If Not Game Art, Then What?
polycounter lvl 11
It's been very dry in the game art field lately, what with the layoffs flooding the job market with highly talented, highly hireable artists, leaving guys like me unemployed for longer periods of time. Coupled with varying other factors, of course. This is making me look at different avenues for making income.
So, if game art is not an option right at the moment, then what would you guys do? Trying to keep this art related, by the way. I know I can run up to QFC, or Taco Time and make a paycheck there, but I'm really wondering what other avenues there are that I haven't thought of already.
Oh, and I did a search, and didn't find this question here. If it has already been asked and answered, please link me. Thanks
So, if game art is not an option right at the moment, then what would you guys do? Trying to keep this art related, by the way. I know I can run up to QFC, or Taco Time and make a paycheck there, but I'm really wondering what other avenues there are that I haven't thought of already.
Oh, and I did a search, and didn't find this question here. If it has already been asked and answered, please link me. Thanks
Replies
Graphic Design.
Sell models on Turbo Squid, CG Trader etc.
Sell hats for TF2.
Sell Dota items.
Motion graphics for production houses, news stations etc.
Freelance work.
Web Design.
You just have to get creative, a big part of being a commercial artist is marketing yourself. Also, if you're not getting work in the industry, it's not always that there's not enough work, sometimes it's your portfolio. (whether it be quality, or what you have in it {example, sci-fi but the company is looking for fantasy}).
Courtroom simulations. I've been contacted by law firms in the past to just model some cars, a train and setup an auto accident re-enactment. Might be cool to put on in a game engine, complete with physics.
Arch Viz. I see a lot of arch viz companies using the Cryengine for real time walk arounds of buildings, houses etc. A lot of times architechts don't have time or don't want to get it into an actual engine because they don't know how. You could offer them those services.
Teaching. I've known guys who would set up certificate classes at the local Community College, they'd teach basic environment art and UDK.
not kidding. I'd love to run off to Hollywood and learn how to drive cars like a mad man.
Something totally unrelated to 3D.
Edit: I'd probably also look into another position with game creation too. Personally, I like making environments in general and that's like 2 or 3+ different positions at a lot of studios I think.
A couple more questions though. Certain things like Graphic Design, and Archviz, don't you need a degree to get hired? Also, since I've never looked into it, is previs hard to get into, or understand?
One of the main reasons I asked the original question is, I've been out of work for over a month now, and only get the "if we have 'X' we'll give you an email" kind of replies to my applications. Things are piling up, and I desperately need work, like right now. My family and I are in a place where we can't pick up stakes and move to where the studio jobs are, so I Know that's kneecapping me, but there's not much I can do about it right now.
So, I've been looking for something else I can do, and be able to get hired right away. I reqlly appreciate all the suggestions, and I will be looking into them today to see how many are realistic for me at this point. But I'm sure your posts are helping others with the same question, so keep them comming if you have more. Thanks again, guys
My fallback career has been web design and coding. I've found a respectable number of opportunities for this, and am actually doing pretty well at the moment. I've got a contract gig working on the graphical front-end of an enterprise application written in Java that pays well and is really close to my house.
Front-end web development has been decently rewarding, and it has helped to bolster several technical skills that I've been able to apply directly to my personal game design projects.
First off, theres Serious Games, and then theres simulation. There is a big difference between a game that is supposed to teach kids about firefighting, and a military sim that is running in a killhouse that Navy Seals train on with live ammo.
[ame="
I started at a military simulation company shown above, that mainly focused on military sims that utilized self healing screens and thermal cameras that picked up the heat of the bullet impact, so we could provide real training to the army, navy, etc that focused on using live ammo, as well as offering laser weapons that provided realistic kick back. We were shown on Kotaku awhile back:
http://kotaku.com/5941214/these-real-soldiers-are-being-trained-on-amazing-video-games
We had our own engine, that granted was very limited in what we could do, but we also sold VBS2 (the military simulation version of ARMA) so we did work in that engine as well, and around the time I left, we had started using UDK. In the past they had done home theater and arcade games as well. I was able to work on a boat simulator that had a life sized boat on hydraulics, a sniper simulation that utilized a small screen inside the scope and tons of other cool stuff.
