Our exclusive interview with an artist who collaborated with us to create several truly outstanding Limited Edition products.
Launching today is a brand new Limited Edition collection. We have an exclusive interview with Titik Noda, who contributed several designs to create a truly unique collaboration with SteelSeries.
Interview with Titik Noda
How did you get into art and become an artist?
I started liking art perhaps since I was a child, around 5-6 years old. It began with watching my favorite anime, Dragon Ball, created by Akira Toriyama. Son Goku was the first character I drew. It wasn't just Dragon Ball that got me into art; in elementary school, there was someone near my school who always sold sheets of paper with cartoon drawings (from Digimon, Dragon Ball, Pokémon, and other late 90s cartoons) to color. I always bought a sheet to take home and color. This childhood hobby led me to pursue a degree in fine arts, and I have been studying art ever since.
How do you stay motivated and inspired?
Staying consistently motivated is challenging, but I always remind myself that there is a lot of competition out there. Every day, there may be many new artists who are more talented than Iam, practicing their drawing skills. To get inspiration consistently, I usually draw from movies,music, or, most easily, playing games. When playing an open-world or RPG game, I feel absorbed into that world, and there are many gaming experiences that can serve as inspiration.
What video games do you play? What's your favorite game?
Currently, I'm playing Baldur’s Gate 3, and I really enjoy this genre. It has made me quite addicted, and I spend a little time almost every day just exploring the world of Baldur’s Gate 3. However, my favorite game, which I've played for about 170 hours, is Monster Hunter World.
Is this your first time collaborating with a gaming brand?
Yes, this is the first and biggest collaboration. I feel very honored and proud of myself for being able to collaborate with SteelSeries. Fun fact: my first gaming headphones were Arctis 3, and I really loved their clear sound, which is perfect for listening to my favorite 70s music.
What was the inspiration for the design you created with SteelSeries?
I actually had a hard time coming up with ideas for the collaboration design with SteelSeries. As the deadline approached, I thought of something while playing Elden Ring. I felt that the spirit of a gamer is very high. Even though my character died many times in the game, I didn't give up. I kept trying. That spirit is what I depicted as fire in the design, a fire that never goes out, burning to the bone. It might sound exaggerated, but I think that's the spirit of gamers.
How has your artistic style evolved over the years?
As an artist, I might be one of the most inconsistent in terms of art style. The problem is, I love drawing, and I want to draw different things in various styles. Often, I get bored when trying to be consistent with the same art style or color harmony. I want to explore and draw in more styles until I find something truly authentic to myself. So, at the moment, I'm really in the learning and searching phase.
Are there any upcoming projects or exhibitions you're excited about?
Right now, I am focused on working on an event called Gamers to Gamers, which connects gamers with indie game developers from Indonesia. It will be held in late November or early December and is the biggest in my country. There I am responsible as the art director, guiding the theme and visuals from concept, booth design, social media design, to merchandise.
What advice would you give to aspiring artists looking to break into the industry?
My advice is basic: start with a pencil and paper and learn art fundamentals for as long as possible until you're fed up. Trust me, strong art fundamentals will make your journey as an artist much easier.
Our Artist Series Limited Edition Collection launches August 27th. Check out all the products we have available for these unique drops from this collaboration.