Anastasia Zheleva – from student at ARC Academy to 2D artist at Gameloft Sofia
Anastasia Zheleva is 22 years old and will complete her studies at the Academy in 2021. She started her career in the game industry as a 2D Artist at Gameloft Sofia. From this year she is also a lecturer in the two-year programs at ARC Academy, where she will teach Character Concept Art. Find out more about her experience and the projects she has worked on:
Which program did you complete at ARC Academy and when?
I completed the Game Dev Advanced program.
What are you currently working for – in which company and in what position?
I currently work as a 2D Artist at Gameloft Sofia, where every day I am surrounded by industry professionals ready to help with any difficulty, which is invaluable in this industry.
What do your job duties involve?
As a 2D Artist working in a dedicated team, my tasks vary quite a bit. I have the opportunity to work on splash screens, illustrations, and concepts, and sometimes I also have to work on UI elements of the type of objects that you can own in a video game. The direct connection with the Art Director is essential and imperative for me because I want to be sure that the material I provide for the company is at a professional level, not only in my opinion but also about him.
What projects are you working on so far?
I am currently working on the Heroes of the Dark mobile game, which is now available on all platforms.
What was your favorite part of your time at ARC Academy?
My favorite part of my time at ARC Academy as a student was connecting with my peers and faculty. There, for the first time, I encountered so many people with the same views and goals in one place. Growing up in a small town, it’s not common for young people to take big risks with their futures. It is generally accepted to make safe decisions and not wonder where they will take you. So when I saw how many people took the same risk as me, I knew I had made the right choice and was in the right place to make my dreams come true, or at least start the process of making them come true.
How did studying at ARC Academy help you get started in the studio?
While studying at ARC, it was very clear to me that if I didn’t put in the hard work myself and show my motivation, nothing would happen. I am extremely grateful to the lecturers and colleagues who noticed my great desire to break into this industry and helped me improve not only as an artist but also as a professional. The feedback I received from them during my training was invaluable to me and still helps me. I hope now as a speaker, I can provide the same positive environment required to build motivated artists.
If you have an interest in concept art, creating splash screens and illustrations, apply to the ARC Academy programs.
