Some of Blossomalex`s sets that were accepted in-game.
Because the other workshoppers praise her work, and her sets are among the most accepted by Valve, I made contact with Blossomalex, a young Romanian girl who changed her career path to become a full-time Workshop artist. We discussed about how everything started and the things she likes the most in this profession. You can find my interview with her as well as the top weekly Workshop submissions below. Don’t forget to vote for them because Valve takes your opinions into account and makes only the most popular sets a part of the game. Any of the sets presented below has a chance of being included in the Winter Treasure 2 or 3.
Can you tell us a few words about yourself and your career?
Hi, my name is Alexandra Mitrescu, mostly known as 'Blossomalex' in the Dota 2 Workshop (also CS:GO Workshop). I'm a 28-year-old girl from Romania with a big passion for video games. I graduated from Bucharest Academy of Economic Studies and also have a master degree in PR - at that time, following a career in Arts wasn't really an option for me, mostly because there aren't many jobs in this industry in my country and also no University that can teach you, 3D Art.
After working for almost a year as assistant manager I quit my job because I wasn't happy there and I knew this was not how I wanted to continue my life. I took a break and moved to Spain for a couple of years with my boyfriend Vlad Icobet. I mentioned him because he is a very big part of the "Blossomalex Workshop", as this is a two person Workshop.
I started playing Dota 2 in 2013 and after a while, I found out that you can actually make items for the heroes and also earn money if they get in the game. Since Vlad has a degree in Industrial Design and loves to draw he taught me the programs we use and this is how we both started with the Workshop.
How did you feel after you submitted your first set?
Our first item was a Death Prophet set - Celebration of the Dead (you can find it here), posted in February 2014. The theme was the popular Mexican celebration, Day of the Dead, and we thought it fits the hero very well. After we submitted the set, we were really surprised by the good feedback we got from people and it seemed we were going in the right direction with what the community likes. It was a nice feeling seeing our first work appreciated.
Which set was the most popular? And which one do you like the most?
I think one of our most popular sets was Empire of the Lightning Lord, a set for Razor that we made for Team Empire in August 2014. We were really happy they contacted and picked us for a set in the same year we started with the Dota 2 Workshop. Things were going pretty well and partnering with Team Empire was also an important advertising moment for the set and our Workshop.
Another popular set was the Regime of the Enthaleen Dragon, a set for Lina. This set was awarded to Winter 2016 Battle Pass owners who completed the Path of the Wanderer quest line and also has an additional style. We really wanted to make something with the dragon theme for Lina as it's one of her signature spells and it emphasizes her abilities and her as a character.
The set I love the most is our Luna set - Silvershade Rider. We tried making something a bit different from the usual Luna sets, changing her color palette but still recognizing the hero from in-game view. I love how fluffy and cute her mount is and how the colors work together.
Which are the good and bad sides of being a full-time Workshop artist?
Being a full-time workshop artist and freelancer has some good and bad sides to it. One of the things I love about it is that I can happily choose when I get to work or take a break, and, of course, when I work from home or wherever I desire. Also, for the Dota 2 Workshop there is freedom in what you can create, with some obvious technical and artistic limitation, but mostly you can let your imagination run wild.
The thing that makes this job very stressful sometimes is the fact that there is no certainty your work will get accepted by Valve. It can be a month, six or maybe more than a year without getting something in. This can discourage and make you wonder whether to continue with it or not, but it is better to be optimistic, work hard and hope things will go in the right direction.
How open are you to the feedbacks you receive?
Some of Blossomalex's pending sets.
It is very hard to please everyone from the community and at the same time follow what Valve might want for their game. We like to give our sets suitable themes that work with the hero, make some color changes from the original and sometimes this can get different reactions from people. Of course, not all of our sets have a specific theme, but that is the direction we are trying to follow. Some people are open to new and different ideas, and others prefer little to no changes to the hero. We are open to all kinds of feedback, even though negative one can be very demoralizing. But we accept that each person is entitled to an opinion, good or bad.
Your new Troll Warden set gains popularity quickly. Can you tell us what inspired you to create it?
The idea behind it was to combine two themes: winter and tribal, in order to give him a more savage look. After he was banished from the encampment, this is the story of one of his journeys through a Frozen Land where he fought and slain many beasts, including a mighty saber-toothed lion. To endure the biting cold, he then skinned the animal and wore it as a trophy.
This is one example of a set that is a bit different from the original, both in silhouette and colors, but we like distinctive ideas and giving heroes a new story.
Do you currently work on some new sets?
We are working on a Monkey King set that has a jungle theme with Mayan and Aztec influences. We just submitted it! If you really like it, please vote for it here. It has a chance to be added in one of the Winter Treasures!
You are all welcome to like their Facebook page, follow them on Steam and tweet them on Twitter.
Now, let`s see the other sets that were submitted this week.
Shadow of shine
For this set the artist kept the hero’s specific color palette. I like the idea behind the weapon’s design, one part smooth and sharp and the other jagged and electrified. Unlike other sets, this one’s armor covers AM’s entire body. The match between the pauldrons and the rest of the body armor works really well.
You can vote for it here.
Underlord Warboss
A bit more minimalistic than the rest of the sets submitted for Pitlord, Boss of War is designed very thoroughly, making up for its lack of embellishments. The set’s presentation places it inside an incredibly beautiful story that you should definitely read!
If you like the set, please leave your votes and feedbacks here. Oh, and don`t forget to watch his presentation, you will totally love it!
Malevolent NetherDrake
This is the most beautiful Viper set I’ve seen so far! I simply adore its head, which gives it a fearsome and at the same time majestic aspect. This set makes Viper look like a mixture of Dragon and Mantis. And just look at the level of detail on its wings, emphasizing the bones. Simply breathtaking!
Don`t forget to vote for it here, so we can have a chance to see it in-game!
Stone Curse
For this set, the artist chose to cover Medusa’s mouth with a bandana, making us stare into her eyes and turning her into an even scarier creature. The snake theme is beautifully preserved and emphasized. Just take a look at the hero’s belt, tail and bow.
If you like the new Medusa look, vote here.