Shows
Doodles to Downloads: A Game Art Podcast'AI in Game Art - Threat or Opportunity?' with Shrungar DadarkarAI is transforming game development at lightening speed. Some call it a revolution, others see it as a threat. So, what does this mean for YOU as a game artist?To answer this, I am joined by Shrungar Dadarkar, Director of Gen AI at Scopely. With a background in concept art and game art direction, he’s seen both sides: the all-manual work and the AI-driven. In this episode, we explore:- Why game studios are integrating AI into art production?- Should game artists embrace AI, or...2025-02-1948 min
The Gaming Playbook w/ Harry Phokou#9 - Kshiraj Telang: "The Art Director Playbook" - Working Remotely, Across Cultures, Becoming an Art Leader & moreToday's guest is Kshiraj Telang, a seasoned artist and Art Director at Moon Active.With over 20 years in the entertainment industry, including over a decade in mobile games, Kshiraj has worked at 11 gaming studios worldwide, gaining a unique perspective on diverse environments. He began his career as a cartoonist, evolving into roles as an animator, web artist, and flash game designer. Now, Kshiraj leads a talented team at Moon Active, providing vision for the company and its products. He also launched the 'Doodles to Downloads' podcast to give back to the industry and share insights on game...2024-07-0957 min
Game Dev Diary15. Kshiraj Telang: How to take calculated risksMy guest this week was another fellow podcaster, Kshiraj Telang. He is currently working at Moon Active as an Art Director and he worked at some of the biggest gaming companies such as King and Rovio. He also has a great setup for recording podcasts which made me a little embarrassed if I’m being honest.
We chatted about the different ways you can showcase your work, how to take calculated risks based on your situation, and the perks of being proactive for continuous growth.
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Connect with Kshiraj on LinkedIn
Listen to his...2024-04-3057 min
Doodles to Downloads: A Game Art Podcast'The Game Animator's Playbook' with Lluis DantiToday, we are in for a visual treat, as our guest is Lluis Danti, a highly accomplished animator who has worked on games like Horizon Zero Dawn, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III, Tearaway, Farm Heroes Super Saga, and more. In this episode, we will learn from Lluis about what a day in the life of a game animator looks like.
Some of the topics covered include:
- What does the typical workflow look like for a game animator?
- Do animators influence other aspects of the art pipeline?
- What...2024-03-0840 min
Doodles to Downloads: A Game Art PodcastHiring Decoded: Landing in Game Art JobsHow often have you sent your portfolio for a game art job and never heard back? Was your portfolio seen by the hiring manager? Was it something in your portfolio that led to rejection? Or was there something else, for example, the hiring was already completed, or the company cannot provide you with relocation assistance?
This episode is all about how hiring works in the game art function. We have two very experienced guests, the first one is Tatu Petersen-Jensen, who has been in art leadership roles for over 20 years, and the other is Alexei Ryan, who...2024-02-241h 39
Doodles to Downloads: A Game Art Podcast‘What Studio Heads look for in Art Directors’ with Mishka KatkoffAn Art Director could be a highly skilled artist or even someone immensely loved by their art team. However, if the Art Director is not in sync as a business partner with their Studio Lead, then the alignment fails, eventually leading to repercussions in the entire game development process. In this episode, Mishka Katkoff emphasizes the importance of this alignment and shares various insights from the viewpoint of studio executives, highlighting what they expect from art leaders.
Some of the topics covered include:
- Should an art director's methods align with the studio culture, or...2024-01-2149 min
Doodles to Downloads: A Game Art Podcast‘Making it Pop: The Art and Psychology behind Game UI’ with Gon VazquezNo game can be truly great in experience and feel without a functional and appealing UI. If the art and animations in games are equivalent to the contents of a book, then the User Interface is comparable to the typography, layout, and the meaningful presentation of visual materials. Today, we uncover the art and psychology behind Game UI with a very special guest, Gon Vazquez (UI/UX Designer for Brawl Stars at Supercell).
