BEHIND every game character on screen is an artist who brings it to life – sometimes in ways players never notice.
Once an active member of an online gaming platform, Jaylene Lee Ern Chi not only spent her time playing, but also designed character skins (cosmetic items) and submitted concepts in the hope that they might one day appear in the game.
“After almost a year, I got a message from the game staff inviting me to join as an artist,” the 18-year-old said.
Although her mother initially worried about her working while studying, Lee said she creates sprites (pixelated two-dimensional images) once a week while prioritising her schoolwork.
For her, art has always been her preferred language.
“Art or anything visual helps me communicate. Sometimes, it’s easier for me to draw what I am talking about as I am not very good with words,” she said.
While she acknowledges that artificial intelligence may reshape parts of the industry, Lee encourages other young creatives to explore the field and see where it takes them.
What does a typical workday really look like?
Lee: I am not required to create sprites every day and can work on my own schedule, so technically I could even go up to three months without working.
My task is to create sprites for character skins released in the game. The process is quite straightforward: choose a skin, create the sprite, then submit the files so they can be added to the game.
There are deadlines, especially for special events, but I usually have about a month to complete a sprite. Most take around 30 minutes to an hour, though more complex designs can take up to two hours.
I usually work alone, but sometimes collaborate with colleagues if deadlines are tight or when several of us work together on a large skin line.
What skills or mindset matter more than grades?
Lee: Artistic talent helps, but art is something anyone can learn at any age. My job does not require someone to paint the Sistine Chapel.
Besides drawing skills, social skills and the ability to find good references are useful. One skill I underestimated was visualising things from different angles, especially objects I had never drawn before. For example, I once realised I had no idea what a pharaoh’s headdress looked like from the back.
What is one common misconception about this job?
Lee: Many people assume I came up with all the designs myself. In reality, most of these skin concepts are designed by members of the game’s community and later approved by the game studio’s developers. My role is to transform those approved concepts into pixel sprites that can be used in the game.
What is the most challenging and most rewarding part of the work?
Lee: One of my favourite experiences was working on exclusive skins for a limited-time game event. That was fun because I could explore multiple concepts – usually we have to stick closely to the original brief, so there is not much creative freedom.
I also enjoy working with my colleagues. Even though we interact online, they feel like friends and are always helpful, especially when the designs get complicated.
The hardest part is when a concept is unclear and I have to figure out how to translate it into a sprite. Deadlines can also be stressful – although I admit that sometimes it is because I procrastinate.
What advice would you give to students considering this path?
Lee: If the job works like mine does, I would not recommend it as a long-term career, but it can be a great part-time job. My pay depends on how much work I complete each month, so for me, it works well as a monthly allowance.
Most importantly, do not ignore opportunities just because you think you are not good enough. It does not matter if you can paint the Mona Lisa if you never show your work to the world.
*Individuals are featured in their personal capacity. Views expressed do not represent any organisation.
Bertilda, 17, a student in Selangor, is a participant of the BRATs Young Journalist Programme run by The Star’s Newspaper-in-Education (Star-NiE) team. This feature is part of a series highlighting young working adults who share insights into their jobs and offer practical tips on thriving in the workplace. For updates on the BRATs programme, go to facebook.com/niebrats.
Factbox
Full name: Jaylene Lee Ern Chi
Job title: Game sprite designer
Professional experience: Three years
Education: Currently pursuing a Foundation in Arts