I left there and now work at Forum Energy Technologies in the ROV Simulation side of things.
http://www.vmaxsimulator.com
..where basically we work on a simulator that provides training for ROV pilots, but weve also branched out to do rescue subs, trenchers, etc.
From working at both places, I can say the work itself changes constantly. Its a client driven market, and many times youll be working on multiple projects at one time if a high paying client talks to a sales guy at a trade show and requests a product that does a specific thing. At any one time I can be working on real time assets, as well as a promo video. These teams are usually small, and especially as an artist, you really have to be a jack of all trades. Ive been here a year and have done everything from modeling and texturing real time assets, to jumping into After Effects and Premiere and putting together promo reels and animations where I did everything, video, sound, etc; to then jumping into marketing brochures and print media. It was the same at my last job. It's fast paced at times, and as such, deadlines can change constantly and you have to get used to that. You sometimes don't get to polish everything the way you want.
Theres always something to work on, and as such (at least in my experience and from other people I know that do this), its a lot more stable than the gaming market. I currently work with 3 other guys that have backgrounds working in the gaming industry, and the idea of working at a place where its a lot more stable is a huge plus. Its satisfying work, and while I still would love to work at a dedicated game studio or in film vfx someday, I can put away a good amount of money with each paycheck so if ever one of those opportunities opened up, I would have a hefty savings to fall back on in case of layoffs.
Flight simulations, military, oil and gas; theres a lot of work out there.
Yeah same,
I'd also quite like to do all the pilot training stuff and give aerial tours in a light aircraft or something.
A kid I grew up with does exactly that. Posts pictures all the time of limbs he's made, seems pretty cool.
As for me, if I had was going to stay in a 3D-ish job I'd probably go the arch-viz route. Though if I were to just up and quit the 3D Art/Computer world, I'd be a park ranger or something that would allow me to be outside. I think owning my own landscaping company is my secret dream job.
I could keep rambling but look at yourself and what you actually enjoying doing at its core and you might realize you would enjoy a fairly wide range of jobs.
Well, this sort of pertains to limb replacement...
A few years back I was working on a Mod and one of the guys did ZBrush sculpting for a company that manufactures the Fleshlight. Turns out the guy sitting next to him modeled giant penis sculptures (I think they're called dildos) that were printed out in 3d.
It was hilarious when he mentioned how the leads would come by and comment on his work... "Make it veinier, more bumps, bigger, more veins..." :poly142:
I guess you gotta do what you gotta do; right? He said the money was great and he got free samples... whatever that means.
Lately, I've been thinking really hard about going back to school to finish the CS degree I started long time ago. That or web design.
I'd like to get into web design first but Looks like you need a degree for that.
People keep telling me to "hang in there you'll find something" but the reality is game companies seem to be dying up and the industry norm is a state of flux.
I used to think I'd be ok with the ebbs and flow of the gaming industry.
Now that have a house payment, car payment, wife.... not so much. IDK, but I gotta do something soon.
If I were to pick a different career path, it would probably be something outdoorsy. Studying reptiles, probably. I've also always wanted to be in an orchestra.
At least I'm young and mobile...It would be rough having a wife/house/car. That's a ton of responsibility. I really hope the best for you!
(this thread, man. all of my feels...)
Just promise me this, if you ever do become a chef, don't be a dick. I've had enough bad experiences with chefs at hotels and bars that I've worked at that it isn't funny, it's almost like some weird tradition to become grumpy.
Then again, I've met some really awesome chefs who are a joy to work with too, be one of those chefs!
As for Teejay mate you should look into companies in Dubai (www.dubizzle.com) every day they need archviz with architect degree. Yes good companies cover all travel stuff, plus point if you are EU or from State side you dont even need to worry about visa
As for me Im seriously considering running up my online Design Studio, covering web design only (coding not my department, so need to hire someone), Arch Viz, Brand Ads, Print (business cards, invitation cards, Photo editing) and 3D game models. Also thinking of adding stuff like Scott Robertson
Short of obscure parts of Scotland and Wales, there's barely a part of the UK that doesn't have a games studio nearby - there are probably more studios in the UK than the rest of Western Europe combined. Where the heck are you?
