short backstory

✱.

Raluca Rotaru^✦

I grew up in Brașov, Romania with a never-ending curiosity and excitement for anything related to art, creation and games. I never grew out of it, but rather into it instead. The intrinsic connection I felt between the three didn’t just shape my personality, but also my approach to life and work.

I first discovered Graphic Design at the age of 14 while developing my English and expanding my understanding of games through creative writing on various fandom forums. A few side quests later, I decided it was time to focus and expand on that proficiency in Vienna, Austria, after which my adventures took me to Lisbon, Portugal.

Among other opportunities here, I’ve been fortunate enough to find a community that allowed me to dive into TTRPGs, starting with in person sessions and ending with managing a written-form West Marches D&D 5E server for the past 5 years.

This peek into storytelling and exploration through a variety of diverse perspectives and playstyle has further solidified my belief that “Child’s Play” – be that in relation to learning, creating, connecting, problem-solving, working or any other mundane activity – is something to be nourished, not forgotten.

Combining sustainability, social awareness, diversity and accessibility not just as trends or fancy words, but as the foundation of our creative process, alongside the curiosity and lightheartedness of games might just be the variable needed for a whimsical and fulfilling everyday life.

I take every opportunity I can to level up my knowledge and abilities, make gaming jokes, pop culture references and terribly entertaining puns (or at least I like to think they are). Most of my days are spent talking to Luna (my cat) in a variety of languages, drinking coffee, watching too many fantasy/sci-fi series and complaining that I never have enough space on my desk, in spite of the addition of a second one.

I don’t take myself too seriously, until it’s time to get to work.

… and then I take the work seriously.