Beata Smalgren, Lecturer in the Distance Learning Program at ARC Academy – about her Passion for Animation
Beata Smalgren is a Senior Animator at Varsav Game Studios and a Lecturer in the Distance Learning Program at ARC Academy. The most recent project she has worked on is the game Barkour, coming out in 2025. She got into animation as a joke, but quickly fell in love and made it her career. Find out more about her journey in the creative industry in this interview.
Why did you choose to do animation professionally?
I’ve always been an artist, but when it comes to animation, it’s a funny story. One day when I was about 12 years old, I saw an ad on the Internet that said something like, “Do you love to draw? Would you like to bring your art to life? This career is for you!” That’s how everything started. I fell in love with the idea that in animation anything is possible. You can create anything you want – even breathe life into a 3D cube and animate it.
Of course, I could pursue animation outside of the professional field, but I can’t imagine spending my working week doing anything other than what I love to do. Moreover, I value the opportunity to work in a studio with talented artists – together we can create something far greater than I could have achieved on my own. And let’s not forget – it’s a lot of fun too!
Which projects you have worked on so far you are most proud of, and why?
The Barkour project is one of the most significant for me. It was the first time I had the opportunity to work in a larger game studio on an AA game, and it was an exciting experience. I can’t wait for the game to come out, and the fact that I get to see my name in the credits is really satisfying. I was the first animator hired by Varsav Game Studio for this project, and I had the honor of creating the core animations for the main character, as well as some other character animations.
I am also proud of the short animation Kupala Night (Summer Solstice). This was my first professional job in a film studio and production environment. I was finishing my bachelor’s degree at the time and had doubts about whether animation was the right path for me. Working at AAU StudioX completely changed that, and I learned a tremendous amount while working with talented and experienced colleagues. The film even won second place at the World Animation Celebration in 2017, which earned me my own IMDb page. It’s an experience I’ll never forget.
What are the most valuable lessons you have learned professionally?
I have learned a lot so far, but I am still learning. I would advise everyone not to take their work for granted. I believe that being an animator is a privilege that has to be earned through hard work and dedication. It is also important to constantly develop your skills. The industry is changing rapidly – the software and techniques I was working with in 2013 are radically different today. Another piece of advice I would give is not to be afraid to take on new challenges. When I worked as a technical animator for an iGaming company, the knowledge I gained turned out to be invaluable for my future. Animation often requires technical precision but also artistry, which makes it subjective. There will be times when you disagree with bosses, managers, or clients, and sometimes the feedback can be quite negative, but it’s important to be open to different opinions and maintain effective communication. Ultimately, I have learned not to compare myself to other colleagues but to be inspired and learn from them. Believe me, there will always be someone better than you, and that should motivate you.
Do you have a funny or interesting story about something that happened to you while working?
While working at AAU StudioX, I decided to learn how to do character rigging using Toon Boom Harmony, even though it wasn’t part of my job. I later applied the skills I gained to a freelance project for a small local company in San Francisco. Right after I finished working on it, they decided it was taking too long and cancelled it. It’s important to add that I was still studying animation and didn’t have that much experience. However, I finished my part and entered it in the Spring Show art competition at my university. It doesn’t sound like a big deal, but if you look up “Academy of Art University,” you’ll understand the significance of the event. Winning any category in the competition was almost a miracle, considering the thousands of alumni who take part from the various faculties. The university organizes a special event for students and faculty only, where the winners and runners-up are announced. In addition, there is an exclusive red carpet exhibition open to industry guests.
I was so busy with the exams that I missed all the notifications on social media, and it was only at the event to announce the winners that I found out that my project had won in the “2D Animation Puppet Rigging” category. This was an extraordinary moment for me, as the runner-up was a friend of mine, a much more experienced and talented animator who I admired while working at AAU StudioX.
What would you like to convey to the students – personally and professionally?
Follow your dreams, but don’t get discouraged if things don’t go as planned. Embrace the changes and move on. My personal experience started with an underpaid job at a game startup studio that quickly ended. Then I spent almost three years working in the animation and motion design department of a cryptocurrency company. It wasn’t exactly what I had in mind, but it was still creative, and I liked the team.
Animation can be a first or second job, and freelance projects and commissions are also great opportunities. However, it’s important to remember to have fun in the process. Sometimes, when art becomes a profession, you can lose motivation and creativity. At times like these, go back to the projects that inspire you – work on developing your skills, update your portfolio, and stick to the basic principles of animation. Don’t strive for perfection – learn from your mistakes because they are the key to improvement. Even the little time you have for practice matters.
Even though it’s been ten years since university, I still find time for animation outside of work. My child now wants to learn to animate in Maya, which motivates me even more. Your loved ones can also be an inspiration for you, even if they don’t understand anything about animation.
Expand your knowledge. Animation has many applications, especially in the games industry – you can work on animations for games, marketing, or trailers. Plus, learning basic techniques like modeling, texturing, or lighting will give you a better perspective and make it easier to collaborate with other professionals. It can also help you with finding new projects or discovering another passion. Personally, I’m planning to pursue a master’s degree in 3D art.
In addition, build relationships. Every new project or study group is an opportunity to make professional contacts that may prove useful in the future. The people you study with may become your colleagues. This can provide you with not only a job or freelance project, but also valuable feedback and support.
If your dream is to become an animator, take the first step towards that dream by starting your training at ARC Academy. Apply for one of three distance learning courses – Game Design, Concept Art or 3D Art, and learn from the comfort of your own home. The programs are focus on practical skills, with the final semester dedicated to developing a complete video game.
