Women’s Mentorship Program with ITU: Year Two
Supporting Growth through Mentorship
After a successful first year, we’re excited to continue our Women’s Mentorship Program into its second year, with additional mentees joining from ITU’s MSc in Games Program. This initiative has been instrumental in connecting the dots between education and industry, offering valuable insights from experienced professionals, and giving our studio another opportunity to help create a level playing field.
As we dive into year two, we want to reflect on the journey so far. Here’s a look at the mentors and mentees who have been part of this program and what they’ve learned along the way.
The mentors in this program are more than just experts in their field—they’re dedicated to giving back and empowering the next generation of game designers. Each mentor brings their own experiences, challenges, and wisdom, creating a space where everyone can learn.
Mentees Share Their Stories
Bridging the Gap
Mentor: Laurine Deschamps – Global Brand Manager
Laurine is passionate about filling the mentorship gap she felt during her own career journey. “As a student, I had very few mentors in my field. By becoming a mentor, I wanted to bridge that gap,” Laurine explains. Her goal is to offer the kind of support that helps go beyond surface-level questions.
Through their conversations, Laurine and her mentee Alexandra have explored a range of topics, including the unique differences between branding in games and other industries. “We’ve tackled the key differences between marketing a video game as opposed to a mainstream consumer good, like…yoghurt."
Laurine reignited my passion for branding, which I had lost over the years.”
Alexandra’s Experience with Laurine
For mentees like Alexandra, the mentorship program has been about exploring new perspectives, particularly when it comes to game branding.
Alexandra joined the program to gain deeper insights into how branding in the gaming industry differs from traditional branding. “I’ve found gaps in the indie game development market and was curious to see if these persist in larger studios,” she explains. This curiosity was the driving force behind her decision to seek out Laurine’s mentorship.
The experience helped Alexandra to bridge the gap between theory and practice. “Laurine reignited my passion for branding, which I had lost over the years.” she says. Through their discussions, Alexandra gained a deeper understanding of how branding strategies can be applied specifically to the gaming world.
Finding Clarity and Confidence
Mentor: Cristina Vega – Executive Technical Producer
Cristina’s journey as a mentor is deeply rooted in her own experiences as a woman in the gaming industry, where she often found herself one of the few advocating for equality. “The mentorship speeds up the mentees’ journey.” Cristina shares. “Based on my experience, many of them seemed quite lost. Helping them clarify their journeys by providing different angles usually helps them out.”
Cristina’s role as a mentor goes beyond offering technical advice—it’s about creating a space for mentees to discover their strengths, ask tough questions, and navigate the complexities of the industry with confidence.
I got more motivated and more hopeful about the future.”
Iride’s Journey with Cristina
For many mentees, like Iride, the mentorship program offers much-needed clarity and motivation.
Iride was grappling with the paradox of needing experience to land a job but needing a job to gain experience. “It’s nice not to feel alone and to have someone more experienced taking me under their wing to help me figure things out,” Iride says.
Working with Cristina has helped Iride gain a sense of direction. “I got more motivated and more hopeful about the future.” she adds. Cristina’s mentorship has empowered Iride to take control of her career path. “I realized that I can also choose which company and the kind of role I would like to work with and try to better myself and study for that goal,” Iride says, reflecting on how much the program has helped her grow.
A focus on diverse perspectives
Mentor: Martha Weiss – Senior Character Concept Artist
Martha has always been passionate about mentoring, especially when it comes to encouraging more women to enter the gaming industry. “I love getting to know the new generation of game developers.” she shares. “They have such fresh ideas and energy that they keep me inspired. It’s a win-win: I get to help them grow, and I also learn a lot from them in the process.”
Through her mentorship, Martha has been able to foster the kind of open, creative dialogue that the industry needs to stay innovative.
I love getting to know the new generation of game developers”
Malgorzata’s Perspective on Diversity in Design
Malgorzata believes that bringing diverse voices into the gaming industry is key to creating more inclusive and authentic designs.
Malgorzata joined the mentorship program to gain firsthand industry insights and to foster a sense of sisterhood in an often fast-paced, male-dominated field. “There is a need for a woman's perspective to avoid making sexualized or impractical designs that no real woman would have been a part of in actual life,” Malgorzata explains.
Her words highlight an important issue in the industry: the need for more diverse and realistic representations of women in game design. For Malgorzata, the mentorship has been about finding her own voice and contributing to a more inclusive future for the industry, reminding us of the work still to be done and the importance of involving a range of voices in the creative process
Looking ahead
As we continue into the second year of the Women’s Mentorship Program, the impact of these relationships is becoming increasingly clear. The guidance and insights provided by IOI mentors like Laurine, Cristina, and Martha are invaluable in helping mentees navigate the complexities of the gaming industry, from branding and production to character design and beyond.
These stories highlight the importance of mentorship in building confidence, creating a level playing field, bridging knowledge gaps, and offering direction in an often complex industry. As the program moves forward, we look forward to supporting even more young talent in achieving their goals and giving them a strong start in the gaming industry, creating a level playing field for everyone.