Thankfully I'm right this very second doing a uni project where I'm making a mini games rag and well I dunno...
There are loads of studios in that area; heck, Microsoft have one of their biggest games offices in Warwickshire (Rare). Then of course there's Blitz....
Your next to Leamington Spa. Thats like the game dev hub of the UK....
No worries about that! Been in games for so long I honestly can't imagine doing anything else. And my cooking is still pretty mediocre.
Screenplay Writer (art painted in words, yeah?)
Iron Man 3 director Shane Black wrote Lethal Weapon when he was 24. Sold it for around $250K (he's first sale).
Pre-internet you really have to move to LA to get in the biz. But now it's possible to get discovered by just joining recognized writers contests online. Can't recall exactly but someone wrote something for fun, casted it on reddit and based on feedbacks got an agency to back him up. I think he sold it but I'm not sure. If I remember correctly he quit his IT job to polish it.
If somebody options your spec script you can negotiate payment from $50k to mid $100k (this is just for the noob scale, real guys sell multi-million at this point).
Somebody in the (or originally from) game biz successful with this? Google Gary Whitta, writer of Book of Eli. He's also involved in writing for Will Smith's After Earth.
But if I wasnt working on game art, I'd like to work on motorcycles. I have a 2007 Suzuki Gxsr 600 that's like my second wife. A friend of mine actually had to go get training for it, so it would be like an entirely different career path...but definitely one I'd consider if I had to.
ReZnik, I'm right there with ya, man. I don't have a house payment, but a $1200 a month apartment rent payment, I might as well. I got married last year, so I have a step son, and wife to provide for now. Luckily my wife is a paralegal, and damn good at her job. But in December, the firm she was with let her go, and she was out of work for several months. She starts again on Monday at a new place that is perfect, but has low pay.
I'm getting desperate, I NEED a job. Is there anyone from an art outsourcing company, that has positions open? I thrive in those places, and most of experience is in art outsourcing. If you know of any openings, please let me know. A link to my portfolio is in my signature.
i' am mainly modelling seats, footmats and all the stuff that looks horrible as CAD Construction Data
shoot me a pm and i will provide you some info
From what you've posted so far, it sounds like you need an income, can't move, and still want to be an artist.
I'd suggest an apprenticeship in a skilled trade and selling your art online in your spare time. An apprenticeship will pay you to learn and after four or five years pay you at least $30 an hour. Selling art online will allow you to make a very nice side income and works well with a full-time job.
if you are serious about game art, then your first priority should be a working portfolio with finished game art samples. no WIPs stuff.
a blog is not nearly as efficient as a image gallery with thumbnails or straight up image scroll.
during your downtime you should really think about fixing that.
Teach
DOTA 2
Freelance
Go full-time Indy
MM: I've tried understanding just making a website, but its so far over my head, that I haven't been able to find a single resource that makes any sense to me. I'm pretty stupid when it comes to web development, and programming. It's not willful stupidity, just stupidity. But I will look into it some more, thanks. Also, could you explain what you mean by "no WIPs stuff"? I don't have any WIPs on my site, unless you were using that as a general term, and not specific to me.
JacquChoi: How do you go full-time Indy, and does it pay?
Thanks for the suggestions, everyone. This is really helping me out. I've got a couple of things to go on now, and don't feel as aimless as I was when I started this thread. It's very much appreciated.
There's plenty of avenues for funding (especially in Montreal), but the issue is really more about those funding sources having a lot of leverage over what we would make, and maintain a significant portion of creative control.
As an American, you could totally go Kickstarter, and make a few 3D Prints. (Games are a lot less funded these days).
Heck almost every Comic on there seems to hit its funding goal.
Unity Asset store is the best option.
Think Ikea, not boutique. Flat-pack your art, sell it cheap and in volume.
you dont need to make your own site from scratch. you can use portfolio sites like carbonmade, foliodrop or prosite. they should be fairly easy to install and have lot of themes to customize from. you can also install wordpress on your own domain/host and get a wordpress theme to do all the work of building your site. go to themeforest.net for WP themes. lot of great WP themes out there.
you can also just make a simple html page with image scroll. it really doesnt take any coding knowledge to do that. search polycount and you even find simple html templates people posted.
about the wip image, i was just saying in general.