Jobs in Games: Rababa Games' Mohammad Al-Aghar Rawashdeh on how to get a career as an environment artist

Behind every game is a team of creative developers making it happen. In our Jobs in Games series, we highlight some of the individuals working in the games industry, whether they are veteran developers with big hits under their belts or entirely new to the industry.

We ask how they broke into the sector and their advice for others on making a career in games.

In this interview, we spoke with Rababa Games' senior 3D environment artist, Mohammad Al-Aghar Rawashdeh, to discuss his entry into games, alternative career paths, and advice for people looking to break into the industry.

Pocketgamer.biz: Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you initially get into the games industry? 

Mohammad Al-Aghar Rawashdeh: I am a senior 3D environment artist with over ten years of experience, starting in 2014. I specialise in creating detailed and immersive virtual worlds for games and virtual reality. Skilled in industry-standard tools, I focus on combining technical precision with artistic vision.

Throughout my career, I’ve worked on a variety of projects, ensuring environments are both visually striking and perfectly integrated into the gameplay. My passion for world-building and design led me into the games industry, and it’s been a rewarding journey ever since.

How did you land the role of senior environment artist at Rababa Games? 

I began my career in the industry with guidance from Rababa Games CEO and founder Hussam Al Natour, who mentored me early on and helped me develop as both a game designer and an artist.

After gaining valuable experience through various projects over the years, I decided to reconnect with Hussam. We saw an opportunity to collaborate again, and that led to me joining Rababa as a senior environment artist to help bring Hajwala 2 to life.

What's your day-to-day like at the company? Do you have a go-to ritual before stepping into the office?

My day-to-day typically revolves around solving technical art challenges, mentoring junior artists to help them achieve their goals in environment creation, and ensuring the team consistently upholds high artistic standards. 

Before stepping into the office, I like to enjoy a hot cup of coffee while listening to music, reviewing my tasks for the day, and gathering inspiration - whether through a quick walk, browsing references, or reflecting on the creative challenges ahead. This routine helps me start the day with focus and motivation.

Why a career in games? And if not games, what would you have been doing?

Games have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I’ve always loved the idea of creating worlds and just diving into them. When I first played Hitman, something clicked - I knew I wanted to be part of the games industry, even though I didn’t know how at the time.

If it weren’t for games, I’d likely be pursuing another creative field, such as filmmaking or storytelling, where I could still bring ideas to life.

As someone with experience as an environment artist and game designer, how do you balance your career between these two fields? 

Balancing environment art and game design is possible, especially when working on a story-driven environment that integrates gameplay elements. In this context, environment art and level design are deeply interconnected. The layout and design of the environment need to complement the game mechanics, ensuring that both artistic vision and gameplay functionality align seamlessly. 

By working alongside game designers and programmers, I can test gameplay elements in real time, adjusting the level design and environmental details based on direct feedback.

This allows for more efficient iteration and refinement, reducing the need for guesswork and ensuring the game design and artistic elements work in harmony from the outset.

So, by maintaining a collaborative approach, it’s easier to ensure that the game's visual and functional aspects evolve together cohesively.

What's been the most memorable, funny or unexpected experience you've had while working on a game? 

One of the most memorable moments was winning the Sony PS Vita competition when I first started out. That win kick-started my game designer career and was a huge turning point for me. It was unexpected and incredibly exciting, giving me the confidence to dive deeper into the industry.

Have there been any particularly big highlights or something you're most proud of so far in your career? 

Every achievement feels like a highlight to me, and every game I’ve contributed to is something I’m proud of. But if I had to pick one, I’d say helping younger artists find their way in the industry has been the most rewarding. Guiding them and seeing them grow is something I truly value.

If you could play one video game forever, what game would it be, and what aspects of that game would stand out to you as an artist?

Hitman is definitely my go-to. The environments, especially in the last three instalments, are incredible. I love how every little detail is connected to the story, and how each location feels lived in - like people have been there for years.

As an artist, it’s the way they craft the world to feel alive and authentic that stands out to me. Every corner tells a story, and it’s that level of thoughtfulness in the design that I find inspiring.

Do you have any advice for anyone wanting to work as an environment artist? As well as any advice for people laid off/struggling with work?  

My advice for anyone wanting to work as an environment artist is to stay focused on improving your skills and never stop learning. It’s a competitive field, but by constantly refining your techniques and building strong portfolio pieces, you’ll make it easier for the right people to notice you. 

For those struggling with work or facing layoffs, keep pushing forward and stay adaptable. Use the downtime to learn something new, update your portfolio, or explore different aspects of game art. It can be tough, but perseverance and a willingness to grow will help you get through it.

What are you working on right now? What can we look forward to from you?  

Right now, I’m working on Hajwala 2, which is shaping up to be one of my biggest achievements yet. I’m really excited for everyone to experience it once it’s out. As for what’s next, you’ll find me regularly uploading new environments on my ArtStation. I’m always improving, so you can expect to see my work continue to evolve and get even better.