Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Laura Darja Wolf. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Laura Darja, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

I’m a student, and there’s still a lot I need to learn in the field of 3D Art. Before I decided on my specialty, I explored different areas of 3D Art. At first, learning about Game Art was a bit tough because I didn’t know much about it. But as I worked on more projects, I became better at it. In 3D Art, you have to do a lot of hands-on work. You need to work on different projects to get good at it. This helps you get used to the tools and teaches you how to solve problems. No matter how big or small the project is, you also need to learn specific skills and software as well as you will have to do research and look at references to learn from them.
Even when doing stylized 3D Art, it’s important to know real-world basics. For example, when you’re giving your own style to a tree, you should investigate how real trees actually grow. This helps you make your stylized tree look believable. Likewise, if you’re making characters, you need to understand real human anatomy to make them look convincing. Also, if you want to copy a certain style, you should research and look closely at that style, like from a video game, for example.

Looking at it now, I should have done a lot more research bevor starting my first projects, that would have helped me speeding up the learning process.

In the world of 3D Art, you’ll always be learning new things because technology keeps changing, and the software and methods we use keep getting better.

Laura Darja, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Hello, I’m Laura, 21 years old, and I live in Vienna. I’ve always had a passion for pursuing a creative career, and after some exploration, I stumbled upon the field of game art. My journey began when I discovered SAE at a trade fair in Vienna. I enrolled in their Game Art and 3D Animation program, where I studied for one and a half years. In April 2023, I started the Environment Art Track at Vertex School, where I’m currently a student. Initially, I aspired to create characters through drawing and design. So, I also have experience in creating 3D characters. During my studies, I discovered that I’m more intrigued by environments. This is why I’ve now decided to specialize in stylized environment art.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The best thing about being an artist, in my opinion, is when I can look at a finished artwork and feel happy about what I’ve created. What I really enjoy about being a 3D artist is that each artwork has its own story. You start with an idea, plan the project, and sometimes things don’t go as expected. You might have to solve problems in a different way or take a break and come back with a fresh perspective. Sometimes you have a clear picture of what you want to create, and other times, you’re exploring without a set plan. It’s the journey of creating each artwork that makes it special for me.
Looking at the completed artwork and reflecting on where I began and how I brought this project to life – that’s what I find most rewarding. ^^

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

Perhaps it’s the dedication and commitment that artists invest in their projects. I’ve heard some people question why we put in all this effort when the audience might only glance at our work for a minute, or in the case of game assets and environments, when players might rush through without fully appreciating the details. For me, the answer is quite simple: Passion. If you don’t have a genuine love for Game Art, you’ll encounter significant challenges in your projects. Many of these projects are time-consuming and demand a lot of effort. You need to thoroughly plan each one, acquire the necessary skills to achieve your desired results, become experienced in various software tools and ultimately ensure that everything looks great. All of this, even though players may only glance at it for a minute before continuing with the game. Many people advised me that to become a game artist, I needed a deep passion for it. Now I can wholeheartedly confirm that it’s true.
Some may wonder why I’d take the risk of pursuing a career with fewer job opportunities than more conventional fields, especially in Austria, where the game industry is relatively small. However, I can now say that I’m glad I took that risk because I’ve discovered the one thing I’m genuinely passionate about. I believe this passion will lead me to a rewarding career as a 3D artist in the gaming industry.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itz_a_lauraa/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-darja-wolf-032aba289/
• Artstation: https://www.artstation.com/lauradarjawolf5