Tim (schippj), Lead Artist. He shares his journey from freelance 2D artist to multi-disciplinary game dev pro. We dive into practical advice for artists looking to expand into engine work (Unity), how to communicate across teams, portfolio tips, and balancing creativity with mental health. Whether you're a concept artist, VFX designer, or just trying to stay relevant in a fast-moving industry, this one’s for you.

Links & Resources:

- BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/schippj.bsky.social

- Twitter/X: https://x.com/SchipTimmer

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/schiptimmer

- Linktree: https://linktr.ee/Schippj

Timestamps:

00:00 - Freelancing backwards: How Tim started

05:29 - First Lead Artist role (and what it really meant)

10:48 - Engine basics every artist should know

18:30 - How to talk to programmers (without sounding lost)

27:39 - Learning game dev like learning a language

33:56 - Why being a generalist = job security

41:44 - Twitter, burnout, and keeping art fun

51:46 - Advice for artists in their 40s facing AI and engine pressure