Can I vent for a moment? Be 100% real? I felt like giving up. I've been applying for jobs in the gaming industry for roughly two years now, and radio silence. Sometimes I would get a response, and other times not. I built a portfolio (now being reworked), a CV, and revamped my LinkedIn, and still nothing. I feel like I'm doing something wrong, but in reality, I'm probably not. I felt like going back to school was the only solution, but school costs a lot of money, and time I can't afford. Since I have no educational background for the industry (other then being self-taught), I know getting in is harder. It took about two years to get into the healthcare field, but healthcare isn't what I want. I want to share my stories with the world. I want to watch them come to life. I want to see people enjoying them. I start a new job at another hospital this week. It's not a job I want. I know what I want. It just feels so far away. Now, note: I said felt earlier. I am not the type to give in so lightly. I'll keep going, keep applying, and keep working until I get to where I want to be. I'm just tired, and needed to get these feels out.

I forgot to share these! Any car people in the house? Many moons ago, I was given some great advice on concept art and design, and that was “to keep your brain moving, and your skills sharp, practice designing things you hate drawing.” For me that was cars. I couldn’t stand to draw them, and I’ll admit, I was horrible at it. However, this practice has helped me shape my art style, and creative process over the years. I have also gotten better at drawing cars 😅 Anyway. I present to you a reimagined Mach 5 and two PT Cruisers.

Meet Jacob my blind protagonist in my other game project Phoenix Down.

Story time/rant: I got approached by an indie company for a narrative design position, and I accepted the role. Mind you, I present myself and my work in a very professional tone and manner. When the Lead Narrative Designer (I did the lead's job until the creator could find one) came on, they noticed my narrative bible and beat sheet (for the demo) looked too clean, too professional, and was formatted differently. Since it was too clean, to them, they assumed I used AI. I hate AI. I think it's lazy and just a cop out in our industry. Instead of talking to me about it, the creator and I spoke, and ultimately, I left the project. I wasn't going to be accused of spending HOURS on my work, making sure it looked like what you would find in an actual studio, and having to prove my innocence at every turn. I thanked the creator for the opportunity, and quietly dipped out. On LinkedIn, I handled it beautifully, provided proof that systems aren't reliable, and my innocence. My accuser made a post that made me cringe in Narrative Professional, by saying she'd rather work with sloppy work, because sloppy = human.... At the end of the day, I believe I did the right thing in leaving, and providing my side of the story in a professional, calm, level-headed way. Also, even AI can write absolute trash, and be sloppy. I'd rather work in a space built on trust, and I will continue to present my work in a well-structured and professional way.

So somehow, while coming up with a castle for my other game project Phoenix Down, I was talking with my best friend; and she got into a tangent about how I should do a Castle Grayskull type thing. I’m not going to do that as it wouldn’t fit the vibe of the King (who’s more egotistical than a dark edge lord), but I decided to go ahead and design my own Castle Grayskull anyway.