Today we’d like to introduce you to Niraj Sarvaiya.
Hi Niraj, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Technology never ceases to astound me. Witnessing its expeditious churning of advancements every day renews my faith that nothing is impossible. Although it may sound dramatic, my life changed when I was introduced to the world of gaming. My parents gifted me a Nintendo console for my 7th birthday and as time passed, I moved from enjoying the gameplay to being deeply intrigued by the intricacies of how it was made. My curiosity led me to spend hours reading about game development, and I was convinced that I wanted to experience the world of gaming beyond my console.
A great starting point for my career was a Bachelor’s degree in Science, specializing in Game Design and Development, which I pursued. I was introduced to various fields in the industry like Programming, Art, and the fundamentals of Design. I excelled in the artistic subjects more than the others. Eager to bring my nascent creativity to the forefront, I pursued Arts/Technical Arts with Design later in my degree. I focused more on 3D as I found it very relaxing and enjoyable. As I progressed through my Bachelor’s degree, I took up subjects like 2D and 3D Game Design, Level Design, UX/UI Design, Advanced Modelling, and Texturing. I learned and grasped different processes such as Modelling, Sculpting, Unwrapping, Texturing, Baking, Lighting, and Rendering across various software like Maya, Zbrush, Substance Painter, and Arnold. Proactively attending design workshops and seminars, I was motivated to delve deeper into the subject and desired to learn the basics of Level and Game Design, which I later implemented using the Unity Game Engine. I also started exploring architecture, which helped me design and make environments for 3D games.
During the final year of my undergrads, my friends and I embarked on a journey to create a realistic AAA-like first-person shooter. I started by building a modular asset pack for our ‘space-themed’ game. I worked on the levels built the environment right from the concept, and made it game-ready within a month. Later, I worked on Props and other small assets for the game. Through this project, I learned various aspects of 3D art and prototyping which were beyond my curriculum. It was this project that infused an idea in me of being a Prop / Environment artist.
Keen to apply my technical capabilities in a real-time working environment and gain valuable professional experience simultaneously, I interned at Reliance Games as a Game Tester/ QA. I was overwhelmed by working in a studio setting amongst other industry professionals. My task was to find out bugs and glitches in two AAA mobile games- ‘World Robot Boxing 2’ and ‘WWE Mayhem’. Working here taught me discipline, helped me gain time management skills, and improved my critical thinking abilities. I also developed key interpersonal skills and an analytical frame of mind.
I next interned at AiBorne Tech, wherein I operated as a 3D Artist and Content Research Intern, tasked with extensive modeling of industrial machines for virtual training/assistance. My target was to make low poly models yet have the necessary details. I overcame this hurdle by learning 3D mesh optimization. The more time I devoted to the company, the more responsibilities I was consigned to. I was conferred a lead position where I managed other interns and designed Proof of Concepts. Though there was a lot of workload, my urge to complete them on a predefined deadline kept me going. Working here not only strengthened my leadership and team management skills but also taught me multitasking and effective decision-making.
Although my academic projects and internships have significantly advanced my technical proficiency and strengthened my skills, I felt pursuing further studies would be the final stage of development toward fulfilling my longing to gain mastery in the field. This is when I decided to join SCAD for an M.A. in Interactive Design and Game Development. During this time, I learned a lot about different cultures and how the industry operates in the US.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There were a few hurdles, but I managed to get past them over time. The biggest struggle right now is finding a job. The industry is going through a rough patch where almost every week, we hear about layoffs or shutdowns. This has made it very difficult for freshers and especially international students like me to get into the industry. The only way to get past this is through networking and constant improvements to my portfolio.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a 3D Artist who specializes in Environment and Assets/Props for Video games. Even though my skillset allows me to work for other industries such as Animation/VFX and Product Design. I Model, Texture, Light, and Render with industrial software such as Autodesk Maya, Substance Suite, Zbrush, and Adobe Creative Suite.
One thing that sets me apart is my knowledge of world-building. I like to composite environments in various art styles and aesthetics. I also use Unreal Engine and Unity Game Engine for my work which allows me to work for the pipeline used by almost every game studio.
I am most proud of my academic achievements. I graduated top of the class in my undergrad at Ajeenkya DY Patil University in Pune and was conferred with a medal of excellence.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
The industry is going through a tough time right now. I would like to encourage all readers to stay motivated and do not doubt yourself. Instead, use this time to constantly improve yourself and your art. Because I believe no matter how difficult it is to get in the industry, if your art is brilliant, then you will stand out from others.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.artstation.com/nirajsarvaiya
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/niraj_sarvaiya/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nirajsarvaiya/
