Pepi Play is an award-winning studio, focused on bringing pure joy to the kids worldwide. Now, 11 games and 10 years later, we are still obsessed with digital toys and education through moderation and fun. Pepi games won multiple prestigious awards and praise from educators and special needs communities. But most importantly our digital toys are loved and favored by Kids all around the globe!

About

Pepi Play: My Journey as a 2D Illustrator

I am a seasoned 2D artist with over six years of experience at Pepi Play, where I have had the privilege of working on a diverse array of projects. My journey began as a junior artist, and I have since grown into the role of senior illustrator. Throughout my tenure, I have honed my skills across various facets of game art, including background art, character design, and game icons.

One of the highlights of my career has been contributing to one of Pepi Play’s largest and most ambitious projects, ‘Pepi Wonder World.’ Unlike typical releases from our studio, which are standalone games, ‘Pepi Wonder World’ is a compilation of six individual projects, each featuring unique characters, environments, and storylines. My role was pivotal in the development and ongoing success of this game, which continues to receive regular seasonal updates. The project’s success is underscored by its repeated recognition as Apple’s ‘Game of the Day.’

In addition to my hands-on creative work, I have also been responsible for preparing brand guidelines and mentoring junior artists. Sharing my knowledge and workflow insights has been incredibly rewarding. I take pride in fostering a collaborative and supportive environment where junior team members can thrive. By teaching them essential style guides and the technical aspects of creating functional art, I ensure that their work not only looks good but also contributes effectively to our games.

My passion lies in inspiring and motivating my team, ensuring everyone feels heard and valued. I believe that a supportive work environment is crucial for creative growth and collective success.

Skills and Accomplishments

Here are some key areas I’ve mastered during my time at Pepi Play

Creating Vector Backgrounds

I’ve designed captivating backgrounds that set the stage for our games, using vector graphics to ensure scalability and visual appeal.

Character Design

From quirky creatures to heroic protagonists, I’ve crafted memorable characters that resonate with players.

I would recieve an sketch and draw that character in vectors and fully prepare all parts of it to be used in game.

Sketch Analysis:

First, carefully examine the sketch you receive. Pay attention to details like proportions, poses, and any unique features.

Identify the main elements of the character, such as facial features, clothing, accessories, and any weapons or tools they might carry.

Vectorization:

To create a vector version of the character, you’ll need to use vector graphics software like Adobe Illustrator or Inkscape.

Import the sketch into the software and create vector shapes based on the lines and contours of the sketch.

Layer Organization:

Organize your vector layers effectively. Separate different parts of the character onto separate layers (e.g., body, clothing, accessories).

This will make it easier to edit and animate the character later.

Coloring and Shading:

Choose a color palette for your character. Consider the game’s art style and the character’s role (e.g., hero, villain, or NPC).

Add shading and highlights to create depth. Use gradients or hatching techniques to achieve this.

and many more...

Startscreens and Marketing Art

My work extends beyond gameplay—stratscreens and marketing visuals are essential for engaging users and promoting our games.

Game Icons

Crafting eye-catching icons is crucial for app store visibility. I’ve also conducted A/B tests to optimize icon performance. Also I took charge of adapting our game icons to Google Play’s adaptive icon system, ensuring a consistent and polished appearance across all our titles.

Collaboration with Programmers

Working closely with the programming team, I’ve learned how to optimise assets for 2D mobile games. Efficiently cutting characters and preparing them for animations has been a valuable skill. Also Thinking of how to make a complex game object that would properly work in the 2D art environment that we have created.

Unity Integration

As a senior illustrator, I’ve directly integrated art assets into Unity scenes. I’ve also added small animations and particles to enhance the gaming experience.

yup it can get that complex

Documentation and Problem-Solving

I’ve authored documents on art guidelines and technical processes. My attention to detail ensures that art assets are well-prepared for implementation.

Mentoring Juniors

Sharing knowledge and workflow insights with junior team members has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my career. With extensive experience in guiding junior artists as they join our company, I have had the opportunity to teach them not only the essential style guides but also the technical aspects of creating art that is both functional and visually appealing for our games.

I believe in fostering a collaborative and supportive environment where everyone feels heard and valued. By inspiring and motivating my team, I ensure that they are not just following guidelines, but also growing creatively and professionally. It's important to me that each member of the team feels empowered to do their best work and contribute to our collective success.

Conclusion

Thank you for exploring my Pepi Play journey. If you’d like to learn more or discuss collaboration opportunities, feel free to reach out!