For Kaloyan Kalamov, 3D artist at AMC Ro Studio, persistence is the key to success

Kaloyan Kalamov has been doing art since middle school but got into 3D when he was a student at Falmouth University. For financial reasons, he had to leave after the first year and switched to self-education. So, after a year and a half out of work, he focused on developing his portfolio while learning from online tutorials, seeking feedback from other artists, and meeting professionals at live events. At one point, he broke into the industry with his first job as a 3D artist at Black Sea Games. He is currently part of the AMC Ro Studio team, which is our partner in a number of initiatives.

How long have you been in the game industry and how did you get into it?

I have been working professionally as a 3D artist for 2 years now. My specialty is character design, and ever since I started creating, I’ve always been into characters.

What game do you think got you fired up to develop in this field?

Quake without a doubt. Whatever the series, my childhood will always be associated with this game.

How did you get to your current job position?

I entered an AMC contest 2 years ago to create a digital sculpture, winning second place. From there, I kept in touch with the company until, at one point, I decided I wanted to finally specialize in character creation, and that’s precisely what they were offering at the time. The rest is history.

Is the game industry different in Romania, what is it like to work there?

I wouldn’t say there is much of a difference. At least for AMC, the special thing is that it is one of the few companies open to internships and mentoring programs, which is very rare to see among game companies. Growing up in this environment is greatly appreciated, and I couldn’t be happier to see inspired artists who want to break into the industry and those who want to help those artists.

What inspires you to create in this field?

The very process of creation has endless avenues to get lost in. My strong motivation to keep going is to see myself better after each challenge, whether it’s learning anatomy, drapery, or texturing – there’s nothing more rewarding than seeing your creation and thinking about the hardships you’ve been through.

How do you see the future of the industry, what would you say to people who want to become a part of it?

In a very good direction, especially in Bulgaria. I’m always happy when I see our studio involved in the creation of an AAA game. This only makes more young people see a real option for realization here. If you want to enter the gaming industry, just love what you do. It sounds super cliché, but if after a while you feel torment and monotony in what you do, it’s not for you. It means you’re just an amateur. And for those who are highly motivated and looking for valuable advice, all I can say is to persevere. Every person’s door opens at different times, but only when you have been knocking on it constantly. Someone will always open it, as long as you don’t leave.

If you want to see Kaloyan’s work, you can visit his profiles on social networks:

https://www.artstation.com/kalosy
https://www.instagram.com/kalosy_tresdimension/
https://bg.linkedin.com/in/kaloyan-kalamov-18ab03176