4 best startup jobs in Colorado: Concept Artist, Orbotix

by Erin Connolly
March 7, 2014

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“I’m just livin’ the dream right now,” says Kyle Wheeler, Orbotix concept artist, without a trace of sarcasm. Orbotix, a Colorado company that is leading the robotic toy revolution, recently launched their first product, Sphero, which connects with Orbotix's API to maneuver a small globe-shaped robot.

Wheeler didn’t start out as a digital artist or in the tech industry. He started out as a custom brush artist in the automotive industry, doing work for companies like Harley Davidson, Ford, Dodge. He started to migrate into digital by teaching himself the basics of all the programs and then got hired as a "Brick Monkey" at Net Devil in Louisville. At that time, Net Devil was doing a project for Lego, and the Brick Monkey was in charge of sorting all the Lego parts in stock.  “Once folks noticed my talents,” said Wheeler, “they gave me a chance, and I didn’t let anybody down, and that’s kind of how my career progressed in the digital industry.” 

Later, that same studio, Net Devil was bought up by Lego group. When Lego closed down the studio four or five years ago, he transitioned to game art at Idol Minds, also in Louisville. Then, some friends from Lego brought him over to Orbotix. 

“Here, I’m able to intermix my talents with my air brushing and automotive career and digital painting all in one space," Wheeler said. The atmosphere really inspires him, because he gets to have his hand in so many different things, from neutronic design art to packaging art to point of purchase displays to web design. Whereas many jobs constrain people artistically, Orbotix has broadened Wheeler’s horizons and expanded his portfolio.

Aside from getting complete artistic license, employees at Orbotix enjoy some great benefits, including fully paid health insurance, food and drinks “out the wazoo,” everything from Redbulls to beers, catered food three times a week, razor scooters and skate boards.   

“Don’t get me wrong,” said Wheeler. “It’s not an easy job.  It’s a lot of hard work and you can’t be a clock puncher if you want to be at a place like this. You’ve got to put in whatever it takes.”

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