Connect with Gon at:
Behance: https://www.behance.net/gonvazquez
LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/gonvazquez
Instagram: http...2023-12-111h 21
Doodles to Downloads: A Game Art Podcast'Art Director 101: The Path, Purpose, and Pursuits in Gaming' with Tatu Petersen-JessenNo two game art directors are carved from the same stone. While they may be united in purpose, each carries a unique essence. That’s because the making of an art director is not a straightforward path; it’s a maze filled with unique choices, challenges, and influences from their distinguished backgrounds. So, how do we define the role of an art director? And how does each art director, with their own methods, tackle the common challenges of team dynamics, managerial distractions, or even loss of creative control?Today we are sitting down with Tatu Petersen-Jessen (Senior Art...2023-11-051h 06
Doodles to Downloads: A Game Art Podcast'Beyond the Loading Bar: The Art of Splash Screens' with Matheus OliveiraThey say, “you never get a second chance to make a first impression,” and when it comes to game visuals, that first impression is often the splash screen. More than just a backdrop for the loading bar, it’s the gateway to the game’s essence, rolling out a virtual red carpet for players and often showcased prominently on the App Store.Today, we dive deep with Matheus Oliveira (Senior Game Artist @ Rovio Finland), a visual development maestro with credits for creating splash screens loved by audiences worldwide. So, sit back and enjoy the show.Connect...2023-09-241h 04
Doodles to Downloads: A Game Art Podcast'Levelling Up Game Art Teams' with Michel StrömbeckToday, I’m excited to delve into a topic that is both close to my heart and crucial for the long-term health of any creative endeavor—Talent Development within the Game Art Team.In the ever-evolving landscape of game development, developing talent isn’t just an HR objective; it’s an artistic essential. How do Art Directors nurture individual artists? How do they create an environment that not only produces beautiful art but also fosters beautiful careers?To help us navigate this subject, I’m thrilled to have Michel Strömbeck (Art Director @ Rovio Stockholm) with us tod...2023-09-141h 00
Doodles to Downloads: A Game Art Podcast'Style Guides in Games: Assessing their realism, achievability, and utility' with Jack GilsonIn this episode we're exploring a subject that's both fascinating and foundational: ‘Art Style Guides in Games’.What's the magic behind the visual uniformity in great-looking games? How do several artists work together on one project and create a visual experience that looks so cohesive? That magic lies in Art Style Guides!From the shape language to the color scheme, Art Style Guides serve as the guidelines, influencing everything from character design to environmental aesthetics. But how realistic are these guides? How achievable are they, especially in a fast-paced game development environment? And what utility do t...2023-09-111h 04
Doodles to Downloads: A Game Art PodcastDoodles to Downloads IntroWelcome to the "Doodles to Downloads" podcast!
Here, we discuss game art, art direction, and career growth, giving you the tools to level up your game art profession.
I am your host Kshiraj Telang, and I invite you to join me, as we explore the artistic heartbeat of the gaming industry, following the exciting journey from the first doodle of a game concept, to its huge success of billions of downloads.
So grab your creative hat, and let's level up together!2023-09-1100 min
Deconstructor of FunArt Directors Reveal the Secrets to Successful Art OutsourcingArt outsourcing can become a game changer or a hopeless money sink. To discuss how to outsource art in the smartest and most effective way, the Deconstructor of Fun podcast was joined by Silver Saaremäel, co-founder and Art Director of a boutique art outsourcing studio Fantastic Vagabonds (ex-Wooga & Crytek), and Kshiraj Telang, Art Director from Moon Active (ex-King and Rovio).2022-08-0855 min
Break Into The Games IndustryBreak Into Game Art with Art Director Kshiraj TelangIn this podcast we meet Kshiraj Telang currently working as an Art Director at Moon Active. Kshiraj has been working in games for 16+ years and during his career has also worked at King in Barcelona and Rovio in Helsinki as an Art Director. Full video interview here: https://youtu.be/_CUB_nMLhr0
Kshiraj's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kshiraj
* Episode thumbnail image by Kshiraj Telang.2021-11-2524 min
Lunch with Lloyd PodcastCAMP IN STYLE28 September 2021: The heat is easing up and we can take more outdoor activities. So why not try glamping? Mark chats to Kshiraj Mahtani from bnbme holiday homes.UAE-raised rapper Tac also joins the show and shares his latest single 'The Mirror Theory'.Mark also speaks with Omar Osman about all things gaming.Plus, Arjun and Amit from the production Wait Until Dark talk about why theatre lovers should watch it this weekend at The Junction.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.2021-09-2828 min
Deconstructor of FunHow to Hire the Perfect Art Director for GamesA great Art Director will make your game stand out. They will build a strong art team and inspire both the developers and the executives with their creative vision. A perfect art director is just as a important as your technical director - and one could argue that sometimes Art Director should be the first hire on the team.
In this podcast we discuss:
Who's an AD?
When to hire an AD?
What kind of an AD will fit your game project
Common pitfalls of an AD
Guests:
Kshiraj Telang, AD at Moonactive2021-08-301h 18