Kitt Byrne | 2D Artist/Game Designer

Kitt Byrne | 2D Artist/Game Designer

(She/Her)

Sometimes even the most talented people need a good cheerleader, who will champion their work and build that self-confidence to fulfil their undoubted potential. For freelance 2D artist and game designer Kitt Byrne that person was former Breakthrough participant Laure De Mey, founder of Balloon Studios, whose latest game, Botany Manor, Kitt has been helping to design.

It was Laure who suggested Kitt apply for BAFTA Breakthrough, having recognised Kitt’s artistic talent, not only on her own game but also the incredible artwork she created for the BAFTA-nominated Gibbon: Beyond the Trees (Broken Rules, 2022). It was just the kind of push Kitt needed, because up until that point, although confident in her own abilities, she hadn’t felt like she was in a place where she should or could apply.

In their own words...

“I was super into games as a kid, but I didn’t have any idea that I would go into it as a career... Growing up in the north east, I didn’t know anybody who worked in a creative job at all, not even a graphic designer. At uni, I discovered this world of animation, illustration, and design in games and my heart was set on doing that. It took a long time to find a way in, but I think that just shows I really wanted it because I kept trying... I’ve spent a lot of my career feeling imposter syndrome. So, to have what I’ve worked on be recognised as being good is a real pat on the back.”

“I’m hoping to get involved in more outreach stuff [through BAFTA], helping newcomers to the industry and making everybody feel like they have a chance to make games, regardless of what background they’re from. I really want to help the industry be a more inclusive place and remove some of the obstacles that exist for minorities, for women. I’d like to help change that as much as I can.”

Kitt is currently working on puzzle game Botany Manor for Balloon Studios.

Kitt’s breakthrough credit is for the game Gibbon: Beyond the Trees

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