Please provide a bit of information about your experience/career background?
I’m a 2D and Concept Artist at Sponge Hammer Games, and this is my first job in the games industry. Before starting here, I was working on my illustration degree and working at a supermarket between semesters. I graduated in 2021 and took on more supermarket work while working on my portfolio. In 2024 Ewan and I met the lovely people at Birmingham Open Media, who introduced us to their Immersive Arts Bootcamp, a 12-week course that taught 3D skills in Unreal Engine and Blender. It was the first time I had really dove into using 3D software, and I had a blast doing it! At our project showcase in December of that year, we were lucky enough to meet Csaba and Mike – and the rest is history!
How do you like to unwind after a busy day or challenging project?
After work I like to get cosy and watch some comfort movies/shows – Turning Red, Adventure Time and Severance are in circulation for me right now. Lately, I’ve also been doodling and animating for fun, using our shiny new Steam Deck, and going for long forest walks (when the weather allows!). But honestly, the first thing I usually turn to after a busy day is a good snack.
If you could work on any dream project, what would it be and why?
I’ve always found this a tough question! Honestly, any project that has fun and cuteness at its core is a dream to work on for me. Cartoon Network shows have always been a huge inspiration to me and meant a lot to me as a kid, so maybe working on an IP like the Powerpuff Girls or Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends would be my dream project. It’d be nice to be part of the history of an IP that meant so much to me when I was younger and to help create some of that experience for someone else. Or maybe working on something that feels like Psychonauts, with a cool art style and a great sense of humour, and just seems like a blast to work on. I think the thing that matters to me most though is whether I’m making something I’m proud of and having fun doing it – that’s what makes a dream project for me.
What’s your favourite part about working at Sponge Hammer Games?
There’s always something new to try here! Our team is very small, and there’s a lot of stuff that needs to get done, so sometimes you’ll be given a task that’s totally new to you. I’ve worked here just over a year now and I still feel new to making games in general, so I feel very lucky to be given the time to learn and try different aspects of game development. It’s nice to experiment and find what I like, and maybe find something I can specialise in for the future. And if I’m ever working on a task that tires me out, pretty soon I get to move on and do something else, which is a nice break and lets my creative muscles recharge.
What games are you currently playing, and what is your favourite game of all time?
Lately, I’ve been playing a lot of Balatro – like, a crazy amount of Balatro. With the hours I’ve poured into it, you’d think I’d be better at it by now! My favourite game of all time is a tough call… The Binding of Isaac, Psychonauts 2, Broken Age, and Stardew Valley are all good contenders. Some childhood favourites are Peggle, LittleBigPlanet, and the Touch Detective series, which all have a special place in my heart. I have great memories with all of these, so it’s difficult to choose!
What’s a hobby or interest you’re passionate about outside of work?
Drawing has always been a big one for me. I don’t draw for myself as much as I used to, but it’s still something I like doing in my spare time when I can. Animation has always been a big passion of mine too, so when I have the energy, I like to animate doodley bits and pieces in Procreate Dreams on my iPad. I also love getting involved with Birmingham’s art scene – events like Overlap Social and Birmingham Design Festival are ones I always look forward to. I also like collecting things. Ewan and I have a growing collection of production art books for movies, TV, and games – our Pixar and Double Fine art books are my personal favourites. And I also collect sponges. Kitchen sponges, bath sponges… Any kind. I’m too deep in now to stop. I’m drowning in sponges!
