The Harsh Truth About Working in Design & Game Development | ORN Ep. 01

Welcome to Episode 01 of Off Record Network. For our debut episode, Fawzi sat down with Shadi Al-Abadi, a multidisciplinary creative professional with years of experience across 3D art, branding, graphic design, video production, music, voice acting, and entrepreneurship. Shadi is the founder of LoreCraft Designs, a creative studio focused on helping businesses and brands build stronger visual identities through design, storytelling, and digital media. Throughout his career, he has worked across multiple creative disciplines, giving him a unique perspective on the opportunities and challenges facing modern creatives.    / @lorecraftdesigns638   In this conversation, we explore the realities of working in design, game development, and the wider creative industry. Topics include workplace favoritism, hiring through connections versus merit, crunch culture, burnout, the lack of professional protection for designers, the advantages and disadvantages of being a generalist, the impact of AI on creative careers, and the skills creatives need to remain relevant in a rapidly changing industry. This episode is not a technical tutorial. It's an honest discussion about the professional realities many creatives experience but rarely talk about openly. Whether you're a designer, artist, developer, freelancer, student, or creative entrepreneur, this conversation offers valuable insights into navigating a career in today's creative landscape. 00:00 Who is Shadi Al-Abadi 20:30 3D/gaming industry misconceptions 22:00 The art of avoiding workplace conflicts 23:30 are designers forced to be generalists? 25:30 Is there lack of talent in the MENA region? 26:50 The best skill for a designer 29:10 Oversaturated industry? 31:15 Designers Union 36:50 LinkedIn BS, Ghost Jobs, Hiring, & Unrealistic Work Standards! 40:50 Job interview BS 43:50 Local Income, Negotiation Culture, & Product v Service 46:20 Employee Investment? 49:00 "It's a big club & you ain't in it" + Nepotisim 54:10 Toxic Workplace Cliques and Favourtism 1:03:45 Pessisim v Pragmatism 1:06:05 Passion & The Venom Analogy 1:09:40 Q&A, Happiness, Longevity, Ai, & Legacy About Off Record Network: Off Record Network (ORN) is a podcast and media platform dedicated to honest conversations about careers, workplace culture, business, creativity, leadership, and the realities people experience behind the scenes. Subscribe for more conversations that happen off the record.