Rafael Parreira
Digital and Game Art/VertexBee
SOFIA, BULGARIA
24/02 a 26/05
Internship Experience
My Erasmus+ internship was an incredibly rewarding experience, both professionally and personally.
Although I developed a range of technical skills throughout the three months, I believe the most valuable part of the experience was adapting to the working environment of a professional game studio.
From my very first day, I was made to feel welcome by the team. Throughout the internship, I had the opportunity to work directly with experienced artists, take part in meetings, receive client feedback, and gain a much deeper understanding of the workflows used in a professional production pipeline. One of the highlights of the experience was how well I integrated with the team. We shared dinners, social events, and activities outside working hours, which allowed me to build genuine relationships with everyone. They were an incredibly welcoming group of people, and I know I won’t forget them anytime soon.
From a technical perspective, I worked primarily on texturing using Substance Painter. A large part of my role involved creating alternative versions of existing characters by developing new skins for enemies such as skeletons and goblins. Beyond texturing, I also had the opportunity to make adjustments to 3D models, create additional character assets, and produce high-resolution sculpts whenever required.
The internship also made me realise how much there is still to learn. Although I already had experience in digital sculpting, this opportunity helped me identify areas where I can continue to improve—particularly in choosing the right tools for each task, refining my ZBrush sculpting workflow, organising my production process more efficiently, and improving the overall quality of my models. This awareness has been one of the most valuable outcomes of the experience and an important step in my development as a 3D artist.
Living in Bulgaria
Living in Bulgaria for three months was just as memorable as the internship itself.
Before leaving, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect, but I quickly realised that despite the cultural and language differences, people are not so different from those we meet in Portugal.
I especially enjoyed discovering local traditions, such as the Martenitsa celebration, and visiting historical and cultural landmarks throughout the country. During my stay, I explored museums, churches, monuments, botanical gardens, and historic cities such as Veliko Tarnovo. I also had the opportunity to experience Bulgaria’s natural landscapes, including a mountain hike where I saw snow for the first time in my life—an unforgettable experience.
One thing that particularly stood out to me was the organisation of the city. Although some aspects of the infrastructure seemed older or less modern than what I was used to in Portugal, many public systems operated in a remarkably efficient and organised way.
Beyond the places I visited, the people I met made the experience truly special. My colleagues, fellow interns, and everyone I interacted with contributed to making these three months unforgettable.
Post-Erasmus Final Project
For my post-Erasmus project, I decided to create something directly inspired by the work I carried out during my internship.
Since much of my role involved producing new textures and alternative versions of existing characters, I chose to apply those newly acquired skills to a personal project. I reused a character I had originally created during my course and completely retextured it based on one of the alternate concepts from the original design.
The concept already included a demonic version of the character, so I decided to develop that variation further. My goal was not only to practise the techniques I had learned during the internship but also to create a portfolio piece that reflects my current skills.
This project allowed me to consolidate my knowledge of texturing, material creation, visual storytelling, and final character presentation, serving as a natural continuation of the work I developed during my internship.
Conclusion
Overall, I consider the Erasmus+ programme to have been an extremely positive experience.
Beyond the technical skills I acquired, it allowed me to grow both professionally and personally. I returned with greater confidence in my abilities and a much clearer understanding of what it means to work within the international games industry.
It also gave me the opportunity to build new friendships, face new challenges, and gain fresh perspectives on my field of study.
The three months passed incredibly quickly, but they left me with valuable lessons, unforgettable memories, and experiences that I know will continue to shape me throughout my career.
Rafael’s Final Project