One of the vocational courses that we’re known for here at KC, is our Games Design and Development qualifications. Some of our past Games students, include Hazel Brown, Charlie Thompson and Nathan Burton. This industry is expected to continue going from strength to strength, but a few insider tips are always handy!

KC were lucky enough to catch up with with Phil Bale – Operations Manager at Ubisoft Leamington to gain some insight into the skills you need, the challenges you’ll face and what it’s like to work for one of the world’s biggest video games companies.

Such great advice from a true industry veteran will give you some amazing pointers on making your dream a reality!

“…. but I was asked to introduce our studio “Future Session” which is an annual event with presentations, guest speakers and everyone from Ubisoft Leamington and Ubisoft Reflections attended. I got to introduce each speaker, throw in some jokes about the MD and be part of this big event which I felt proud to be trusted with that responsibility. The going on stage in front of hundreds of people was the easy bit – I knew them and they are all lovely people – the preparation done half an hour before hand was tense!”

….teachers, friends, experts online, industry professionals and if you want more from them try asking. Your lecturers actually know what they are talking about – I know, crazy!

I’d also recommend that you:-

• • Prepare yourself and consider what you want from your first / next job carefully, and do some research, ask people who do the job what it’s like (Build a profile on LinkedIn and reach out to the experts!)
  • Consider your show-reel or portfolio, don’t include everything you’ve ever done, keep the work you love and represents your current skill set. If you can include work examples in different art styles, can you do character work and vehicles or animate and do graphic design?
  • Update your portfolio or show-reel, have your C.V. proof-read, join LinkedIn and create an online account. Is your work on Artstation or Vimeo, somewhere easy to access or do you have your own website? Have someone check the links to it. Is it up-to-date?
  • Consider what makes you stand out – what’s your USP – what can you add to a team?
  • You will be working as part of a team, practice with group projects, don’t think because you are an amazing artist this is all we look for, we want team members, to work together, form working relationships and use each other’s strengths.
  • Find someone who will do a mock-interview with you to practice, someone who interviews as part of their job if possible or a friend or parent if not.
  • Research the company you apply to, show you’re interest and also ask them questions. That part of the interview when they say “Have you got any questions?” have some ready: will you have a mentor, will they help you develop your skills and how will you fit into the team? What on-boarding will you receive? If they just want a drone to make art for them then are the right company for you?
  • Be yourself at interview, be authentic and honest. Try to relax and treat it as a conversation – you are talking about two things you are the expert for in the whole world – you and your work.