Environment Artist Filippo Ferratini from Milestone

This week we have Filippo Ferratini, a Environment Artist from Milestone , who gave us an interview about his work.

Who or what inspired you to get into 3D art?

My journey into the world of 3D began while I was studying “Design and Visual Communication” at university of Turin. I have always had a passion for video games and when I discovered that there were courses for learning how to make them I enrolled in the Event Horizon School. My first teacher was Michele Bertolini, who confirmed my desire to become a video game developer.

What are you working on at the moment?

At the moment I’m working on racing games, I can’t say more.

What are the best and worst parts of your job?

A 3D artist does a very creative work, with a lot of satisfaction, especially if the finished product is appreciated by other people. On the other hand, there can be extremely stressful moments in the production of a video game, especially if there are tight deadlines to meet.

What does your typical workflow look like and what tools and software do you prefer?

The typical workflow always starts with a disproportionate collection of references. Then a 2D sketch of what I need to do or at least creation of a blockout scene in Unreal (the engine I used most). After that I start modeling the assets I need on 3ds Max, I often use Megascans assets as a starting point. To texturize I use Substance Painter. The guides on the internet are also very useful resources, when you don’t know how to do one thing you just have to search for it on Google and discover a thousand different ways to do it.

What key piece of advice would you offer to a 3D artist aspiring to work in the games industry?

For those who want to get closer to the world of video games I recommend just trying it. There are many companies looking for young people. Knowledge comes with experience. I’m still learning new things from my colleagues, already in the industry long before me.

What’s your favourite game and why?

The game I have the most hours on Steam is Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, but I really like RPG Adventure like The Witcher, and Assassin’s Creed series (especially Origins). I really enjoy wandering through these incredible worlds and discovering their thousand secrets.

Finally, what do you like to do in your spare time (if you have any)?

I dedicate my free time to my family and to some sports that I enjoy, such as climbing in the gym and when I’m inspired, I spend my nights making my own 3D projects.