Success Story: Kate Price

Time to get back to our Success stories!

For this blog entry, I am happy to share with you a talk with Kate Price, currently working as a 3D Artist at Frontier.

What course did you study?

I did the MA Game Art at Escape. I actually started on the Game Art Short Course, but I was enjoying it so much I converted to the MA. I’m so glad I did!

What are you working on at the moment?

I’ve been working as a Graduate 3D Artist at Frontier since I finished at Escape, so sadly the specifics are all NDA. I’m currently part of the props team on an upcoming release though, so most of my time is spent making props and world building.

What work are you most proud of working on and was/is your most notable achievement?

I’m really proud of ‘Batman in London’, our group MA project. The group worked really hard on it and we’ve had some amazing feedback from people in the games industry. It was a standout piece in my interview with Frontier! I think I’m most proud of how we responded to the industry feedback we received halfway through the project, and managed to give a real game-like feel to the scene.

I’m also really proud of my final project because of the stark contrast between my work when I started the course and what I managed to achieve by the end. I decided that I wanted to try and fill some gaps in my knowledge, and I think the time spent working on things I was less comfortable with paid off and increased my range of skills. Really valuable if you want to be able to apply for a range of jobs!

If you had to sum up your time at Escape Studios in one word, what would it be and why?

Invaluable.

I can honestly say I wouldn’t have achieved what I have without the guidance and knowledge of the tutors at Escape, and the structure of the course. I’d started studying some 3D art on my own but taking the course at Escape was a total game changer. I went from knowing basically nothing, to having a job within a year.

What lessons have you learnt during your time studying and your time working in Games?

Be adaptable. You’ll get feedback, whether you’re studying or working, that needs you to change the way you’re approaching something. During our group project we got feedback that changed our direction and made all the difference, and in my job I’ve adjusted my props to suit tools that the tech artists have made. Everything is collaborative and you’ll have to adapt to the project.

Also, don’t wait until you think something is finished to get feedback on it and try your best to meet deadlines. Feedback is most valuable while you’re still working on a piece and the deadlines in the industry are a shock to the system. So learn to work hard and do the best you can in the time you’ve got!

What is your advice for those considering entering the industry?

Work hard, don’t be afraid to show your work, and don’t take things personally. You’ll get feedback on your work from loads of people. It’s the most useful thing so don’t take it as a negative criticism. Also don’t give up, I started applying for jobs during the MA and got quite a few rejections! You’re just looking for a job that matches your skills. Keep building those skills and the job will happen.

And finally, go to Escape!

What’s your favourite game and why?

I’m going to go with Zelda: Ocarina of Time. It really captivated me as a kid and drove my love for games. Although the art is massively dated (oh hi polygons) I’ve been playing it again recently and I think it still holds up as a wonderful game. It’s always going to have a special place in my heart!