Crafting engaging experiences for players as a Game UI Artist

It’s Time for Talent – with Kerstin Edin Stewart

Hi, my name is Kerstin, it’s nice to e-meet you! 👋

I joined Tactile at the end of the summer of 2023 as a Game-UI artist. I work on Lily’s Garden where I create art for new events, updating existing UI, and now game board pieces.

🌱 Before Tactile

I’ve always loved to make art, and – as a lifelong nerd – I’ve always loved video games, so becoming a Game Artist seemed like a perfect fit.

I studied at The Game Assembly (TGA) in Malmö and got an internship at King where I stayed for several years. I’ve worked for various game studios in Barcelona, London, and remotely. 

💜 Joining Tactile

Since I joined, we’ve introduced Scrum, enabling cross-disciplinary collaboration. It’s been a great way to work more agile and gain a deeper understanding of how other departments operate. I’ve had the opportunity to be a part of several teams, which has helped me to connect with more colleagues and to begin mentoring and supporting other artists.

I recently returned from maternity leave as well, and Tactile has been incredibly supportive, both in organizing the leave and accommodating my requests for returning to work. It’s also genuinely a great place for parents, with a strong emphasis on family and a healthy work-life balance.

💪 Having an impact

My team is part of Lily’s Garden Game Board Art department, where we focus on crafting fun and engaging experiences for players interacting with the core gameplay. I’m especially motivated by the creative process of bringing new ideas, such as game pieces and events, through the entire development pipeline, from concept to implementation.

💡 What can you do at Tactile that you can’t do elsewhere?

At Tactile, we embrace an open and collaborative culture where anyone can talk to anyone. Roles are broad by design, allowing us to work across entire pipelines from start to finish. Within the art department, this means that we not only create assets, but also implement them ourselves, which ensures that they function as intended in the game.

📚 The keys to success

If you’re looking to get into the gaming industry, here’s some tips from my own experience.

In general: Embrace experimentation within (and possibly outside) your discipline, and venture beyond your familiar territory occasionally. Don’t hesitate to explore new possibilities. Numerous excellent game development schools exist. I recommend exploring options that include internships at actual game studios. 

For Artists: At TGA I was often told to not have fanart or manga in my portfolio, I consistently did so despite being discouraged. My belief is that passion for a subject enhances the quality of artistic work, making it shine more brightly than work done solely to please others. Your art is ultimately for yourself.

I also want to add – if you have the opportunity, I highly recommend trying to work abroad. For some, it comes naturally; for others, it’s a challenge. Uprooting your life is never easy, but even a short time abroad can be a humbling and deeply rewarding experience.