Michal's Unity Design Student Internship

Michal Krzewski joined us on a student internship from the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw on a three month placement. During this time he worked alongside us in the studio on 3D and 2D design, along with getting into an AR project and games QA. Michal shares the experience with us

What’s your story so far?

My adventure started with graffiti, where my passion for art and expression emerged. After finishing high school, I knew I wanted to make my future in this field, so immediately after graduation I joined an art studio where I spent a year preparing my portfolio, which allowed me to enter the Faculty of Graphic Arts at the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw. There, after three years, I finished my bachelor’s degree with the rector’s award. After that, I joined the Draw & Code team for a three-month student internship.

What led you to Draw & Code?

When I was looking for a company where I could do an internship in Liverpool, Draw & Code immediately caught my eye. From the first time I went to their website, I came across good design and interesting projects using the latest technologies such as VR and AR. Draw & Code truly stood out with its innovative projects, particularly in the use of immersive technology. This really caught my attention, as I had been very curious about these technologies and their contemporary developments for some time. The quality of contact with the studio was also very important to me. After a few months of emailing each other, I knew that when I came to Draw & Code I would definitely be working not only with professionals, but also with people I could get along well with.

What did you work on?

Initially, I worked on an internal project, animating the Scallywag Arcade logo. After creating mood boards and setting up different styles, I prepared many effects and illustrations which I superimposed on the logo to create a short animation.

In the meantime, I worked on my personal project DREAMS. During my stay in Liverpool, I created 3D models and photo scans of various objects that caught my interest. These were used to create a short animation, which I later turned into an AR experience.

My favourite project at Draw & Code is currently under wraps, but I can tell you a little about it. The client is known across the globe (and beyond!) and the work is related to an interactive installation at a venue in the US. I created 16 animatics which depicted four different scenes.

In the meantime, of course, I still found time to do a few cool little tasks. My favourite was being a game tester, where, for the first time in my life, I had the opportunity to play a VR game for a whole day while being watched non-stop by members of the game-dev team. It was something very new for me and it is an experience I will certainly not forget.

How do you feel about your progress during your time here?

Working on AR and 3D was new to me, so I am most satisfied with my progress in these areas. During my internship, I did a lot of work in After Effects, a program that I knew well beforehand, but now I feel that I have improved my skills even more and have learnt a lot of effects that I didn’t use before. I have also improved my vector illustration design skills while working for the Houston project.

What do you like about working with the Draw & Code team?

Working at Draw & Code I have grown very fond of the whole team. Everyone is very open and willing to talk. During my internship I spent a lot of time in the studio where I got to know almost the whole Draw & Code crew. Daily meetings with the design team or weekly meetings with the whole team allowed me to get to know everyone better. I really enjoyed the conversations in the studio, being able to see what the others were working on was great. Because the whole team is made up of all sorts of specialists, I was curious to see what projects they were currently working on. I also won’t forget afterwork drinks and games.

What do you like about the work environment here?

I was in the studio practically every day, I really liked the equipment I was working on. The studio itself is very atmospheric, full of various project-related items, but not only. Right from the entrance, you can’t miss the rubber ducks hidden all over the building. Inside, the vibe was always friendly and there was often cool music playing.

What did you learn from the experience?

During my internship, I gained valuable insights into the studio work process and the wide range of skills needed to work in design. I improved my skills in using the programmes I already knew. I also got to know some new programmes that I hadn’t had the chance to use before like Adobe Aero or Project Neo. From scratch I learnt how to use Adobe Aero, how to create internal animations, design interactions and prepare 3D models to work properly in AR. In After Effects I learned many features that I hadn’t had the chance to use before, such as the particle simulation system thanks to which I did a lot of animation for the Houston project. While working on the Scallywag Arcade project, I also got to know a new tool, Project Neo, which allowed me to create some illustrations.

Did the team off you feedback on your work?

Feedback from the team has always been helpful to me. On a project with a client, the feedback was always precise so that during the whole process, I could clearly see what I had to do or what changes I had to make. During the development of my own personal project, I also repeatedly asked for feedback from the team, which gave me a lot of good advice on how I could improve it.

Do you have dream projects you would like to work on?

My biggest passion is animation, so this is the industry I would like to be in one day. My dream job is to be an art director or director of animated films or series.

How would you upskill even more?

My biggest goal at the moment is to develop my 3D modelling and animation skills. I’m a big fan of 2D and 3D animation fusion, so 3D skills are the missing piece. In the future, I would definitely like to keep creating my personal projects. Maybe even make another animated short film.

What’s next for you?

I would like to find a job in an industry where I can work creatively and develop my skills as an animator and artist. At the same time, I plan to work on my personal projects where I can constantly learn new things, preferably using new technologies. I also plan to develop as a freelancer, preferably in the field of animation, illustration or design. I have worked as a freelance muralist so far, this is definitely a direction I want to continue, but I would also like to open myself up to new commissions. When I get back to Poland I plan to find a permanent job, preferably in a nice studio with a friendly team, something like Draw & Code!

Connect with Michal on LinkedIn LinkedIn and see his work on his excellent portfolio site.