Hello world, allow me to introduce myself! My name is Bianca Jalonen, and I am the Game Artist and Graphic Designer for Greyland Games. My journey to this role has been anything but conventional. I was born and raised in South Africa, spent a decade in California, a year in Germany, and for the last 15 years, I’ve called Finland home. Each place I’ve lived has shaped my perspective, but it was here in Finland where I truly found my professional calling.
Back in the spring, while attending Tredu for graphic design, I started looking for an internship to kickstart my career. That’s when I discovered Greyland Games. They were searching for a graphic designer to create game art, and what made the opportunity even more appealing was that the role was in English and focused heavily on illustration—my strongest suit. I applied, crossed my fingers, and was ecstatic when I got the position.
For three months, I poured my heart into creating art assets for Grey Goose, a hospitality-themed game. Completing the project felt like an incredible achievement—a tour de force that showcased what I could do under pressure. When the internship ended, I was thrilled to return in the autumn on a contract basis to continue contributing to Greyland’s projects.
Currently, I’m working on art assets for a new game we’re calling Math Wizard (name pending). It’s aimed at helping kids learn their times tables, and the art style is all about magical fantasy—right in my creative sweet spot. Designing enchanted worlds, whimsical characters, and spellbinding visuals has been pure joy for me.
One of the most rewarding parts of this job is how much it’s stretched my artistic abilities. Every day, I’m faced with new challenges—some days I’m bursting with ideas, and on others, I’m banging my head against the desk. But seeing the finished assets come to life in a game is worth every moment of frustration.
What sets Greyland Games apart is the purpose behind our projects. We’re not just making games; we’re creating tools that help people adapt to life in a new country. For example, Grey Goose provides practical language experience, bridging the gap between textbook-perfect grammar and the colloquial language used in daily life. It’s a mission I’m proud to support, knowing our games make a real difference.
The team at Greyland is another highlight. During my internship, I worked alongside a fantastic group of interns, and now, with teammates like Kat, Aki, and Nicky, we’ve found a great rhythm. Communication is smooth, feedback is constructive, and everyone has a fantastic sense of humor. It feels less like work and more like collaborating with friends on a passion project.
That said, the creative demands of this role can be challenging. Maintaining consistency in the game’s art style, incorporating feedback, and constantly coming up with fresh ideas take a lot of mental energy. By the end of the day, I sometimes find myself too drained to work on personal projects.
But even with its challenges, this job doesn’t feel like a chore. I love what I do, and I’m excited to see where our games go. As we gear up to release the demo version of Math Wizard, I can’t help but feel incredibly grateful to be part of such a talented, supportive team.
Working at Greyland Games truly feels like a dream come true, and I’m excited to continue this journey, bringing magical worlds and innovative ideas to life.
#PlayToLearn
© Greyland Games 2024
