Switching stories: experience of Kevuru Games specialists. Part 1.

Recently, the trend of switching is becoming more and more popular. Switchers are people who, having knowledge and experience in one field, make a decision to change their profession to a radically different one.

Kevuru Games has a lot of switchers, and the story of each specialist is an example of courage, perseverance and insistence. It's also proof that it's never too late to start over, and everything is possible when you really want it. We have prepared a series of materials to inspire future switchers and those who are struggling with their fears. In the first part of the series, a bodyguard, a juggler and an event manager tell how they got into game dev and what helped them to change their profession.

"I was left face to face with the new world. It was scary, but very interesting"

I am a 3D Character Artist at Kevuru Games. Before I got into the 3D world, I came a long way in the other direction.? I loved to draw from an early age, and my mother did everything for me to become an artist. In high school I became interested in writing icons. It was very exciting, but difficult. There wasn't enough information for studying, so I had to collect it piece by piece.

In the 90s, I finished my service in the army. At that time, everyone was busy surviving and I thought that art wasn't the right time – it wouldn't be able to feed me. Relying on the skills acquired in the army, I went to work in security. I was a personal bodyguard for famous politicians, bankers and businessmen. Then I got a job in the police, which was engaged in the fight against terrorism on the Southern Railway.?

Art was left aside as a hobby. But later my wife brought me back to life. After long conversations and persuasion, I returned to painting – without much enthusiasm, because I thought that no one needed it. But when I showed my works to tattoo artists, they seriously appreciated them and offered cooperation. Since then I started drawing sketches for tattoos.

"I saved people during the day and studied at night"

A few years later, my wife persuaded me to do tattoos myself. During this period, I became interested in 3D as a tool that can help in working on sketches. However, it wasn't as easy as I thought. There were no people around who could give advice or the necessary information. I was left face to face with the new world. It was scary, but very interesting.?

In those distant Soviet times, we did not even imagine that such happiness as the Internet would appear in the future. I spent a lot of time in libraries studying iconography literature. Then, when I mastered 3D, I plunged into the Internet. My innate ability to self-learn helped me.

During the day I worked at my rescue job and at night I devoted my time to studying. Sometimes it seemed that my strength was leaving me. But the more I learned and the better my work became, the more new strength I gained.

I remember the first time I presented my work publicly. I was very afraid of how people would react to an absolute profane in the 3D world. But, as they say, the eyes are big in fear. Everything went well.

"The team told me something that you will never find on the Internet. It's priceless"

I was still a novice when a film director became interested in my work and invited me to participate in his project. I made a 3D interior, it was my first work experience. After that, I became even more interested, but I wasn't mentally ready to leave my job for 3D. Although I understood that it was the main obstacle to my development, because it took a lot of time and effort.?

Subsequently, I participated in a number of short-term projects that did not offer the prospect of working as a 3D artist on a permanent basis. But in the end, I realized that I wanted to do only my favorite thing.?

At first, it was unusual for me psychologically. But I was supported by communication with colleagues who always came to the rescue, helped with advice and feedback. In addition, the team told me things that you can never find on the Internet. This is priceless.

Why game dev? I think stars aligned. I always liked to draw people. And it's even more interesting to portray them in the most unattractive form, such as monsters, zombies, etc. It gives a reason to show imagination in everything: from external forms to texture.

I studied 3D art on my own on the Internet. I watched YouTube and training films by different masters. But the most valuable experience I gained in the company, communicating with real people who are real professionals in their field.

"Don't lose the desire to succeed. And, believe me, you will be surprised"

Did the experience of the past work help me in the present? Yes, character, the ability to work on oneself and one's mistakes, and the right attitude to criticism came in handy first of all.

Since joining Kevuru, I have gained a lot of experience. I work in the company as a 3D Character Artist and I love what I do. Projects for well-known publishers and complex tasks not only motivate and inspire, but also greatly expand your own expertise.

To everyone who starts or has started doing 3D, I wish for patience, inspiration for self-learning, the ability to work on mistakes and admit them, and listen to advice. Even if you still don't succeed, don't lose your desire to succeed. And believe me, you will be surprised.

