Breaking Into the Games Industry: Lessons from 3D Artist Emily Cheung

Senior 3D Environment artist, Emily Cheung, recently hosted a fantastic masterclass at MetStudios, sharing her career journey and key lessons for aspiring artists and game developers. With over a decade in the industry, working on projects like Undercover VR and Starship Troopers, Emily’s insights provided a real-world perspective on navigating a career in game art. 

From breaking in to building a sustainable career, here are the biggest takeaways from Emily’s talk. 

Finding Your First Role: It’s Okay to Start Anywhere

Emily’s first ‘grown-up’ job wasn’t in the games industry; she started out as a receptionist. While it wasn’t her dream job, she learnt valuable soft skills like professionalism, time management, and teamwork. 

Her first 3D artist job came through a friend’s recommendation, proving that connections can be just as important as a strong portfolio. She encouraged students to be open to opportunities, even outside their ideal job, as every experience helps develop transferable skills. 

Discovering Your Specialism

Initially, Emily wanted to be a concept artist or character designer. But during university, she realised she enjoyed 3D environment art more. By specialising, she became more marketable, as studios often need more environment artists than character artists. 

To strengthen her portfolio, she took a 10-week environment art course on her own, which helped her land her next job. 

She reminded students that you never stop learning. Even after 10 years in the industry, she still looks up new techniques and problem-solves daily. “Stay curious and keep learning at your own pace,” she advised.  

Read more: Student Story: Shyrah, BA (Hons) Game Art and Technology Student

The Power of Networking

Many of Emily’s jobs came from unconventional routes, such as the UK Games Industry Slack and LinkedIn. She recommended joining industry communities and being proactive, even if it’s just messaging someone about job openings. 

Her top networking tip? Prepare stock questions in advance and focus on asking about the other person—it’s an easy way to start conversations. 

Even as an introvert, she emphasised that networking is crucial in such a niche industry. Events, Discord servers, and LinkedIn are great places to build relationships that could lead to future opportunities.  

Read more: Five Must-Play 2025 Game Releases for Students

Crafting a Standout Portfolio 

Emily stressed quality over quantity when it comes to portfolios. It’s better to have two high-quality pieces than ten that are inconsistent in style or execution. 

She also advised students to: 

• Tailor their CV and cover letter to each application. 

• Avoid copy-paste mistakes like incorrect studio names. 

• Keep a list of jobs they apply for to track progress and follow up. 

Finding a Mentor

One of Emily’s biggest career boosts came from having a mentor. Mentors provide guidance, portfolio feedback, and industry insights that can accelerate your growth. 

However, she advised students not to expect job offers from mentorships: it’s about learning, not just networking for opportunities.   

Final Thoughts: Keep Learning, Keep Creating, Keep Going

Emily’s journey highlights that there’s no one-size-fits-all path into the games industry. 

• Take opportunities where you find them.  

• Keep improving your craft. 

• Build relationships within the industry. 

• And most importantly, don’t give up! 

 Her advice is invaluable for any aspiring 3D artist, game developer, or creative professional looking to make their mark in the industry. 

Ready to Start Your Own Journey? 

Explore our BA (Hons) Games Art & Technology degree at MetStudios and take the first step toward your dream career!