This is my career experience sharing of working abroad since 2016. This piece is intended for artists who face greater challenges due to immigration restrictions and aspire to work in regions such as Europe and North America.

My sincere hope is that this modest article may serve as a guiding light for artists as they navigate the intricacies of immigration and pursue opportunities abroad.

I began this article after replying to a few messages I received on ArtStation and LinkedIn. Though writing was never my training, if my artistic journey can help anyone navigate their creative path towards a better life, the honour shall be all mine.

From Home to Horizon

Starting my first job as a lighting artist in 2012, I have worked at multiple AAA studios located in Shanghai, Frankfurt, Manchester, London, and Los Angeles.

To me, applying for a job abroad as a specialist has been both a challenging and rewarding adventure. As an artist who requires a visa to work in most European countries and North America, where most studios were located back then, it has never been easy.

My path was filled with hurdles and learning experiences. This article is a reflection of my journey. By sharing my experiences so far, I hope to help fellow artists who aspire to land their dream jobs abroad.

Dream Bigger, Work Harder

There is no way to sugarcoat it: I accumulated three years of work experience and built a portfolio before applying for jobs abroad back in 2015. Even then, I proudly received at least 40 rejection emails before securing my first successful interview.

When I first applied via LinkedIn, it felt as though I was pretending to know what I was doing. The one thing I consistently insisted on was conducting thorough research about the studio, ensuring their style matched what I aspired to achieve as an artist. Certainly, I never idealise reality; there is no perfect match. Instead, I make sure to have played their game before and try my best to understand what they are looking for.

As an artist, I believe that honesty and authenticity are paramount. It’s crucial to choose opportunities that genuinely resonate with your skills and passions. The stress of working in an unfamiliar environment can be overwhelming if the job doesn’t truly align with who you are.

Additionally, after my short-term on-site experience working at Ubisoft Montreal in 2015, I decided I was determined to work abroad. Logging my hours for personal work and software study became my weekend plan. For example, I would spend a day or half a day on other plans and make sure to dedicate a full Saturday or Sunday to my own project. I still try to maintain this rhythm as much as possible to this day.

As an artist, in my opinion, we only have one axe to crack the ice while job hunting: our portfolio. It brings us our next adventure, especially if we are targeting jobs abroad. This is a craft-based job, and what makes us stand out is always our craft. Back then, overseas job hunting was my main motivation to improve my skills. 

Art Test

Another part is that there is no way to sugarcoat it: if we want this job, we have to be better and faster, because we are not from there and we need a visa. Without sounding too ambitious, to what extent is the employer willing to hire us over local talents? I am sure we all know the answer.

Beyond maintaining honesty and confidence during the initial interview, it is worth noting that some studios may also require candidates to complete an art test. When approaching time-sensitive art tests, effective timing and a well-structured workflow are crucial. As this article is intended for readers across various disciplines, rather than focusing on excelling in lighting-specific art tests, I would like to share broader tips on planning, analysis, and enhancing quality in this section

By starting this discussion below, I assume we all have logged out hours into the beloved craft, and we know what we do when applying to the very position. 

1. Planning. 

Depending on your available time, ensure you calculate the pre-production hours for your test. This should include tasks such as importing and exporting files, understanding the brief, setting up the work environment in the software, gathering reference boards, planning the rig, analysing anatomy, and rehearsing camera setups.

2. Workflow decision 

The purpose of an art test is to create a challenging environment that enables the observation of a candidate’s genuine ability in creative problem-solving. While our disciplines may vary, the ultimate goal remains the same. Therefore, selecting the most efficient workflow and delivering high-quality outcomes should be the priority. Given the fixed deadline of the art test, I recommend adopting an existing workflow rather than experimenting with newly acquired technology, unless it has been successfully practised in previous cases.

Stability and efficiency are our primary focuses when handling an art test. Even if technical issues arise, using a known workflow will minimise the risk of unexpected blockers, thereby ensuring sufficient time for execution.