"When I started diving into a new field, I felt the same thrill I felt when I learned my first juggling tricks"

I had a bright and maybe a bit chaotic life before I became a game developer. My father was a programmer. As a kid, I was fascinated by computers: playing games, learning the basics of programming. When I was about 10 years old, I created some simple text games. Of course, I wanted to be a programmer or someone who works with computers. I went to study at an IT school, but eventually changed my mind and became a sound engineer.

After studying, I became interested in fire shows – fire juggling. I devoted more time to this than to my professional specialty. In this way, I became a professional fire juggler and did it for almost 20 years.

At the same time, I didn't stop playing games, and also learned various graphic programs, such as Photoshop. In 2007, a friend asked me if I would like to join their game project to create textures. Of course, I said yes and started my journey into the world of game development.

"Literally in a few days I had no shows"

A few years ago I started to feel tired of fire shows. So I decided to gradually switch to game development. I thought I would spend a couple of years studying and eventually find a job in the gaming industry. Let's say, around 2024-25 – at least that was the plan.

What exactly prompted me to change my profession? One word that changed the lives of many people and the world as we knew it was covid. Since my main job was closely related to communication, festivals and events, the pandemic affected me directly. Literally, in a few days, I ran out of concerts and no one could predict what would happen next.

Fortunately, I had some savings. I thought I would invest them in something I couldn't lose – knowledge. In 2020, studying became my full-time job. I started creating a portfolio, and by the beginning of 2021, I was already spreading my resume everywhere.

Given the circumstances, the transition to a new profession was difficult. Finding a job in the industry without real experience is not easy. Some employers ignored my resume, others replied that my experience was not enough.

Then I had several interviews, but I was unsuccessful. But it was also part of the learning process. For example, one of the interviewers advised me to learn shader programming, for which I am grateful. Each interview was a new challenge and experience.

I acquired almost all my knowledge on the Internet. You can find everything there. I searched for articles, watched a lot of videos, read a lot of tutorials and technical documentation. Joined various forums and Discord servers, asked questions, and learned in this way.

When I started writing scripts and coding shaders, my childhood programming experience helped me. I was able to easily grasp modern programming methods.

I also participated in several indie game development projects, where I also learned a lot.

"Past experience can be very useful in everyday work, even if, at first glance, it's not related to 3D at all"

The experience of previous professions helps me a lot now. I worked as a fire show artist for almost 20 years. We staged performances, worked together with strangers, and created cool things. I acquired an artistic taste, learned to be critical of my work, as well as to work in a team and accept situations when my idea is not the best. It became natural for me to be part of a team.

At the same time, I had technical experience in sound engineering and programming. Also, apart from performing, I had (and still have) a well-equipped workshop where I made various show props and juggling equipment. I learned CAD, hand machining, welding and more. This provided an understanding of how different materials and physics work in the real world.

Surprisingly, past experience can be very useful in everyday work, even if, at first glance, it is completely unrelated to 3D. I'm still in the beginning stages of this new period of my life. But I continue to study hard to achieve as much as possible.

I read a few years ago that it's good to change careers every 10 years or so. It is good to get out of your comfort zone and look for something new, otherwise you can face burnout that will make your life worse. It is better not to allow this.

In 2020, as I began to delve into a new realm, I felt the same buzz I felt when I learned my first juggling tricks. I missed this for ages! So don't be afraid of change – it's worth it.

"I was always tempted by the thought of working creatively, but it was forbidden fruit"

I wore many hats. I was studying to be a political scientist in the provincial town of Kamianets-Podilskyi, and my plans for the future sounded something like this – I needed to earn a living. In Kyiv, I was a promoter, a seller of children's toys, and an event/pr/btl manager. After the Maidan, I worked for about 4 years in public organizations, I was even the director of the music festival "From Country to Ukraine", which traveled around the cities of Donbas. At that time, I wanted to do something for the country and people.

"I felt that I had done a lot of what I wanted for people, and now it's time for myself"

There were several reasons why I made up my mind to change my profession. I changed and realized that nothing is impossible. When you live in a small town, it seems that there aren't many opportunities and routine closes your eyes every day. You don't follow what is around you, and the world is changing and everywhere is full of opportunities. I decided that I would never return to advertising and event agencies, and work in public organizations took my last strength. I felt that I had done a lot of what I wanted for people, and now, the time for myself has not just come – I had to take it back to myself.

Why 3D Artist? It was almost accidental. I was always tempted by the thought of working creatively, but it was forbidden fruit. I grew up where the profession of an artist was perceived as poverty and drawing caricatures on the streets.

