Greater Zurich Area, Switzerland — February 16, 2022 — FunPlus, a leading independent mobile game developer and publisher and Creative Art Works (“CAW”), a 35-year-old nonprofit that empowers young people through the visual and multimedia arts, today announced their second collaboration on a Character Design Apprenticeship. The goal of the program is to support underserved New York City teens and young adults and which could potentially inspire them to pursue a career in game design. This Apprenticeship aims to equip New York City High School Students with essential tools and skills; connect them with community, academic success and career opportunities; and inspire them to reach new possibilities. FunPlus and CAW’s apprenticeship officially kicked off on February 8th.
“Thanks to the corporate support from FunPlus, Creative Art Works is able to offer an exceptional workforce development program to NYC high school students.” said Brian Ricklin, CAW Executive Director and CEO. “From our experience last year, we know the positive impact this type of program has on young peoples’ lives, and we’re excited to see what this year’s cohort will achieve”.
“We feel so honored to be part of the incredible work that Creative Art Works is performing in New York City,” said Wei Wang, Chief Creative Officer of FunPlus, who participated as a guest speaker and judge in the 2021 edition of the program. “Last year, all the participants showed impressive talent and tenacity, and I can’t wait to see how this new group of students apply all their learnings in their new projects this spring. It is so inspiring to see these Youth Apprentices unleash their creative potential and who knows, perhaps even discover a calling for a career in game design in the future!”
This spring, the FunPlus and Creative Art Works Character Design program will serve over 100 Youth Apprentices from five New York City Career and Technical Education (CTE) High Schools. The goal of this project is for each Youth Apprentices to create a fully-realized character with a backstory, personality traits, strengths and weaknesses. CAW Teaching Artists will provide two hours of in-person instruction over the course of fourteen weeks. In addition, FunPlus artists and creatives from across the globe will provide critiques of youth work, career advice, and advanced lectures on topics such as body shape, silhouette construction & anatomy, storyboarding, costume/prop design, color scripts, environment & background design and more. The program will conclude with an awards ceremony on June 1st at 7:00PM ET.
FunPlus has invested in the development of curriculum, Teaching Artist salaries, and other program costs with an eye towards creating a sustainable program. CAW is offering the Character Design program at five New York City Career and Technical Education (CTE) High Schools, which offer students with disabilities, Multilingual Learners/English Language Learners, and students from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds equitable access to high-quality internships. All the students will be paid NYC minimum wage of $15 an hour.
More information about the Character Design Internship program of FunPlus and Creative Art Works can be found on CAW’s website. Updates about the program will be shared on FunPlus’ Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram and CAW’s Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and blog.
Assets and artworks from last year’s edition can be found here.
About FunPlus
Founded in 2010, FunPlus is a world-class, independent game developer and publisher headquartered in Switzerland and with operations in China, Japan, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Russia, and the United States. As an organization that fosters the best creative and diverse talent in the world, and employs nearly 2,000 people, the company has developed and published games that have ranked in the #1 spot in nearly 70 countries, including State
of Survival, King of Avalon and Guns of Glory. FunPlus studios include KingsGroup, Puzala, Seven Games and Imagendary Studios, each with a focus on developing a unique brand of innovative games for global audiences. FunPlus is the founder of FPX（FunPlus Phoenix), one of the world’s most successful esports organizations, and the 2019 League of Legends World Champions. Visit www.funplus.com to find out more.
About Creative Art Works
Creative Art Works (“CAW”) is a 36-year-old non-profit that empowers young people through the visual and multimedia arts. CAW’s programs equip children, teens, and young adults with essential tools and skills; connect them with community, academic success and career opportunities; and inspire them to reach for new possibilities.
Working in underserved New York City neighborhoods, CAW provides dynamic, creative youth development for those who would otherwise lack access. Thousands of NYC young people, aged 4-24, participate in CAW programs every year. Approximatlely 96% of participants in CAW programs are African American and/or Latino youth.