Nathan Maddams

Plastic Wax’s creative director always gets a thrill out of seeing the studio’s work on the shop shelves...

What would you say Plastic Wax offers artists (either as full-time employees or as freelancers) that makes you an exciting and interesting company to work for?

As an artist myself, joining a team of other very high-calibre artists is important. It gives you the ability to constantly learn and develop among a group of your peers that always push and inspire you. The variety of work keeps things exciting as well. From cover art for Tomb Raider and Bio Shock, to pre-rendered work on Borderlands bandits, Warhammer’s chain-sword-wielding spacemarines, through the gamut to LEGO, Mickey and DC characters, there’s always something new and varied to challenge you.

Conversely, do you look for anything in particular when it comes to hiring artists?

Of course it comes down to skill, but raw talent and a passion for what you do is a factor I’m always looking for. I think anyone can learn a discipline, but it takes someone special to keep developing and train that keen eye for detail.

Does the lack of public recognition from gamers ever irk you a bit, or is the work itself reward enough?

Although our marketing guys may disagree, as an artist, I don’t mind being a little off the radar. We love the work we do, and that’s where our focus is, and I feel that having the privilege to work with so many great brands, stories and characters is its own reward. Being able to walk into a store and see many of the top titles are ones you’ve contributed to still brings a smile to my face. All of that said, I do get a kick out of being asked what I do, and watching that person’s face light up as I rattle off titles we’ve worked on. Usually they’re surprised to learn that some of their favourite titles were worked on here in Australia.

What are the overall goals for the studio for, say, the next year? Are you working on any exciting projects that you can tell us about?

Unfortunately, as with most companies we are always under NDA, and are sometimes working on titles, helping developing tech, scripting and storyboarding components, well before they become rumours. All I can say is that there are a few well-known brands and projects that have a few surprises to come in the not-toodistant future…