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Joel Hardgrave
Joel Hardgrave
Senior UI Artist @ PlaySide Studios
Melbourne, Australia

Summary

Game UI Designer/Artist in Australia, from the UK via NZ. I enjoyed playing and thinking about videogames so much that I made it my career, and now I've shipped titles on both mobile & PC.

I'm most passionate about more traditional core PC/console games - working on exactly the types of gaming experiences that inspired me to get into the industry when I was younger.

Skills

UI DesignUX DesignUI ArtGUI

Software proficiency

Photoshop
Photoshop
Unreal Engine
Unreal Engine
Unity
Unity
Figma
Figma

Productions

    • Video Game
      Warcraft III: Reforged
    • Year
      2023
    • Role
      UI Artist
    • Company
      PlaySide Studios
    • Mobile Game
      The Godfather: City Wars
    • Year
      2022
    • Role
      UI Artist
    • Company
      PlaySide Studios
    • Video Game
      Age of Darkness: Final Stand
    • Year
      2021
    • Role
      UI Artist
    • Company
      PlaySide Studios
    • Mobile Game
      DC: Batman Bat-Tech Edition
    • Year
      2021
    • Role
      UI Artist
    • Company
      PlaySide Studios
    • Mobile Game
      Idle Area 51
    • Year
      2021
    • Role
      UI Artist
    • Company
      PlaySide Studios
    • Mobile Game
      Sensations
    • Year
      2020
    • Role
      UI Artist
    • Company
      PlaySide Studios
    • Mobile Game
      Kash Karnival Casino
    • Year
      2018
    • Role
      2D Graphic Artist
    • Company
      Royal Wins
    • Mobile Game
      ShopCookSave
    • Year
      2014
    • Role
      UI Artist
    • Company
      Destitute Gourmet

Experience

  • UI Artist at PlaySide Studios
    Melbourne, AU
    August 2020 - Present

    I'm currently a mid-level UI Artist, and have worked on PC & mobile titles such as Warcraft III: Reforged, The Godfather: City Wars, Age of Darkness: Final Stand and DC: Batman Bat-Tech Edition. My work typically revolves around the design of UI and any implementation in engine - including necessary animation, VFX and materials/shaders. This often also requires engaging in pre-production processes such as wireframing, prototyping or concepts.

  • UI Designer at IWM Agency
    Sydney, AU
    June 2018 - August 2020

    I was the team UI Designer, with my primary responsibility being to revamp a family of web products with a clean, modern & uniform design. I worked with the Creative Director and UX/Product Designers to establish UI design systems and guidelines, and then oversaw their hand-off with Web Developers for implementation. I also worked generally on logos and UI design for various slot games & features, as well as web design and asset generation for related online slot game products.

  • 2D Graphic Artist at Royal Wins
    Sydney, AU
    March 2016 - June 2018

    As the studio's 2D artist, my work primarily involved UI implementation in engine for new mini-games, features or platform updates. I also liaised with our China studio’s 2D art team; leading them with briefs, references and practice standards, and provided feedback & guidance. I provided cutscene storyboarding for some games, and was often required to create marketing materials for in-game campaigns and social media accounts.As the studio's 2D artist, my work primarily involved UI implementation in engine for new mini-games, features or platform updates. I also liaised with our China studio’s 2D art team; leading them with briefs, references and practice standards, and provided feedback & guidance. I provided cutscene storyboarding for some games, and was often required to create marketing materials for in-game campaigns and social media accounts.

  • Preliminary Artist at Destitute Gourmet
    Auckland, NZ
    July 2012 - September 2012

    Commissioned as a UI artist/designer for the company's ShopCookSave app.

  • Work Experience at Big Ideas Group (formerly Rocket Signs)
    Auckland, New Zealand
    June 2010 - October 2010

    Working for Rocket Signs under their design team. Tasks mainly revolved around creating mock-up visuals for clients, which included branding, signage, layout and photo-manipulation.