"doing what I used to dream about." @stasser_art

Dear Diary,

I’m Stanislav (also known as Stasser). I’m Ukrainian, but I’ve been living in Poland for almost 9 years. 

My first 3D model was a robot, inspired by an illustration I found on Pinterest. It wasn’t really optimized — some parts had a super high polycount, others were very low poly — but it was my starting point, and it meant something. It was made in 3Ds Max.

@stasser_art (2025) Stasser X Fri.sjel (@fri.sjel_art ) collaboration in color... [Instagram]. Available at:https://www.instagram.com/p/DII-UQqRjlv/?img_index=1 (Accessed: 22 June 2025).

When it comes to inspiration, there is no particular game, movie or animation that shaped my style. I like stylized pieces, something like the game Worms. But the current style is definitely influenced by my wife (@fri.sjel_art) and her characters.

Looking back, my journey into 3D and video game development began in my childhood. As a kid, I dreamed of working in the game industry and creating video games. This dream started when I played Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura — an obscure, old-school RPG blending steampunk and magic, similar to the vibe of Fallout 1 or Diablo 1.

Like many childhood dreams, this one faded over time. But for me, it never fully disappeared. It stayed in the back of my mind until I was around 22 — and then I finally made it happen. I became a 3D artist in the game industry. I mostly work on traditional RPGs, but the feeling is the same: I’m doing what I used to dream about.

Indeed, I chased the dream — and backed it with education. I studied design and earned a Bachelor’s degree, then continued to a Master’s in Intermedia Art at the Academy of Fine Arts in Gdańsk. Even though I explored other media, I always returned to 3D. That’s what I love most. Characters especially — I’m drawn to them. Whether in illustrations, sculptures, or digital art, I’m always observing how characters are created and expressed.

A strange side effect of working in game development? I barely play video games anymore. I know, it sounds ironic — a person who makes games, not playing them. But it’s a kind of professional trauma. Instead of enjoying the gameplay, I find myself analyzing: checking polycounts, studying wireframes, watching how animations are built, and staring at textures for way too long. That’s how it goes.

My advice? If it clicks — do it. It won’t be easy, but it will be worth it. And it’ll definitely be fun.

Till then,

Stanislav

Featured image: @stasser_art (2025) Super Orange, super Steve 🍊... [Instagram]. Available at: https://www.instagram.com/p/DJBl73vNb4b/?img_index=1 (Accessed: 22 June 2025).