3. Relax during execution 

Now that you have carefully established your workflow, arranged a collection of your usual shortcut keys, and assembled a beautiful reference board to serve as your muse on this journey, it is time to relax and let your creative soul take action.

It may be challenging, but remain calm and do not panic.

I recall my first lighting test vividly. Many years ago, I was extremely stressed out for a dream studio lighting test. Back then, I had shown it to someone more experienced in this profession, but instead of receiving constructive feedback, I was met with a barrage of critical comments. The worst part was being told that my work wasn’t good enough without any explanation or guidance on how to improve it. 

Perhaps I shaped my feedback style from that very moment. I always strive to be concise, explaining both the how and why. Understanding the context of others’ work is also crucial before offering feedback. Without it, subjective feedback may lack validity for those seeking it.

Since I was eager for my first job abroad, and the test was issued by one of my dream studios at the time, receiving non-constructive criticism only added to my stress without providing any positive influence. In the end, I didn’t get the job. 

One key takeaway from my own experience is to avoid seeking feedback for a job-related test until it is complete. Feedback can be quite subjective, and the person providing it might lack detailed knowledge about the specific art test. After all, this test is designed to observe your genuine ability to solve problems. Seeking feedback midway can confuse your creative decisions and deviate your thoughts from the original idea, which is why I do not recommend seeking feedback halfway through.

4. Presentation and label 

A successful art test requires not only exceptional work but also a well-crafted presentation. A concise brief with a clear and focused outline of your workflow and breakdowns is highly valued by prospective employers. For instance, consider a lighting test: if the submission includes only the final result without a detailed breakdown, the employer may lack sufficient insight to assess the candidate’s true potential. From the candidate’s perspective, this could result in a missed opportunity to fully showcase their skill set, possibly leading to a less favourable offer or a weaker foundation for a professional relationship

As game artists, we are not only trained to use our skills to enhance the value of the products we create, but also entrusted with the responsibility of presenting our work in a polished and professional format. The manner in which we showcase our creations is a testament to our craftsmanship. This is why taking and saving screenshots during the process is of utmost importance. Screenshots serve as valuable tools for tracking visual development, and when presenting, they provide compelling evidence of the evolution and refinement of each detail.

To conclude, while our work inherently adds value to a project, the way we present it further enhances that value. This is why, when planning your entire art test, it is essential to allocate a bit of extra time for post-production. Ensuring that your work is well-labeled and thoughtfully presented not only demonstrates professionalism but also maximizes its impact.

Relocation and Remote Advice

I sincerely hope that everyone who reads this article achieves a successful outcome in their job search. Whether the role requires on-site work or offers remote opportunities, I trust that my experiences will prove valuable in helping you navigate a new environment with confidence.

As I am not an immigration professional, the suggestions shared in this article are solely based on my personal experiences. Each individual’s circumstances are unique, which is why I strongly encourage you to conduct your own thorough research and seek professional guidance when needed

In my experience, employers often designate a specific staff member as your point of contact for the visa process. However, it is important to note that regulations applicable to expatriates may differ significantly from those for local employees. This underscores the importance of conducting thorough research into visa regulations and requirements. In some cases, there may even be specific provisions or restrictions targeting citizens of particular countries

Waiting times for on-site visa appointments can add significant stress to the relocation process. It is crucial to account for an additional time buffer when planning for shipping and logistics before your departure. Delays in securing a visa appointment slot at your local visa centre could potentially disrupt your travel plans—something I personally experienced on two occasions.

For remote opportunities, it is essential to research the local providers of benefit packages, as your employer may engage a third party to manage these offerings. Additional investigation might be required, as the terms and conditions can vary depending on your location.

And…

That concludes my humble reflections on the journey of landing a job abroad. If you’ve made it this far, I’d love to hear your story too. To all my readers, I sincerely wish you success in achieving your dream job in 2025. I’ll close this article with a cherished quote from my favourite game, World of Warships: ‘Fair winds and following seas!’