Andria Chikovani

For many, digital art is just a hobby, but for Andria Chikovani, it was a childhood passion that he turned into a professional career path. Through the Talent Growth program, Andria has been able to put his academic knowledge to the test against real-world challenges.

Andria, how did you get into the Talent Growth program? Why Digital Art specifically?

I’ve been interested in digital art since I was a kid. In Georgia, this profession is still quite rare, so as soon as I heard about this program, I made my decision in seconds. I realized it was the chance to turn my interest into a career.

First day at Upgaming: Expectations vs. Reality. What was the most "shocking" detail you encountered?

The work environment! It’s truly rare to find a company in Georgia with the scale and atmosphere of Upgaming. Also, I was very surprised and happy to receive such great support from both mentors and colleagues.

For a 2D artist, visualizing someone else's idea can be difficult. What has been your most challenging assignment so far?

It was difficult to draw a character and a game based on a very specific set of definitions. To be honest, at first, I didn't think anything interesting would come of it. However, after a lot of searching and trying out different styles, I achieved a result that actually motivated me. By the end of the week, I was really proud of my work.

Who was your mentor and what is the "golden rule" you learned from them?

My mentor was Sukha Zviadauri. Sukha always emphasized the importance of progress and the fact that we should never forget the general, fundamental principles of drawing.

What "superpower" did you discover in yourself after starting the program?

I discovered that doing creative work gives me immense pleasure. It’s this enjoyable process that helps me develop professionally much more easily through discipline and motivation.

Which character created by you would you go out for a beer with, and what would you talk about?

I would love to go with one of my characters, "Gangster Grandma," but unfortunately, she doesn’t drink beer, she has high blood pressure. So, we’d probably have to talk about her adventures over a cup of tea.

If you could erase one color from the world, which would it be?

I thought about it a lot and I can't bring myself to get rid of any color. I think even the "ugliest" color has its own unique role in nature and composition.

What is something you are very good at, but will never be on your CV?

Playing the guitar and my general knowledge of music.

Finally, what was the last thing you did for the first time in your life?

For the first time, I developed a serious interest in Artificial Intelligence. I’ve started studying it and trying to understand what impact it will have on art and the future of the world.

Rapid Fire Questions