loading screen by Alexandru Mihalceanu

At least once, we all bought or exchanged items. In order to have a personal touch and make the game enjoyable and we continuously seek the most attractive way to customize our heroes. With the fanbase increasing every day, graphic designers are trying to offer us a large variety to choose from. They realize that 11 million people can’t have the same aesthetic sense.

Have you ever thought about the intensive work put into making your favorite item? Have you been curious enough to open Dota2 Workshop and look at what it’s all about, or even more, try it for yourself? If you did, you saw how laborious the process is. If not, I truly recommend you to give it a shot. It will make you think twice next time you complain on how expensive an item set is or that it doesn’t look that great.

There are hundreds and hundreds of hours spent in front of the computer just for passion and those hours must be somehow rewarded.

Alexandru Mihalceanu is a prominent figure when we talk about the Dota2 Workshop and he accepted a discussion with Danielle., from dota2romania.com, about his work.

The interview was conducted in Romanian and published on the aforementioned Romanian community website. The English translation was provided for us by the author itself.

Talk to me about the time when your passion for creating items started.

I was playing League of Legends with some friends. After almost three months of LoL, they convinced me to install Dota 2, which I didn’t like at all. The only thing I enjoyed was the graphics and because of that I continued to play. My 2000 hours of gameplay proves that.

Three years ago, while I was waiting for a game to start, I saw that Valve added a modding option to the game and that’s how it all started. I didn’t know that you could make money from this. I loved the game’s fantasy-medieval feel and its cartoony style.

Did you take classes or go to a specific university for this kind of work?

In Romania, those kinds of schools do not exist. If I have to recommend something, I will encourage those who are interested in becoming graphic designers to apply for an art high school or university. I went to a high school where I studied technical drawing then, I started my first year at the “Technical University of Civil Engineering” in Iasi, Romania. I dropped out and left for Bucharest where I began studying marketing at “Romano-American University” but we all know the perks of a private university. At age of 16 my teacher gave me 3DS MAX 2.5 and out of passion I looked for more tutorials and read them 2 or 3 times until I managed to understand. However, nowadays, this process it`s so much easier.

How many hours have you invested in your work? Was it worth it?

I started designing swords and easy-to-make items until I grasped the graphic style. It`s pretty hard not to be lost in details. For a simple item it takes me one day. For a whole set I need like one or two weeks, depending on the hero I chose and if I make it all by myself.  It was worth it, every time.

Which was your first item?

My first item… I can't even remember… but I know I deleted some old work. They were not good enough. I guess one of my early attempts is a Windranger Bow.

And your favorite?

Hmm, I guess it's a Bounty Hunter's Mask. It reminds me of how enthusiastic I was when it was added in a chest. It was desired by everyone! I was glad to see it on an enemy player or a teammate, telling them “nice mask you got, mate”.

On the second place is the courier “Dante, the little Transylvanian prince”.

I was eager to ask how you feel about seeing your items in the game. I must say your work is incredible and the courier is awesome, one of my favorites.

Thanks! It feels good to know you did something that so many people appreciate, show it by buying my stuff.

Who encouraged you to continue with your passion? Was it difficult to justify the many hours spent doing what you like? (I guess without any money at the beginning)

In general, the creative process demands a lot of time. I'm lucky to have a job that I love and that doesn't consume me entirely. I work from 9am to 18pm and then I can go home to concentrate on my workshop ideas. The only thing that stopped me was some terrible headaches. Now I don't push myself as hard as I did before. You have to be pretty detached when it comes to Workshop, otherwise you lose so much time. You have to design cool stuff in order to increase your chances. I'm pleased with what I did, it was worth a lot!

Have you collaborated with pro teams or players?

Not so much. I did it with Nexon for a short period of time and designed them some couriers ( this is how I learned to make them). Actually, my only collaboration I have is with Total Halibut (Total Biscuit). I created a set for him, for Pudge and I hope it will be approved soon so you can find it on the market.

How did you managed to get in contact with Total Biscuit?

I wanted this because I was subscribed on his Youtube channel years ago. I tried to reach him through his animator, Cristian Baltoc. After he announced that he has cancer, Cristian told me to put it on hold. His illness got worse and I didn't hear from him for a while. Then, I was contacted by an old partner to make a set for a Youtuber. Initially I said no, but after finding out it was for TB I changed my mind because I didn't have anything to do at that time. I stopped for a week when the news about his terminal cancer was dropped and I got a little depressed. I thought that he didn't think about this anymore but he got better and accepted the set. Total Biscuit loved it and that made me happy.

Oh, and I did the Gryphonas For Purge Gamer's team.

What are Valve`s criteria for selecting an item?

From what I discussed with Valve (which are not as many as they need to be) it's all about chances. The planets must be aligned or something (laughs). The rating doesn't matter as much as the difference between positive and negatives reviews (it's good to be over 80%).

Have you got the chance to promote yourself and your work through these collaborations?

No, I prefer to rather design items and not to worry about the marketing stuff. And this why I actually gave up. It's not efficient at all. In these kinds of collaborations, your name is not so important. The credits are taken by third-parties. The financial part isn't worth it either. That`s why I choose to design it all by myself but I learned from those experiences, and I don't regret a thing.

Anyone close to you requested a particular item?

I had some friends that came with ideas but they weren't interesting to put in practice. I have understanding friends, they know how much work is needed. If they come with an idea we talk about it and a thing that I can make in an hour or two, sure, I will help them.

Do you have fans? Those that wait impatient for your new set so they can vote for it?

I don't know. I guess so. You can't know for sure, but if you want an exact number, I have 938 followers on Steam.

Any out of the ordinary fans corner you for autographs?

Only once, at The International 5; a cute, nervous Asian girl approached me, to give her an autograph. I found it very touching. My friends usually ask me for sets, not autographs.

Have you ever thought about the idea of playing on a higher level?

At the beginning, when I was hyped, I was in a team of five. I was more serious about the game but still couldn't look away from the texture or thinking about what a great set I can make for this hero. I knew from the start how much time and dedication it will take. I didn't have the Dota 1 experience like others had. Probably, if I would have dropped my job and my social life I could have had a chance. Anyway, at 27 years old, even Dendi can think of retiring (laughs). If I wanted it, I would probably have to be “all the way” and the risk is too high.

Thanks a lot for your time and I hope you will remain as enthusiastic and energized as you are now.

In the end, I urge you to look over the beautiful things made by Alex and maybe, if you like something don't hesitate to buy it. The most awesome feeling for an artist is to know his work is appreciated and after weeks of hard work that someone is there to support him.

You can follow Alexandru Mihalceanu here.

source: dota2romania
all images used for this interview  are from Alexandru Mihalceanu's steam workshop