Chasing projects, building a career in an ever evolving environment and constantly pushing personal limits can eventually lead to an unhealthy work life balance. In addition, most artists also have to deal with impostor syndrome, the pressure of social media, creative blocks but also the challenges arising from making a living out of a passion. But how to set healthy boundaries? When do we know we are working in a toxic setting that can challenge our mental health? How do other artists do it?
Moderating this panel discussion is longtime Playgrounds friend, creative consultant, art book designer, publisher and Convoloot’s Spiridon Giannakis.
He will be joined by Iris Compiet, a Dutch artist that has distinguished herself in the fields of illustration and character design. She has worked on the illustrations for Wizards of the Coast and Harper Collins’ House of Furies, as well as illustrating an official Dark Crystal Bestiary. She also successfully funded her Kickstarter campaign for the publishing of her art book: Faeries of the Faultlines.
Also joining the panel is animator, set designer and visual artist Vera van Wolferen. She creates physical worlds, combines it with digital storytelling, makes from objects, animations and gives her audience a peek into her amazing craftsmanship through her DIY kits.
Björn Hurri is an award winning concept artist and art director from Sweden now located in Riga. He has worked for all major publishers and with over 100+ titles (Horizon, Alien Isolation, God of War 4, Dishonored, League of Legends and more). His list of clients includes companies such as NCsoft, Catalyst Game Labs and SEGA. He is currently working in the entertainment industry as Lead Artist for Opus Artz.
Last but not least, we’ll get to listen to the insights of 2D animator and character designer Tina Nawrocki. She is well known for her animation work on the game Cuphead. She has been in the industry since 2006 and her expertise spans from video games, films and television.