 explorations of the belt/hip/crotch area for #DinDjarin before it went into production with #TheMandalorian costume shop Legacy Effects.

— Boba Fett Fan Club (@bobafettfanclub) March 30, 2021

.@brianmatyasart designed many pieces of Din (e.g. gauntlets) and then fabricated by other departments. "The first time I saw him realized and in the lens of the camera was the initial image released of him before the trailer. That was the first time seeing him. It was weird."

— Boba Fett Fan Club (@bobafettfanclub) March 30, 2021

Regarding seeing his work through the production process, Brian is based in the San Francisco Bay Area and the production is mostly based in Los Angeles. "A lot of the problem solving … Doug Chiang would solve those" while Brian was on another job.

— Boba Fett Fan Club (@bobafettfanclub) March 30, 2021

"The full break down page" for #DinDjarin by @brianmatyasart, who does this to share all of his notes in an isolated way for others. pic.twitter.com/SdRbqVKmmu

— Boba Fett Fan Club (@bobafettfanclub) March 30, 2021

"They slimmed down the scope for production," noted @brianmatyasart alongside his concept art here for Din's weapon. pic.twitter.com/G3THLa56Vy

— Boba Fett Fan Club (@bobafettfanclub) March 30, 2021

It was briefly considered to show Din Djarin really beat up, notes @brianmatyasart regarding his concept art here. pic.twitter.com/ynTqqzG4QA

— Boba Fett Fan Club (@bobafettfanclub) March 30, 2021

More of an art deco influence, steering away from Boba Fett's iconic jetpack, shown here for Din in art by @brianmatyasart. pic.twitter.com/p6i7reB3Fg

— Boba Fett Fan Club (@bobafettfanclub) March 30, 2021

For this, "The Rocketeer" (1991) was a reference, Brian notes. pic.twitter.com/mFqaxYjuvB

— Boba Fett Fan Club (@bobafettfanclub) March 30, 2021

Some guests on the webinar think "The Art of Star Wars: The Mandalorian" is sold out everywhere, but in fact it's in stock and 25% off on Amazon: https://t.co/A2m1kZmBfY ?

— Boba Fett Fan Club (@bobafettfanclub) March 30, 2021

A recording of today's @NatnlArtsClub @ Home program will be available as early as tomorrow on their YouTube channel: https://t.co/naHXonH6aY ??

— Boba Fett Fan Club (@bobafettfanclub) March 30, 2021

For more art by @brianmatyasart, check out his website: https://t.co/KTNqs0Hl3I ?

— Boba Fett Fan Club (@bobafettfanclub) March 30, 2021

Brian also shared his advice for those starting out in the field:

"Learn anatomy, color theory, and design. Always refer to them. Go back to simple shape language all the time, from the principles of designs." – @brianmatyasart

— Boba Fett Fan Club (@bobafettfanclub) March 30, 2021

"Before doing the cool stuff. Start with the boring stuff. Try to find story that isn't as interesting. If you can make the mundane interesting, or find a twist on it, or a story in it … train your brain to think a little deeper." – @brianmatyasart

— Boba Fett Fan Club (@bobafettfanclub) March 30, 2021

"Research. Look at history. Refer to human history and nature for your designs. … Train your brain to look somewhere different. You also just have to love it. It's going to be frustrating and demanding. You have to enjoy the process of being frustrated." – @brianmatyasart

— Boba Fett Fan Club (@bobafettfanclub) March 30, 2021

The event concluded after about an hour and forty minutes:

That's a wrap! Great talk with @brianmatyasart, hosted by @OldNewsCS and @NatnlArtsClub.

Hope you enjoyed our live-tweeting. Be sure to check out the full video ~ tomorrow evening at https://t.co/2KBd56kEx7 ??

— Boba Fett Fan Club (@bobafettfanclub) March 30, 2021

To support events like these, you can donate to The National Arts Club.