Getting to Knowmade: Duarte Pereira, VFX Artist
✨ Duarte Pereira
VFX Artist
Please welcome to the spotlight our absolutely marvellous Duarte! Rhymes with art, which is what he’s best at - convenient, really.
Yes, Duarte is part of our VFX team, which means he takes all our cracking visuals and exciting moves from a 10/10 to an 11. Not to toot our own horn or anything - because it’s time to hear his! On that note, take us away, Duarte…
Hello, Duarte! Tell us, what is it you do at Glowmade?
As a VFX artist, I’m responsible for the creation of cool-looking sparks, bullets, splashes, lasers, impacts, projectiles, weapon swipes, and tons of other stuff that makes eyes pop. In one word, I would describe it as wizardry!
Now how would your parents describe your job?
"He is a something... artist. He makes stuff like the explosions and the fire for video games in the computer."
So what’s your origin story? What got you into making “explosions in the computer”?
When I was four I met someone who was a game developer. I always thought that was pretty cool, and after I met them, if someone asked me what I wanted to be when I grow up the answer was very likely "make video games".
Later in life, when I was teenager, I was thinking more about this and what I would like to study in the years to come, so I went on the internet and started searching about careers that could be cool for me, that's when I remembered video games, I was thinking "what do you have to study to become a person that makes video games", and I searched a bit about it, and a result came up with an announcement that a new course opened in the closest university from home, a course of video game development, no need to say that I decided in that moment what I wanted to do.
I spent that summer learning about the various roles in game development, and I came across “VFX Artist.” I learned there that they created the magic I always loved to see in games that I played, so I decided I wanted to do that, and I put all my efforts into achieving this!
(Now that is an answer! Also we’re so happy for four-tear-old Duarte - he’s making his dreams come true!)
How did you get to this point in your career?
I am pretty new to this industry. Before taking this amazing opportunity at Glowmade, I interned at a Portuguese studio called Nerd Monkeys. I did that internship as a part of the program of my Bachelors degree in Games and Multimedia that I took in the Polytechnic Institute of Leiria (IPL) in Portugal!
Share something you love doing outside of everything video games.
I really enjoy playing TTRPGs with friends, and when I'm alone I enjoy reading superhero comic books, binge-watching random series I find in streaming services, or rewatching a movie I love for the thousandth time.
(For the record, we have established Duarte’s favourite movie is ‘The Incredibles.’ As it should be!!!)
Who or what inspires you?
I think everyone I meet inspires me, even if they just inspire me not to be like them.
Life isn't easy for anyone, so I know everyone is fighting their own battles, and that motivates me to fight mine and to be the best I can while doing it. The people I surround myself with are the people I know help me keep going, as much as I try to help them to do the same.
Share something you appreciate about yourself.
I think I have a really good gut, and I should start trusting it more. I work hard for the things want, and I do it in the most honest way I can, I have a kind heart and I always try to help those I can, small gestures can do so much more than most people realize!
“If you believe in a thing so much you can’t see your life without it, fight for it - no matter the time it takes!”
What's the best thing about working at Glowmade?
The people! I still don't understand how the company got some of the kindest, most heartwarming people I've met! Always ready to go out of their way to help others and share love around in a general way! I have to say, It's amazing!
What do you want from your career?
I want to keep doing what I love and be able to be a part of the creation of a game that brings smiles to players' faces, just like other games do for me now!
What are your top tips for someone looking to get into games?
Don't get discouraged! Keep working on a portfolio, get feedback from people with more knowledge than yourself, and don't let the fear of failing be the reason you do!
There's one biscuit left in the tin and you're all eyeing it up... what is it?
I don't know, but I'll take it if no one does in the next 3 seconds!
If you had to pick one game to play for the rest of your life (let's hope it never comes to that), what would it be?
I think this might be a cheat answer, but I have to say D&D... There's just so much you can do!
But if that is cheating I will say Minecraft - any game that lets me have fun with creativity can apply!