I have a friend who does 3D as a hobby, because due to health and financial difficulties, he never thought of quitting his full-time job and looking for a living in 3D. According to his perfectionist beliefs, he is not good enough for this job (although, now I still know much less than him in Autodesk Maya).?

And I was thinking – what do I want? I almost went to study graphic design because I had experience in advertising... But instead, I argued with my friend and said "It's not as difficult as it seems. I would really like to work in the gaming industry. And what's more, I will try it and I will definitely do it". And I did it. I believe he will also dare to do it someday, and I will help him.?

"Games have become a part of my life"

At first it was not easy for me. Because just imagine, there was a time when I thought that only programmers could create 3D graphics. I had no idea how my friend created those beautiful renders of cars and tanks. Moreover, there was another, no less important point – I didn't have the capital to buy myself a more or less decent computer to create a portfolio. And my laptop helplessly froze when I opened the UV Editor in Maya. However, I bet that I could do it. So, I studied and worked.?

All my friends loved computer games... But not like me. For me, it was real magic and passion.

My first PC was 286, and there were games about a cat, Formula 1, and other 4-color games with terrible PS Speaker sound. Since then it has become a part of my life. The games were both an addition to the books and an addition to the school English curriculum. So, when the question arose – do I want to go to a game dev sometime? – Here are the courses.?

Me – shut up and take my money!?

It would definitely be more difficult for me with other IT. I would not be able to work wholeheartedly just for the sake of money and career. I need to love what I do.

"I grew from junior to middle pretty quickly"

I acquired knowledge for my profession at specialized courses. Then self-education, YouTube, paid tutorials, etc.

Some knowledge and skills from my previous profession were really useful to me. In particular, it's communication, a sense of responsibility for the product, the ability to easily approach the leader as a partner, not a scary boss, and the ability to think along the lines of what the client really wants to get. And also support the project and understand the customer. In PR and public organizations, I developed a lot of soft skills and had a lot of cool training for free. Once we were lectured by the project manager, the top person who led the organization of Euro 2012. This experience is invaluable everywhere.

I grew from junior to middle pretty quickly, and in some of my functions and tasks I sometimes even act as a leader or mentor. I have a little son in my life, so that has added a little bit of hassle, in addition to all other life circumstances. Which is why I may have slowed down a bit now. But this is temporary.

I don't exclude that the search will continue... It would be interesting to try myself as an art director of a project or product owner, why not.

Advice for new switchers

Do your job systematically and regularly. New skills, new foreign languages need daily practice. If you want to make characters – sculpt, draw anatomy sketches several times a week and never say to yourself – I'll skip this time. Learn new words from a foreign language every week, don't miss training, and polish your knowledge. It's not hard to become a master, it's hard to remain one.

A computer suitable for a portfolio will cost half as much as you think. At first I thought I would need a very powerful computer to make a decent portfolio. But over time, I realized that even my rather modest model fully satisfied all portfolio needs. A cool computer doesn't mean a cool portfolio.

Do something simple first, then something a little more complicated. Don't take on difficult and large tasks at the beginning, always increase the complexity and volume gradually. The most common trap that any artist falls into is an attempt to write a novel, paint a monumental canvas, etc. As soon as you understand the basics, you will be tempted to create something grandiose for your portfolio, for example, a scene with a bunch of props. Of course, you can manage it, but it will exhaust you, because you haven't learned to work fast yet. And worst of all, you may get bored with your own concept, which you worked on with such enthusiasm. You have made a few boxes and barrels – do not rush to implement the space station. The smoother you raise the bar and the more regularly you bring your ideas to the end, the sooner your dream station will decorate your portfolio.

Rest and sleep, work on schedule, it's productive. I recommend to everyone the book by the Ukrainian scientist O. Maslova – "When will I finally sleep". You will learn a lot of useful and scientific things about sleep, and why sleep is no less important than polishing your sculpture in Zbrush. Burnout and other professional problems are growing from issues related to sleep and rest. The latter not only energizes us, other parts of the brain work during rest, so we develop more comprehensively. If your reward and pleasure center does not receive diverse experiences, it degrades. Therefore, vacations are a must have. Don't work hard – work efficiently. But I sometimes succumb to this, because show me an artist who sleeps normally.