STUDENT: Olivia Grönlund - Everything will work out!

3D art by Olivia Grönlund

You probably haven't missed that we are quite star struck by our students. We’d like to give you the opportunity to meet some of them! Let us introduce: Olivia Grönlund, who attends our Game Artist program. Olivia is doing her internship at the game studio Section 9. 2022 was an eventful year for Olivia, who got the highest rank (A-Rank) at the Rookie awards, won the Rookie’s Adobe 3D Robot challenge, was featured in 3D World Magazine, and was interviewed by Adobe 3D. That is cool!

Describe yourself in three words?

Human, artist, female or creative, enthusiastic, imaginative.

From the left: Olivia Grönlund, 3D art by Olivia.

What's your background?

I’ve been drawing creatures from my imagination since around 2015. I didn’t enjoy school very much, so I used to doodle a lot during the lectures. I always preferred creating traditionally with pen, paper, markers and clay, so I never could have guessed I’d make 3D models for games. Now that I’ve learnt about the tools and the process, I think it’s super fun though. Like creating without limitations…! By creating in 3D you can also bring your characters and creatures to life with animations, and I find that super cool.

Now that I’ve learnt about the tools and the process, I think it’s super fun though. Like creating without limitations…!

Tell me about your studies at PSQ?

At PlaygroundSquad you first start out trying lots of different fields within the game industry, as well as learning all the basics. Some of the fields include making characters, environments, animations, VFX, etc. I decided that my main focus and goal would be to create game-ready characters. Since then I’ve learned the entire process of making a game-ready character from start to finish (including rigging and animation), as well as all the software necessary. After you have decided on your focus, you get to do lots of personal projects. This (to me) is the best part of the education since it helps to both get confident in the process, and helps you build a really nice portfolio at the same time! Software I use daily include: Maya, ZBrush, Substance Painter, Photoshop, and Marmoset Toolbag.

What's cooking / what are you working on right now?

Right now I’m at my internship at the game studio Section 9 Interactive where I’m modeling creatures. It’s super exciting to be working at a professional studio and to learn from those with lots of experience in the industry.

If you’re willing to work hard to get your dream job in game development, PlaygroundSquad is the place for you!

Tell us about something PSQ-related that makes you proud, happy,

or makes you laugh?

Before becoming a student at PlaygroundSquad I had no previous knowledge about creating 3D models and especially not for games. Now, after a year and a half, I have made lots of awesome looking game-ready 3D characters, and I’m an intern at a real game studio. I have made the journey of not having any experience in 3D art, to having an internship at a real game studio within a year. That makes me super proud of myself and the progress I’ve made. :)

Do you have any do’s and don’ts for future student? The most important thing is to have fun! If you are willing to learn, and have fun while doing so, everything will work out. Don’t be afraid to try new software, and learn new skillPlaygroundSquad is the perfect place to try things you otherwise wouldn’t dare to, or wouldn’t have time to try, before heading into the industry. You can’t expect the school to magically turn you into a game developer. Those who will be successful are the people willing to learn, to take feedback, and to go the extra mile.

If you’re willing to work hard to get your dream job in game development, PlaygroundSquad is the place for you!

Say Hi to Olivia Grönlund over at:

olivgron.artstation.com

Instagram @lillogos