Interview with David Lesperance

Q. Hello David, could you tell us a bit about yourself and are you self-taught or have taken some training?

A combo of both. I have a BFA degree but I do a lot of studies at home so it really helps.


Q. Please tell us about your past and current jobs. How you end up with the current job?

Currently I work for Microsoft at 343 Industries as a Senior Environment Artist working on their Halo project. I was contacted to work there and was really excited about the talent at the studio so I decided to make the move from Blizzard Cinematics to 343.


Q. What is your Environment Art all about? How your typical workflow looks like?

It's really about studying and learning I don't really have anything beyond that goal in mind when I work. If
I can learn something then I'm happy. The workflow is based around speed and getting faster and making
better art.


Q. Let's talk about "Environment Study", tell us where the idea to create such a scene came from? How did you start and how did it end up?

The idea came from wanting to study some lighting. Took about two weeks from start to finish so about 40- 60 hrs. It always starts from layout and getting the camera locked. From lighting to asset creation.





Q. In your opinion, how cooperation between Level Designers and Environment Artists should look like?

Like any relationship really, it's give and take. Both art gameplay and tech should always be working toward the same goal of shipping a great project on time and on budget. Otherwise it's not a good production.