Anna Brandberg · @annabrandberg
31st Dec 2018 from TwitLonger
Wall of text: 2018 was a big year for me.
The last day of 2018 really snuck up on us... Weren't we celebrating New Year's just a heartbeat ago?
2018 was a big year for me, and undoubtedly the best year of my career so far.
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- It all kicked off right away in January when I was selected by the IGDA to be one of 10 game developers from around the world to be a part of their Next Gen Leaders programme at GDC in March. This was an incredible experience and I was so blown away and inspired by the other members of the programme, and came away more motivated than ever. This was what kickstarted everything. (I can't wait to see you all for year two at GDC this coming March again!)
- I started speaking at schools, universities and industry events. I got the privilege of mentoring at game jams and of sitting on panels for the first time, sharing my knowledge and experiences as an industry professional. I realised that I had a voice, that I had important things to share, that it was important and that there were people who wanted to hear what I had to say.
- After almost 4 years of working on The Sims franchise, I got to move on to Need For Speed, which has been challenging in different ways to how I'd gotten used to working on The Sims. It's been an important change for me and I look forward to continuing to grow as a UI Designer on this team.
- I was promoted!
- EA sponsored my Permanent Residency, which was approved this year, and which means I get to keep living in Melbourne; my favourite city in the whole world. I'm so grateful.
- I submitted two talks to a major industry conference for the first time ever – and, to my suprise, both got accepted! Despite being in mid-burnout, with an infected kneecap, I somehow managed to deliver back-to-back talks at GCAP about improving your team's UX Design processes and lead a workshop about user testing and game prototypes. This was my biggest challenge this year, and one of the things I'm most proud of. I look forward to doing more of this!
- I started streaming and have met so many delightful people within the gaming, streaming and esports community! To my 'Gin Gin EZ' crew - I look forward to many more gins and many more nights of singing ballads to each other at the top of our lungs at 3am at our favourite bar...
- I met and bonded with some of the fiercest, most talented and most inspiring industry powerhouses I've ever come across. I had the privilege of getting to connect with people who had always intimidated me, and discovered what beautiful and supportive people they in fact are. I've developed friendships with people who motivate me daily, who challenge me, who push me to grow, and who I'm consistently impressed by. I'm so stoked I get to keep seeing you all push for your dreams, and I can't wait to see you all flourish. You're incredible.
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A huge thank you to Tony Reed and to Jen MacLean for believing in me and for giving me the opportunities that have led me to where I am today. You set those first steps in motion for me. The GDAA and the IGDA have been monumental in building my confidence, and for helping me believe in me.
Tessa. Kamina. Sophie. I couldn't have done this year without your endless support, love and unwavering strength. For laughing with me, for crying with me, for the unending amount of hugs that have fuelled me every day. For believing in me when I didn't. I would be nothing without the support systems that exist around me.
To my girl gang. You're all such mad babes whose ambition, determination, nuanced insights and conversations floor me regularly. Thank you for accepting me and loving me. I hope I can love and support you back as much as you have done for me.
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Who would have thought that this awkward little grunge-kid, who grew up in a tiny African kingdom hidden away in the mountains, with no idea what she wanted from life, would end up here?
Cheers to 2018 - I look forward to skating and pirouetting my way through 2019 as well! 💃🏻✨
To all of you reading this. Thank you to all of you for having been a part of it with me. I love you.
Hugs all round... ♥️