Elyse Bromser-Kloeden

3D Artist

Industry:

3D Artist, Ubisoft

Country:

Washington D.C, United States of America

Been in Singapore since April 2010
Currently an Employment Pass Holder

An intensive five–day whirlwind tour of Singapore and its growing IDM (Interactive & Digital Media) industry landed final–year undergraduate Elyse Bromser–Kloeden with a coveted job interview at top-–tier game developer Ubisoft. Three months after her Experience@Singapore:IDM immersion programme organised by Contact Singapore, the 22–year–old is happily settled into her new life, half the world away.

A day in my life

1. 8.30 am

   Out of my Bukit Timah condominium to catch the bus. It’s a 45 minute journey to Fusionopolis – kind of out of the way but not so bad, considering I (sometimes) used to drive over an hour when I was in the States. I miss my car, but taking buses and the MRT in Singapore is pretty easy.

2. 9.30 am

   At my desk eating breakfast as I start work. I picked up my usual from the Ya Kun coffeeshop downstairs. ‘Cheese toast with kaya butter’ may sound strange but I like it! I like the local tea, too.

3. 11.00 am

   3D modelling means I’m at my desk working on the computer practically the whole day. The models themselves are pretty varied, though, ranging from props to environments. I enjoy the combination of technology and art. Working here is great; it’s very laid-back, and my colleagues are all helpful and friendly.

4. 1.00 pm

   It’s the Artists’ Lunch – our weekly meal together. All twenty or so of us head downstairs. Fusionopolis has everything from Starbucks to formal Chinese restaurants and even the popular Harry’s Bar, so we’re pretty well covered for food normally. The food court’s just right for today – it will cater to all our preferences.

5. 2.00 pm

   Back in the office, it’s time to test some of the new games. There are dedicated testers who have been playing the games, so I’m basically just checking out the artwork, to see if anything needs fixing.

6. 6.30 pm

   I head to the MRT station where there’s a direct train to Bugis. Feel like a little shopping tonight, and there’s a good variety of stuff here, from the department store at Bugis Junction to the market stalls in Bugis Street. Think I’ll have a look at the new mall, Iluma. Maybe I’ll find some nice shoes in my size!

7. 7.00 pm

   Dinner first... McDonald’s is just outside the train station. I don’t really cook, so it’s a good thing eating out is so easy in Singapore. I’d say I’m pretty adventurous with food – I like the spicy stuff, like laksa, and of course Singapore’s famous chicken rice, with chilli; but sometimes I’ve just got to have some fast food! I’m still looking for a good place for Mexican food, though. What I’ve found so far hasn’t tasted like what I get back in the U.S.

8. 9.30 pm

   Home finally. With new shoes. One thing I like about Singapore is how safe I feel wherever I go, even if I were to get back late. It’s a really nice feeling.

9. 10.00 pm

   Chatting with my boyfriend on the internet. It’ll be really cool once he comes over on his Work Holiday Pass, which will give him six months and a chance to look around at the great job opportunities in the gaming industry. I’ve told my friends about Singapore and they all agree I’m really lucky to be here. Thank goodness I applied for the Experience@Singapore programme in January!

10. 11.00 pm

    Winding down in bed with an American TV show I downloaded earlier, after my usual short gaming fix. Guess you could say I’m a typical geek! Still, being in Singapore has seen me get up to a lot more than I would have at home. I’ve discovered the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and got up close with monkeys and monitor lizards. I’m going to get a bike so I can cycle over more easily. That’s what I like about Singapore – it’s the best of city life but still so green and safe.