Student to Concept Artist: Jessica Smith’s Story
At Santa Maria College, Jessica Smith (Class of 2009) discovered a passion for art and creativity that would eventually shape her entire career. Inspired by her love for Japanese animation and supported by the guidance of her teachers, particularly her Art Teacher Jan Withers, Jessica has crafted a unique path as a concept artist in the video game industry, living and working from Japan.
Finding Her Path: From Santa Maria to TAFE
Jessica’s journey toward becoming a concept artist began at Santa Maria College, where she was fortunate to be guided by her art teacher, Jan Withers. In Years 11 and 12, when many of her classmates were focusing on traditional forms of art, Jessica’s passion lay in digital art. “I had taught myself how to draw and paint in Photoshop,” Jessica recalls, inspired by her love for Japanese animation.
Rather than discouraging this less conventional path, Jan Withers saw Jessica’s potential and became a source of constant support and encouragement. “She encouraged me to follow the path I was passionate about,” Jessica explains. While other students pursued painting, fashion, or sculpture, Jan supported Jessica in developing digital artwork for her Year 11 and Year 12 portfolios.
This encouragement gave Jessica the confidence to embrace her unique creative style. “I felt so supported during that time,” she says, reflecting on how Jan’s belief in her abilities allowed her to explore digital art as a viable career path. Without that guidance, Jessica believes she might not have pursued the career that now defines her life. “I don’t think I would have taken this path if it wasn’t for her encouragement and guidance as a teacher.”
Breaking into the Industry
Determined to turn her passion into a career, Jessica took a bold step by leaving TAFE and studying art fundamentals online. Her journey took her to the United States, where she attended the prestigious Concept Design Academy in Los Angeles. There, she learned from industry professionals working with companies like Sony and Disney. This experience helped her push her artwork to a professional level and establish connections in the industry.
Jessica’s big break came when she signed a contract to work on a VR game funded by Oculus Rift. Since then, her career has flourished, and she has worked on exciting projects in video games, publishing, advertising, and even teaching art herself – coming full circle from her own school days.
Living her Dream in Japan
Japan has become a second home for Jessica, a place that inspired her love of anime and offered her the opportunity to live and work remotely as a concept artist. “Japan was the first country that felt like home to me aside from Australia,” she says. Now, after eight years in Japan, Jessica continues to work with top-tier clients like Google and Crunchyroll, bringing her artistic visions to life in new and exciting ways. Jessica’s most rewarding project recently has been working on the game Tempopo by Witch Beam Games (an Australian game studio in Brisbane, most known for their virally successful game ‘Unpacking’). “I created the concept art and key art for the game. It is one of the first games that pretty much looks exactly like my artwork, which is very rare.” The game will be released worldwide in April 2025.
Advice for Aspiring Creatives
Jessica’s journey is a testament to following your passion, even if it leads you down non-traditional paths. She offers this advice for current Santa Maria students: “Follow what feels fun for you and what lights you up. When you follow a path that excites you, you will naturally work hard because you are passionate about it and having fun.”
By chasing her passion, Jessica has carved out a fulfilling career as a concept artist, a dream job she didn’t even know existed during her school days. Her story reminds us that sometimes, the best career paths are the ones we create ourselves.
You can explore Jessica’s incredible work here.
- AlumniSpotlight, ArtCareer, ConceptArtist, Creativity, DigitalArt, Featured
Author: Santa Maria College
Santa Maria College is a vibrant girls school with a growing local presence and reputation. Our Mission is to educate young Mercy women who act with courage and compassion to enrich our world. Santa Maria College is located in Attadale in Western Australia, 16 km from the Perth CBD. We offer a Catholic education for girls in Years 5 – 12 and have 1300 students, including 152 boarders.
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