We recently connected with Skye Yin and have shared our conversation below.

Skye, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

Since I was young, drawing has been a relaxing escape for me during my school days. But back then, I never really considered art as a viable career. It wasn’t until college when I started playing video games more frequently and became incredibly passionate about them. I remember one day I was watching a streamer talking about his experiences working in a game company, and suddenly it hit me that I could turn my love for games into a profession.

I landed my first gig as an intern at a game company, which gave me a firsthand glimpse into the industry. It was during this time that I met my mentor, who completely transformed my journey as a game developer. Initially uncertain about the various aspects of game development and what specifically interested me, my mentor introduced me to the world of technical art, showing its boundless possibilities. Since then, I’ve wholeheartedly dedicated myself to the realm of technical art.

Skye, 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?

I’m a Graphic Technical Artist at Blizzard Entertainment currently working on Diablo IV. Technically, I worked as a bridge between artist and enginner, and help artist to implement their creative idea into visual effect in game. I decided to dedicated myself into game industry in 2018, when I was in 2nd year of college and started to play video game(I know it’s very late). I graduated with my fine art master degree in Computer Art in May of 2022, and then join Blizzard working on Diablo 4 pusring my love for game full time with a bunch of colleges share same passion ever since.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

I used to major in mechanical engineering during my college, I always felt overwhelmed and defeated. However, my transition to working as an artist, particularly when given the opportunity to immerse myself in creating a game I am passionate about, has been incredibly fulfilling. The most rewarding part is seeing my art come to life in the game and watching lots of players connect with the feelings I wanted to show.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

As an artist working in the game industry, several aspects, if I had been aware of them earlier, would have helped me navigate the challenges I faced in the early stages of my career.

Primarily, establishing connections with professionals in the industry would have been a game-changer, potentially saving me from unnecessary detours. One effective way to foster these connections is by actively engaging with online communities such as art forums and organizations. Additionally, tapping into the numerous Discord servers run by fellow artists can significantly expand one’s network and facilitate meaningful exchanges with like-minded individuals.

Another resource that could have facilitated early career progression is participating in or keeping a close eye on relevant industry conferences. In the game industry, events like the GDC Conference and Siggraph, which delve into the latest progress in gaming development, would undoubtedly have provided people with valuable insights and a broader understanding of the current trends and advancements in the game industry.

Overall, these resources can help artists who want to jump into the game industry build a solid understanding of how things work here. Recognizing these aspects early on would have definitely made the initial challenges a lot easier. Furthermore, one thing I want to mention is that I think it’s important to maintain mental well-being and avoid overexertion, ensuring a sustained passion for the creative journey in the long run.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://syin39.wixsite.com/my-site-1
• Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/skye-shuqi-yin-1536a4192

Image Credits
(Two Diable4 image) © 2023 Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. All rights reserved.