Throughout this series of guest lectures, I developed a much clearer understanding of what the games industry expects and how I need to prepare for it. Hearing from designers, producers and technical artists showed me that career paths are rarely straightforward. Speakers like Jamie Blacknell, Olivia Gregory, and Bea highlighted how resilience, adaptability, and continuous learning are just as important as technical skill. Their honesty about early setbacks, freelancing, and non-linear routes reassured me that progression is not always immediate, and that small steps still contribute to long-term growth.
A recurring theme across the talks was the importance of presenting work clearly and professionally. Megan Matthews and Olivia stressed showing process, not just polished outcomes, while Jade Carter emphasised organisation and communication as essential skills in any studio environment. This made me reflect on my own practice, especially as I’m only at the early stages of building my portfolio.
Even though I have only developed my start-up page so far, I now understand how to shape it moving forward (focusing on clarity, simplicity, and making a strong first impression). The speakers also reinforced the value of tailoring work for different roles, understanding industry expectations, and keeping online platforms updated.
Looking ahead, I plan to expand my portfolio by including process work, sketches, prototypes, and clearer descriptions of my contributions, taking inspiration from Megan and Olivia. I also want to improve my communication and organisation during projects, as highlighted by Jade and Jamie. Most importantly, I will continue developing my skills, experimenting with new tools, and networking both online and in person, knowing that opportunities often come from persistence and genuine connections.
Overall, these lectures helped me feel more prepared, informed, and confident about taking the next steps towards a career in the games industry.