Home› Career & Education

Career & Education

Getting into game development, education for game artists, working in a studio vs. freelancing, life/work balance, managing your career.

Discussion List

Topic
Replies
Latest Post

Blender as industry professional?

Hi all,Just wanting to talk about something that I've been seeing float around.That is that, I keep seeing people recommend learning blender over maya and max because of the argument of "Free softwar…
12 Last
EarthQuake

Asking about the process behind finding an outsourcing studio

Hey guys,im aiming to create an outsource team to take freelance and outsource projects. We are working hard to increase our demoreel's quality! But I'm a little confused if the jobs comes regularly.…
7 Last
slovik

Maya Animation Class / Tutorial?

Hi all, Making the switch over to Maya for animation / rigging and 3ds max for my environment and props. I am currently seeking an in-depth animation class. I've done animation, basic things. Ho…
6 Last
AGoodFella

Need advice trying to decide what path to take 3D modeling

Hey guys,I am going to full sail University and I am studying video game art. I am at the point now where in my classes I can choose to model props or environment such as building etc. I am having a …
5 Last
sacboi

Best place to find character rigging basics, concepts, and principals?

Anybody know where here to find actual good material for this that is relevant to now times, not outdated stuff? Thanks!
3 Last
Alex_J

Quitting job (with savings) to focus on craft?

Has anyone had any experience with living on savings to work on their craft? Any success stories?I graduated from university a couple of years ago, and have since found it very difficult to dedicate …
4 Last
Alex_J

How Important is Diploma in Gaming

i wonder how important is a Diploma to can find a job in this industry?i'm having really hard time to keep up with school and work and i'm thinking to drop the school, i already work as freelancer an…
23 Last
BrianShray

How you guys deal with freelance clients?

Hey guys, I’ve just took part in a game project lately. It’s my first game project and I know this one is merely for experience more than the money. I did the animating for characters. First let’s …
5 Last
slovik

Can you be a character artist with weak drawing skills?

The reason I ask this is because I know how to use all the software and what not but my drawing skill are not that strong no matter how much I practice. Now is is possible to be a character artist wi…
3 Last
Brian "Panda" Choi

Employer-Sponsored Education & New Courses at CGMA

2018 Spring Registration is now open for CGMA. The leading online provider of mentored arts education is back with new courses and a brand new Storytelling Electives track for artists looking to fu…
0 Last
cgmasteracademy

Looking for advice as a technical artist focused in VR

Hello, I recently left my position as a technical artist at a video game studio startup in the San Francisco bay area, which I helped start over 5 years ago. I started as a character rigger, but quic…
2 Last
jd3d

Dropped school : Where do I go from now?

It's been 5 months since I quit the College I was attending. After trying to be accepted in a school for 3 years, I was accepted and I was able to deliver, at the cost of my sanity and my health.I've…
25 Last
Wazikhiel

Online "Industry Secrets" for sale

The user and all related content has been deleted.
30 Last
Taylor Brown

I hate myself need help

HelloIt's been over a year since I graduated and I haven't had the chance to improve my portfolio on my own. Which is why im looking for a course to do to improve. The problem is I know I can model, …
44 Last
DeathstrokeFTW

3D Environment Art - learn to draw first?

Hello. I'm gathering some info on 3d modelling for environments/props and browsed through some similar threads, but I'm still wondering how to allocate time spent on drawing and 3d modelling. Should …
6 Last
sacboi

Studio Tours and how to go about it.

Hi, I will be visiting the US in about a months time from now.Im curious to know. Are studio tours a thing ? I know places like Blizzard offer em and I've tried my luck and signed up for it…
9 Last
Meloncov

Career Progression as a 3D Artist?

Hey guys, I'm working as a 3D artist for a game company and it's been really awesome experience. I do just about everything from rigging, animating, texturing, modelling, mechanim, timeline and getti…
2 Last
BrianShray

Am I weird?

So after a couple of tries at contacting various companies and getting the same lack of response I'm wondering if I'm just weird or expecting too much. I've contacted a couple of companies and person…
8 Last
BrianShray

Technical interview questions

What are the common technical questions in an interview for 3d artists in the games industry?How can I prepare for it? What are the do's and don'ts?I'm currently trying to prepare for my upcoming int…
4 Last
PixelMasher

Getting paid for freelance work with Payoneer - is anyone using it?

Hello!I am having a customer that insists in paying me through Payoneer, but I hesitate to accept it since I 've seen many bad reviews about this specific platform with people even calling them scamm…
3 Last
Boyani

Benefits of Traditional sculpting in film and games

For character sculptors/artists, do you think traditional sculpture gives you a leg up? how often is it used? Is it a great thing to have in your portfolio? Is it more so used in films than games, if…
2 Last
sacboi

I'm looking for an industrial design tutorial.

Hi there! So, here's the deal, I'm looking for a tutorial course or even a mentorship on industrial design.To be clear, I'm a 3D environment artist. I know how to make models, UVs and all that jazz. …
2 Last
Linfo

Character artist bootcamp, game art institute. Opinions?

Has anyone done this course? 
2 Last
White_wizard

Some questions about modeling and softwares in production

Hi there, I'm student and I was taught to use Maya to learn the basics of 3D modeling but  when I'm looking what the others mades  I see that not many people seem to use it or only for buil…
4 Last
sacboi

Films, Games, and Education with Jerad Marantz

From the upcoming Mortal Kombat to Guardians of the Galaxy and Gears of War 4, you will find Jerad Marantz hard at work designing characters and costumes in many of LA’s most prestigious studios. Som…
0 Last
cgmasteracademy

Level Designer without Programming skills?

