23/10/2025
LinkedIn link: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olivia-gregory-654b111b1/
Even though I wasn’t able to attend Olivia Gregory’s talk in person, I later read about it and found her story really motivating. She works as a concept and visual development artist across games and animation, and what stood out to me was how honest she was about the reality of starting in the creative industry. Her path showed that you don’t have to have everything figured out straight away.
Olivia graduated from a Games Design course and didn’t jump straight into the industry. Instead, she worked as a barista and happened to meet her first client whilst in that job. I found that really encouraging because it shows that opportunities can come at any time if you stay open to them. It also reminded me not to stress too much about finding success after university; the creative field can take time to build a career in. Hearing about her experience reassured me that small steps still count and that every job or experience can contribute to your long-term goals, even if it doesn’t seem like it at first.
She now works on a range of projects, from Indie games to health campaigns. I liked that she combined freelance work with more structured roles, such as her work with Chapel Arts Studios and Games Jobs Live. It made me realise that it’s good to be flexible and willing to explore different creative directions rather than focusing too narrowly on one path. I think this approach will make my portfolio more genuine and show how I think creatively, rather than just the final result.
Olivia also gave portfolio advice that I think will help me a lot going forward. She talked about showing your process, understanding what each job actually requires and tailoring your work to suit that. Instead of just uploading finished pieces, she encouraged us to include things like lighting tests and perspective sketches.
Reading about Olivia’s experience made me reflect on my own practice, particularly how I often focus on finished pieces without showing the process behind them. I realise now that including sketches, lighting tests, and iterative work would better communicate my creative thinking and understanding of each role’s requirements. Furthermore, her approach emphasised the importance of professional research; understanding what a studio or client expects and tailoring work accordingly.
Finally I liked how she highlighted the importance of networking and community. Reading about how she built connections through events and collaboration made me want to start doing the same. Overall, even without attending the talk, learning about Olivia’s experiences gave me more of a positive insight of how to approach a creative career. One that values patience, experimentation and confidence in your own path.
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