This discussion was created from comments split from: How do I make a level design Portfolio?.
4 Last
Shudrum

VFX in games?

Even i am doing 3D Modeling atm, i am curious about vfx in games. Mostly i am interest in style like WoW, LoL, Dota 2. For doing vfx, what kind of theory do i need to know? I am speaking for mat…
2 Last
PixelMasher

Where to find Concept Art jobs?

Hi guys,I was wondering about this, because in this forum there is a jobs section, and it's awesome, but it has mainly listings with people looking for 3d artists, to no surprise, since this forum is…
5 Last
PixelMasher

Graphic Design to 3D Animation

I have graphic design experience but would like to try 3D animation. What would be the suggested steps/software sequence you would recommend?
3 Last
Brian "Panda" Choi

Finding Personal and Professional Growth with Legacy Effects Artist Hannah Kang

When we asked Hannah Kang to talk with us, she asked if she could just make us a mascot instead...Of course we said yes, but the deal was she had 24 hours to get it to us.She not only delivered on ti…
0 Last
cgmasteracademy

Art test from AAA studios, have some questions

Hi all, I recently submitted my first art test to an AAA studio in Canada, and got another test from other studio today. So, my first test was likeness head from a picture reference with texture map …
11 Last
ArNavart

Question about using models for animation and copyrights

Hi im not sure if this is right place to ask questions like this but i couldn't find better place on this forum.I was wondering if using model of Pokemon for animation showreel a violation of copyrig…
3 Last
Tooupy

VFX in Unreal education- workshop or clas suggestions

hey gang, back with another question. I've been learning Unreal recently. And I stumbled my way into VFX with Cascade, UE4's particle generator (not sure if i'm saying that correctly.) If you ha…
2 Last
pmiller001

Best website builder for artists?

I'm looking to help a group of friends redesign a website for them and they're fairly opposed to Wix, what websites are best for building a site for artists?
17 Last
JordanN

How to start

Hey guys, I'm very passionate about everything involving gaming, and I'm looking forward to becoming a graphic designer, my question is if anyone could tell me what the steps are to becoming one or f…
5 Last
samnwck

ArtDirection/Art Bibles/StyleGuides/

Hey There,I am a student, planning my masters thesis. I think about writing about "art bibles" in videogames. I am still at the very beginning of the work, looking for resources of information and th…
2 Last
Eric Chadwick

Contracting through a Limited Company - Accounting software?

Wasn't really sure where to put this.Does anyone run their contract work through a limited company for tax efficiencies?If so, do you use accounting software and would you have any recommendatio…
5 Last
sacboi

Is it okay to model other peoples concept art?

I've model a few objects from other people's concept art and I was wondering if its okay to show off my work. I would give credit to the artist, but I just wanted to practice modeling from a concept …
5 Last
YaboyZay

This website has inspired me to learn 3D modeling

Today was my first day learning about some of Blender's functions.  I learned how to use nodes to apply high poly textures onto a low poly mesh!  ᗡ:
8 Last
Cavins

Cheat or not?

i'm wondering , it is considered cheat if we use base mesh from someone else or use alphas and others source in zbrush?or its totally ok to do it so in this industry?i kinda feel bad to use someone e…
16 Last
PixelMasher

3D visualization Career question?

Hello I'm familiar with 3DS Max,Vray and PShop. Now I'm creating my portfolio for 3D visualization(Interior &Exterior)Should I learn Auto cad? I now it will be a plus.But the time I spend to lear…
5 Last
Adamp34

Anyone used HTML templates for making their business sites?

Are they really a good idea in this case? And which resources with them can you recommend me?Thanks in advance!
1 Last
Eric Chadwick

[GDC] "Breaking In" Panel seeking suggestions and questions

Hey ya'll,Renzo Harada, Tiffany Kallinger, Lindsey Peck, Rosstin Muphy, and I are doing a panel tentatively titled "Breaking In: How to deal with Limbo and Proactively Wait" at GDC in the Career Pavi…
2 Last
Brian "Panda" Choi

Advice for student hard surface artist.

Hello, I'm a 16 year old young artist. Ever since I was young and watching films like "Star wars" formed a love in me for spaceships and sci-fi vehicles of all kinds. A few months ago I discovered 3D…
1 Last
sacboi

Poll Survey: Do you click Sketchfab/Marmoset Viewer links?

I swear I'm not being paid to say this.  :| I was digging around and I found my old Sketchfab account from 2015. I checked in and I'm surprised how many new features they added. So much so, I th…
9 Last
Finnn

VFX artist expectations and experience

Hey gang, I was hoping to get some input. I started recently, getting into VFX using Unreal(Cascade). I love the stuff. It is a whole lot of fun. Originally the thought was to just learn enough …
0 Last
pmiller001

..... review

9 Last
BittaSingh

Is concept design a good skill to have first?

Would it be better to learn Concept design before delving into Modeling and texturing?
11 Last
pior

Canadian College Decision

Hello everyone. I need an advice. This year I am about to be a student at one of Toronto's colleges. I've seen a few related topics but these are about 2 or more years old. I've already applied …
3 Last
NikhilR

College Decision

I have to decide which college i will attend next year for game design. I would like to go into 3D modelling and/or concept art. I have a decision between Centennial college and Sheridan college. Cen…
23 Last
CalebJ

Popular Tags